If you’re concerned about your memory, or the memory of someone you love, you may be wondering what, if anything, you can do about it. After all, most of us have never dealt with memory loss before and we’re not sure what’s causing it. In fact, memory issues can have many causes, including aging, stress, medication side effects, or neurological conditions.
To help you find out exactly what’s going on, the American Memory Loss Foundation has created a 10-step Memory Loss Roadmap that you can download for free here: https://memorylossfoundation.org/roadmap/
Although the Memory Loss Roadmap, itself, is easy to follow, the following article provides a clear summary of each step and explains how this roadmap can guide individuals and caregivers through what can sometimes be a confusing process. In addition, the roadmap provides a central place to track symptoms and record medical information.
What Is the Memory Loss Roadmap?
The Memory Loss Roadmap is a personal and medical organizer designed to support people dealing with memory concerns. It helps you identify early signs of cognitive change, document essential information, and navigate the healthcare system more effectively. Whether you’re noticing symptoms in yourself or helping someone else, this guide ensures no detail gets overlooked.
Below is a brief overview of the ten structured steps included in the roadmap.
Step-by-Step Summary
Step 1: Collect Contact Information
Begin by writing down your contact details and those of a close friend or family member. This contact may accompany you to doctor visits, provide symptom observations, or help with day-to-day care. This simple step ensures consistent support is available when needed.
Step 2: Track Symptoms
Use the detailed checklists to monitor memory-related symptoms such as difficulty learning new information, misplacing items, changes in mood, or repeating questions. This section includes a self-evaluation as well as observations from a friend or family member. Together, these perspectives provide a fuller picture of what’s happening.
Step 3: List Medications and Supplements
Many medications and supplements, alone or in combination, can affect cognition. By documenting everything you take, including dosage and frequency, your medical team can rule out or identify pharmaceutical causes of memory loss.
Step 4: Identify Your Primary Doctor
Record the contact details of your primary care physician. This doctor is your first point of contact and can help determine what evaluations or referrals are necessary.
Step 5: Visit Your Doctor
Bring your Memory Loss Roadmap to your doctor’s appointment so they can review the information you’ve recorded. In addition, they will evaluate your concerns, possibly order tests, or refer you to a specialist. Bringing a trusted companion to the visit can be helpful for asking questions and taking notes.
Step 6: Get Lab Tests
Your physician may order lab tests to check for treatable conditions that mimic dementia symptoms. These may include thyroid disorders, vitamin B12 deficiency, infections, and blood sugar issues. Use the roadmap to track each test, the date, and the results.
Step 7: See a Neurologist
If further evaluation is needed, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist. Neurologists specialize in brain and nerve conditions and may order advanced testing. Keep a log of appointments and recommendations made by the specialist.
Step 8: Take Cognitive Assessments
These standardized tests measure memory, language, attention, and problem-solving. Examples include the MoCA, MMSE, and SLUMS exams. Document any scores you receive to help build a better picture of your symptoms.
Step 9: Review Brain Imaging
Imaging studies such as MRI, CT, or PET scans may reveal physical changes in the brain, like atrophy or signs of stroke. These scans help differentiate between types of dementia and other neurological issues.
Step 10: Seek Support and Learn About Conditions
The roadmap concludes by outlining several potential causes of memory loss. These include treatable conditions as well as more serious diseases including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- LATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy)
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia
- Huntington’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
The Memory Loss Roadmap also includes links to support organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the Lewy Body Dementia Association, and others. These groups provide education, community, and help navigating care.
Download the Full Memory Loss Roadmap
The roadmap is more than a guide. It’s a comprehensive personal record for organizing symptoms, tests, appointments, and care plans.
Click here to Download the complete memory loss roadmap
Putting the Roadmap into Action
Memory concerns can be serious but knowing what steps you can take to diagnose their severity really helps. The Memory Loss Roadmap allows you to take charge of your health, monitor symptoms closely, and collaborate with medical professionals in a meaningful way.
Whether you are just beginning to notice changes or are already navigating the healthcare system, this roadmap offers the clarity and structure you need to move forward with confidence.