In short
The SLUMS, or Saint Louis University Mental Status exam, is a free screening for mild cognitive impairment and dementia, designed for adults 60 and older. Health and social service professionals give it after watching a training video. It measures attention, recall, orientation, calculation, visual-spatial skill and executive function. A result guides further evaluation.
What the SLUMS covers
Saint Louis University describes its questions as measuring:
- Attention, immediate recall and orientation
- Memory after a delay
- Number calculation
- Time-limited recall
- Visual-spatial ability and executive function
- Recall of a short story
We don't reproduce the exam. Saint Louis University notes it is a standardized screening, and changing the wording can affect the validity of results.
How it is given
- In private, in the person's primary language
- On paper, because some questions involve drawing. SLU says it is not designed to be given by phone or video.
- Without aids such as calendars or phones
- Only if the person can see and hear well enough, with glasses or hearing aids if needed
The university says it should not be used for people whose thinking is affected by conditions such as traumatic brain injury, developmental disability or schizophrenia.
After the exam
Like any screening, the SLUMS flags whether more evaluation is needed. The National Institute on Aging notes that several conditions can cause memory problems, so ask the doctor what other causes they want to rule out.
Questions families ask
Who can give the SLUMS exam?
Health care and social service professionals, after watching Saint Louis University's training video.
Is the SLUMS free?
Yes. Saint Louis University offers the exam free of charge.
Can the SLUMS be done online?
SLU says it is not designed for phone or virtual use, because some questions require drawing on paper.
Is the SLUMS available in other languages?
SLU's Geriatric Education Center has 23 professional translations, which should be given by a trained professional fluent in that language.