Neuropsychological Testing for Memory Concerns

Who Should Consider an Evaluation?

Neuropsychological testing may be appropriate for individuals experiencing new, worsening, or unexplained changes in cognitive functioning. You may want to consider an evaluation if you or someone close to you has noticed:

  • Increasing forgetfulness or difficulty retaining new information

  • Repeating questions or conversations

  • Trouble finding words or following conversations

  • Difficulty concentrating or staying organized

  • Increased difficulty managing medications, finances, appointments, or other familiar responsibilities

  • Changes in problem-solving, judgment, or decision-making

  • Difficulty navigating familiar places

  • Changes in personality, behavior, or emotional functioning

  • A decline in the ability to manage everyday activities independently

  • Cognitive changes following a medical condition, neurological event, or other health concern

  • Concerns about whether cognitive abilities are changing over time

An evaluation can also be useful when family members have noticed changes that the individual may not recognize or when a healthcare provider wants more detailed information about cognitive functioning.

Memory lapses can happen to anyone, but persistent or noticeable changes in memory, attention, language, problem-solving, or other thinking abilities may warrant a closer look. Neuropsychological testing provides a comprehensive way to understand how a person is thinking and functioning and can help determine whether changes are consistent with normal aging, a mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or another condition.

Our testing looks beyond memory alone. It examines a range of cognitive abilities and considers how those abilities are affecting everyday life. The results can provide valuable information for individuals, families, and healthcare providers as they make decisions about diagnosis, treatment, planning, and support.

What to Expect During an Evaluation

An evaluation begins with a clinical interview. The psychologist will ask about current concerns, medical and neurological history, medications, mood and emotional functioning, education and work history, and changes in everyday functioning. When appropriate, information from a family member or other person who knows you well can provide an important perspective on changes over time.

You will then complete a series of standardized tests designed to assess different aspects of thinking and memory. Depending on the purpose of the evaluation, testing may examine:

  • Memory and learning

  • Attention and concentration

  • Processing speed

  • Language and communication

  • Problem-solving and reasoning

  • Executive functioning, including organization and planning

  • Visuospatial abilities

  • Mood and emotional functioning

After the evaluation, the psychologist reviews the results in the context of your history, concerns, and everyday functioning. You will receive feedback about the findings and recommendations for next steps. When appropriate, recommendations may address treatment, cognitive strategies, lifestyle considerations, additional medical evaluation, or ways to support independence and quality of life.

What You Will Get Out of an Evaluation

Our testing can help:

  • Clarify the cause of cognitive concerns. Difficulties with memory or thinking can have many possible causes. An evaluation can help distinguish normal age-related changes from cognitive impairment and provide information that may help clarify a diagnosis.

  • Identify strengths as well as areas of difficulty. Understanding what is working well can be just as important as identifying areas that have changed.

  • Establish a baseline. A comprehensive evaluation provides a detailed picture of current cognitive functioning that can be useful for comparison during future evaluations.

  • Guide treatment and recommendations. Results can help healthcare providers determine appropriate next steps and identify strategies to support day-to-day functioning.

  • Assist with planning. Understanding a person's current abilities can help individuals and families make informed decisions about safety, independence, work, finances, living arrangements, and future care needs.

  • Provide reassurance when appropriate. Not every memory complaint indicates dementia. Testing may help explain concerns and provide reassurance when cognitive abilities are generally within expected limits.

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for Memory Concerns

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We look forward to helping you on your journey. Please click below to submit an interest form and our team will contact you within 1-2 business days.

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