Testing question

Kuliokugs

My Dad had a mini test in the doctor's office, and received a score of 23/30 - he was referred to a Geriatric Resource Center for further testing.

My Mom has a different doctor, and just had a mini test as well -- it was very similar to my dad's test, except her test required her to draw a clock face. Her score is 16/33. She also received a referral to the Geriatric Resource Center.

My question is -- has anyone heard of a total of 33 on the mini test? When my Dad was tested, I was able to look up his score and see that his initial test indicated he might have mild dementia.

For my mom, there are no charts that I can find online to see where she falls. Obviously, she is worse off than my Dad, but I am still confused about the total of her test being 33. I can't find a chart where I could see where she is landing - all of the charts online are out of 30 points, not 33. 

Any info would be appreciated!

Quilting brings calm

My guess is that your Moms’ doctor scored the clock drawing and added it into the mini test,  it’s actually a separate test, and they score it as a possibility of 3, I think.   If you know how your mom did specifically on it, you could try to remove it.    But look at it this way. She scored somewhere around an 13/30, even if she got the clock totally right.

Truthfully it’s all arbitrary, as some dementia patients can still do better on that test than they do in real life.  My mom got a 23/30 in August.  Technically that’s mild cognitive  impairment.  But I am sure she’s actually been in the mild dementia phase ( stage) for a while.   She got the clock almost right.  The bottom of the hands was up under the twelve rather than in the center of the face. 

An MMSE between 13 and 20 indicates moderate dementia.  Does that fit with your Moms’  symptoms on the website below 

 https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/aboutdementia/facts/stages/amp/

jfkoc

That test, at best, can say if maybe there is a problem. It will lead to more diagnostic tests which will start with lab and continue with others. the process is to eliminate causes for the dementia...things that can be treated.

Please google Alzheimer's diagnosis and be certain that the proper protocol is followed.

King Boo

Unless it was full neuropsychological evaluations (which take a long time) and are done by a PhD neuropsychologist, it was most likely the MMSE.  It is only a screening tool, and it can miss many who have dementia.

As long as it resulted in a good thing (being referred for additional evaluation) I would not waste any time looking into it giving you specifics.  It will not.

See what the comprehensive eval says.

Michael Ellenbogen

30 is the magic number.  They both need further  test to see what is wrong as there  is definitely  a serious issue.

harshedbuzz

It's possible your mom did the MoCA which has the clock as part of the screening.

These are a snapshot in time and are screening only. Both should have a full evaluation which would give you a sense- maybe- of where they are in disease progression.

My dad tended to do better on these than he functioned IRL. The last one was with his geripsych about 6 months before he died. He did about as well as expected for a man his age and education level and we heard about how brilliant he was the entire way down in the elevator and out to the valet stand where he promptly climbed into a random car being driven by a frightened little old lady who wasn't my mom.

Kuliokugs

Thank you!  Oh wow, you have to have a sense of humor for sure. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Kuliokugs

They were both referred to a Senior Diagnostic Center and are undergoing testing. My Dad scored 23/30 on the mini test, and on the longer MOCA test, he scored an 18/30. So yes we are starting down a long road. Thank you!

Kuliokugs

Thank you, that does make sense, and it's good to remember it's just a screening. They are both referred to a Senior Resource Center, so the longer form of testing is underway. Thanks for your words!

Kuliokugs

You are right, it is just a screening tool. Thanks for your thoughts, I think you are right on. I'm a bit of an information junkie - I believe it's how I deal with this - as if I am actually "doing something" to help.

Kuliokugs

That is good advice. For both of my parents, it has resulted in a referral, so I will leave that and look ahead to the actual professional testing. Thank you!

Kuliokugs

Thank you - they have both been referred and are going through the testing now. Thanks for your response!

M1

Very old thread. Sane4ka, welcome to the forum, you will do better to start a new discussion.

Iris L.

It looks like Sane4ka is soliciting. I have referred to the Moderators.

Marta

The link takes you to programs that train phlebotomists. 🥴