Community Memory Screening and Awareness-Raising Education:
The Road to Early Detection and Care (AFA C.A.R.E.S.)
AFA C.A.R.E.S.* is an outgrowth of AFA's National Memory Screening Program. The goal of the National Memory Screening Program is to promote early detection and intervention for those concerned about memory loss as well as to educate the public about successful aging.
AFA introduced the nation's first National Memory Screening Day in 2003 which has now expanded into National Memory Screening Week as another part of the National Memory Screening Program. Because the demand and need for screenings exists year-round, AFA created AFA C.A.R.E.S. to encourage local sites nationwide to host a memory screening event once or multiple times throughout the year.
At these events, qualified healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, and dementia care administrators offer free, confidential, face-to-face memory screenings and educational materials to people with concerns about their memory or who want to check their memory now for future comparison. If needed, AFA can assist local sites in locating a healthcare professional to do the screenings.
Participating sites can include Alzheimer's agencies, doctors' offices, senior centers, long-term care residences, in-home care agencies, hospitals, houses of worship, research labs, pharmacies, and other community organizations. Screenings are held at community events such as health fairs, as well as on a regular basis (daily, weekly or monthly) by participating organizations.
Note: Memory screenings are used as an indicator of whether a person might benefit from an extensive medical exam, but that they are not used to diagnose any illness and in no way replace an exam by a qualified healthcare professional. AFA encourages medical follow up.
Click here to find a AFA C.A.R.E.S. site
Click here to sign up as a AFA C.A.R.E.S. site
* This project is made possible with a grant from the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
