Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) When a family member or friend starts to experience memory loss, it is difficult and stressful for everyone involved in their care. Occupational therapists assess cognitive impairment to help identify the cause of the impairment and begin treatment as soon as possible. Occupational therapists may choose to use the MoCA to assess a patient for cognitive declines such as memory loss. The MoCA is a relatively straightforward assessment that examines several cognitive domains such as short-term memory recall, executive function, attention, concentration, working memory, visuospatial abilities and orientation to place and time. The MoCA can be administered in approximately 10 minutes. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) The MMSE is another assessment often used in a clinical setting to measure cognitive impairment. It can also be used as an evaluative measure to monitor cognitive changes over time. The MMSE examines several cognitive domains, including attention and calculation, language, recall, ability to follow simple commands and orientation. Like the MoCA, the MMSE is a relatively straightforward assessment to administer and takes approximately 10 minutes. Galea, M., & Woodward, M. (2005). Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The Australian journal of physiotherapy, 51(3), 198. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0004-9514(05)70034-9 Hobson J. (2015). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Occupational medicine (Oxford, England), 65(9), 764–765. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqv078
