UMass Amherst Psychology Department, Northampton Senior Center to Conduct Memory Screening Clinic May 6

AMHERST, Mass. – As part of Older Americans Month, faculty and graduate students from the clinical psychology program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will conduct free, confidential memory screenings on Monday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Northampton Senior Center at 67 Conz St.

 

Information about successful aging will also be available at the event.

 

“Memory screenings are useful to assure some persons that their thinking abilities are normal and to identify, for other persons, if more testing might be needed,” says Rebecca Ready, associate professor at UMass Amherst and a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who will be overseeing the screenings. “It can be intimidating to engage in memory screening. Part of the screening process will be an opportunity to address questions and concerns about memory with knowledgeable persons. We hope to set your mind at ease and help persons learn more about memory and aging.”

 

The screenings consist of a series of questions and tasks, and take five to 10 minutes. Screening results are not a diagnosis, and individuals with below-normal scores or who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam.

 

Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems might result from causes that are not currently reversible, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat one of these conditions, says Ready.

 

For information, call the Northampton Senior Center at 413/587-1228.