When an older patient or relative reports memory trouble, check for contributors that can be reversed before or alongside a cognitive screen: hearing and vision loss, depression, sedating or anticholinergic medicines, low sodium, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, and recent illness or hospital stay.
Repeat the test once these are treated, because performance on cognitive screens falls during acute illness, pain and poor sleep.
- Check hearing, vision and mood
- Review sedating and anticholinergic medicines
- Send sodium, thyroid and vitamin B12 tests where indicated
- Retest after acute illness has settled
Why it matters
A screening score captures function on the day, not a diagnosis.
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