Basic language to determine level of dementia : Dr. My dad has some issues that we need to investigate and rule out any treatable causes for what appears to be dementia.
Having seen it done, there are a lot of simple tests, but unfortunately not all of them capture what you are seeing (I suspect). The best advice I read was dementia is not something you really "diagnose" - it's something you observe. So instead of trying to figure out a clear yes or no answer, write down all the evidence you have, and bring that to his doctor.
But if you really want a test, one of the ones I saw done was to ask him to remember three basic words (like CAT, BANANA, and LOVE), have him repeat them a few times, then ask him a bunch of other questions — what day is it, who is the president, what's his birthday, what's his favorite food, stuff like that. Then ask him if he can remember the original three words. It captures that short term memory loss issue in a clear way, and is something you can report to his doctor.
The one question I also remember from my mom's test was "Start with 100 and subtract 7. What do you have?" Then keep subtracting 7 for about four or five more times.
Fortunately, the questions listed by TChamp were also in the test, or I'd be the one in memory care, and my mom would have been at home. I can't do math in my head for anything, but Mom did that question just fine.
Yes, the formal cognitive tests will attempt to evaluate the following areas: 1- Orientation in regard to time, place and person. 2- Recent memory and past memory 3- Attention span 4- Concentration 5- Recall 6- Calculation 7- Retention 8- Comprehension As a screening test, you can ask a few questions about some of the above cognitive functions. A neuropsychologist will explore other mental functions beyond cognition, like thought processes, affect, judgement, mood, abstract thinking, impaired perceptions, misinterpretations, etc, etc.
Of course, this won't be a formal test, only basic questions: 1-What's today's day of the week? 2-What's today day of the month? 3-What's the month? 4-What's the year? 5-Where are we? 6-What is our address? 7-What's the name of this town? 8-Who is the president of the U.S.? 9-Who was the president before this one? 10-What did you eat for breakfast? 11-What did you have for lunch? 12-Is there a holiday coming soon? 13-What holiday? 14-Listen, what I will say: "What a country needs to be rich and strong, is an unlimited supply of oil" Could you please repeat what I said?... 15- What are the important news today?
The above questions will tell you a lot of the cognition level of the person.
When the dementia is advanced, there is no need of a test. It will be obvious to anyone. A test is only valuable at the beginning when the cognitive deficit is only mild. Neuropsychological test is the best to identify a beginning dementia. There are some screening tests that a primary care doctor can apply. It contains about 30 questions that the patient has to answer.
Has he been formally diagnosed before? There are other illnesses that can produce dementia-like symptoms, such as a UTI, thyroid, HBP, diabetes, vitamin deficiency, dehydration, and others. Please take him to a doctor. If he's not mobile then request a home visit (sometimes it is covered by Medicare).
I can't remember the test I gave my mom a few years ago. I just googled and there is the SAGE test. There are others you can print and do at home as well. I think these tests are basic tools and do not cover all the types of issues my mom has been having. You can do the test(s) now and then do them again in 6 or 12 months to see if there's any big changes.
https://tamcummings.com/stages-of-dementia/
But if you really want a test, one of the ones I saw done was to ask him to remember three basic words (like CAT, BANANA, and LOVE), have him repeat them a few times, then ask him a bunch of other questions — what day is it, who is the president, what's his birthday, what's his favorite food, stuff like that. Then ask him if he can remember the original three words. It captures that short term memory loss issue in a clear way, and is something you can report to his doctor.
Fortunately, the questions listed by TChamp were also in the test, or I'd be the one in memory care, and my mom would have been at home. I can't do math in my head for anything, but Mom did that question just fine.
1- Orientation in regard to time, place and person.
2- Recent memory and past memory
3- Attention span
4- Concentration
5- Recall
6- Calculation
7- Retention
8- Comprehension
As a screening test, you can ask a few questions about some of the above cognitive functions.
A neuropsychologist will explore other mental functions beyond cognition, like thought processes, affect, judgement, mood, abstract thinking, impaired perceptions, misinterpretations, etc, etc.
1-What's today's day of the week?
2-What's today day of the month?
3-What's the month?
4-What's the year?
5-Where are we?
6-What is our address?
7-What's the name of this town?
8-Who is the president of the U.S.?
9-Who was the president before this one?
10-What did you eat for breakfast?
11-What did you have for lunch?
12-Is there a holiday coming soon?
13-What holiday?
14-Listen, what I will say:
"What a country needs to be rich and strong, is an unlimited supply of oil"
Could you please repeat what I said?...
15- What are the important news today?
The above questions will tell you a lot of the cognition level of the person.
Good luck.
Why do YOU want to evaluate your dad's level of dementia? Shouldn't that be done by a neuropsychologist?