Memory & Attention Self-Check for Adults and Seniors
A simple phone-friendly awareness tool to help adults, seniors and family members notice memory, attention and daily-function changes early — gently, safely and without pressure.
Important: This is an educational self-check for awareness only. It does not diagnose dementia, mild cognitive impairment, stroke, depression, medication issues or any medical condition. If memory changes are worsening, repeated, sudden, or affecting daily life, please speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Daily independence
Memory affects appointments, medication, money matters, cooking, safety and daily routines.
Family awareness
A gentle tool can help families start early conversations before changes become more serious.
Active ageing
Healthy ageing is not only about strength, balance and walking. Memory and attention matter too.
Start the simple self-check
Try one activity at a time. Do this in a calm environment, preferably with a family member or caregiver if the senior needs support.
Word Recall Activity
This checks simple recall and attention in a friendly way.
- Press Show Words.
- Read the 5 words carefully for 20 seconds.
- When the words hide, wait calmly.
- Type or say the words you remember.
Tip: Do not make this feel like an exam. Encourage the senior gently.
Ready for the word recall?
Suggested words: Apple, River, Chair, Sun, Book.
Picture Flash Card Activity
Pictures can be easier and more enjoyable for many seniors.
- Press Show Pictures.
- Look at the 5 pictures for 20 seconds.
- When they hide, recall what was shown.
- Try again another day with different items.
Ready for the flash cards?
Number Recall Activity
This is a simple attention and working-memory activity.
- Press Show Numbers.
- Read the number sequence.
- When it hides, type the sequence from memory.
- Start with 3 digits. Increase only if comfortable.
For seniors, comfort and confidence matter more than difficulty.
Ready for number recall?
Daily Function Awareness Questions
Memory matters most when it affects daily life. These questions help families notice patterns.
This is not a diagnosis. It is a conversation starter.
Tick what has been happening repeatedly
Your simple awareness result
Use this section after completing the activities. This guide does not replace professional screening or medical advice.
How to interpret this gently
Occasional forgetfulness can happen with ageing, poor sleep, stress, distraction, illness, pain or medication changes.
Repeated or worsening memory changes, especially when they affect daily life, should be discussed with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional.
Sudden confusion, sudden memory change, weakness, speech difficulty, severe headache, or unsafe behaviour should be treated as urgent.
7-day home memory practice programme
After the self-check, use these short activities to practise memory, attention and confidence. Keep it light, encouraging and consistent.
5-word recall
Read 5 words, hide them, then recall after 1 minute. Try making a short story with the words.
Picture recall
Look at 5 household pictures or objects, cover them, then name what was seen.
Number recall
Start with 3–4 digits. Repeat forward. Only try backward if comfortable.
Object tray game
Place 5 items on a table. Cover them after 20 seconds and recall each item.
Story recall
Read a short story. Ask: who, where, what happened, and what was remembered?
Memory walk
During a short safe walk, notice 3 colours, 3 sounds and 3 landmarks. Recall after returning.
Repeat gently
Repeat Day 1. Do not compare harshly. Some days are better than others.
Calm breathing before memory practice
Breathing practice may help seniors feel calmer and more focused before doing memory activities.
1–2 minute focus reset
Sit comfortably. Keep shoulders relaxed. Do not force deep breathing.
Simple senior-friendly breathing
Safety: Stop if dizzy, breathless, uncomfortable or unwell.
When to seek professional advice
Encourage seniors and families to seek help early if memory changes are repeated, worsening, sudden or affecting daily safety.
Daily tasks affected
Examples include missed medication, unpaid bills, missed appointments, unsafe cooking or repeated confusion.
Confusion or getting lost
Confusion with familiar routes, dates, time or places should be taken seriously.
Family notices change
Sometimes family members notice changes before the person recognises them.
Active ageing is more than movement.
Strength, balance, walking, memory and attention all support confidence, independence and quality of life.