Last year for the first time, LincolnHealth offered free cognitive screenings. Of the 45 people who took part, only a small minority showed symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other types of non-reversible dementia.

Several had problems processing visual information and some showed signs of cognitive decline often associated with a lack of stimulation. LincolnHealth Occupational Therapist Megan McCartney said both conditions respond well to therapy.

LincolnHealth will offer free the free memory screenings again this year on Nov. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Miles Campus in Damariscotta. Please call 563-4518 for more information.

The goal of the screenings is to help people determine if they are experiencing cognitive changes outside of those normally associated with aging and if they are, to help them address those changes in a way that improves their quality of life.

The screenings take about 10 minutes and the atmosphere is informal. There will also be home-made baked treats as long as supplies last. Patients leave with the single page results and are encouraged to discuss them with their primary care provider.

McCartney said after the initial round last year, many people referred friends who they thought could benefit.

LincolnHealth began offering the screenings because therapists realized that the fear of a diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, prevents many people from seeking help when they or a family member begin to experience cognitive decline.

Cathy Ladd, COTA/L , said sometimes symptoms may be associated with medications a person is taking. They can also be a result of a person withdrawing from life after retiring or losing a spouse, said McCartney.

“Sometimes what happens is people retire and the amount of interaction in life goes down and they start to notice brain changes,” she said.

Therapists work with patients to develop strategies to get them out in the community more and increase social stimulation and often they regain function, said McCartney.

When the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia that is not reversible, therapists can help people with dementia and their families develop strategies to cope with the disease and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.

“We focus on the family and everyone who is involved,” said McCartney. “What we can do is offer a lot of support and a lot of education to the family. Many times, things are less scary once you know why people are doing the things they are doing, and when you are better prepared to deal with the situation.”