Memory and aging
A detailed picture of how thinking is working now.
When Alzheimer's disease or another neurodegenerative condition is suspected — or has already been diagnosed — an evaluation describes the pattern of cognitive strengths and difficulties in the detail that care planning requires.
Why an evaluation
The question this answers
A neuropsychological evaluation provides an objective account of how thinking is working: which abilities are affected, how much, and which remain strong. Where a neurodegenerative condition is suspected, that pattern is information the referring physician cannot obtain from an office visit or from imaging alone.
The evaluation contributes to the physician's diagnostic work-up rather than replacing it, and it is equally useful after a diagnosis has been made — describing current functioning in enough detail to plan around.
No evaluation is undertaken with a conclusion assumed. Testing measures what is there.
What testing examines
The domains examined
The battery is selected for the referral question and weighted towards the abilities most relevant to it. Results are compared against normative data for your age, education, and background, then interpreted alongside your history, medical records, and clinical observation.
Emotional functioning is assessed as part of this, because depression and anxiety can affect concentration and memory in ways that matter to the interpretation.
- Memory: learning, retention, and retrieval
- Attention and concentration
- Language, naming, and word finding
- Executive functioning, planning, and judgment
- Processing speed
- Visual-spatial skills
- Emotional functioning
Who it is for
Who is referred
Referrals come from neurologists, primary care physicians, and geriatricians — sometimes to help clarify the nature of a cognitive change, sometimes to document current functioning after a diagnosis, and sometimes to repeat testing after an interval so that change can be measured rather than estimated.
Family members are welcome and are usually asked to contribute history about what has changed and over what period.
What you receive
What the evaluation gives you
A written report describing the findings, what they mean, and specific recommendations — for medical follow-up, for safety, and for planning at home and for the future. Findings are discussed with you at a feedback appointment.
The results also stand as a documented baseline. When testing is repeated later, comparison against that baseline shows what has actually changed, which is far more useful to a treating physician than a fresh impression.
Neuropsychological Associates provides assessment and consultation only. The practice does not provide counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, neurologic consultation, or psychiatric assessment. Recommendations in the report are carried out by your own physicians and treating providers.
Arranging an evaluation
A letter of medical necessity or a physician's office note is required. Our office verifies your insurance benefits before anything is scheduled. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (631) 366-3369.