I have become more forgetful and am concerned it may be an early sign of dementia. Are there any memory screening tools or services to help me determine if I have a problem before going to a neurologist?

Many adults experience memory lapses as they age and may wonder if these are signs of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. To better understand memory lapses, here are some tips and resources you can turn to. 

Warning Signs

As we grow older, some memory difficulties – such as forgetting names or misplacing items from time to time – are associated with normal aging. However, the symptoms of dementia are more severe than mere memory lapses.

While symptoms can vary greatly, people with dementia may experience issues such as short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood.

To help you distinguish between typical age-related memory loss and signs of a more serious condition, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a list of 10 warning signs that you can review at 10signs.org.

The Alzheimer’s Association also provides information including the signs and symptoms of the different types of dementia, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and others.

Memory Screening

A great resource to help you address your memory concerns is the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which offers a National Memory Screening Program. This free, confidential, service provides face-to-face memory screenings virtually and in real-time. The screening takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and consists of questions and tasks to evaluate your memory status. Once the screening is complete, the screener will review the results with you.

Available to everyone, these memory screenings are done daily Monday through Friday, and are administered by doctors, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers or other healthcare professionals across the country.

A smart phone, computer, tablet or any other device with a webcam and internet capability is all that is needed. Appointments can be requested online at ALZFDN.org/memory-screening or by calling 866-232-8484. It is important to note that this screening is not a diagnosis of any condition but helps determine if you should consult with your doctor for a more thorough evaluation.

See Your Doctor

If you find that you need further evaluation, make an appointment with your primary care doctor for a cognitive checkup and medical examination. Depending on what is found, you may be referred to a geriatrician or a neurologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.

Experiencing some memory lapses does not necessarily mean you have dementia. Many factors like stress, depression, thyroid disease, side effects of medications, sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies and other medical conditions can affect memory. Addressing these underlying causes can often reduce or eliminate memory concerns.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.