One of the hardest things to grasp as we age is changes to our memory.
There is such a thing as “normal, age-related changes to your memory.” You might be a little slower and you might take a little longer to remember something, but eventually you do.
However, if you notice you or a loved one are:
- Increasingly forgetful
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Having difficulty recalling names or familiar words
- Getting lost while driving or walking to familiar places
- Misplacing items more often
- Repeating questions or statement repeatedly
- Experiencing changes in mood, behavior, personality, or desire to do things
This could signal a more serious memory problem.
Some people prefer not talking about these changes at all and try maintaining a normal routine in the hopes it won’t be that noticeable. But it’s important to consider a professional screening that would check memory and other thinking skills.
Memory screenings make sense for anyone concerned about memory loss, have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, or are experiencing changes in their memory. If a problem is detected, it might be readily treatable. But for memory problems not currently reversible, an earlier diagnosis is easier to treat, leading to a better quality of life.
Kerwin Medical Center offers free memory screenings. It’s a simple process wherein some medical information is gathered, and a short test is administered. While this will not provide a diagnosis, it can be an important first step in getting vital information about your brain health.
Get Involved in Research
There are clinical trial programs for all levels of memory status. There are prevention studies for seniors with no current memory concerns as well as studies for people who have mild to moderate memory concerns.
Clinical trials present an opportunity to access new treatments sooner than the general public.
There are more than five million people in America with Alzheimer’s disease. Consider how long that line would be if a new treatment is FDA-approved.
Now imagine moving to the front of that line because you participated in a clinical trial for that drug before it was readily available!
Five Benefits to Participating in a Clinical Trial for Prevention or
Memory Loss:
- You get to work with a team of professionals who specialize in memory loss and know all the latest advances in medicine.
- Your memory is closely monitored. How well is your primary care doctor able to monitor your memory? In a clinical trial, you’re seen on a routine schedule and the sole focus is your memory!
- The sponsoring company pays all the costs associated with participating in a clinical trial.
- You get access to advanced imaging that may not be available to you or covered by your insurance. This may include routine MRIs or brain PET scans that show the Alzheimer’s pathology.
- You can help advance science for yourself and future generations, including your children and grandchildren.
If you are interested in learning more about your memory and brain health — or if you are concerned about your memory or the memory of a loved one — speaking to a professional is important.
You may start with a free memory screening, available locally at Kerwin Medical Center in Dallas. To schedule your free appointment, call 972-433-9100 and speak to one of the research coordinators, email enroll@kerwinmedical.com, or visit www.kerwinmedical.com and submit your information. A staff member will contact you to answer your questions.
