How to Check Alzheimer's Disease at Home?

Dr.Madhukar Bhardwaj, 2 mins read

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. This makes running daily errands difficult. The bad news is that its prevalence is gradually increasing in the Indian population. According to a report, over 8.8 million people above the age of 60 are living with this condition in the country. 

What is more troubling is that most people don’t even know that they have Alzheimer’s. This delays the proper diagnosis and management, which makes the problem worse for many patients. 

Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose it early for effective management. For that matter, knowing the symptoms and getting the right test is important. But many people are even unable to explain their symptoms. At that moment, a SAGE test can be helpful.

What Is a SAGE Test?

The SAGE stands for the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam. It is a simple, short paper-and-pen test to check for early memory, cognitive, and thinking impairments at home. This can give you a basic idea of your thinking and brain functioning. 

It is common to have some memory loss as you age. However, if the problem is concerning you and others around you, you can opt for this exam. This test includes some questions. Based on your answers, you get scores.

Remember, this test doesn’t diagnose any specific condition. However, it is a cognitive screening tool that can help diagnose early symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. Any abnormality in this test can be a sign of an underlying problem, which may require further tests. 

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) refers to a minor decline in mental abilities. These changes can be noticed by the patient or the people around them. However, these signs are not severe enough to affect daily activities. 

People with MCI often explain their symptoms as:

• Memory loss; forgetting even small events or things like cell phones and certain words.
• Becoming disoriented in family surroundings.
• Showing poor judgment or becoming more impulsive.

In some cases, MCI stabilises after some time. But sometimes, it can lead to a more severe form like Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.

How to Take the SAGE Test for Alzheimer’s Disease at Home?

The SAGE test is designed by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre. You can visit their site to download the test. You will find four forms of the SAGE test in various languages. Download any one of them, as all four forms are interchangeable. 

On average, this form takes around 10 to 15 minutes. However, there is no hard and fast rule to complete the SAGE within this stipulated time.

Make sure you fill out this form on your own without any assistance for proper results. Thereafter, submit it to your doctor. Based on your answers, the doctor will give a score and discuss the result with you. 

Depending on your SAGE score, the doctor may advise you to undergo a few more lab and radiology tests for proper diagnosis, or just keep them in their record as a baseline for the future.