National Memory Screening Day is being held on June 23rd, 2009 by the Alzheimer’s Foundation for Caregiving in Canada.  The Alzheimer's Foundation for Caregiving in Canada (AFCC) is a sister organization to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.  National Memory Screening Day was initiated by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in 2003, and the AFCC now is also offering this event.  National Memory Screening Day is one of the highlights of AFCC's ongoing national effort to promote early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and to encourage appropriate intervention, including medical treatments, social services and other resources.  Participating sites, which include pharmacies, offer free confidential memory screenings, as well as follow-up resources and educational materials to those concerned about memory loss.

Memory screenings are a significant first step in addressing memory concerns.  These screenings make sense for anyone worried about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer's disease or a related illness.  Memory screenings are non-invasive and consist of a series of questions and tasks that test memory, language skills, thinking ability, and other intellectual function, and can indicate whether the person being tested might benefit from a complete medical evaluation.  It is important to remember the results of these screenings do not represent a diagnosis. A follow up medical evaluation with a primary care provider or other qualified professional can include a physical, lab tests and brain imaging in conjunction with the memory assessment in order to determine what is causing memory loss.