If you suspect your older adult may have problems with memory, reasoning, or judgment, you may want them to take the SAGE test online for dementia.
This home pen-and-paper test is free, takes only 15 minutes, and accurately identifies the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
And if you feel that your brain has slowed down in function due to the stress and exhaustion of care, this quick SAGE test online can assure you that there is no problem with your cognitive function.
This writing will equip you with everything you need to know about the SAGE Test, including its importance, who should take it, how it is administered, result interpretations, and what to do after it.
Table of contents
- About SAGE Test
- What is the SAGE Test?
- Who should take a SAGE Test online?
- Is it essential to take a SAGE test?
- Can SAGE Test detect dementia?
- How accurate is the SAGE test?
- What are the SAGE Test requirements?
- How to administer the SAGE Test
- SAGE Test Results Interpretation
- What should I do after the SAGE Test?
About SAGE Test
Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is designed to identify early signs of cognitive, memory, or thinking disorders. It evaluates your thinking skills and helps doctors know how well your brain works.
This online dementia home self-assessment tool has been scientifically evaluated and has shown promising results in accurately identifying cognitive deficits.
What is the SAGE Test?
The SAGE test for dementia is a written test used for people who are at risk of dementia or who are suspected of developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
SAGE stood for the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam and was also known as the OSU Memory Test because it was developed at the Wexner Medical Center of Ohio State University.
SAGE is simple and usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. The questions include:
- Orientation (knowing the date)
- Simple math
- short term memory
- names of objects or animals
- Problem-solving ability
- The clock test
Here are some sample questions that may be included in the SAGE test.
- How many nickels are in 60 cents?
- Write down the names of 12 different animals.
- How are a bicycle and a train similar?
The idea is to test multiple areas of cognition, or how well a person is thinking, as the death of brain cells from dementia affects a person’s ability to understand or communicate measurably.
For example, the test includes drawing 3D boxes as people with dementia struggle with spatial recognition.
The SAGE is available in English (US), English (New Zealand), Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and Croatian. A digital version of the SAGE test is also available and has been shown to provide similar results for participants in a research study designed to test its validity.
Who should take a SAGE Test online?
If you’re wondering whether to ask your loved one to take the SAGE, look out for the earliest symptoms of dementia:
- Difficulty with familiar tasks
- lose sight of time or place
- Problems finding the right words
- Often lose things
- Inability to make decisions
- Extreme mood swings
Is it essential to take a SAGE test?
You should take SAGE if you are concerned about having cognitive problems. Or, you may want your family or friends to take the test if they have memory or thinking problems.
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The difficulties listed can be early signs of cognitive and brain dysfunction. While dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can lead to these symptoms, many other treatable conditions can also cause these signs.
It is normal to experience memory loss as you age and take longer to remember events. If the changes you are experiencing worry you or others around you, SAGE can be a helpful tool in assessing whether further assessments are needed.
Remember, SAGE does not diagnose a specific condition. SAGE results don’t tell you if you have Alzheimer’s, mini-strokes, or a range of other states. However, the results can help your doctor determine if further evaluation is needed.
The SAGE only requires that the test be printed and then filled out. No training is required to administer the SAGE. It’s much easier than neurological exams and even saves a visit to the doctor’s office.
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Can SAGE Test detect dementia?
Ohio State researchers rated study participants using SAGE and then rated the same subjects using other established assessment tools.
The test has a sensitivity of 79 percent and a false positive rate of 5 percent in detecting cognitive impairment in normal subjects.
An easy-to-use tool can be helpful if you are concerned about possible early signs of dementia. The SAGE is a quick, easy test that tells you if further steps should be taken, and it’s been shown to be effective at identifying thinking problems that may indicate Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
It is important to note that the SAGE is not intended for home diagnosis. Instead, the results should be analyzed by a doctor who can adequately evaluate the test and decide whether further tests are needed.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are challenging to diagnose, but with the SAGE, it is possible to get a good idea of whether or not a person has the disease.
In other words, the results of the SAGE are an indicator that a doctor can use to help diagnose. The test does not include an answer sheet as there are several correct answers, and doctors best analyze the results.
How accurate is the SAGE test?
Studies have shown that SAGE accurately indicates whether someone has dementia. When hundreds of people aged 60 and older were given the SAGE test, it was predicted whether or not they would develop dementia with an accuracy of about 95 percent.
Without actually going to the doctor’s office, the SAGE is the most accurate way to determine if someone is developing early signs of dementia.
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What are the SAGE Test requirements?
You don’t need special equipment to take SAGE – just a pen and paper. Just click the link to download the test. Please print it out and answer the questions in ink without the help of others.
Do not look at the clock or calendar during the test. If you have questions about an item, do your best.
The average time for this four-sided test is 10 to 15 minutes, but there is no time limit. Several forms are provided to reduce the effect of the practice on patients who may take the test multiple times. These are useful when many people need to be examined quickly at the same time.
When you’re done, take your answer sheet to your doctor so they can evaluate and talk to you about the results. Depending on your score, your doctor may order follow-up tests or keep them so they can see if there are any changes later.
How to administer the SAGE Test
Step 1 – Download and print the test. There are four different versions of the SAGE test, but you only need one. They are interchangeable and all of the same length (12 questions).
The test is also available in multiple languages, including Spanish. You may find online versions of the SAGE test, but the test-taker’s computer literacy or lack of knowledge may affect the results.
Therefore, it is recommended to use a printed version. You can download any of the performances below.
Step 2 – Use a pencil with an eraser, the printed pages, and nothing else for the test-taker. A drawing is required for the test, so an erasable pen can help limit the test-taker’s frustration.
Step 3 – Give the test taker as much time as they need to complete the test. When evaluating the results, neither the time nor the time is considered. The average time required is around 15 minutes. Do not pressurize the test-taker or set a timer.
Step 4 – Don’t give support or answer questions. The test is self-explanatory, and answering questions or providing support will negatively affect the results. When a question is difficult to understand, the person taking the exam must do their best.
Step 5 – Review the results. While the SAGE test is to be assessed by a doctor, any adult can see the answers and get an idea ofthe test participant’s performance.
Reviewing the work of a loved one gives family members an overview of the test taker’s cognitive skills that they may not otherwise have. If the reviewer can determine that all the answers are correct, they probably do not need to see a doctor.
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However, retaking the test in a year might be a good idea to see if the results have changed.
Step 6 – If, upon reviewing the test-taker’s work, it is clear they have some cognitive problems, an appointment should be made with a family doctor.
A specialist is not required at this point. Instead, take the completed test to a GP to evaluate and interpret the results and determine the next steps, including whether to schedule an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in treating the brain.
SAGE Test Results Interpretation
The maximum score on the SAGE is 22, and any score below 17 indicates thinking difficulties that a specialist should check. A score of 15 or 16 indicates that the person may have mild cognitive impairment or an MCI.
Fourteen or fewer indicate likely dementia. However, an answer sheet needs to be provided and assessment is left to GPs or specialists.
However, when reviewing the completed test, it should be clear to the examiner whether the test-taker needs help to answer the questions or to perform the tasks correctly.
The researcher can add one point to the score if the participant is over 80 years old and another matter if the participant has less than 12 years of education.
SAGE Test scoring
- Values of 17-22 are in the normal range.
- Values of 15-16 indicate that mild cognitive impairment is likely.
- Scores of 14 and below indicates a more cognitively severe problem, such as dementia.
You can commence the SAGE Test by downloading it on the link below.
What should I do after the SAGE Test?
After you complete the test, please take it to your Physician. Your doctor will evaluate it and interpret the results. Your doctor will order tests to assess your symptoms or refer you for further evaluation if indicated.
If your score doesn’t indicate a need for further evaluation, your doctor can save the test as a reference for future use. This means you can do the test again in the future, and the doctor can determine if there are any changes over time.
You will not find an answer sheet here to evaluate yourself, as many of the questions in the test were answered several times correctly. Your doctor should determine SAGE.
SAGE Test | FAQs
Studies have found that SAGE accurately indicates whether someone has dementia. When hundreds of people aged 60 and up were administered the SAGE test, it predicted whether or not they developed dementia with about 95 percent accuracy.
There is a maximum score of 22 on the SAGE test, and points are given for correct answers.
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is a brief self-administered cognitive screening instrument to identify mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from any cause and early dementia.
Conclusion
Many people resist going to the doctor, even with an obvious problem. The online SAGE test can be carried out comfortably from home quickly. Completing a completed SAGE test form at the doctor’s is a playful way to deal with a potentially fully treatable medical problem.
References
- wexnermedical.osu.edu › brain-spine-neuro › sage
- www.dementiacarecentral.com › self-administered-gero…
- dailycaring.com › sage-test-for-Alzheimers-at-home
- At-Home Alzheimer’s Test: SAGE and Other Online Exams
