One of the tools that a case manager might use to assess a client is the Mental Status Exam (MSE). The MSE has several domains, and today, we'll review the "Memory" domain:

Memory issues are common, especially with older adult clients. Memory can be assessed in terms of:

1. Short-term (up to 1 hour) - this is the most clinically relevant type to be assessed; an example of a short-term memory test is to ask the client to remember 4 objects. Then wait 3-5 minutes and ask the client to recall the 4 objects.

2. Immediate (10 to 30 sec) - an example of a test to assess immediate memory is to recite a list of words and then immediately ask the client to recite that list of words back to you.

3. Long-term (6 months to lifetime) - this can be tested by asking the client about historical or personal events like naming previous presidents or the year the client born.