Throughout the month of October, Testing 1, 2, 3 and Nautilus Hearing is providing free memory and balance and limited hearing tests around Baldwin County.

This confidential and anonymous testing can assist individuals in learning more about their health.

Dementia is an umbrella term encompassing various memory disorders such as senior forgetfulness, vascular dementia, frontal lobe dementia, Lewy's Body Disease and Alzheimer's, with Alzheimer's being the most common among them. Alzheimer's, which ranks as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, is an incurable and unpreventable disease. This progressive disorder gradually erodes memory and cognitive functions, ultimately impeding an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks.

Over six million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s each year.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s are assumed to be possible by measuring a person’s sense of smell, a reading of the carotid artery and a vision test.

“We do not charge money for our screenings nor accept donations,” said Sam Strite, organizer of Testing 1, 2, 3 and head of the steering committee.

GlenLakes Golf Course, located in Foley, sponsors these events as well as the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which provides the nonprofit with literature and sanctioned testing material.

Strite added that these events last two hours, and 80% of people who come in for a screening have never had one.

“All seniors suffer memory loss, particularly short term memory loss,” he said. “To come and be screened and then be told that their memory loss is normal, age-related memory loss, is a very comforting thing for those who come.”

If an individual fails the test, the volunteers will give them several forms to take to a doctor for further evaluation.

Screenings start Oct. 3 and last through Oct. 24 at locations such as the Foley Civic Center, Robertsdale Senior Center, Orange Beach Senior Center, Magnolia Springs St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel and the Foley YMCA.

Walk-ins are welcome, and there is no requirement for appointments.