Promoting Dementia Screening While Dispelling Dementia Myths

Dementia screening does not mean needles, scary machines, or a verdict you can’t escape. In this episode, recorded at Detroit’s Rosa Parks Geriatric Center at Wayne State University, comedian and caregiver J Smiles sits down with dementia experts to make memory screening feel simple, practical, and worth doing before a crisis. You’ll learn what a real dementia screening looks like, including the Mini‑Cog: three words, a clock drawing, and a quick, non‑invasive check that can become your baseline for brain health. The team breaks down dementia screening vs testing, when more paper‑and‑pencil cognitive tests (SLUMS, MoCA, MMSE), depression screening, lab work (thyroid, B12), and brain imaging (MRI) are needed, and how newer Alzheimer’s blood tests for biomarkers like tau are used without automatically meaning a dementia diagnosis. We talk about the real‑life dementia warning signs families notice first: missed bills, medication slip‑ups, personality changes, kitchen hazards, driving confusion, getting lost, and why “it’s just aging” can be a dangerous myth. Our guests explain mild cognitive impairment, different types of dementia (Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy body, frontal temporal), safety red flags around cooking and driving, and why earlier diagnosis opens doors to new treatments and support. You’ll also hear about the biggest barriers to dementia screening—stigma, fear of losing independence, limited access to care, and providers who say “that’s just part of aging”—and where families can turn for help, including the Alzheimer’s Association (24/7 helpline), local Area Agencies on Aging, church‑based programs, and geriatric memory clinics like the Rosa Parks Geriatric Center. If you’re a caregiver, adult child, or aging parent wondering “Is this normal?” this conversation will help you know what to say to your doctor, what kind of clinic to search for, and how to advocate for memory screening in your family and community. 🔎 Topics in this episode: -What dementia screening really is (Mini‑Cog, memory baseline, quick in‑office visit) -Dementia screening vs testing: cognitive tests, depression screening, lab work, MRI/CT imaging -Alzheimer’s blood tests, tau and amyloid biomarkers, and what positive results actually mean -Early symptoms and behavior changes families should not ignore (finances, cooking, driving, personality) -Mild cognitive impairment vs dementia, types of dementia and why diagnosis matters for treatment -Safety concerns at home and on the road, and how families can step in sooner -Where to start if you’re not in Detroit: Alzheimer’s Association, Area Agency on Aging, church and community resources 🎧 This is Episode 3 of a 3‑part series supported by the A.G.R.E.E.D/GWEP grant to improve dementia care and caregiver support. For more information about the A.G.R.E.E.D/GWEP grant, visit: https://agreed.wayne.edu/community-im... If this episode helps you, please subscribe, like, comment, and share it with someone you love so more families can find reliable dementia information when they need it most. Detroit Cares About Dementia Playlist:    • Detroit Cares About Dementia   Executive Producer/Host: ‪@jsmilescomedy‬ Producer: ‪@MiaHallTV‬ Editor: ‪@annelisetv2624‬ #CaregivingJourney #DementiaAwareness #AlzheimersCare #CaregiverSupport #HumorInCaregiving #EndAlz "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG:   / parentingup   FB:   / parentingup   YT:    / @parentingup   TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!