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.
Across de-identified U.S. psychiatric records, we found this step was missed about 99% of the time it should have happened.
This page is here to help you know what to ask about. It is not medical advice, and you should never start, stop, or change a medication on your own. Bring these questions to a doctor who knows you.
Questions to ask your doctor
Copy a line and ask it at your next visit. These are questions to start a conversation, not instructions to change your 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 information, not medical advice. It describes care patterns across many people and can't speak to your own situation. Bring these questions to a clinician who knows you.
Build a checklist for your own care →