Cognitive assessments are most useful if you are concerned around changes in thinking skills, if an assessment has been recommended by another professional, if an assessment could inform reasonable adjustments at work or if an assessment could inform recommendations around sport-related rehabilitation.

An assessment includes a 1-hour clinical interview where Dr Colenutt will want to hear your own perspective of the challenges you or your family member are facing. This is followed by up to three hours of cognitive testing.

The tests administered aim to assess a broad range of thinking skills including processing speed, attention and working memory, language, visuospatial abilities, memory and higher-level executive skills.

Dr Colenutt will then score and interpret the assessment results. It is often useful to meet to discuss the assessment results and for Dr Colenutt to provide a detailed summary in a written report.

Assessments of decision-making capacity may be indicated when an individual’s cognitive impairment impacts their ability to make informed choices with regards to their health and welfare or their finances and affairs. See the page on mental capacity assessments for further information.