Cognitive Health & Aging
Is Your Loved One Showing Signs Of Neurodegenerative Disease (Dementia)?
Are you concerned that a loved one has a cognitive impairment? Do they seem more forgetful and disorganized than usual? Have you noticed signs of memory loss and changes in their personality or problem-solving abilities?
Maybe you’re just not sure that your loved one can live on their own anymore. Perhaps you’re worried about them continuing to work. Maybe they have trouble with short-term memory and struggle to hold conversations. They may be increasingly irritable and impatient, as if they have a short fuse with everyone around them.
If you’re worried about your loved one’s ability to function, we would be honoured to provide a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) assessment. Our test can discern if someone has an MCI or if their struggles are simply a result of the natural aging process.
Memory Loss Is Normal, So It’s Hard To Tell If You Have a Neurodegenerative Disease (Dementia)
Memory loss generally begins at the age of 40, so it’s normal to become more forgetful as you age. The struggle is being able to tell if your memory loss is a normal part of getting older or a sign of cognitive impairment.
Naturally, this uncertainty can create a lot of anxiety. Merely wondering if you have a neurodegenerative disease is incredibly stressful. And if you are diagnosed with it, life can be just as hard. For instance, you may experience a lot of social anxiety regarding your condition because you’re worried that you’ll tell people things you’ve already told them. As a result, a neurodegenerative disease can cause you to second-guess everything you say and do.
To Get Adequate Care, People With a Neurodegenerative Disease (Dementia) Must Have Proof Of Their Condition
Many people with a neurodegenerative disease or an MCI need home healthcare services. But in order to get those services, they need a diagnosis and documentation stating the severity of impairment. There needs to be evidence that they can’t live independently or be alone for long periods of time. This is why a cognitive test evaluating declines in functioning is so important. Neuropsychological evaluations can assess a person’s condition and help them figure out what accommodations they can utilize going forward.
An MCI Assessment Can Help Your Loved One Understand Their Challenges And Get The Support They Need
An evaluation with Dr. Nicole Murray can provide clarification on the severity of your loved one’s condition. It can separate the serious from the non-serious, helping you understand if their struggles are because of an MCI or not.
Additionally, an evaluation can provide a customizable and appropriate treatment plan for your loved one’s life going forward. Together, we will brainstorm memory exercises, problem-solving strategies, and environmental changes that will benefit their quality of life. Although a neurodegenerative disease cannot be eliminated, it is possible to still live a full and happy life with it.
What To Expect In The MCI Assessment Process
The first step of the MCI assessment is an hour-long cognitive screening session. We will go over your loved one’s symptoms and discuss their challenges with you in the room. In the next session we will conduct the assessment, which usually lasts two to four hours. The last step of the process is a feedback session. You (or another person close to them) must be present for this session as well, since we will go over accommodations and services they need.
The entire assessment process usually lasts about two weeks and totals four to six hours. When everything is done, you can expect to get the results back two weeks after your final payment. We will provide you with lots of referrals and treatment options so that your loved one receives the best care possible after the evaluation.
Ultimately, we believe that helping your loved one understand their own cognitive functioning can be liberating and empowering. Knowing what challenges to work on can help them improve their day-to-day functioning and sense of independence. And it can help put you at ease, knowing that they’re getting the care they need.
You May Have Some Concerns About MCI Cognitive Screening…
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The recommendations that we’ll give your loved one are intended to increase autonomy and independence. The goal is to figure out where their challenges lie and use that information to help them. For instance, are there certain daily habits (cooking, walking, etc.) that they can do safely as long as someone else is around? An evaluation can answer these questions for you.
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The results of the MCI assessment are kept confidential; only you and your loved one will know the final report. If you and your loved one choose to share the results with anyone else, that’s totally okay, but we’ll never share the report with anyone without your permission!
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Assessments are typically covered by extended healthcare coverage, since they are a medical procedure. Before coming, we recommend that you check with your provider to make sure.
Your Loved One Deserves The Best Possible Treatment And Accommodations
If you suspect that someone close to you has an MCI and you want to schedule an assessment, we encourage you to connect with us. To get started, you can email us, fill out the contact form, or click here to schedule a phone consultation.
