Cognitive - Speech

Case Study

Early to Middle Stage

A woman in her upper 60s was referred for a workup due to concern about dementia. Her family indicated that there has been gradual memory decline for the past four years. Now, the patient quickly forgets conversations, she misplaces items which results in her thinking that other people must have moved or taken the items, she occasionally forgets to go to doctor appointments, and she has gotten lost while driving her car in a familiar location. The patient's family also reported that the patient's memory for long-term information seems a bit fuzzy. For example, it was stated that the patient remembers vacations from the past, but when talking about them, she seems to mix up details from various vacations. The patient is not particularly concerned about her difficulties and she is not all that interested in treating her memory decline. Her family, however, is quite concerned.

List three functional activities that would be appropriate for the individual.

Write three functional SMART goals for the patient.

Conduct a one-page educational handout tailored to the patient's specific deficits. Include a brief explanation of his deficits and "how-to" suggestions for maximum independence in his home environment.