FACTS ON COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS

• The first symptoms of cognitive impairment may be hard to detect and could appear as normal signs of aging. 
• Such things as forgetting names and phone numbers, and losing things more often may be accepted as a normal part of aging.
• In the early onset, things may emerge slowly and go unrecognized.
• When these symptoms start affecting daily life, it may be time for concern.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF COGNITIVE CHANGE
If one or more of these symptoms is noticed, it may be cause for concern.

• Memory loss
• Problems doing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Trouble knowing the time, date, or place
• Poor or decreased judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things often, such as keys
• Changes in mood and behavior
• Changes in personality
• Loss of interest in starting projects or doing things

QUESTIONS TO ASK

• Is the person forgetting things more often, such as appointments, people’s names, or telephone numbers?  Is the forgetfulness affecting his/her ability to get things done?
• Does the person forget birthdays, anniversaries, family occasions, or holidays?
• Is the person having a hard time doing familiar tasks, such as buttoning his/her shirt, paying bills, using VCR, doing housework, shopping, or taking medications?
• Does the person need reminders to do things like household chores, shopping, taking medications?
• Is the person putting things in strange places, such as placing keys in the refrigerator?
• Is the person forgetting common words or losing his/her train of thought while talking?
• Is the person having a hard time doing complex tasks, such as balancing a checkbook or keeping track of plots in movies or books?
• Have you noticed that the changes in the person’s behavior are leaving the person confused, suspicious, or afraid?
• Does the person become defensive when questioned about things?
• Does the person often “joke around” when asked questions and never truly answer the question posed?
• Is the person sometimes confused about what day it is or how to get to familiar places, such as his/her own home or the store?
• Has the person lost interest in hobbies, clubs, or other things he/she used to enjoy?
• Have you noticed that the person is avoiding other people, including family and friends?
• Does the person have a harder time now making choices than in the past?
• Does the person often repeat himself/herself or ask the same questions over and over?
• Is there a decrease in the person’s quality of self care skills such as wearing the same clothing many days in a row and/or body odor?
• Are there concerns about the person’s driving, for example getting lost or driving unsafely, or has had to stop driving?

COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE TEST OVERVIEW AND RESEARCH

Cognitive Performance Test (CPT):

• Is a standardized, performance-based assessment instrument.
• Is a baseline measurement of global function and to track change over time.
• Is used with a variety of diagnoses to predict and explain patients’ capabilities to function in various contexts.
• Uses common activities of daily living (ADL) tasks.
• Organizes function into levels ranging from normal to profoundly disabled.

REFERRAL PROCESS

Clients must be under the care of a physician and the client’s physician must order and approve the provision of any rehabilitation therapy service.  Once Rice Rehabilitation Center receives the referral, the client/patient will be contacted to arrange an appointment time to complete the initial evaluation and assessment.

For more information on Cognitive Assessments at Rice Rehab:
lsti@rice.willmar.mn.us or (320) 231-4175