John Cannon/The Independent
Ashland — Here’s something those concerned about their forgetfulness may want to jot down as a reminder: Active Day of Ashland will conduct free, confidential memory screenings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The screenings are part of a nationwide initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America designed to promote proper detection of memory problems and provide educational materials about successful aging.
Active Day is in a former furniture store next to Giovanni’s Pizza in Summit. The address is 6938 U.S. 60 and is across from Summit RV.
Sally Dyer, director of Active Day, said two registered nurses will do the screenings, which take about 10 minutes.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this service to the community,” Dyer said. “It is very important the signs of Alzheimer’s disease are detected early. We welcome all who are interested to attend.”
While it is recommended that those wanting to be screened make an appointment, walk-ins will be accepted, Dyer said.
AFA recommends screenings for adults with memory concerns, those with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or those who want to check their memory now and have the results for future comparison. The results do not represent a diagnosis, but it is recommended that those who score poorly consult with their physician or another qualified health care professional. Even those who have normal scores on the screening but still are concerned about their forgetfulness should seek further tests with a health care professional, the AFA recommends
Further medical testing could find that a low score on a memory screening is a result of a reversible condition such as a vitamin deficiency or thyroid problem. While Alzheimer’s disease — the most common form of dementia — is an irreversible disorder, early detection can slow its progression. Warning signs of dementia include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal and written skills and confusion over daily routines.
JOHN CANNON can be reached at jcannon@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2649.
