A friend just passed on a simple Alzheimers test she read about. I thought I better write it down so I don’t forget it!
This test is meant to differentiate between normal age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s.
THE TEST
- Tell the person you are testing a 7-digit phone number.
- Wait 5 minutes, tell them the phone number again, along with two others.
- Ask them to pick out the original phone number.
Regardless of the reason for the memory loss [age or Alzheimers], they won’t remember the more than 3-4 digits. But,
A person with Alzheimers will not recognize the original phone number when you repeat it to them.
A person with other kinds of memory loss will.
Memory loss can start as early as age 30. Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the neurons get disorganized and don’t communicate with each other correctly. Symptoms start with forgetfulness, progress to short-term memory loss, and finally long-term memory loss.