The Power of Positive Language

Is it true?...Is it necessary?...Is it kind?...

By Tom and Karen Brenner

Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman to become a physician in Italy and the founder of the Montessori educational method, was also a pioneer in the use of positive language. Her message to parents and teachers at first seems so simple,

Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Tests)

By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room

The five tests listed below are self assessment tests for Alzheimer's, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.

If you decide to administer one or more of these tests and the results of the tests seem suspicious you should consult with your personal care physician or a neurologist for a more thorough memory examination and diagnosis.

#1 Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's Dementia in 15 Minutes (SAGE)

This is my number one recommendation for testing memory.

The latest weapon in the war against Alzheimer’s disease is not a fancy new brain scanner or a computer device. Instead, it’s a it a 15 question written exam that could have a dramatic impact on a major problem -- the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

This handwritten self-assessment test can be taken in less than 15 minutes. SAGE is a reliable tool for evaluating memory and cognitive ability. Findings confirming the validity of the tool were reported in the journal Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders.

Go here to learn more about the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) including instructions, the test, and scoring system.

Also see:

• Why Test Your Memory Test for Alzheimer's Dementia is Important -- And How You Can Be a Difference Maker
• Simple Pen-and-Paper Alzheimer's Memory Test is Important News (SAGE)

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#2 Alzheimer's Clock Draw Test

Drawing a clock by hand is one of several useful screening tools that can help to detect mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer's. This test can help you, or your doctor, differentiate between normal aging and possible dementia.

If you administer the test on your own and find the results either disconcerting or suspicious, schedule an appointment with your personal care physician. Take the copy of the clock test with you to the doctor appointment, and show the test to the doctor.

Go here for more on the clock draw test including scoring.
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#3Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes

This test is designed for people that live in England. Results were published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The TYM is a series of 10 tasks including ability to copy a sentence, semantic knowledge, calculation, verbal fluency and recall ability. The ability to do the test is also scored. Each task carries a score with a maximum score of 50 points available. The test is designed to use minimal operator time and to be suitable for non-specialist use.

Go here for the information and follow the links for the test, scoring and scientific study.
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#4 The Mini-Cog Test for Alzheimer's and Dementia

The Mini-Cog is a simple three minute test that is useful in detecting mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or an early stage of Alzheimer's. The research study, included below, showed that the test has a high degree of accuracy (83 percent).

Go here for more information.
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#5 Dr Oz Alzheimer's Memory Quiz (Test)

This memory quiz is based of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VAMC) St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination and is an assessment tool for informational and entertainment purposes only.

Go here to take the test.


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Alzheimer's Statistics, Insight, Reading List

• Test Your Self for Alzheimer's Dementia
• Alzheimer's Statistics
• What is Alzheimer's? What are the Eight Types of Dementia?

Alzheimer's and the Dreaded Bowel Movement

I already wrote about how I beat urinary incontinence and bladder infections. That solution is not perfect. Poop. No enema, no pills, no laxatives. How I won the Poop-E war.....

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

I really wanted to entitle this article Alzheimer's and the Magic Elixir. However, I am not using anything to mask the taste of my solution so it just didn't fit. I also considered Alzheimer's and the Poop Panacea. Panacea does fit -- panacea is a literary term to represent any solution to solve all problems related to a particular issue.

This article is about implementing a solution to a problem with someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease and having a problem with bowel movements.

Simple Tests to Detect Alzheimer's and Dementia the Old Fashioned Way

In my little world here in Delray Beach, Florida I have learned a harsh lesson -- it is very difficult to diagnose mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and probable Alzheimer's. Here are some simple tests for Alzheimer's and dementia that could be helpful......

Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Editor


I knew something was wrong with my mother. I knew it. When I would mention some of my concerns to family and friends they would usually conclude -- she is getting old. When it first started to really bother me my mother was 86 years old.

Watch the Memory Loss Tapes Now on the Intenet (HBO Streaming Video)

You can watch the Memory Loss Tapes on the Internet Right now.

For all the information and links go to

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Watch the Memory Loss Tapes Now on the Internet (HBO Streaming Video)

Blog to Cope With Alzheimer's

Seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, with mild to moderate memory loss, are writing Weblogs to help them make sense of their daily lives. And the activity, they say, is slowing the onset of their symptoms.

'Many people, once they're diagnosed with AD, simply give up on life,' said Alice Young, a 75-year-old former psychotherapist who divides her time each year between Florida and Minnesota. 'And those are the people who go down more quickly.'

Read More: