What does a doctor do for a memory test?

Doctors test memory using a combination of cognitive tests (paper/pencil tasks like recalling words or drawing clocks), medical history review, neurological exams, brain imaging (MRI, PET, CT scans), and sometimes blood tests, to assess thinking, problem-solving, and language skills, and rule out other causes like vitamin deficiencies or tumors. There isn't one single test; it's a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose cognitive impairment or dementia.

How do doctors test for memory problems?

Doctors test for memory problems using a mix of quick cognitive tests (like recalling words/numbers), detailed neurological exams, and physical checks, often followed by brain scans (MRI, PET, CT) and blood tests to rule out other issues like vitamin deficiencies or stroke, plus talking to family for history, aiming to pinpoint the cause of decline, from normal aging to dementia. 

What to expect during a memory test?

A memory test involves questions and tasks assessing various thinking skills, including recalling a list of words (immediate/delayed), identifying objects, drawing, solving simple math, and answering about the date/time, all to check short/long-term memory, language, and problem-solving, often using brief tools like the Mini-Cog or MoCA.
 

What are the three words to remember for a memory test?

A 3-word memory test, often part of the quick Mini-Cog test, involves saying three unrelated words (like "apple, penny, table"), having the person repeat them, then asking for recall after a short delay (usually 3-5 mins) and a clock-drawing task, used to screen for mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The goal is quick, simple assessment of short-term memory and executive function; good recall (2-3 words) suggests normal aging, while poor recall (0-1 word) indicates possible impairment, requiring further evaluation.
 

What happens if you fail the 3 word memory test?

Failing the 3-word memory test (part of screening tools like the Mini-Cog) doesn't automatically mean dementia; it signals a need for further evaluation by a doctor, as it points to potential short-term memory issues that could stem from treatable conditions like depression, thyroid problems, or vitamin deficiencies, or could be an early sign of cognitive decline, requiring more in-depth neurological testing for diagnosis. 

The Truth about Memory Tests

Can you pass a memory test and still have dementia?

It's important to remember that test scores may be influenced by a person's level of education. For example, someone who cannot read or write very well may have a lower score, but they may not have dementia. Similarly, someone with a higher level of education may achieve a higher score, but still have dementia.

What are three early warning signs of dementia?

These include:

• memory loss.
• difficulty concentrating.
• finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping.
• struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word.
• being confused about time and place.
• mood changes.

What kind of questions are asked on a memory test?

Memory test questions range from simple recall (like 3 words or an address) to complex cognitive tasks (like serial sevens subtraction or picture identification) and are used in screenings like the Mini-Cog or SAGE test, assessing orientation, recall, and executive function to check for cognitive decline. Common types involve immediate and delayed recall of words, orientation to date/place, and basic math or drawing tasks. 

What are the three words for the medicare test 2025?

There isn't one single set of three words for the 2025 Medicare test, as doctors use different lists for the quick cognitive screening (Mini-Cog) during annual wellness visits, but common examples include Apple, Penny, Table, or Banana, Sunrise, Chair, testing short-term memory for early signs of impairment, not a diagnosis. 

What is one of the first signs of cognitive decline?

Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age. It's common for family and friends to notice these changes.

What three conditions are often mistaken for dementia?

Three common conditions easily mistaken for dementia are depression, thyroid disorders, and vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), all causing memory issues, confusion, or slowed thinking that can mimic dementia but are often treatable, as are sleep disorders, infections, and medication side effects. A proper diagnosis is crucial, as these mimic conditions are often reversible, unlike progressive dementia. 

What happens at the first appointment at Memory Clinic?

A doctor or specialist nurse will ask you to complete in-depth memory and thinking tests. These tests will give your doctor a clearer idea of how your memory and thinking are affecting different aspects of your life. They usually take longer than the tests used by GPs, which can detect general problems with memory.

What is the average score on a memory test?

There's no single "average score" because it depends on the specific memory test (like MMSE, MoCA, RBMT), but generally, scores above a certain threshold (often 24-30) indicate normal cognition, while lower scores suggest mild, moderate, or severe impairment, with averages around 22-25 on MMSE for healthy adults, and above 25 for MoCA. A good score means higher points, reflecting better memory function, but interpretation always considers age, education, and specific test cutoffs. 

What should I do if I fail a memory test?

For a definitive diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, individuals who fail any of these tests should be evaluated further or referred to a specialist.

What medications can cause memory loss?

Many common medications can cause memory loss, including benzodiazepines (anxiety), opioids (pain), antidepressants, sleeping pills, antihistamines, antiseizure drugs, and some statins, by affecting neurotransmitters or brain areas involved in memory, with older adults often more susceptible. Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can be culprits, like first-generation antihistamines (diphenhydramine) and some bladder control medicines.
 

How does a doctor determine if a person has dementia?

Doctors test for dementia through a combination of methods, including taking a detailed patient history, performing neurological and cognitive tests (memory, problem-solving, language), running lab tests (blood/urine) to rule out other causes (like vitamin deficiency or thyroid issues), ordering brain scans (MRI, CT, PET) to check structure/activity, and sometimes using genetic tests or spinal fluid analysis for specific biomarkers, all to identify cognitive decline and its cause, explains the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging. 

What three words do doctors ask you to remember?

Doctors use common, unrelated words like "banana, sunrise, chair" or "apple, penny, table" for the Mini-Cog memory test to check short-term recall, often after a distraction like drawing a clock, to screen for cognitive issues like dementia. These aren't fixed; other word lists exist (e.g., "sock, blue, bed," "village"), but the purpose is always testing memory. 

Can you refuse the Medicare memory test?

A cognitive test is not mandatory for Medicare beneficiaries, but it is an included feature of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). If a person has Medicare Part B and has been enrolled for at least 12 months, their AWV includes a brief cognitive screening to assess memory and thinking abilities.

What kind of changes are coming to Medicare in 2025?

Medicare changes for 2025 focus heavily on Part D prescription drug costs, introducing a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for covered medications, plus a new option to pay for drugs monthly, alongside higher Part B premiums/deductibles and expanded behavioral health benefits in Medicare Advantage. These reforms, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to lower drug costs for beneficiaries, with some Medicare Advantage plans seeing fewer options available.
 

How many words should you remember in a memory test?

In a common memory test, you should aim to remember 5 words, where recalling 3 or more after a short delay (3-5 mins) is generally considered normal, while recalling 2 or fewer may suggest a need for further cognitive assessment, though results vary and depend on age/education. More complex tests use longer lists, but the simple 5-word recall is a quick screening tool for short-term memory, not a definitive diagnosis. 

What are the 10 warning signs of dementia?

10 of the most common warning signs are shown below and depicted in the infographic:

• Memory loss.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
• Problems with language.
• Disorientation to time and place.
• Poor or decreased judgement.
• Problems keeping track of things.
• Misplacing things.
• Changes in mood and behaviour.

What happens when you go for a memory test?

A memory test involves questions and tasks assessing various thinking skills, including recalling a list of words (immediate/delayed), identifying objects, drawing, solving simple math, and answering about the date/time, all to check short/long-term memory, language, and problem-solving, often using brief tools like the Mini-Cog or MoCA.
 

What vitamin deficiency is linked to dementia?

Vitamin deficiencies, particularly in B vitamins (B1, B6, B12) and Vitamin D, are significantly linked to an increased risk and progression of dementia, mimicking symptoms and contributing to cognitive decline by affecting brain function, neurotransmitter synthesis, and cellular health, with severe deficiencies posing greater risks. Other deficiencies, like iron, can also impair cognitive function. 

What is stage 1 dementia like?

In stage 1 of the Global Deterioration Scale, or GDS, the person isn't experiencing any symptoms. There's no cognitive decline, and although they may have occasional memory lapses, forgetfulness has no impact on their function.

What are four common behaviours that people with dementia often exhibit?

Common changes in behaviour

• repeating the same question or activity over and over again.
• restlessness, like pacing up and down, wandering and. ...
• night-time waking and sleep disturbance.
• following a partner or spouse around everywhere.
• loss of self-confidence, which may show as apathy or disinterest in their usual activities.