Memory Disorder Evaluation in Newton

You notice increasing difficulty remembering appointments, conversations, or where you placed items. Perhaps memory lapses interfere with work or daily activities. Newton Neuropsychology Group provides comprehensive memory evaluations for individuals throughout Newton and the greater Boston area. We help you understand memory functioning and determine whether concerns warrant intervention.

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When Memory Difficulties Affect Daily Life

You might forget conversations you had recently or struggle to recall information you know you learned. Perhaps you walk into rooms and forget why you went there. Maybe you rely heavily on lists and reminders but still miss important tasks. These experiences can feel frightening and frustrating.


Memory difficulties create significant concern:


  • You might feel worried about whether memory problems indicate something serious like dementia
  • You may experience frustration when you can't recall information you know you should remember
  • You could feel embarrassed about repeatedly asking the same questions or forgetting important information
  • You might struggle with anxiety that memory difficulties will worsen and affect your independence'



At Newton Neuropsychology Group, we understand that memory concerns deserve thorough evaluation. Our comprehensive assessments determine whether memory difficulties fall within normal range, indicate specific memory disorders, or reflect other conditions affecting memory.

Understanding Memory Functioning and Impairment

Memory involves complex processes of encoding, storing, and retrieving information. Memory disorders occur when these processes function less effectively than expected for age and education level. Memory difficulties can stem from various causes including neurological conditions, medical issues, medications, stress, sleep problems, or normal aging.

Memory encompasses several systems:



  • Short-term memory holds information briefly while you use it, like remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.
  • Working memory manipulates information actively, like doing mental math or following multi-step directions.
  • Long-term memory stores information over extended periods. This includes episodic memory for personal experiences, semantic memory for facts and knowledge, and procedural memory for skills and habits.


Memory naturally changes with age. Occasional forgetfulness, misplacing keys, forgetting names, needing more time to learn new information, is normal. Memory disorders involve more significant difficulties that interfere with daily functioning and exceed normal age-related changes.


Conditions affecting memory include mild cognitive impairment, various types of dementia, effects of stroke or brain injury, medication side effects, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid problems. Comprehensive evaluation differentiates between these possibilities.

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Expertise in Comprehensive Memory Assessment

Our neuropsychologists have specialized training in assessing memory functioning and differentiating normal age-related changes from memory disorders. We understand how various conditions affect different memory systems and can determine whether difficulties stem from neurological causes, emotional factors, medical conditions, or normal aging.


Memory complaints don't always correlate with actual memory impairment. Some individuals with normal memory function worry excessively about minor lapses. Others with significant impairment may not recognize the extent of their difficulties. Objective testing provides accurate assessment beyond subjective impressions.


Our comprehensive evaluation examines all memory systems, immediate recall, short-term memory, working memory, long-term memory encoding and retrieval. We also assess attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and emotional functioning because difficulties in these areas can affect memory performance.


We provide clear feedback about whether memory functioning falls within expected range or indicates impairment. When impairment is identified, we discuss possible causes, recommend medical follow-up when appropriate, and provide strategies to support memory functioning.

What Comprehensive Assessment Provides

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Objective Measurement

Receive accurate assessment of memory functioning compared to age-matched peers. Objective testing clarifies whether subjective concerns reflect actual impairment.

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Differentiation of Causes

Determine whether memory difficulties stem from neurological conditions, depression, anxiety, medication effects, sleep problems, or normal aging. This distinction guides appropriate intervention.

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Baseline Documentation

Establish current memory functioning objectively. This baseline allows tracking changes over time if concerns persist or worsen.

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Peace of Mind

Many individuals discover that memory functioning falls within normal range despite subjective concerns. This reassurance reduces anxiety about memory.

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Treatment Guidance

When memory impairment is identified, receive specific recommendations for medical evaluation, cognitive strategies, lifestyle modifications, or interventions that may improve memory functioning.

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Moving Forward With or Without Intervention

Without evaluation, uncertainty about memory difficulties often persists and creates anxiety. You might continue worrying whether difficulties are normal or indicate serious conditions. Memory strategies you try may not address actual areas of difficulty. When treatable causes exist, depression, sleep disorders, medication effects, these may go unaddressed.


With comprehensive memory evaluation, clarity replaces uncertainty. If memory functioning is normal, reassurance reduces anxiety. If difficulties are identified, you'll understand their nature and causes. Treatable conditions can be addressed. You'll receive strategies tailored to your specific memory profile. If progressive conditions are suspected, early identification allows planning and access to interventions that may slow decline.

Get Clarity About Memory Concerns

If memory difficulties affect your daily functioning or create worry, comprehensive evaluation can determine whether concerns warrant intervention. We serve individuals throughout Newton and the greater Boston area.

Our memory evaluations provide objective assessment and clear recommendations for support or treatment.

How Memory Assessment Works

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Detailed History and Concerns

We meet with you for approximately one hour to understand memory concerns, when difficulties began, how they affect daily life, medical history, medications, sleep quality, mood, and family history of memory problems. For older adults, family members often participate to provide additional perspective on functioning.

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Comprehensive Cognitive and Memory Testing

We conduct thorough assessment examining all memory systems, immediate recall, short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory for both verbal and visual information. We also assess attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and language abilities. Testing typically takes three to four hours. These cognitive abilities affect memory performance, so comprehensive assessment ensures accurate conclusions about memory specifically.

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Results, Diagnosis, and Recommendations

Once testing is complete, we schedule feedback to discuss findings. We explain how your memory functioning compares to others your age, whether difficulties indicate memory disorder or other causes, and provide specific recommendations. These may include medical follow-up, treatment for conditions affecting memory like depression or sleep disorders, cognitive strategies to support memory, or lifestyle modifications. You receive a detailed written report.

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Expedited Assessment When Time Matters

For memory evaluations, we offer fast-track options that expedite the process from initial contact through feedback. When cognitive concerns require prompt attention, whether to access support services or begin treatment planning faster, we prioritize scheduling to minimize wait times.


Fast-track memory evaluations complete intake and testing in one day when appropriate, allowing families to move quickly from evaluation to intervention. This expedited approach is particularly valuable when concerns are urgent or when individuals and families need answers quickly to make important decisions.


The same comprehensive assessment is conducted, whether through standard or fast-track scheduling. The difference is timing, fast-track reduces the interval between initial contact and completion of evaluation, helping patients and their families access support services more quickly when warranted.

Common Questions About Memory Evaluation

  • At what age should I consider memory evaluation?

    Memory evaluation can be helpful at any age when concerns arise. While more common in older adults, younger individuals experiencing memory difficulties following injury, with medical conditions, or due to other factors also benefit from evaluation.

  • What's the difference between normal aging and memory disorders?

    Normal aging involves occasional forgetfulness like misplacing items or forgetting names temporarily. Memory disorders involve more frequent or severe difficulties that interfere with daily functioning, like forgetting important appointments repeatedly, getting lost in familiar places, or being unable to learn new information.

  • Can memory problems be treated?

    This depends on the cause. Some conditions affecting memory—depression, sleep disorders, medication effects, vitamin deficiencies—are treatable. Even when progressive conditions are identified, interventions and strategies can help maintain functioning and quality of life longer.

  • Will evaluation diagnose dementia?

    Memory evaluation can identify cognitive patterns consistent with various types of dementia. However, definitive dementia diagnosis typically requires medical evaluation including brain imaging and sometimes additional testing. Our evaluation provides crucial information that guides medical providers.

Understanding Memory Functioning

Memory concerns deserve thorough evaluation. Comprehensive assessment provides clarity about whether difficulties indicate memory disorders or other causes, and guides appropriate intervention. Newton Neuropsychology Group serves individuals throughout Newton and the greater Boston area.