For older people experiencing cognitive changes or memory concerns, a neuropsychological assessment can play an important role in evaluating whether the cause is a neurological disease such as dementia.

At Focus Neuropsychology, we specialise in assessment that can identify issues associated with everything from normal ageing to mild cognitive impairment and dementia. We are experienced in diagnosing and distinguishing between all neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, the Parkinson’s plus syndromes (such as progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome) and others.

A dementia and memory assessment with Focus Neuropsychology involves a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive abilities, including:

• memory
• attention
• language
• visuospatial
• executive functions (such as problem solving and abstract reasoning)
• other mental processes.

A neuropsychologist will select the appropriate standardised and validated tests to evaluate cognitive skills and identify specific issues. GPs and specialists can administer general cognitive screening measures that can be helpful for some patients, however they are ‘one-size fits all’. By statistically controlling for a person’s age, level of education, and sometimes gender, a full neuropsychological assessment can more clearly identify any subtle cognitive changes, as well as monitor any changes over time with repeat testing in one or more years.

Each assessment aims to determine:

• the severity and pattern of any cognitive impairment
• any cognitive changes that are over and above those expected for age
• whether the results are suggestive of dementia (and if so, what type of dementia it is likely to be since each exhibits a characteristic pattern of cognitive deficits)
• other possible explanations for cognitive changes (for example, depression)
• how to slow down any changes or even improve thinking skills and functioning.

We accept both self-referrals from clients and formal referrals from GPs and medical specialists including geriatricians, neurologists and psychiatrists. <Contact us> to find out more.