Dementia is a common condition among the elderly, and it is characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and language.

It can affect the quality of life of both the patient and their loved ones, as it can lead to confusion, disorientation, and difficulties in daily activities. However, early diagnosis and management can help slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life.

Here is a simple six-question test that can help assess your grandmother’s memory and determine if she needs further evaluation for dementia.

Question 1: Orientation to Time and Place

Ask your grandmother if she knows the date, day of the week, and year. If she is not sure, try to ask her a more specific question, such as “What season is it?” or “What time of day is it?”.

You can also ask her where she is and if she can describe the location, such as “Can you tell me where we are right now?”.

Question 2: Registration and Recall of Words

Ask your grandmother to remember three unrelated words, such as “apple”, “table”, and “pencil”. Then, distract her with another task, such as counting backward from 100 by 7s, for about 30 seconds.

After the distraction, ask her to recall the three words. This test assesses her ability to register and retrieve new information.

Question 3: Attention and Calculation

Ask your grandmother to count backward from 20 to 1 out loud. Then, ask her to subtract 3 from 20 and keep subtracting 3 from the result for five more times, out loud. This test assesses her attention and calculation abilities.

Question 4: Recall of Registered Words

Ask your grandmother to recall the three words you asked her to remember in Question 2. This test assesses her ability to recall previously registered information.

Question 5: Language and Naming

Show your grandmother a pencil and ask her to name it. Then, show her a watch and a key, and ask her to name them as well. This test assesses her language and naming abilities, which can be affected in the early stages of dementia.

Question 6: Visuospatial Abilities

Ask your grandmother to copy a simple geometric figure, such as a square or a triangle. This test assesses her visuospatial abilities, which can be affected in the later stages of dementia.

Interpretation of Results

Each question is scored as 0 or 1, with a total possible score of 6. A score of 6 indicates normal cognitive function, while a score of 2 or below suggests the need for further evaluation for dementia.

If your grandmother has a low score, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.

Conclusion

The six-question test for dementia is a simple and reliable way to assess your grandmother’s memory and detect early signs of cognitive decline.

It is important to recognize these signs early on, as early diagnosis and management can improve the quality of life for both the patient and their loved ones.