Assisted Living

Testing for Memory Loss in Adults: How is it Done?

The world’s population has been fighting a silent battle against memory loss for many years now. In the United States alone, at least 5.8 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia this year and that number is expected to increase further as more Americans enter their late adulthood years and move into memory assisted living.

 

Occasional forgetfulness is a part of the aging process, but when you experience difficulty in language, memory, thinking and judgment consistently, you could be having memory loss that could easily led to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia if not addressed right away.

 

But how does a doctor test for memory loss in adults?

 

Neurological test

  • The first step that doctors usually take when testing for memory loss is to evaluate your five senses, reflexes, speech and spatial skills. You may be asked to follow some verbal and written commands, draw some shapes, name objects and do things that will help the doctor look for signs of neurological issues.

 

Neuropsychological test

  • After the initial neurological evaluation, the doctor may also perform a neuropsychological test to further assess your ability to focus, remember and identify people, time and place. This will be done through a series of questions that are related to your mood and behavior to determine how memory loss affects your daily activities.

 

Cognitive test

  • Cognitive evaluation means checking for your memory, concentration and sense of time and place through a series of questions about your personal life, especially about your daily activities. The doctor may also talk to your family members or caregiver to ask about any changes that they’ve observed since you first manifested memory loss.

 

Psychometric test

  • The more specific psychometric test measures the speed, quality and accuracy of different mental processes by letting you take a written test where you will be given different challenges that will determine how you make decisions, use language, organize, remember details, solve problems and focus on activities.

 

  • If a doctor still needs more definitive signs that you are experiencing memory loss or worse, if it’s progressing to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, he may order additional tests like an MRI scan and PET scan.

 

    • An MRI is a non-invasive scan where radio frequency pulses and magnetic fields are utilized to produce detailed images of bones, organs and even soft tissues. Doctors usually order an MRI scan to rule out other medical conditions such as tumors that may be causing your memory loss.

 

    • A PET scan, on the other hand, is another imaging test that will give doctors a better picture of how your organs and tissues are functioning inside your body.

 

At the end of the day, it’s very important to have yourself tested from the moment you start experiencing consistent memory loss. This will not only allow you the opportunity to have an early diagnosis but also give you the best quality of life, whether you need to move to memory assisted living or not.


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Senior Housing Near Me Ashland NE

The Benefits of a Temporary Stay in a Nursing Home

As you approach your senior years, you’re probably contemplating about moving to an assisted living community. Nursing homes are especially popular among a lot of seniors since they offer independence and accessibility to healthcare services whenever residents need them.

 

But moving into a nursing home is a huge decision, so it would be helpful for you to experience what it’s like living in an assisted living community before you commit to it.

The good news is you now have the option to experience a temporary stay in one of the many nursing homes in the country where you can enjoy their many benefits.

The Benefits

 

You’ll get to experience the real living arrangement yourself

 

  • A lot of seniors think that nursing homes consist of small double rooms, narrow hallways and shared bathrooms. But today, things are a lot different because assisted living facilities already offer apartment-style living where you get to enjoy your own space, gourmet food ready for you every day and other amenities that might not even be accessible in your own home.

 

  • A temporary stay means that you’ll get to experience what type of community you want to be in so you can decide which assisted living facility to choose when the time comes.

 

Your family members will understand assisted living better

 

  • As you grow older, your loved ones may find it overwhelming to cater to your needs when they’re working or have their own families. It may even become frustrating to them if they feel that they’re not giving you enough care or if you’re becoming too stubborn.

 

  • Staying in a temporary assisted living facility for a couple of weeks or a month will allow you to not only explore this living option but also for your loved ones to understand what it’s like to have someone in nursing homes so they can make better decisions about your long-term care.

 

You get to understand the true cost of assisted living

 

  • Assisted living communities don’t come cheap, that’s for sure, and that will also be the same situation once you’re living in one long-term. Price ranges for temporary stays could range between $99 and $250 per day depending on the size of the apartment, the location and the amenities offered in the facility.

 

  • Although some of your fees will be covered by Medicare and Medicaid if you stay in a facility for the long-term, you will need to pay the full cost of a temporary stay, which will give you and your loved ones a real perspective of what it costs to be living in nursing homes.

 

A temporary stay facility is an amazing option if you and your loved ones are still considering the possibility of you moving into an assisted living facility.

 

It’s also a great time for you and your spouse to get a break and enjoy the benefits of being in one of the nursing homes where you get to focus on living your best life possible.

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco