MMSE Test

tss502

Registered User
Oct 20, 2014
110
0
I realise that when my husband had his diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimers last year I was never told what his MMSE test score was. Also I'm not sure when he should be going back for another test! I thought the consultant said he would see us again in 6 months but I'm not sure if we need to request an appointment or whether this will come through automatically, or do I go through our GP? At the time we were too shocked to ask these questions and my focus was on getting him onto the medication. Is there anyone out there who can advise?
 

marionq

Registered User
Apr 24, 2013
6,449
0
Scotland
Phone the Memory clinic and ask if a new appointment is in the pipeline. If not and they want you to go through the GP again make an appointment there to ease your mind. Take a list of written questions with you as you can go blank in these situations.
 

chris53

Registered User
Nov 9, 2009
2,929
0
London
Hi tss:)can understand the shock on confirming your worst fears..you just go completely blank!so much goes through your mind on what to do,how to help etc, please be aware the " score" can change from one appointment to the next, which can depend on how long you are waiting to see the doctor and how they react with your loved one..and how loved one reacts with them!hopefully you have been allocated a CPN and he/she will be your point of contact in the future, they tend to do these MMSE tests every six months..to see how things seem to be progressing or if any medication is helping;)
More information on this test is here:-

Http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=121
Please do get on to your GP to clarify who is going to do what..you are not a mind reader! alas the medical profession can be lacking in just spending a few minutes to clarify where to go for help and what happens next and what to expect in the future, hope all comes into place for you and your husband soon, please keep posting on here, we understand,help and support is here for you whenever you need. X
Chris
 

Beate

Registered User
May 21, 2014
12,179
0
London
We usually get a letter with a new appointment every 6 months. It is useful to know the score but don't base everything on it - it doesn't tell you everything about the progress of the disease and can also fluctuate.
 

Saffie

Registered User
Mar 26, 2011
22,513
0
Near Southampton
We were only ever seen at the Memory clinic once a year and appointments came direct.
The GP had no dealings with my husband's dementia once he had referred him to the consultant psychiatrist who then organised the memory clinic appointments.
 

pamann

Registered User
Oct 28, 2013
2,635
0
Kent
Welcome to talking point, we were given our next appointment whilst at the Memory clinic, then a letter to confirm next appointment, maybe its best that you phone the memory clinic and asked for your next appointment, so sorry you have a diagnosis, l was ok until l was told by the Dr that my hubby had Alzheimers, try to carry on a normal life, don't stop doing what you have always done, l wish you well
 

malc

Registered User
Aug 15, 2012
353
0
north east lincolnshire
after a while you will know if there has been a downturn and all the score will do is confirm it to you,but on a positive note it will also help the specialist tweek the meds to hopefully improve quality of life for your husband,i know they have for my wife,5 years in to the disease and we're doing ok,thankyou to the a3 team and dr zitoon and everybody in the various departments in the grimsby area.
 

count2ten

Registered User
Dec 13, 2013
186
0
The medics tend to rely on the MMSE too much, and it's not a good indicator really of what is going on. People fluctuate from day to day, hour to hour etc etc. It can depend on all sorts of things, hearing, visual clues, body language, whether the person is feeling comfortable or anxious, health problems, where the "test" takes place. If someone has an infection they can "score" very low (and often , wrongly, get diagnosed with dementia), then when they have recovered after a course of antibiotics they will score 28 , 29 ! Having experienced health colleagues carrying out these tests, I've always taken them with a pinch of salt - same with the MCA2 (capacity test) - unless undertaken by people who know what they're doing, they are meaningless - but can have far reaching consequences = challenge everything.