Free Memory Screening Day (Nov. 12)

As part of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) National Memory Screening Program, Marywood University in Scranton will offer free, confidential memory screenings on November 12. Screenings will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Psychological Services Center on Marywood’s campus.

Qualified healthcare professionals will administer the memory screenings and provide educational materials about memory concerns, brain health and caregiving. The face-to-face screenings consist of a series of questions and tasks, and last approximately 10 minutes.

According to the event organizer, Dr. Brooke Cannon, professor of psychology and clinical neuropsychologist, “Annual memory screenings, like regular physical exams, allow for identification of potential cognitive problems and monitoring of already existing impairment.” Trained and supervised by Dr. Cannon, advanced clinical psychology doctoral students will administer the screenings, which consist of a series of questions and tasks, and take five to ten minutes.

Memory screenings are an important part of successful aging and are gaining in popularity. AFA suggests memory screenings for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia, whose family and friends have noticed changes in them, who believe they are at risk due to a family history of dementia, or, who want to see how their memory is now and for future comparisons. Warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion, and personality changes.

Screeners emphasize that results are not a diagnosis, and encourage individuals who score below the normal threshold, as well as those who still have concerns, to see their primary care physician and to arrange for more thorough cognitive testing.

For more information, contact the Marywood Psychological Services Center, 570-348-6269.

About the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA):

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that unites more than 2,300 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a national, toll-free helpline staffed by licensed social workers, educational materials, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers and professional training. For more information about AFA, call toll-free 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlzheimersFoundationofAmerica.