MoCA Test - Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test in Etobicoke
Illnesses that cause cognitive decline are becoming more common in our communities. When a loved one starts showing signs of cognitive decline or dementia, it can be incredibly stressful for them and their families. It is a health challenge that requires great emotional and medical support.
- Currently over 500,000 Canadians are living with dementia
- By 2030, this number is projected to reach almost 1 million people
- About 3% of people living with dementia are under the age of 65
- Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, contributing to 60-70% of cases
Dementia is not the only cause of cognitive dysfunction, and cognitive issues are not restricted to the senior population. Illnesses such as Parkinson’s, ALS and addiction can cause cognitive decline.
The challenge is great but there is now increased awareness of cognitive illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, fronto temporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. Modern medicine has also made significant advances in the treatment and detection of cognitive decline.
Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction
Individuals with even mild cognitive dysfunction can exhibit the following behaviours:
- Forgetting appointments with increasing frequency
- Have trouble finding the right word in conversation, forgetting words
- Losing their train of thought
- Find themselves getting lost while walking, or not knowing why they are in a physical location i.e. at a train station
Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test in Etobicoke - The MoCA Test
Cognitive care, especially for our community’s seniors, is an important part of our mission at Mimico Medical. At our Etobicoke clinic we administer the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test – known as the MoCA test. This cognitive screening test is the leading tool for the early and accurate detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
MoCA is a leading tool for identifying cognitive dysfunction, enabling healthcare providers to immediately start the patient on a treatment plan if necessary.
The MoCA test has shown to be among the best screening tests for neurological and medical conditions in over 600 independent studies. It is used in over 200 countries and has been translated to 65 different languages.
The MoCA test is administered quickly and can be done either online (via Zoom or Skype) or in-person at our Etobicoke clinic. The test is 30 questions long and will take around 10 minutes to complete.
Anyone can take the MoCA test. It is not restricted to any age group. Cognitive dysfunction can be one symptom of a wide range of illnesses – such as vascular illness or substance abuse.
The MoCA test is covered by OHIP. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about is showing early signs of cognitive decline, get in touch with our team today.
The MoCA tests screens for the following illnesses and conditions:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Sleep behaviour disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- Brain tumours
- Huntington’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lewy Body dementia
- ALS
- Head trauma
- VCI/Stroke
- Depression
- Heart failure
- Fronto-temporal dementia
- Schizophrenia
- Brain metastasis
- Substance Abuse
Cognitive Illness and the Importance of Early Diagnosis
The MoCA test is a such an important tool for the treatment of cognitive illness because:
- It is administered quickly, in about 10 minutes
- It is effective for the accurate and early detection of cognitive dysfunction
The outcome is that patients are diagnosed with cognitive illness earlier and begin their treatment plan as soon as possible.
Particularly for dementia, early diagnosis and treatment is an important factor driving patient success. Dementia is a difficult medical challenge for the affected individual – and for their family and caregivers as well. In many cases, the earlier the diagnosis occurs, the better the outcome for the patient and their team.
In addition:
- Early therapeutic interventions can be effective in improving cognitive function and treating depression.
- Patients can only access drug and non-drug therapies after a diagnosis.
- Early diagnosis allows the patient to adjust to the changes taking place, and take an role in their own treatment and plans for the future.
Book a MoCA Test with Mimico Medical
If you or a loved one are showing some signs of cognitive issues, then we advise that you book a cognitive assessment test. It is fast, easy and covered by OHIP. The earlier cognitive impairment is diagnosed, the better the chance for successful treatment going forward.
At Mimico Medical, our medical team includes specialists that administer the MoCA test either in-person at our Etobicoke clinic or online via Skype and Zoom video call. We have the experience necessary to make a diagnosis quickly and start the patient with an effective treatment plan as soon as possible.
