ADRC offers free memory screenings in four locations

Aging & Disability Resource Center of Barron and Rusk Counties is hosting a memory screening day on May 21 from 1-4 p.m. at four locations throughout Barron County.

"Often, we are not talking with our health care providers about the most important organ in our body — the brain," said Trisha Witham, dementia care specialist with the ADRC.

"The brain is the command center, and it often performs its functions without us even thinking about it," Witham said. "Just as any other organ in our body, heart, lungs, or kidney, for example, our brain can be impacted by disease and other treatable things that can cause it to malfunction. That’s why the ADRC of Barron and Rusk Counties is hosting a memory screening day on Tuesday, May 21, 1-4 p.m., at four locations throughout the county."

The memory screening locations are NorthLakes Clinic of Turtle Lake, Thomas St. Angelo Public Library of Cumberland, Aging & Disability Resource Center of Barron and Cabin Coffee of Rice Lake.

The public is encouraged to schedule a free, 10-minute, confidential appointment by calling 715-537-6225 or emailing trisha.witham@co.barron.wi.us.

The screening involves three tasks, looking at how three different areas of the brain are working at that time. It does not diagnose dementia but can give a baseline. Memory screeners will also have information on scientifically proven strategies to increase brain reserve and reduce risk of dementia.