About the slum test
- Thread starter Tara
- Start date
hearlady
Basic Member
- Location
- N Carolina
Don't be scared. Best to know if there's a reason to find ways to improve the score.
DaveA
Senior Member
- Location
- Coastal Massachusetts, USA
What is "the slum test" ? I've never heard the term before.
I hadn't heard of it either - I googled and it seems to be a simplified slightly different version of MOCA - the usual screening test for cognitive ability
Tara, we had long thread about you doing the MOCA already.
Same answers really apply as they did in that thread.
Tara, we had long thread about you doing the MOCA already.
Same answers really apply as they did in that thread.
My doctor recently gave me a test for dementia. I was so anxious I couldn’t think. And, I didn’t have a good score. So, now I’m worried about my memory and wondering what to expect in the near future. I‘ve noticed a slight problem with my memory the past year or so, but haven’t considered it to be horrible. Anyway, now I’m anxious and worried.
CallMeKate
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic US
I hate to see you worrying so much about this, Tara.
The SLUMS Exam stands for Saint Louis University Mental Status exam and should take less than 10 minutes. Also of note is that the "scoring" takes the education level of the person doing the test into consideration. One thing to remember, although it may be difficult for you, is to try very hard to stay as calm as possible to get accurate results. It's only 11 questions.
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gruntlabor
Well-known Member
- Location
- Last Frontier, Age 83
Yes. Stay calm and breathe.I hate to see you worrying so much about this, Tara.
feywon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rural North Central NM
Stress is a huge contributor to the development and severity of many illnesses including strictly physically ones. But stressing about about your cognitive functioning level could actually impact how well one does on the test--same as nervousness about one's Blood Pressure can actually raise it when taken in a Doctor's office.
i've got to get offline soon, have a lot to do today but there are things you can to help ease the worry about it due to things like forgetting why you entered a room, or taking medications. People often talk about the the downside to 'habits' but the fact is with a little self-knowledge one can develop habits that help you minimize the memory lapse incidents that cause you concern. A first step is remembering that the more stressed you are (about anything) the more likely you are to forget fairly routine and simple things.
Unfortunately a lot of people create a vicious cycle where stress cause several concerning incidents in short space of time, their concern (due to all the public chatter about cognitive decline) causes more stress, leading to more incidents.
If anyone is interested in some of the good habits i maintain to help reduce that kind of stress. i'm going to try to be here over the weekend and i could share. Some might need modification to suit your needs but the principles can work in many situations.
i've got to get offline soon, have a lot to do today but there are things you can to help ease the worry about it due to things like forgetting why you entered a room, or taking medications. People often talk about the the downside to 'habits' but the fact is with a little self-knowledge one can develop habits that help you minimize the memory lapse incidents that cause you concern. A first step is remembering that the more stressed you are (about anything) the more likely you are to forget fairly routine and simple things.
Unfortunately a lot of people create a vicious cycle where stress cause several concerning incidents in short space of time, their concern (due to all the public chatter about cognitive decline) causes more stress, leading to more incidents.
If anyone is interested in some of the good habits i maintain to help reduce that kind of stress. i'm going to try to be here over the weekend and i could share. Some might need modification to suit your needs but the principles can work in many situations.
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Paco Dennis
SF VIP
- Location
- Mid-Missouri
Me, I would like to discuss this. I know that creating a routine for important things is important. I have been using my phone alarm to remind me about stuff I need to do. I even miss things after being reminded. I try to attach a a phrase I can remember for the "habit" that I keep forgetting. I think paying attention to detail is important. When glossed over it is harder to remember because the context is missing.
Yes, please come if you have the time and discuss this. I thought about you yesterday, and missed you. I am very glad to see you again.
feywon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rural North Central NM
Thanks.Me, I would like to discuss this. I know that creating a routine for important things is important. I have been using my phone alarm to remind me about stuff I need to do. I even miss things after being reminded. I try to attach a a phrase I can remember for the "habit" that I keep forgetting. I think paying attention to detail is important. When glossed over it is harder to remember because the context is missing.
Yes, please come if you have the time and discuss this. I thought about you yesterday, and missed you. I am very glad to see you again.
Firstly don't panic if you have a lapse on a particularly busy day, or because something distracted, interrupted you on the way to another room to do something (with dog andf 4 cats in house that's common). That just slows recovery of the needed thought. I've gotten to where just turning to go back where i was, or stopping and thinking about where i was and what i was thinking before i got up brings back my intentions.
Of course, being or getting organized helps. Have specified place for things you take with you when leaving home: Keys, Phone (if not always in your pocket-- mine isn't and not always on either), Wallet or purse. And place near door for outgoing mail, library books needing to be returned and the like. It takes about 21 days to establish a habit. So it does take thinking about.
All daily pills are in those weekly containers with 7 compartments. I keep my vitamins and my eye drops in hanging basket in kitchen and move them to counter near sink pretty much first thing each morning--that way i see them several times as i feed our furbabies then myself and do dishes. My thyroid med is to be taken 1/2 to 1 hour before breakfast. So keep that container by bed, same with statin which i was told to take before bed a roughly same time each night.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
I have many habits to make things easier like you do Fay. One of my dogs gets her heart medicine around 4 AM and I had the pill container in the bathroom but sometimes couldn’t remember if I gave it or not. I remedied that by putting her pill in a shot glass before I go to bed.
feywon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rural North Central NM
That's the idea, figure out what will work for you, remind you to do whatever. Then because you have fewer 'lapses' you have less stress and that helps you have fewer still unless something physical is wrong with one's brain.
