A memory check when an older adult starts a new medicine
An older adult starting a new psychiatric medicine should have their thinking and memory screened.
The silent should: An older adult starting a new psychiatric medicine should have their thinking and memory screened.
In our analysis of de-identified U.S. psychiatric records, this step was missing 99% of the time it should have happened.
This page is information to help you ask questions — it is not medical advice, and you should never start, stop, or change a medication on your own. Bring these questions to your clinician.
Questions for your doctor the next time you see them
Copy a line and ask it — these are questions, never instructions to change treatment.
- I'm starting a new medicine - could we do a quick memory and thinking check first?
- Should my memory be monitored on this medication?
This page is informational and not medical advice. It describes care patterns across a population, not your situation. Bring these questions to a clinician who knows you.
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