My husband’s PCP recommended neuropsych testing when he complained of memory issues. He enjoyed the testing, I read the report online in the patient portal and the conclusion was MCI. I was astonished as it just seemed like memory issues related to aging, but I was in health care and knew MCI invariably leads to dementia, so I started being more observant and making changes for the future (finances, home safety, etc). Eight years later, while in the hospital, the hospitalist recommended repeat testing after discharge. My husband went, enjoyed it again, same examiner, same testing. The data showed a clear and marked decline. I used that info to become more serious about planning- updated wills, advanced directives, putting the car titles in both names, elder law attorney consultation, return to the state of his drivers license in exchange for a state ID card, reaching out to the VA to see what services might be available, etc.
I am very grateful to the neuropsychologist who did the testing, explained the data, and opened my eyes to what was going on and what I needed to do to prepare us for the inevitable future. Before the second testing, I was the proverbial frog in the water, making what I thought were little adjustments here and there and not realizing how much his cognitive status had deteriorated.