Lake Prince Woods retirement community will offer free, confidential memory screenings from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 4.

An appointment is necessary and can be made by calling 923-5500.

Health care professionals will administer the screenings and provide educational materials about memory concerns, brain health and caregiving. The face-to-face screenings consist of a series of questions and take five to 10 minutes to administer.

“A memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a physician or other healthcare professional,” LPW Executive Director Judy Raymond said. “It can check a person’s memory and other thinking skills and can indicate if someone might benefit from a more complete medical visit.”

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America suggests memory screenings for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia, who believe they are at risk due to a family history of dementia, or who want to see how their memory is now and for future comparisons.

Some memory problems, like those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid issues, are readily treatable and even curable.  Others might be due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, early intervention can improve the quality of an individual’s life, and medications may help slow progression of symptoms.

Lake Prince Woods has a memory care unit as part of the continuing care it offers for senior adults. This secure environment provides nursing care and activities geared for residents with dementia or memory loss.

For more information about the memory screening, call Susan Stone, LPW’s director of development, at 923-5511.