Question
What are some assessment tools that I can use to evaluate a client who may have dementia?
Answer
Since I am seeing patients with dementia for only a few visits I have a tendency to do a screening in each of the modalities ( listening, reading, speech and language and writing) . This allows me, in a short amount of time, to assess what the patients are able to do so I can focus on compensatory strategies, activity ideas and appropriate modifications. It also provides the needed information to address any safety concerns and how to best instruct a family member or caregiver.
This Ask the Expert was taken from the course entitled: When Dementia Comes Home: Maximizing quality of life
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Kathryn Kilpatrick is a speech-language pathologist with 40 years of experience in health care settings, primarily in the area of home health. She is a motivational speaker, marketing consultant and trainer whose programs and products focus on enhancing the quality of life of the older adult while supporting their families, friends and caregivers.
