DEMENTIA ASSESSMENT

What Is the Dementia and Cognitive Decline Assessment?

A dementia assessment is a thorough neuropsychological exam designed for seniors experiencing persistent memory difficulties, temporal or spatial disorientation, language changes, or unexplained shifts in behavior and mood. At iSIM – Instituto Simone Marangoni, we understand that healthy aging should never be synonymous with functional loss, and that any significant cognitive change calls for specialized diagnostic investigation.

The impact of neurodegenerative conditions reaches both the client and their entire family. Under the supervision of Simone Marangoni (CRP 06/56505), our team uses gold-standard international protocols to distinguish benign age-related forgetfulness from more complex conditions, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Frontotemporal Dementia.

Why Seek an Early Geriatric Assessment?

Early diagnosis is the single most determining factor for the effectiveness of any intervention in dementia syndromes. Detecting changes early makes it possible to:

• Start Medical Therapies Right Away: Optimizing medication treatment to slow functional decline.
• Implement Cognitive Stimulation: Strengthening cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity through neuropsychological training.
• Improve Safety and Adapt the Environment: Preventing household accidents, falls, financial losses and disorientation in public spaces.
• Support and Guide Caregivers: Helping families understand how to handle memory loss and mood changes in their loved one.

How Does the Assessment Protocol at iSIM Work?

The process is designed to respect the pace, fatigue and dignity of the senior client:

1. Clinical Interview with Family Members: A thorough gathering of medical history, current medications, level of autonomy and changes in daily life.
2. Neuropsychological Mapping Sessions: Assessment of immediate and delayed memory, executive functions, language, praxis, affect, emotions and reasoning.
3. Assessment of Daily Functioning: Mapping the client's ability to carry out instrumental activities (managing finances, medications) and basic daily tasks.
4. Clinical Meeting and Integrated Report: Consolidating the findings to support neurologists, geriatricians and psychiatrists.
5. Care Plan and Family Guidance: Delivering the report in a humanized feedback session with guidelines for the patient's routine.

Benefits of the iSIM Instituto Simone Marangoni Approach

• Reliable Differential Diagnosis: A safe distinction between geriatric depression (pseudo-dementia) and real neurodegenerative decline.
• Preserving Autonomy: Practical strategies to keep the senior active and engaged for as long as possible.
• Specialized Family Support: Support for families in facing the symbolic grief and stress of caregiving.
• Accessible Units in Pinheiros and Online Assessment: Safe, humanized care.