Identifying early signs of dementia can be tricky and seniors are often resistant to visiting a doctor. Yet to help bridge the gap, there’s a simple at-home test that can assess whether you or a loved one may be experiencing dementia symptoms. It’s called the SAGE test and it could help bring early attention and diagnosis so that your life is more manageable with dementia. Let’s get into the details of the SAGE test and other dementia red flags to keep in mind.
About the SAGE test
What is the SAGE test?
The SAGE test stands for the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam. As the name suggests, this test can be taken by yourself at home. The goal of the test is to assess your brain health and flag any cognitive or memory impairment. It’s often used to identify early signs of dementia, especially in older adults who might be at risk.
Is the SAGE test for dementia only?
The SAGE test is designed to recognize early symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Specifically, it’s looking for signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which often develops into dementia disorders.
However, it’s important to note that this test doesn’t necessarily mean the individual has dementia. The test doesn’t diagnose any specific condition and may result in a diagnosis of other treatable disorders other than dementia.
When should I take the SAGE test?
If you’re worried that you or a loved one is showing signs, the SAGE test is a good first step. While some memory loss is normal with aging, it can also be a symptom of a larger health problem. According to Ohio State University, some early signs you should watch out for include:
- Forgetting appointments or recently learned information
- Trouble finding words or losing train of thought
- Forgetting the day of the week, etc.
- Misplacing items
- Getting lost in a familiar place
- Changes in personality or mood
- Becoming impulsive or showing poor judgment
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, the SAGE test is a must. It may reveal an underlying cognitive disorder, or some other health issues that need to be addressed.
Why would anyone want an early dementia diagnosis?
Finding out you or your loved one have dementia can be scary. However, an early diagnosis can be extremely beneficial. Some cognitive disorders are treatable and symptoms can be reduced or minimized.
Even with Alzheimer’s or dementia, having an early diagnosis can help manage symptoms and potentially delay onset. Moreover, you can better prepare for dementia’s progression as treatments are often more effective at this stage. You can also work with your doctor to create a personalized care plan.
What are the benefits of taking the SAGE test?
The SAGE test can be an excellent tool for assessing cognitive health. Taking this test can help in a variety of ways, including:
- Measure cognitive health over time. It can be taken multiple years to track whether an individual’s thinking ability is staying stable or declining.
- Get an early diagnosis. This test can aid doctors to get a head start on dementia and related disorders. As mentioned above, early management is better management when it comes to dementia.
- Start taking action. People, especially seniors, resist seeing a doctor. However, the SAGE test can be done at home as a first step. It’s inexpensive and can be taken within minutes.
- Get peace of mind. If you’re concerned you or a loved one has cognitive impairment, the SAGE test can put your doubts to rest, or move you into action.
These are just a handful of the benefits of taking the SAGE test. Getting that early diagnosis could actually improve the quality of life for seniors with dementia, as symptoms are often more manageable at this stage.
Taking the SAGE test
How do I take the SAGE test?
The SAGE test is easy to take and you don’t need anything fancy. Basically, you have to download the official SAGE test, print it off and have a pen handy to answer the questions. There are currently four versions of the test available. Only take one; they’re interchangeable.
The instructions for the test are straightforward, too. Simply answer the questions without the help of others and don’t look at a clock/calendar to help answer them. There’s no time limit, but it typically takes about 10-15 minutes. That’s it!
Can I take the SAGE test online?
An online version of the SAGE test, called BrainTest, is also available. If you prefer, you can take the test in this online format. Either way, the results of the test will give accurate results.
Is the online SAGE test accurate?
It’s important to note that the SAGE test was made by Dr. Scharre at Ohio State University. You should take the official SAGE test on their site or the online BrainTest version. Other “Alzheimer’s tests” online may not be accurate indicators of brain health. In fact, researchers have rated 75% of online dementia tests as poor or very poor. For the best assessment, take the official tests on the Ohio State University site.
Is it available in other languages than English?
Fortunately, the SAGE test is available in several languages. You can download it from the official site in English (US), English (NZ), Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Croatian, French or German. Just choose from the options when you go to download the test.
What sort of questions will be on the SAGE test?
The SAGE test uses basic questions to get a sense of cognitive health. For example, you may find questions on the following core themes:
- Orientation in time (knowing the day of the week, etc.)
- Simple math
- Short-term memory
- Naming objects/animals
- Identifying similarities
- Basic problem-solving
- Drawing a 3-D form
- The trail-making test
- The clock drawing test
In practice, the test involves simple questions such as “How many nickels are in 60 cents?” These are basic cognition questions that dementia patients often fail at.
Understanding SAGE test results
How does SAGE test scoring work?
After you’ve completed the SAGE test, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to talk about the results. He/she will score your test and take any relevant actions.
If your score was low and there’s a concern of dementia, the doctor may order follow-up tests, such as an MRI or CT scan. Or, if the score was normal, it might be kept on file to compare with future tests.
Why can’t I make a home diagnosis?
The SAGE test doesn’t diagnose one condition and there may be multiple correct answers. There’s no answer sheet for this test. Only a doctor can know for sure what the results mean and determine next steps.
That said, an adult can look over the exam at home and be able to tell if the test taker struggled to answer or performed the tasks well. But it’s your doctor’s responsibility to properly score the SAGE test.
What does my SAGE test score mean?
The SAGE test has a maximum score of 22. Depending on your score, this test may indicate the following results:
- 17-22: You have normal cognitive function.
- 15-16: You may have mild cognitive impairment.
- 14 and below: You likely have serious cognitive impairment, including dementia.
Age and education can also impact the score. Researchers suggest adding one point if the individual is over 80 years old and one point if he/she didn’t complete high school.
That said, any score under 17 is considered noteworthy by doctors and subsequent exams will likely be scheduled to find the underlying cause.
Note: other reasons for scoring low may include being depressed, ill or sleep-deprived.
How accurate is the SAGE test?
While no test is perfect, SAGE is quite accurate in indicating whether someone has dementia. Studies show that the test results in 95% accuracy – which is higher than many in-person dementia tests. It’s an important first step in determining whether you or a loved one may be at risk for dementia disorders.
Conclusion
Early detection of dementia and other conditions related to cognitive impairment is essential. The SAGE test is an excellent way to get the conversation started with your doctor and look into any underlying causes of dementia symptoms.
At the same time, if you’re interested in getting more resources about dementia, go to MyCaringPlan. Here you’ll find guides to dementia care to give you the bigger picture on senior health and caregiving.
Sources:
- SAGE: A Test to Detect Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Wexner Medical Center, https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/memory-disorders/sage#:~:text=The%20Self%2DAdministered%20Gerocognitive%20Exam,Download%20Test
- Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE): Accuracy, Benefits, Scoring and How to Administer, Dementia Care Center, https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/self-administered-gerocognitive-exam/
- How Accurate Is the Online SAGE Dementia Test?, Very Well Health, https://www.verywellhealth.com/sage-at-home-dementia-test-98644
- All About the SAGE Test for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Detection, Everyday Health, https://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers-disease/all-about-the-sage-test-for-alzheimers-and-dementia-detection/
