Dementia can be diagnosed early with simple at-home clock-drawing test
Dementia symptoms aren’t always obvious, especially in the beginning, but a clock-drawing test which can be done at home can be a good indicator that someone needs to speak to a GP. There is currently no cure for dementia, the broad term used to describe loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities, but getting an early diagnosis is still important so someone can get the correct treatment and support.
More and more people in the UK are getting diagnosed with dementia every year, because people are living longer. Currently, over 982,000 people in the UK are living with the condition, but the number is expected to hit 1.4 million by 2040, according to Alzheimer’s Society. The most common symptom we associate with dementia is memory loss, but others can be hard to spot early on.
While it’s important to speak to a GP to get an official diagnosis, some experts believe the “clock-drawing method” is a great and quick way to screen for early dementia. Jesus Ramirez-Bermudez, a neuropsychiatrist with Mexico’s National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, highlighted its ease on X/Twitter: “Clock drawing. It remains one of the easiest and cheapest ways to identify patients with mental/behavioural disorders who require further neurological and neuropsychological workup.”
There are many ways to test for dementia, but one popular and widely used method is by asking a person to draw a clock and put the hands at a certain time. First, take a blank piece of paper, ideally A4 size that allows the person to draw freely, then ask them to draw a clock. Once they have drawn the clock face, ask them to put all the numbers in, and ask them to draw the hands onto the clock at a specific time – for example at 3.15 pm.
According to the UK Dementia Directory, the test should be judged by points, and the person gets one point for the following: how well the person drew the clock circle, has the person included all the numbers one-12, are all the numbers drawn in the correct order on the clock face and in the correct place, did they draw two hands on the clock, and do the hands on the clock say the correct time you asked them to draw.
According to the NHS, if it’s carried out correctly, it “virtually excludes dementia because a wide range of cognitive skills are used”. The UK Dementia Directory urges people to encourage relatives or friends to do the simple, at-home dementia test if you suspect they may be suffering from memory loss, especially if it’s going to be hard to get them to visit a GP. If they struggle to draw the clock and the hands at a specific time, it can help encourage them to visit their doctor for further investigation. If you have any concerns about the results of the test, for example if they didn’t get full points, you should seek further advice from a GP.
Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Society provides a list of 20 questions focused on potential symptoms to evaluate whether a GP appointment is necessary. To effectively use the checklist, it’s crucial to consider the duration and impact of symptoms on daily activities.
Insights and Summary:
Early diagnosis of dementia is crucial for proper treatment and support. The clock-drawing test is an accessible and effective way to screen for early signs of dementia. By encouraging loved ones to take the test at home, it can prompt timely medical intervention and further investigation if needed. The increasing number of dementia cases underscores the importance of raising awareness about early diagnostic tools like the clock-drawing test to help manage this growing healthcare challenge.