What to Expect During Our Free Memory Screening

*This assessment is only available at Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research*

If you are experiencing memory loss, you are not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, roughly 40% of the population 65 and older experience associated memory impairment. Dementia is the broad category of cognitive impairment with subtypes like Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Bodies, Vascular Dementia, and others.  Although there have been many breakthroughs in memory research, there is still no cure for memory loss.

What is a Memory Assessment? A memory assessment tests for cognitive impairment. The assessment is a 30-point test widely used to assess dementia and Alzheimers. The type of test we use is the MMSE or mini-mental state exam. The MMSE assessment is a crucial step toward making a diagnosis. Who Should Be Tested? Memory loss can be a sign of aging. However, there are differences between typical signs of aging and memory loss, leading to dementia and other diseases. If you can still work or live independently, likely, you are just showing signs of age-related memory loss. On the other hand, if your memory loss disrupts your life, it is time for a memory assessment. Other signs to look out for include:

• Asking the same questions repeatedly
• Forgetting common words while speaking 
• Mixing up uncommon words like “Chair” and “TV’
• Taking longer to complete familiar tasks
• Putting items in odd places like your wallet in the fridge
• Getting lost in familiar areas
• Quick changes in mood or behavior for no reason

How Our  Free Memory Assessment Works If you are unsure or worried about yourself or a loved one, you can get an MMSE free of charge for ages 50 and up at our Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research location. If you decide to schedule an appointment, plan to be at our facility for about an hour and a half. During that time, one of our experienced clinical coordinators will ask you a series of specific questions about your memory.  The MMSE assesses orientation to time, orientation to place, word recall, calculations, naming, repetition, comprehension, reading, writing, and drawing. At your appointment, your clinical coordinator will also have you go through a memory questionnaire, asking about your daily symptoms. Afterward, your results will be given to you, and there will be a clinical investigator on-site to answer any questions you may have. As mentioned, there is no cure for memory-loss-associated diseases, but the strides science has made in recent years have been astounding thanks to clinical trials.   If you or a loved one is experiencing severe memory loss, you may consider a clinical trial. There are many benefits to participating, including one-on-one personal care from a physician and access to the latest experimental medication. Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research, a member of ENCORE Research Group, is enrolling in memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease research studies. If you want to learn more or schedule an appointment, call 904-730-0166.