16 July 2023 , 07:03
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Dementia - a general term for loss of memory, language and problem-solving abilities - is a heartbreaking condition that not only affects the patient who has the condition but also their whole family.
Although there’s currently no cure, it’s crucial to spot symptoms early in order to get information on the diagnosis, treatment and getting help before it progresses further. There are several ways you can test if someone is showing early signs of dementia, such as getting them to draw a clock.
Another widely-used method is a simple word test, which can be used to help detect memory problems a person might have. Throughout our lives, our brain stores all the words we learn in our memories, which we then use to recollect what a word means without thinking about it.
But for a person who is showing signs of dementia, they might have difficulty remembering certain words, or confuse them - which could in turn mean they are having trouble with their memory - which is an early sign of dementia.
Word association tests can therefore be used as a quick way to detect memory problems, and according to the UK Dementia Directory, it "works well".
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There are several ways you can do this, but the UK Dementia Directory recommends asking the individual to name all the animals they can in one minute. Alternatively, you could ask them to name all the types of fruit they can remember, within the same time limit.
The key is that it should be a topic where someone can name many items easily.
Research has found that healthy individuals usually score between 20 to 25 words within the time limit, while a person with memory problems usually scores between 10 to 15.
That being said, it doesn't necessarily mean that someone who gets this score has dementia, but it's a good indication that you might want to encourage them to see a GP, who could investigate further.
You can also use the Alzheimer's Society's simple and free symptom checker on its website.
If you have further concerns about the results of either the word association test, or the clock drawing test, you should seek further advice from a doctor.