News Concerning Cognitive Screening Tools – The MoCA and SLUMS

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been monetized.

As of September 1st, 2020, caregivers will no longer be permitted to administer the MoCA without having first completed the official MoCA ™ certification process.*

The certification process takes about an hour, costs $125 for individuals and is good for two years. Currently, MoCA ™ recommends recertification at the 2 years mark at 50% of the original cost but is not requiring it.

*Exceptions: neuropsychologists do not have to complete the training; nor do students, residents, fellows and other trainees if under the supervision of already trained staff.

Options to Consider:

• Continue to administer the MoCA  by completing your individual certification
  • If you wish to continue using the MoCA, you must complete the certification process which can be accessed at https://www.mocatest.org/ .
• Continue to administer the MoCA in your clinic by having 2-3 staff members get certified
  • If most of the providers in your clinic wish to continue using the MoCA, consider the option of having 2-3 staff members, such as care guides and MAs, get trained to administer the MoCA to patients in your clinic.
  • This likely will also require changes in work flow, but can be an efficient and effective way to provide cognitive assessments for your patients.
• Switching to the SLUMS
  • The SLUMS (St. Louis University Mental Status exam) is a reasonably good alternative to the MoCA and remains FREE of charge.

Education for SLUMs

• Training on how to administer the SLUMs is available in these short videos:

·       From SLUMS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ctoWU-qzw

·       From Act on Alzheimers

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdQwJXgUu2o

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyp0ShPiUH8

You can also access the SLUMS at the following website: https://www.slu.edu/medicine/internal-medicine/geriatric-medicine/aging-successfully/assessment-tools/mental-status-exam.php