As we age, many of us notice changes in our memory, language, thinking, and personality. However, if these changes begin to disrupt your daily routines, it’s important to consider a memory assessment to ensure your brain is functioning at its healthiest.

The following symptoms may indicate memory loss:

• Difficulty performing daily activities, including changes in work performance;

• Increased forgetfulness or trouble with short-term memory;

• Needing frequent reminders to remember important information (e.g., frequently-used passwords, bank card PIN, etc.);

• Repeatedly asking the same questions or forgetting recent conversations;

• Forgetting appointments, special occasions, or medication schedules;

• Struggling to find the right words to express yourself or experiencing lapses mid-sentence;

• Regularly misplacing items like keys or wallets;

• Challenges in managing finances, such as writing cheques or banking;

• Becoming disoriented or lost in familiar surroundings; and

• Changes in personality, including feelings of sadness, irritability, or diminished interest.

If you or someone you know is experiencing some or many of these symptoms, contact your primary health care provider as soon as possible and request an evaluation. Early detection of cognitive issues generally leads to improved outcomes and a better understanding of your specific condition for suitable treatment options.

Plum Tree Memory Care’s assessments are available to anyone living in Ontario once we have received a referral from their primary health care provider. There are no age restrictions or minimums for an assessment. We are also happy to provide a second opinion if you have already received a diagnosis.

Getting a diagnosis and finding the right care can be challenging. Our team of friendly and highly-skilled health care professionals is ready to help. Plum Tree Memory Care assessments provide a comprehensive picture of your brain’s cognitive function. This provides our health care team with the necessary information to determine a diagnosis and a care plan that best manages your memory concerns.

Our memory assessments rely on the latest breakthroughs in memory care research to guide you in living well and safely with memory loss. We will work with you and your family to create a uniquely-tailored care plan focused on your goals for living with memory loss confidently and with dignity.

The decision to seek medical help is up to the individual. By providing them with information, support, and understanding, you can increase their awareness and willingness to consider the benefits of our memory care services.

If you are looking for specific strategies to better communicate and engage with someone who could benefit from our memory clinic’s services, consider booking an appointment with one of our Dementia Doulas. Plum Tree Memory Care’s Dementia Doulas have proven strategies that can address cognitive and behavioural concerns in people with dementia. For more information, click here.

You will need a referral from your primary health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to ensure we work together to provide seamless care to you and your family.

To ensure we can do a thorough assessment, all initial memory assessments are done in-person at one of our offices, located in downtown Kitchener or Oakville. After the initial assessments, virtual assessments can be considered if needed.

Plum Tree memory assessments are based on the award-winning MINT Memory Clinic model developed by Dr. Linda Lee, founder and lead physician of both Plum Tree Memory Care and the MINT Memory Clinic model. MINT Memory Clinics have been implemented in over 100 sites across Canada. At Plum Tree, our health care professionals have years of experience working with individuals with memory concerns and their families. To read more about our team members’ credentials, see Our Team.