Dementia
Assessment / Evaluation
Copyright-free materials
Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE: Folstein et al, 1975)
Links to paid-for materials
Telephone Interview for Cogntive Status (TICS: Brandt & Folstein, 1987)
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS: Randolph, 1998)
Quick Neuropsychological Tests
Attention
Repeat tricky phrase, e.g. No Ifs, Ands or Buts.
Count backwards from 20; WORLD forwards and backwards, months forwards and backwards.
Working memory / concentration
Letter-Number Sequencing (See WAIS. Improvise: numbers first, in order, then letters in order)
Digits backwards
Spatial span backwards
Language: expressive
Confrontation naming: put out 6 objects (e.g. paper clip, comb, pen, stapler, glasses case, coin), ask for names, take away.
Describe picture on the wall: 'what's happening?'
Animals in one minute (average is 18)
Language: receptive
'Which object is the X?' - pointing to several objects
Simple instructions: 'Please nod your head', 'Touch your right ear with your left hand', 'Before looking at the ceiling look at the floor'.
Simple Yes / No questions: 'Are villages bigger than towns?', 'Was radio invented before TV?'
Language: written
Ask to read a passage of prose aloud
Ask to write a sentence - 'any sentence'
Write down a 5 item address. E.g. John Brown, 42 West Street, Bedford
Dictate a passage of prose
Language: abstract thinking
Similarities. Give example first, e.g. cat and dog both pets, both animals. Apple / banana, shirt / dress, table / chair
Executive control function
List by category in one minute (18 average): animals, vegetables, plants
FAS (list words beginning with F, A, S).
Complete sentences with appropriate word, then some with INappropriate word. 'London is a very busy ...', 'George fell off his ...', 'At night we take a short ...'.
Recent memory
Recent news, name of PM, Queen etc
Remote memory
General historial / news information over lifetime
Particular biographical information: first memories, 1st year at school, 1st job, wedding.