Expert: Paula Damgaard - 6/3/2005

Question
Is there any cognitive screening (online or elsewhere) that I can take on my own, without going to a doctor?

Thanks

Jo

Answer
Dear Jo, I do not know of any that can be taken.  I am sure there maybe, but I don't know of any.  I really don't do the cognitive testing for our clinic so am not sure exactly the answer.

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that if you are afraid that you may have a problem, before you seek any kind of help or diagnsis, make sure you have long term care insurance!  One must have the insurance in place before they talk about any memory problem, because if they don't and then they apply, when they ask for your medical records and see the "memory" complaint there, even if nothing is found out, you will never get coverage.  

Ways to then go and get testing, if you are near a University setting, Many of the neurologist, psychologists and/or psychiatrists are doing research where they are looking for normal volunteers to test them.  You could get the testing done and have this as a baseline, so should you ever, God forbid, have changes, the docs will know exactly what is changing and hopefully have help for you.  And some of them may pay you to help out!

Good luck and I hope you never really need to go beyond baseine!  Paula