AFA Offering Free Memory Screenings To Westchester Residents

Press release from The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America:

March 10, 2021

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering free, virtual, and confidential memory screenings to Westchester residents every Wednesday in March. Made possible by a grant from the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation, these simple brain checkups test memory and important thinking skills and are as routine as a blood pressure check or a cholesterol screening.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling AFA at 866-232-8484 or by signing up at https://alzfdn.org/virtual-memory-screening-appointment-request. The program is free and open to everyone: There are no minimum age or insurance requirements.

Screenings will be conducted one-on-one by a qualified healthcare professional through secure video conference in real-time. A computer, smartphone or tablet containing a webcam is all that is needed to participate in the program. There are no minimum age or insurance requirements to participate.

“It is never too early to be proactive about your brain health. Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, we have seen more concern from people of all ages about their physical and mental health,” said AFA President & CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. “Memory screenings are a good first step in determining whether there might be an issue that can be easily resolved, such as a vitamin deficiency, or something more serious.”

Memory screenings consist of a series of questions to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other intellectual functions. Results are provided and explained at the end of the screening, which normally takes 10-15 minutes. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.

Oftentimes, memory problems can be caused by treatable or curable conditions, such as a vitamin deficiency, thyroid problem or depression. If the memory problems are the result of something such as Alzheimer’s disease, early detection can enable the person to begin medications sooner, participate in a clinical trial and take a more active role in developing their care plan.

This press release was produced by The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The views expressed here are the author's own.