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I can’t thank you enough for working me to get the phone up & running for my mom. She’s starting to adjust to using it. This phone will help her as she gets flustered with all the options even on a basic cell phone.

I am so grateful for this phone & the wonderful support staff that helped me with my questions & missteps. Tried out the phone with family members & are anxious to give it to her on Monday, her 92nd birthday. This will be a godsend for her to be able to communicate with her family during these difficult times. Usually there are only 5 stars but would give 10! Thank you for making this a very bright moment. Thank you again.

I have been looking for a phone that would not confuse my Mother with her dementia. I have not found a phone that would work for her until I found this one. Having the ability to set up and control the phone from the caregiver portal has greatly reduced the time I have to spend dealing with phone issues. My Mother lets me know if she needs to add a number to her list and I can do the from anywhere without having to physically change it on her phone. I also like being able to check the battery level from the portal adn let her know if she needs to charger her phone if she forgets. No more assuming the phone is just dead. The GPS feature also gives me peace of mind to know were she is or if her phone was left somewhere. This is a great solution if you are looking for a phone for your family member with dementia.

I am so very thankful for this phone. It has given my father a sense of freedom again. His confidence in using the phone is phenomenal and we haven’t been able to say that in a while. I am wondering if there is a case that can be recommended that has a cover for the front that will stop accidental calls. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS PHONE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE, YOU WON’T REGRET IT.

I purchased this phone for my mom who has dementia and was having great difficulty using even her simple flip phone. It is very easy to use and wonderful that I can manage the phone from the portal. I would rate “5” except 1) I assume there is no way to disable the 911 function due to legal issues, but it would be nice if I could since she is in a nursing home and help is always nearby; 2) would be nice to get rid of the message that says “individual’s voicemail has not been set up” since there is no voicemail option (I get calls from my mother’s family asking why she has no voicemail); 3) would be nice to be able to increase the number of rings. It only rings four times and it usually takes her longer than that to get across her room to answer since she doesn’t carry the phone around with her. All in all, though, very happy with this purchase.

As for 2) the voicemail message and 2) the number of rings – these are control day the wireless provider. The number of rings / ring duration can bu adjusted by some of the carriers. Please contact the carrier and request it to be changed.

This phone is very nice to look at and easy to use. I love that we can limit the calls that my mom receives. She was always so confused by the spam calls about the extended warranty for her car. It’s great that she doesn’t get those anymore. It’s also really nice that she can see photos of my sisters and me to decide who she wants to call.

However, there are a couple of things I do not like. One, the volume is fixed, and it is too loud for certain situations. Secondly, there is no way to track missed calls, or voice mail.

This phone solved our conundrum with needing a simple phone for our older guy who now feels reconnected without the barrage of incomprehensible scammers. The tech support and customer service is responsive, efficient and superb.

I just wanted to say thank you for this product. My mom, who has dementia, broke her hip, got COVID while in the hospital and ended up recovering from both in isolation in a nursing facility. She has been struggling to understand what is happening to her and not being able to be there with her has been a challenge for all of us. This phone has helped her tremendously. She had forgotten how to use a cell phone a long time ago but she can use this phone and it has lifted her spirits to stay in touch and she likes looking at our pictures. It’s such a well designed product and the customer support you offer is very appreciated as well. The staff at the Verizon store wrote down the information because they said they get requests for senior-friendly phones all the time and they don’t sell anything like this phone. The therapy staff at the nursing home commented that they love the phone as well and will be recommending it to other families in the facility.

This phone has been a godsend to me as the caretaker of my mother from three states away. I love how I can manage the phone via the portal. There are so many things I love about this phone and its ease of use for my mother. Other reviews talked about the default ringtone volume being very loud and unable to change. The ringtone volume was super loud! I called RazMobility Support and they walked me through how to lower the ring volume (but you can only do it when having the phone physically with you and they walk you through all of the steps). I’m sure there are other changes RazMobility support can help you with. Just call them and ask, “Can _____ be adjusted on the phone?” They have been super helpful. I love how simple the portal is to manage and how I can see the battery life, and GPS location of my mother’s phone. The MintMobile cell service did not do too well in my mother’s nursing home, but it was easy to switch out the SIM cards to another carrier. But make sure you purchase the more expensive Raz phone so you can easily switch carriers if you need to. I would have stayed with MintMobile if the reception was better as their website is super easy to navigate. So this review doesn’t go on forever, I’ll focus on some features I would like to see in the future: recent call list, ability to adjust the ringtone volume, voice volume from portal. One glitch I’ve found is that when my mother presses the “Hang Up” button too long, she accidentally calls the contacts listed in the #5 & 6 spots. To avoid her accidentally calling someone a lot, I added my contact info into slots 5 & 6. So if it happens, she is just calling me. We also bought the wireless charger (which comes with the protective phone case). That way my mom does not have to struggle to plug in the regular phone charger. The wireless charger charges super slow to avoid wearing out the battery. This phone is awesome. Raz, if you created an affiliate program, I think you could get the word out even more about this phone. I would be a huge cheerleader of the phone!

I purchased this phone for my Dad who we just moved into a nursing home due to dementia. He became unable to remember how to work his old cell phone or the regular telephone. The RAZ has been a Godsend. It’s so easy for him to use and he is absolutely thrilled to be re-connected with his family. I had a little trouble activating it, ( a senior citizen setting up a phone for a senior citizen…what could go wrong???). But I called customer service and the rep that helped me was amazing. Patient and knowledgable and even emailed me pictures of what things should look like along the way. She made sure I knew how to add names and pictures to the phone and even offered to do it for me if I emailed her the pictures. I’ve called a few times with questions and I reach a human being quickly and they always know the answer to my questions. Customer service of the highest caliber. So far the only downside is that when the phone is in the case the volume of the ringtone is very low and my Dad doesn’t always hear it. I’ve called customer service and they told me that I have to be near the phone to adjust the volume, so the next time I am there I will give them a call. The RAZ is the absolute perfect cell phone for any senior but especially one who has impaired mental capabilities.

My 92 year old father loves this phone. I love not worrying that someone is scamming him over the phone. He loves showing it off to his friends at the retirement community. I love not spending hours trying to talk him through getting him back on his phone. He loves not calling the wrong person because he touched the wrong line in his contacts. I love updating new phone numbers for his contacts without having to have his phone in hand. For us it’s a win/win/win

My Dad doesn’t have dementia but is 87. We got the Raz phone and it’s like a long, cool drink of water. We tried Jitterbug and Jethro “senior friendly” phones and they were a JOKE. Raz is the first truly SIMPLE phone – no menus, God bless them, and remotely configurable. The only thing I would criticize, and I hope Raz is listening… About once or twice a day, the Raz phone makes an outgoing call while in my Dad’s pants pocket. I have witnessed this first-hand. He’s puttering around the kitchen, not bending over, not with his hands in his pocket, and his phone calls me. If he were allowed to “turn off” the screen before he puts the phone in his pocket, I believe the problem would be fixed. We did try a belt holster, but with his posture, his belt is too close to his armpits and it takes so long to get the phone out of the holster that the phone stops ringing before he can answer.

I purchased this phone for my brother who has rapid arm and hand tremors due to Parkinson’s Disease. He also has early Dementia. He is not tech savvy at all. The Raz phone is truly a blessing to him and my family not only because it’s simple and easy to use, but it eliminates the clutter he would have to navigate through using the traditional smart phone. He is proud that he has a device that is fully simplistic and streamlined to his need, but also instills his dignity just by the phone’s impressive appearance. Raz mobility technical support is Fantastic! I have dismissed products from other companies just on the premise of customer support alone, regardless of the quality of product. I was helped by Alex at Raz Tech support. He was extremely knowledgeable, methodical, courteous, and above all, patient. I enjoyed one of the best customer experiences I have had in many months. Kudos to Alex.

I found the RAZ Phone easy to get set up and it works as advertised. This will be a big help as my wife has memory problems. Now I feel comfortable being away from her for a while. Thanks.

Great phone for those with dementia. Easy to set up from the caregiver portal. Customer Service is great. An improvement would have the phone shut off automatically if not being used since the battery goes down and the phone has to be charged daily.

I recently returned my mother’s Memory Cell Phone because someone at her care facility had inadvertently exited the app and did a factory reset. Within a week, I had the phone back with the app reinstalled. Not only that, you installed the new version which has great new options AND sent a complimentary wireless charging platform because she had damaged the charger port trying to put the charger in the wrong way. That is customer service above and beyond.

This is close to being the perfect phone for those with dementia and those of us who care for them. It is so very well thought-out, anticipating all the problems. For the first time in months, my husband can call me when he’s feeling anxious or worried from his memory care facility. It has been such a relief for both of us.

The Memory Phone has been a wonderful solution to our parent’s dementia challenges. What a relief to have the confidence that they can call when they want and not be discouraged by the complexity of a smart phone.

The RAZ is a great phone. Customer service is outstanding. I bought this for my Mom who has Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately we waited a little to long to make the change. She was not able to make the adjustment to the phone and I had to return it. With that being said, this is a wonderful cell phone, I am super impressed with how it works and the options for the caregiver from the portal. I will be telling anyone I know who needs this service. We did the T-Mobile version and had zero problems. Just put the SIM card in and it worked perfectly. Thanks for a great product!

RAZ MEMORY phone is exceptional for my father in law age 94. He has some age related dementia combined with macular degeneration. Especially helpful are the auto answer to speaker phone options. He is able to call us usig the limited photo buttons. And, NO MORE JUNK CALLS. Wish we were aware of this earlier. We are showing it off at his new Assisted Living Community. We also love the optional charging cradle which is home for the phone most of the time.

This phone is fabulous for my mom who has dementia. We tried several ‘easy’ and ‘senior’ phones before finding this one. This is the only one she’s been able to use reliably. Being able to control the phone settings from my phone is great; no more deleted contacts or turning her phone off then wondering why it wasn’t working. The phone works well on the T-Mobile network. I had to contact customer service and was shocked to be connected to a person right away. He immediately identified the issue and walked me though how to fix it. The call lasted maybe 5 minutes and there have been zero issues since. I wish we’d found this phone a couple years ago. It would have saved both mom and family members a lot of frustration.

Easy for my non-tech husband to use. We set it to auto answer and speaker phone, so he doesn’t even need to pick it up. Makes us feel more secure for those times when I need to leave him alone for short periods.

This study was performed in a large-scale aluminium factory in Hejin, Shanxi Province, North China. Workers on duty in this factory were our target population. Our study was conducted along with the annual health examination in the staff hospital. The workers took work clothes, masks and gloves during working time. The Al concentration in the drinking water was lower than the national standard (<0.2 mg/L).

After collecting the basic information, the subjects underwent a face-to-face evaluation by the MMSE and CDT scales, both of which were conducted strictly according to the guidelines. The correlation between MMSE and CDT is high, and herein we combined MMSE with CDT

In stage 2, neurologists from the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University inquired about the participants" history of cognition. Scales with higher specificity were selected, including the digital span, Fuld object-memory examination

Exclusion criteria for our study were as follows: (1) any diseases that may cause cognitive impairment including hepatic or renal disorders, brain trauma, cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, Parkinson’s diseases and mental diseases; (2) any family history of dementia in first-degree relatives; (3) any history of regular drug use (anti-acid drugs containing Al or mental drugs affecting the central nervous system); (4) use of Al cookware in the home or daily consumption of vermicelli or fritters; (5) obviously poor vision and hearing; (6) workers with missing demographic information and blood samples and (7) dementia defined by impaired daily work and general activity, or poorer life function and execution ability than previously observed, or a condition that could not be explained by delirium or mental illness (as judged by the neurologists).

: A telephone battery was administered that included the Memory Impairment Screen by telephone (MIS-T, a test of semantic memory), the Category Fluency Test (CF-T), and the Telephone Instrument for Cognitive Status (TICS). An in-person evaluation then followed that included a neurological examination, a neuropsychological battery, demographics, and medical history.

: The telephone battery was well accepted. The MIS-T required 4 minutes; the CF-T, 3 minutes; and the TICS, 10 minutes. The MIS-T had excellent sensitivity and specificity when compared with the CF-T and the TICS. Using cutscores on all three tests that provide a sensitivity of 78%, specificity was significantly higher for the MIS-T (93%) than for the CF-T (78%, P<.05) or the TICS (80%, P<.05). Combining the MIS-T and CF-T improved discriminative validity but increased screening time and the complexity of scoring. Normative data for the MIS-T, the CF-T, and the TICS for use in settings with different base rates (prevalence) of dementia are presented in this study.

: The MIS-T outperforms the CF-T and the TICS as a valid and time-efficient telephone screen for dementia. For applications that require optimal efficiency and accuracy, the MIS-T is recommended.

A memory screen provides useful health information about your brain, just like a blood pressure test provides information about your heart. Anyone can get a free, confidential 10-15 minute memory screen, provided by trained and certified ADRC staff.

Memory screens are also good for individuals concerned about their memory due to changes, a family history of dementia, or those who want a baseline to monitor their brain health.

After reviewing possible reasons for the screen results, the screener will answer questions and provide information and resources for supporting brain health. They may recommend a medical evaluation, but no information is shared with your doctor without your approval.

Early detection does matter. If further evaluations by a medical professional determine you may have dementia or mild cognitive impairment, you can plan for your future. You can take steps now, including:

Screens can be done in our offices or in your home. We recommend an initial baseline screen and then a re-screen every year to monitor your brain health.

You can’t find your keys, or perhaps you forgot an appointment. For many people in middle age or older, simple acts of forgetfulness like these are scary because they raise the specter of Alzheimer’s disease.

But Alzheimer’s is not the only health problem that can lead to forgetfulness, says the National Institute on Aging. Memory lapses can happen at any age and for a number of reasons. And when the underlying cause is treated, the memory problems often improve as well.

“Patients might experience memory loss and describe their symptoms similarly, but a doctor can tease apart what parts of the brain are affected,” says Seth Gale, MD, a neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

“When you drill down and find out what’s actually happening with someone’s mental functions, you can reassure them. For example, it’s common for people to still have the capacity to learn and store information, but because of their overloaded mental resources at this time of their life, they have trouble doing it well,” Dr. Gale says.

Talk with your doctor about concerns you may have about your memory, so that the condition responsible for your symptoms can be addressed. Discussing your symptoms and taking various tests, including possibly an MRI, may help your doctor determine what is affecting your memory, Gale says.

Significant stress or anxiety can lead to problems with attention and memory, says Constantine Lyketsos, MD, director of the Memory and Alzheimer"s Treatment Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine and professor and chair of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Bayview.

This is particularly common among people who may be juggling home and work responsibilities and are not sleeping well. Usually, easing stress can improve memory, he says.

Untreated chronic stress can lead to depression, which could also affect brain function, including some measures of memory, according to a study published in May 2022 in Frontiers in Psychiatry. However, a mood disorder such as depression may improve with medication and counseling, notes the National Institute on Aging.

Sleep problems, including insomnia, or the chronic inability to fall or stay asleep, as well as sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing to stop briefly and frequently throughout the night, have been linked with memory loss and dementia, according to Harvard Medical School. Lack of sleep causes fatigue, which, in turn, can lead to brain fog and memory problems, it says.

In a study published in May 2022 in the Journal of Sleep Research, people with insomnia and sleep apnea were less likely to perform well on assessments designed to measure memory, compared with people without those conditions.

When not treated, sleep apnea affects spatial navigational memory, found a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2021. This type of memory includes being able to remember directions and where you put things, like your keys, Dr. Lyketsos says.

One explanation is that for people with sleep apnea, oxygen delivery to the brain is interrupted several hundred times during the night, explains Lyketsos. “The brain is stressed by the oxygen disruption, so people wake up,” he says. The injury that sleep apnea causes can show up as a variety of memory loss symptoms, he adds.

Memory loss or forgetfulness could be a sign that your medication needs to be adjusted. Several types of drugs can affect memory, according to the American Association of Retired Persons, including:Anti-seizure medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also cautions that the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins could slightly increase the risk of reversible cognitive side effects, including memory loss and confusion.

A lack of sufficient levels of B12, one of the B vitamins essential for normal nerve function, can lead to confusion and even dementia, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Each day, adults should get about 2.4 micrograms of B12 in their diet from foods such as dairy products, meat, and fish, or from foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as fortified cereals, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Taking certain medications, include metformin, proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers (both are drugs that decrease stomach acid), and birth control pills

Mild memory problems can also develop gradually after “silent strokes” — or those that occur without any noticeable symptoms — which affect smaller blood vessels, the American Heart Association says. These changes in brain function, which can range from mild to severe, are called vascular cognitive impairment.

The brain is especially vulnerable to blocked or reduced blood flow depriving it of oxygen and essential nutrients. People with memory loss are at a greater risk of stroke. And forgetfulness may be an early warning sign of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, a study published in BMC Public Healthin 2021 found.

Other conditions that can lead to problems with memory include:InfectionMemory loss may be attributed to severe infection around the brain, particularly if it’s left untreated, Gale says. For example, some people with long COVID-19 have reported memory loss following infection, according to Lyketsos.

Head InjurySymptoms of a mild brain injury may include confusion and trouble with memory and concentration, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Tumors Memory and the ability to process information may be affected by brain tumors, says the National Brain Tumor Society. In addition, the treatments for a brain tumor, such as brain surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, can all affect your memory.

Alcoholism, Substance AbuseBoth alcoholism and drug abuse can affect memory, says Lyketsos. A study published in April 2022 in the Journal of Translational Medicine found that heavy alcohol consumption among adults age 70 and older increased their risk of cognitive impairment, compared with light drinkers and nondrinkers in the same age group.

"Salesperson was not pushy, but offered a wealth of information to help us make our decision. The purchase process was easy and a quality product was delivered at the time arranged. We are sleeping well these days and hopefully for many years to come."

"The mattress is amazing! Our national brand mattress was well past it"s prime. My husband and I felt old before our time every morning. We would have aches and pains when getting out of bed. We would still be tired. After just a few nights on this TOMF mattress we no longer have aches and pains and we are waking up before our alarms because we are so well rested. Plus, the buying experience was very low pressure and informative. We will never buy a mattress elsewhere."

"Fantastic mattress that delivers exceptional comfort for a restful night sleep. Sounds like a commercial BUT it’s true! Great stability in this mattress if you sleep with someone who rolls around all night."

"It is very well made, comfortable beyond expectations. Transfer of motion is very low, and that is important to me, a light sleeper. Excellent customer service!"

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"The firmness of this mattress is great for my bad back. Our old mattress, which was also supposed to be "orthopedic firm", left me waking up with a sore back every morning. My wife said our new OMF mattress was too firm for her, so we purchased a pillow top mattress pad which solved the problem for her while still keeping the firmness for me. Also love the fact that it"s two-sided, a feature our previous, as well as most new mattresses, don"t have. I"m sure that feature will result in a longer life mattress."

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Our memories are an integral part of who we are, but as we age our memory declines. For many older adults, the decline becomes so serious that they’re no longer able to live independently, which is

The good news is that scientists have been learning more about our brain’s amazing capacity to change and grow new neural connections each day, even in old age. This concept is known as neuroplasticity. Through research on neuroplasticity, scientists have discovered that our memory capacity isn’t fixed, but rather malleable like plastic.

To take full advantage of neuroplasticity, you’ll need to exercise your brain and take care of your body. These 25 tips and tricks are some of the most effective methods for improving memory.

Memory strength is just like muscular strength. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. But you can’t lift the same size weight every day and expect to get stronger. You’ll need to keep your brain constantly challenged. Learning a new skill is an excellent way to strengthen your brain’s memory capacity.

There are many activities to choose from, but most importantly, you’ll need to find something that forces you out of your comfort zone and commands your full attention.

Repetition reinforces the connections we create between neurons. Repeat what you hear out loud. Try using it in a sentence. Write it down and read it aloud.

But the work doesn’t stop there. Research shows that simple repetition is an ineffective learning tool if used on its own. You’ll need to sit back down later and actively try to retrieve the information without looking at where you wrote it down. Testing yourself to retrieve the information is better than repeated studying. Practicing retrieval creates more long-term and meaningful learning experiences.

Mnemonics have been tested since the 1960s as an effective strategy for students. You’ve probably been taught a few mnemonic devices for remembering long lists. For example, the colors of the spectrum can be remembered with the name ROY G. BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).

Grouping or chunking refers to the process of dividing newly learned information into chunks to produce fewer, larger chunks of information. For example, you may have noticed that it’s much easier to remember a phone number if the 10 digits are grouped into three separate chunks (e.g. 555-637-8299) rather than one long number (5556378299).

The mind palace technique is often used by memory champions. In this ancient technique, you create a visual and complex place to store a set of memories.

Another tactic of memory connoisseurs is that they don’t just rely on one sense to help retain information. Instead, they relate information to other senses, like colors, tastes, and smells.

Modern technology has its place, but unfortunately has made us “mentally lazy.” Before you reach for your phone to ask Siri or Google, make a solid attempt to retrieve the information with your mind. This process helps reinforce the neural pathways in your brain.

Unless you’re totally lost, try to get to your destination using your brain instead of just following the instructions on your GPS. Perhaps use GPS to get there, but use your brain to get back home. Your brain will thank you for the extra challenge.

A busy schedule can maintain your brain’s episodic memory. One study linked busy schedules to better cognitive function. This study, however, was limited by self-reporting.

An organized person has an easier time remembering. Checklists are one good tool for organization. Manually writing down your checklist (instead of doing it electronically) also increases the likelihood that you’ll remember what you’ve written down.

The blue light emitted by cell phone, TV, and computer screens inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). A poorly regulated sleep cycle can really take a toll on sleep quality.

Without enough sleep and rest, the neurons in our brain become overworked. They can no longer coordinate information, making it more difficult to access memories. Roughly an hour before bedtime, turn off your devices and allow your brain to unwind.

Diets such as the Mediterranean diet, DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension), and the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay) have a few things in common. This includes their ability to improve memory and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s and

Fatty fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s play an important role in building brain and nerve cells. They’re essential for learning and memory and have been

Sugar and fat has been linked to impaired memory. A recent study in humans found that a diet high in fats and sugars — common in a Western diet — impairs hippocampal memory. However, the study relied on questionnaires and surveys, which may not be as accurate.

While you should still take your medications prescribed by your doctor, remember to follow your doctor’s instructions for dietary and lifestyle changes too.

Some prescriptions, like statins for high cholesterol, have been associated with memory loss and “brain fog.” Losing weight and eating healthier may also play a role in treating high cholesterol.

Talk to your doctor about how to manage your medical conditions so you don’t have to rely on a prescription forever. If you’re worried about how a medication may affect your memory, talk to your doctor about your options.

Exercising has been shown to have cognitive benefits. It improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to the body, and helps to create new cells in the brain which are essential for memory storage. Exercise especially increases the number of cells in the hippocampus.

When you’re stressed, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol. Cortisol has been shown to greatly impair the brain’s memory process, especially our

Humans are social creatures. Research shows that a strong support system is vital to our emotional and brain health. One study from 2007 found that people with very active social lives had the slowest memory decline. Just 10 minutes of talking to another person was shown to improve memory.

Your brain is made mostly of water. Water acts as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord. It helps our brain cells use nutrients. So just a small amount of dehydration can have disastrous effects. Mild dehydration

It’s true that moderate consumption of alcohol may have a positive effect on memory, but keep in mind that moderate means just one drink for women and two for men each day.

There’s mounting evidence for the health benefits of meditation. Studies show that meditation helps improve several cognitive functions, like focus, concentration, memory, and learning. Meditation may actually rewire the brain and encourage more connections between brain cells. There are several ways to meditate — find out which one is right for you.

Getting out into nature is incredibly important for our emotional and physical health. Enjoying nature can even be considered a form of meditation. One 2008 study found that a walk in a park improved memory and attention compared to walking in a city.

One study from 2012 found that a mere 20 minutes of yoga significantly improved participants’ speed and accuracy on memory tests. Participants performed significantly better on the tests after yoga compared to aerobic exercise. The study, however, was limited by its narrow sample size of just 30 young, female students.

Our memory is a skill, and just like other skills, it can be improved with practice and healthy overall habits. You can start small. For example, pick a new challenging activity to learn, incorporate a few minutes of exercise into your day, maintain a sleep schedule, and eat a few more green vegetables, fish, and nuts.

Eating good foods isn’t just about maintaining a healthy body and giving us energy. As a matter of fact, what we eat has a direct impact on our brain health as well, including helping to improve memory and overall cognitive function. For seniors who have been diagnosed with or at risk forAlzheimer’s disease or dementia, changing their diet can make a big difference!

Today, our Palm Spring memory care community wants to take a few moments to explore some of the most brain healthy foods that are out there! You might be surprised by what’s on the list and may even want to go grocery shopping by the end.

Foods that are good for brain function and memory retention come in all shapes and sizes. The dishes that you can create are virtually endless! Even if you have dietary restrictions due to an allergy or are perhaps lactose intolerant, we guarantee that you will find something for you.

Right out of the gate, we want to demonstrate thathealthy eatingisn’t all about salads or greens. While these are of course good for you, and we will have some on this list, we want to take a minute to talk about salmon. Even subbing out red meat for salmon once a week can make a huge difference.

Salmon and other cold water fish, such as tuna, sardines, and halibut are all high in omega-3. If you have a higher quantity of omega-3 in your brain, the better it will function. Lower levels of omega-3 have been linked to poor cognitive performance and memory recall.

If we had the time, this whole blog post could be singing the praises of green tea and all its benefits. This delicious beverage is high in antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins that all work together to help bolster brain function. It also contains a nootropic called L-Theanine, which helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Enjoy green tea in a hot beverage or even over ice while out on the patio of ourPalm Spring memory care community! Either way, you can’t go wrong.

One of the most iconic breakfast foods, eggs aren’t just a tasty way to start your day – they’re also an excellent source of choline! Choline is an essential nutrient that the brain uses as a neurotransmitter and plays an important role in memory and communication between different brain cells. According to a study out of Boston University, choline intake is associated with a higher performance on memory tests.

Blueberries are one of our favorite superfoods to talk about! This delicious little fruit is packed with so many nutrients and antioxidants, making it a powerful agent in protecting and preserving brain health. In fact, it’s one of the only foods that have proven to help against the loss of motor function as we age. For senior residents at Palm Springs memory care, this is a great way to improve short term memory loss. Add them to a muffin or pancake mix or simply eat by the handful toreap the benefits!

Sure, guac might cost extra but it’s worth the price, especially when avocados are so beneficial to brain health! Avocados’ impact on our brains might be indirect, but it is still very powerful, as they can actually help to improve blood flow. In order for our brains to operate at their optimal capacity, we have to make sure we’re getting enough blood, and in turn, oxygen to that precious organ. So go ahead, make that guac dip!

Dark green, leafy vegetables aregood for the bodyin so many different ways. Spinach is high in folic acid, which is actually known to help decrease the risk of dementia specifically in women. Other great veggies from this category also include broccoli, cabbage, and kale may even help to improve memory.

We promised this list would feature a few surprises, and one of those includes dark chocolate! This tasty treat is home to flavonoids (antioxidant plant compounds) as well as caffeine. Both of these can actually help to improve learning and memory due to the area of the brain that it impacts. While we don’t suggest eating it at every meal, when you are after a good dessert, give dark chocolate a try!

If you want to check out our Palm Spring memory care community for yourself,call us todayto schedule a tour! We would be happy to show you around, answer any questions you may have, as well as help you to determine if we are a good fit for your senior.

Screening for dementia, much like screening for other diseases or chronic conditions, is a good way to detect the changes that can be signs of the onset of disease or other change in cognition. Memory screening and early detection provide:The ability to make lifestyle and other beneficial changes earlier in the disease process when they have the greatest potential for positive effect.

Time to connect with community-based information and supportive services prior to a potential crisis situation related to the needs of the person with dementia or the caregiver.

To enable people with dementia and their caregivers to benefit from memory screening and early detection, a community-based memory screening program was developed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute using the Animal Naming Screen, the Mini-cog, and the AD8.

The Animal Naming and Mini-cog tools were selected after a pilot study in Portage County in 2009. The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Portage County, and DHS demonstrated the acceptability and effectiveness of using the Animal Naming and Mini-cog screens in a community setting. The Animal Naming screen is attached as Appendix C (PDF) and the Mini-cog as Appendix D (PDF)

Results from the pilot demonstrated ADRC customers’ high level of acceptance of screening. The offer of a memory screen was accepted by 243 out of 254 people, a 96% acceptance rate. This result contradicts the idea that people do not want to be screened for dementia. The tools were also effective in detecting cognitive issues. Of the 243 people who were screened, 150 (63%) had results that indicated they should follow up with their physician. This result may seem surprisingly high, but screens were only offered to individuals who expressed a concern about their memory, so those with cognitive issues self-selected into the study. Of those 150 people, 120 or 80% agreed to have the results sent to their physician.

The Animal Naming and Mini-cog screens were selected not only for their acceptability and effectiveness, but also because they are brief, easy to administer and score, and are sensitive to early cognitive changes. Some screens must be administered by physicians or psychologists and can take more than an hour. The minimum level of training required and the short length of time necessary to administer the screens was a critical component in their acceptance for use by ADRC staff.

The screens were also selected because they have documented utility as dementia screens and tap key skills likely to be affected in mild to moderate dementia. The Animal Naming screen involves retrieval from semantic memory and executive function, two areas of cognition that reliably decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study of memory clinic clients with a high base rate of dementia, the Animal Naming screen was shown to have 85% sensitivity and 88% specificity for differentiating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia from normal cognition. The Mini-cog screen tests memory as well as visuoconstruction and executive function, with studies showing sensitivity for dementia of 76% to 99% and specificity of 83% to 93% in analyses that excluded patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Memory screens are voluntary, so there will be individuals who decline to participate. On these occasions, if family caregivers are uncertain whether their concerns about the person they are caring for are valid, the AD8 screen can help determine whether a visit to the doctor is recommended. The AD8 (PDF) tool is available in both English and Spanish. This screen is intended to help the caregiver think through the changes they see in a family member, and may help them to realize it is time to take action. The screen can be provided to the family caregiver to complete on their own, or the questions can be asked by the screener in a private setting. The AD8 has sensitivity for dementia of greater than 84% and a specificity of greater than 80%.

In 2020, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool was added to the approved tools for use by dementia care specialists (DCS). This tool is not for use by ADRC staff other than the DCS. The intention behind the addition of the MoCA screen is to give DCS an additional tool for situations that are more complex. While the Mini-cog and the Animal Naming screens are more sensitive to earlier changes than other screens, they are limited to a few areas of cognition. The MoCA covers a wider variety of cognitive tasks and provides additional insight into possible cognitive impairment when the Animal Naming and Mini-cog results do not reflect the changes in cognition and behavior reported by the individual or their family.

New dementia care specialists should become very familiar with the Animal Naming and Mini-cog tools prior to adding the MoCA to their toolkit. There are some similarities and some differences between the activities of the Animal Naming and Mini-cog and those in MoCA. Learning all the screens at the same time can be confusing, so it is advised for new staff to focus on the Animal Naming and Mini-cog screens, as well as the AD8, prior to becoming certified to provide the MoCA screen. Training and certification for the MoCA, and the approved form, are available from the official MoCA website. There is a cost to the training and certification for the MoCA. The MoCA is not required to be provided as a part of this program but is available as a supplemental tool.

The primary intent of this memory screening protocol is to enable and enhance conversations about memory concerns. The screens are not diagnostic tools and do not make any determinations about mental status. The screens are similar to a blood pressure check, in that a high blood pressure reading does not mean an individual has cardiovascular disease, but is a signal to talk to a physician about the results. The screens can be a reason to bring up the topic of memory issues because they can be offered in the moment. A referral to the physician can be more meaningful if an objective tool verifies that an individual’s concerns with memory and cognition should be further assessed.

It is appropriate to offer a memory screen when one is requested, or when working with a customer who displays signs of possible memory loss or confusion. ADRC specialists are able to offer the screening program during a visit for another purpose, if time allows. It is preferable to address the concerns around memory at the time, rather than putting off the discussion for another appointment. Memory screening is always voluntary.

Staff members may feel uncomfortable offering a memory screen if they are not used to asking and answering questions about memory and dementia. It is important that staff who are offering the screens understand why screening is important and helpful to the customer. Practicing offering the screen to coworkers and family members can be a good way to become more comfortable. Staff must be trained to follow the guidance in this manual before performing memory screens with the public.

If other people are present for the screening, let them know they will need to remain quiet and not help the person answer the questions. Ensure the participant cannot easily view and copy a clock in the room.

Begin with Animal Naming. It is critical to read the instructions for each task on both screens exactly as they are written. Do not explain how the screen is scored prior to performing the screen, and only afterwards if the individual asks you to do so. To adhere to the fidelity of the tools, they must be performed exactly the same way every time to ensure the results are valid. Read the instructions to the participant: “Please name as many animals as you can think of as quickly as possible.” Be prepared for the person to start listing animals immediately or, if they do not, prompt them with “Go.”

Once the person begins to name animals, start the timer and record all the animals named within 60 seconds in the spaces provided on the worksheet. If the person is speaking quickly, write as much of the word as needed to remember what was said and fill in the remaining letters afterward. If the person falls silent, follow the prompting instructions. Once the Animal Naming screen is done, administer the Mini-cog, even if the score of the Animal Naming screen was very high. The two screens should always be used together.

The Memory Screening in the Community program is intended for the Animal Naming tools and the Mini-cog tool to be used in combination. In this non-clinical program, the standard Mini-cog tool available online has been adapted to work in concert with the Animal Naming Tools. Refer to Appendix D to access the form to record results.

Begin the Mini-cog by telling the participant, “I am going to say three words I want you to remember,” and repeat the three words listed on the worksheet. Be sure to read the instructions exactly as they are written. It is important to the fidelity of the screen to use the same three words every time the screen is performed. Give the participant three chances to repeat the words back. If the participant does not repeat the words, or does not repeat them correctly, the screener can repeat the words up to three times until the words are repeated correctly. If they are not correct after the third time, move on to the clock draw.

Provide a blank, standard, letter-size sheet of paper for the participant to draw on and a writing utensil. This can be the back of the Animal Naming worksheet or another blank sheet. Allow the participant time to adjust to the new task, pick up the writing utensil, and adjust the paper. Once the participant is settled, read the instructions for the clock draw exactly as they are written, pausing when indicated to allow the participant to complete the task. Move on from this task if the clock is not complete within three minutes.

There will be individuals that frequently request to be screened. If they express the desire for an alternate set of words used for the three-word recall portion, refer to the words listed in the Health Equity section for Hmong translation. The need for an alternative set of words was first identified in the need for the translation of the words into Hmong. they do not easily translate into that language, so an alternative set of words was identified for that purpose. That substitution can also be applied for individuals who request frequent screening.

The AD8 can be administered to the person with possible memory loss, but often individuals with dementia lose insight into their condition and are not reliable self-reporters. The questions on the screen can either be read aloud or a caregiver can fill out the form on their own. In situations where the person with possible memory loss is together with the caregiver, allowing the caregiver to fill out the questionnaire silently may be less upsetting for the person with possible memory loss than if the questions are asked aloud. The caregiver may also provide different answers if the person with possible memory loss is listening to the answers.

The MoCA tool, including training, certification, and the downloadable version of the paper tool can be found on the MoCA website. The MoCA is also available to be used digitally. Instructions for how the MoCA tool is scored are a part of the training and certification process.

The Memory Screening in the Community program was adapted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic for use when screening was required to be completed virtually. The ability to provide screening virtually for dementia risk has been identified as an ongoing need. Please consult Section IV: Accessibility and Health Equity Considerations for a description of the adaptation for virtual access.

The use of the Animal Naming and Mini-cog tools in the Memory Screening in the Community Program is different than as a part of Wisconsin’s Long-Term Care Functional Screen (LTCFS). The purposes for the use of these tools in the Memory Screening in the Community Program are to enable a conversation and assist in determining whether speaking to a physician is advisable. The LTCFS uses the tools to represent “memory loss” if the individual being screened states that they have memory loss but do not have an accompanying diagnosis of dementia. The LTCFS is used to determine functional eligibility for long-term care programming and uses the results of the screens independently. The scoring key for the Memory Screening in the Community Program to determine if a referral is recommended is attached in Appendix E.

The Animal Naming tool is a categorical fluency test. The person is asked to recall specific labels for items in a specified category, such as animals. The tool is scored by tallying the number of correct responses. If the person names fewer than 14 correct animals, that is considered “not passing.”

The Mini-cog has two areas that are scored. Three points are awarded for recalling the three words correctly, and a score of either zero or two is awarded for the clock draw. For the three- word recall, one point is given for each word remembered. The words do not have to be in the same order in which they were presented.

The clock draw test requires some interpretation by the screener. The rules for scoring the clock draw are attached inAppendix G. There are examples of clocks drawn by participants in the pilot study that can be used to practice interpreting results in Appendix H. It is important not to overthink the interpretation of the clock; the clock is only one piece of the screening program. If a clock drawing looks correct but there are some questionable features, use your best professional judgment to make a decision and then move on.

The screens are conversation tools and do not provide a diagnosis; they are used to determine the need for an appropriate referral to a physician. If the scores from the screens do not indicate the need to make a referral to a physician, but the conversation about the individual’s memory concerns suggests that a referral would be helpful, a referral should still be offered.

The AD8 is scored by tallying the number of items noted as “Yes, a change.” If the score is two or more, a referral to the physician is appropriate. The instructions for determining the score of the AD8 can be found after the screening questions on the AD8 tool.

Training for the scoring of the MoCA tool can be found on the MoCA website. The MoCA is available to be used digitally, which can assist in scoring the results.

The screener can also offer to send in screening results for individuals whose scores do not fall into the range where a referral is recommended for the purposes of providing a baseline screen for their medical records. A baseline score is useful in detecting change over time. If an individual has several years of baseline scores in his or her record, detecting a change in cognitive abilities is easier to track and therefore easier to detect and respond accordingly.

If the person who was screened chooses to have the screening results shared with a physician, the screener must first obtain a signed ‘release of confidential information’ form giving permission to the screener to share the information. An example of this type of form is located in Appendix I, although most agencies will have their own form that must be used for this purpose.

Sending the screening results to the physician is also an opportunity to make the physician aware of the agency and its services as well as the community screening program. Cover letters should include information about the person who was screened, a short explanation of the screening process, information about the agency and a statement encouraging the physician to refer patients who receive a diagnosis back to the agency for ongoing support. A sample letter to the physician is attached in Appendix J.

The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI) and the dementia care specialist from Eau Claire County developed additional resources for use after the tools have been completed. For individuals whose screening results show they should talk to their doctor, Dr. Cindy Carlsson at the WAI developed a one-page document to accompany screening results sent to the physician by the screener. The document includes best practices around evaluation for possible dementia and when to refer a patient to the WAI Memory Diagnostic Clinics network. This resource can be found inAppendix K. Appendix L is the Memory Screening Results and Recommendations form available to provide the person after screening and is optional. Having the results and recommendations written in one place can be helpful to the person. Additional information and resources can be provided at the time or sent in a follow-up correspondence.

Once the tools are completed and a physician referral is recommended, the screener should ask permission to follow up after two to six months, even if the individual does not want the results sent to the physician. Agreeing to a follow-up call indicates openness to additional support in the future. If the person who was screened does indeed have dementia, they will need information and support in the future, and following up after a screen can allow that to happen in a planful way and not in crisis.

The Memory Screening in the Community Program can be provided in a variety of settings. Typically, screens are available whenever a customer requests a screen, or when a trained ADRC specialist or dementia care specialist identifies a customer that would benefit from the program. They are also usually performed in person. This can be during a home visit or office visit scheduled for another purpose. However, there are many possible locations for memory screening to be performed in the community. Partnering with municipal and other local governmental agencies to offer screens is one option. For example, public libraries are welcoming places free from the stigma associated with dementia and are often willing to host screening events in a private study room or other private space. Community or large employer health fairs also offer opportunities to screen, and to normalize screening for cognitive decline along with other health conditions.

County-based programs, healthy aging programs, public health departments, and other community-based partner agencies may also have staff trained and supported by the dementia care specialist at the ADRC to provide the Memory Screening in the Community Program. The same requirements for fidelity, oversight, and yearly refresher training apply to all screeners trained by the DCS.

The Memory Screening in the Community Program was adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to be available virtually. When the program cannot be provided in person, there is a substitute protocol for use of the program virtually. Please consult Section IV: Accessibility and Health Equity Considerations for a description of the adaptation for virtual access.