These warning signs may indicate that you may be at risk for dementia.
Are You at Risk for Dementia? Take This Test to Find Out
Researchers at the prestigious Columbia University have found that almost ten percent of adults over 65 in the U.S. have dementia, while another 22 percent have mild cognitive impairment. With numbers like that floating around, many people want to know how their memories measure up.
Researchers at Columbia University have found that almost ten percent of adults over 65 in the U.S. have dementia.
Doctors who examine people with symptoms of dementia give them many tests and assessments to evaluate their mental abilities. They’ll receive brain scans, written and verbal tests, blood tests to check liver function, kidney function, diabetes and vitamin deficiencies.
Try this simple quiz, but no matter how you score, don’t despair. There are many things you can do to halt — and even reverse — the process.
Doctors who examine people with symptoms of dementia give them many tests and assessments to evaluate their mental abilities.
You need pen or pencil and paper to do this test. Spend no more than five minutes on each part of the test and record your score accurately.
1. This is a name and address. After you read it, repeat it. Remember it because you’ll have to repeat it in a few minutes: John Brown, 42 West Street, Central City, Ohio.
2. What is the exact date?
3. What is something that happened in the news yesterday?
4. Write down the names of five animals that begin with S. Turn the paper over and do something else for two minutes. Write down the same five animals again.
5. How many quarters are in $5.25?
6. You are buying $2.35 of groceries. How much change would you receive back from a $5 bill?
7. Write down the names of the last five presidents, including the present one. Don’t look up the answers until you’ve gotten to the end of this quiz.
8. From memory, write down your address, phone number, Social Security number, the name of the supermarket you use most often and the name of your primary care doctor.
9. Write down 12 fruits and vegetables.
10. Now repeat the name and address from the first question.
Take this quiz to see if you are at risk for dementia.
Now, check you answers for accuracy and give yourself ten points for every question you answered correctly. Now add up your score. If you have a total of 100, your memory is in tip-top shape. If your score is between 80 and 100, your memory is normal and you have nothing to worry about. If your score is lower than 80, follow these memory-boosting tips.
First, pay attention to your diet. The mind diet — Mediterranean- DASH Intervention for Neuro degenerative Delay — targets the health of the aging brain. The healthy items the diet guidelines suggest including:
■ 3+ servings a day of whole grains ■ 1+ servings a day of vegetables (other than green leafy) ■ 6+ servings a week of green leafy vegetables ■ 5+ servings a week of nuts ■ 4+ meals a week of beans ■ 2+ servings a week of berries ■ 2+ meals a week of poultry ■ 1+ meals a week of fish ■ Mainly olive oil if added fat is used.
The mind diet — Mediterranean- DASH Intervention for Neuro degenerative Delay — targets the health of the aging brain.
Second, exercise your brain by reading, doing puzzles, engage in conversations with others, quit smoking, exercise and get plenty of sleep.