Sample questions from Alzheimer’s evaluation

by AZ Central:You frequently misplace your car keys. You typically forget what your partner asked you to pick up at the store on your way home from the office. You never can remember whether Aunt Hildy takes cream and sugar with her coffee.Incidents of forgetfulness are common and occur more frequently as we age. Sometimes, though, forgetfulness is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Only a qualified medical professional can make the diagnosis.Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., and the cyberworld is awash with tests claiming to help determine your risk. Experts caution against most of them, but a few are legitimate. Here are five questions from a validated test developed by Ohio State University. OSU experts say that four out of five people with memory issues will be detected by this test.1. What is today’s date? Month, date and year. (From memory — no cheating!)2. How are a watch and a ruler similar? Write down how they are alike. “They both are …”?3. How many nickels are in 60 cents?4. You are buying $13.45 worth of groceries. How much change would you receive from a $20 bill?5. Draw a large face of a clock and place in the numbers. Position the hands for five minutes after 11 o’clock. On your clock, label “L” for the long hand and “S” for the short hand.More information and additional tests can be found at www.alzheimersreadingroom.com. The site offers five self-assessment tests for Alzheimer’s, dementia and mild cognitive impairment.Signs of Alzheimer’s- Poor judgment and decision making.- Inability to manage a budget.- Losing track of the date or the season.- Difficulty having a conversation.- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.- Typical age-related changes- Making a bad decision once in a while.- Missing a monthly payment.- Forgetting which day it is and remembering later.- Sometimes forgetting which word to use.- Losing things from time to time.Source: http://bit.ly/193HVnj