Preparation for a Memory Assessment to Test for Dementia

Preparing for a memory exam to test for possible signs of dementia can help eliminate fear and reduce the possibility of a false positive diagnosis. Some patients get confused by the directions or misinterpret the doctor's exam instructions when in reality their memory is still functioning properly. Adequate preparation can reduce warranted fears and help the doctor effectively diagnose the dementia. Early diagnosis can ward off more severe memory loss episodes. Greater awareness allows a doctor to prescribe medication and memory-inducing therapies to compensate for memory loss. There is no single test that can completely diagnose dementia, but memory and performance tests are positive places to start.

Instructions

• 1

  Practice clock drawing, telling time and making change for a dollar. According to JohnsHopkinsHealthAlerts.com, a clock drawing test examines how well a person can represent time. Practice drawing clocks with the hands pointing to a specific time of day. Similarly, a time and change test assesses a person's ability to tell time and perform simple math. Practice reading the time on a clock that has hands (non-digital). Prepare for memory tests by making change for a dollar. Review and practice stating time, including the current year, month, date, day of the week and time of day.

• 2

  Practice word repetition. Ask a friend or family member to verbally speak a list of several common nouns like banana, chair and bicycle. Repeat the list back to the speaker. People with adequate hearing should be able to repeat back three or more words. Practice this method of word repetition several times in a row to encourage attention, language and working memory skills.

• 3

  List items in a category. Practice naming as many items in a sample category as possible. For example, if the topic is the zoo, try to name as many animals and features of a zoo as possible. Set a one-minute time limit for naming as many items as possible. According to JohnsHopkinsHealthAlerts.com, the goal is to name a minimum of 10 items in one minute. The inability to do so could be a sign of decreased mental function. Practice naming objects in a familiar room without misspeaking or improperly naming any items.

• 4

  Prepare by practicing attention tests. According to DementiaCareCentral.com, attention tests require you to spell a word backward or count backward. Practice spelling simple five-letter words like "table," "boxes" and "diner" backward and forward. Prepare for memory tests by subtracting from 100 sequentially by fives, sevens or tens. Practice arranging letters alphabetically and quoting the months of the year backward, starting with December. Omitted words or transposed numbers could indicate memory loss related to attention disorders.

• 5

  Practice executive functions. According to JohnsHopkinsHealthAlerts.com, executive functions refer to complex sets of mental abilities that include planning, starting, sustaining, stopping and abstracting. Experiment with executive functions by explaining similarities and differences in a particular scenario. For example, practice reciting the similarities and differences between types of fruit or jungle animals. The inability to accurately explain these similarities and differences could mean that reasoning is impaired.