STANDARDIZED MINI-MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION (SMMSE)

QUESTION

TIMEALLOWED

SCORE

a.

Whatyearisthis?

10seconds

/1

b. Whichseasonisthis?

10seconds

/1

c.

10seconds

/1

d. Whatistodaysdate?

10seconds

/1

e.

Whatdayoftheweekisthis?

10seconds

/1

a.

Whatcountryarewein?

10seconds

/1

b. Whatprovincearewein?

10seconds

/1

c.

10seconds

/1

d. INHOMEWhatisthestreetaddressofthishouse?
INFACILITYWhatisthenameofthisbuilding?

10seconds

/1

e.

10seconds

/1

SAY:Iamgoingtonamethreeobjects.WhenIamfinished,Iwantyoutorepeat
them.RememberwhattheyarebecauseIamgoingtoaskyoutonamethemagainin
afewminutes.Saythefollowingwordsslowlyat1secondintervalsball/car/man

20seconds

/3

SpellthewordWORLD.Nowspellitbackwards.

30seconds

/5

NowwhatwerethethreeobjectsIaskedyoutoremember?

10seconds

/3

SHOWwristwatch.ASK:Whatisthiscalled?

10seconds

/1

SHOWpencil.ASK:Whatisthiscalled?

10seconds

/1

SAY:Iwouldlikeyoutorepeatthisphraseafterme:Noifs,andsorbuts.

10seconds

/1

SAY:Readthewordsonthepageandthendowhatitsays.Thenhandtheperson
thesheetwithCLOSEYOUREYESonit.Ifthesubjectreadsanddoesnotclosetheir
eyes,repeatuptothreetimes.Scoreonlyifsubjectcloseseyes

10seconds

/1

30seconds

/1

1minute

/1

30seconds

/1
/1
/1

/30

Whatmonthisthis?

Whatcity/townarewein?

INHOMEWhatroomarewein?INFACILITYWhatfloorareweon?

10 HANDthepersonapencilandpaper.SAY:Writeanycompletesentenceonthat
pieceofpaper.(Note:Thesentencemustmakesense.Ignorespellingerrors)

11 PLACEdesign,eraserandpencilinfrontoftheperson.SAY:Copythisdesignplease.

Allowmultipletries.Waituntilpersonisfinishedandhandsitback.Scoreonlyfor
correctlycopieddiagramwitha4sidedfigurebetweentwo5sidedfigures.

12 ASKthepersonifheisrightorlefthanded.Takeapieceofpaperandholditupin
frontoftheperson.SAY:Takethispaperinyourright/lefthand(whicheverisnon
dominant),foldthepaperinhalfoncewithbothhandsandputthepaperdownon
thefloor.Score1pointforeachinstructionexecutedcorrectly.
Takespapercorrectlyinhand
Foldsitinhalf
Putsitonthefloor

TOTALTESTSCORE

Note: This tool is provided for use in British Columbia with permission by Dr. William Molloy. This questionnaire should not be
further modified or reproduced without the written consent of Dr. D. William Molloy.
ProvidedbytheAlzheimersDrugTherapyInitiativeforphysicianuse.

GLOBAL DETERIORATION SCALE (GDS)

Stage Deficits in cognition and function
Subjectively and objectively normal
1
Subjective complaints of mild memory loss.
2

Objectively normal on testing.

No functional deficit

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Earliest clear-cut deficits.

Functionally normal but co-workers may be aware of declining

work performance.

Objective deficits on testing.

Denial may appear.

Early dementia

Clear-cut deficits on careful clinical interview. Difficulty

performing complex tasks, e.g. handling finances, travelling.

Denial is common. Withdrawal from challenging situations.

Moderate dementia

Can no longer survive without some assistance.

Unable to recall major relevant aspects of their current lives,

e.g. an address or telephone number of many years, names of
grandchildren, etc. Some disorientation to date, day of week,
season, or to place. They require no assistance with toileting,
eating, or dressing but may need help choosing appropriate
clothing.

Moderately severe dementia

May occasionally forget name of spouse.

Largely unaware of recent experiences and events in their

lives.

Will require assistance with basic ADLs. May be incontinent of

urine.

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)

are common, e.g., delusions, repetitive behaviours, agitation.

Severe dementia

Verbal abilities will be lost over the course of this stage.

Incontinent. Needs assistance with feeding.

Loses ability to walk.

Usual care setting

Independent
Independent

Independent

Might live independently

perhaps with assistance
from family or caregivers.

At home with live-in family

member.
In seniors residence with
home support. Possibly in
facility care, especially if
behavioural problems or
comorbid physical
disabilities.
Most often in Complex Care
facility.

Complex Care

Adapted by Dr. Doug Drummond from Reisberg B, Ferris SH, Leon MJ, et al. The global deterioration scale for assessment of
primary degenerative dementia. American Journal of Psychiatry 1982;139:1136-1139.
ProvidedbytheAlzheimersDrugTherapyInitiativeforphysicianuse.