Memory and Dementia Evaluation for DuPage County Families
When you or someone you love keeps forgetting things, a natural question follows: is this normal aging, or something more? A neuropsychological memory evaluation can answer that question carefully. At Hesed Psychological Services we evaluate memory and thinking for adults and older adults, including people in their 90s. Our office in St. Charles is just west of the DuPage County line, an easy drive from Wheaton, West Chicago and Naperville. Hesed is an old word for steadfast, covenant love. For us, that means being patient and respectful and treating each person with dignity, especially when families are worried.
What a memory evaluation can help clarify
A memory and dementia evaluation measures memory, attention, language, processing speed, visual-spatial skills, planning and problem-solving, and mood, using standardized, research-based tests. The results can help:
Tell normal age-related changes apart from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Document the pattern and severity of cognitive changes, which can support a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia or another condition
Point to other things that can affect memory, such as depression, anxiety or sleep problems, so your doctor can follow up
Set a baseline to compare against later
Guide practical planning around safety, independence, driving, finances and support at home
We are psychologists, not physicians. We don't order brain scans or lab work, and we don't prescribe medication. We do coordinate with your primary care doctor or neurologist, so our findings fit into your overall medical care.
What to expect: three meetings, finished within 6–8 weeks
Intake (about 1 hour, in person or by video). We talk about the changes you or your family have noticed, your medical history and any records. Family members are welcome to join and share what they've seen.
Testing (3–8 hours, in person at our St. Charles office). You'll work through paper-and-pencil and spoken tasks with breaks as needed. How long it takes depends on the questions the evaluation needs to answer.
Feedback (about 1 hour, in person or by video). We explain the results in plain language, answer your questions and talk through next steps.
The whole process, from your first call through feedback, is finished within 6–8 weeks.
The evaluation is led by Dr. Benjamin Pyykkonen, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and fellowship-trained clinical neuropsychologist with 20 years of experience. His published research includes work on dementia in the Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Learn more on our Neuropsychological Testing page, or read about warning signs of dementia and memory concerns.
Questions families ask
Is my memory loss normal aging or dementia?
Some slower recall is normal with age, but it usually doesn't get in the way of living independently. A neuropsychological evaluation compares your results with those of people your age, which helps show whether the changes look like normal aging, mild cognitive impairment or a pattern seen in dementia.
Where can I get a memory or dementia evaluation near DuPage County?
Hesed Psychological Services provides memory and dementia evaluations at 2580 Foxfield Road, Suite 201, in St. Charles, IL. The office is just west of the DuPage County line and convenient to Wheaton, West Chicago, Naperville and nearby towns.
Can you diagnose dementia?
Our evaluation documents memory and thinking in detail and can support a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. We share the results with the physicians you choose, because a full workup often also includes medical tests that your doctor orders.
Do I need a doctor's referral for a memory evaluation?
Hesed doesn't require a referral to schedule testing. Some insurance plans need a referral or prior authorization before they'll cover it, so check with your plan. Call (331) 707-4031, ext. 8, and we can help.
Does Medicare cover a dementia evaluation at Hesed?
Hesed is in-network for testing with Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Aetna and Cigna. Coverage depends on your plan, so call us to confirm your benefits before the first appointment.
How long does a memory evaluation take?
There are three meetings: a 1-hour intake, a 3–8 hour testing session and a 1-hour feedback session. The whole process is finished within 6–8 weeks of your first contact.
Can a family member come to the appointments?
Yes. Family members are welcome at the intake and feedback sessions, and what they've noticed is often very helpful. The testing session itself is done one-on-one.
If memory changes are worrying you or your family, you don't have to sort it out alone. Fill out the Request an Appointment form below, or call (331) 707-4031, ext. 8. Our office manager will help you get started and check your insurance benefits. All of our clinicians are currently accepting new clients.
Request an Appointment
Submit the inquiry form below to connect with our office manager (Joanna Wagoner) to set up a meeting for therapy or assessment.
