If the words “dementia test” make you picture needles, scary machines, and a verdict you cannot take back, we get it. That fear keeps a lot of families stuck in delay, denial, and quiet panic. From Detroit’s Rosa Parks Geriatric Center at Wayne State University, we sit down with practitioners to make dementia screening feel simple, practical, and worth doing sooner than later.
We walk through what a real memory screening looks like, including the Mini-Cog: three words, a clock drawing, and a quick check that can become a baseline for your brain health. We also untangle screening versus testing, what happens if the screen shows concern, and why a full evaluation may include paper-and-pencil cognitive tests, depression screening, lab work for reversible causes like thyroid or B12 issues, and brain imaging such as MRI. Dr. Deol also explains newer Alzheimer’s blood tests that look at biomarkers like tau, plus the crucial nuance: a positive marker without symptoms is not the same as a dementia diagnosis.
From missed bills and medication slip-ups to personality changes, cooking hazards, and driving confusion, we share the real-world signs families notice and why “it’s just aging” can be a costly myth. We also name the biggest barriers, including stigma and limited access, and point you toward support like the Alzheimer’s Association and your local Area Agency on Aging. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and leave a review so more families find it when they need it most.
This is episode 3 of a 3-part series. Many thanks to the Rosa Parks Clinic, Wayne State University and everyone involved in this series.
For more information about the A.G.R.E.E.D/GWEP grant, visit: https://agreed.wayne.edu/community-impact
Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles Comedy
Producer: Mia Hall
Director of Photography/Editor: Annelise Udoye
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