Supporting a Loved One Through the Memory Testing Process

Watching someone you love struggle with memory changes can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. You might notice small shifts, such as forgotten names, misplaced items, confusion that wasn’t there before, and feel unsure how to help.

It’s natural to worry, but taking early action is one of the most meaningful ways to protect their health and independence.

At Neurogen, we believe that supporting a loved one through the memory testing process is an act of love, not fear. Our at-home system was designed to make that process clear, calm, and collaborative so that families can move forward together with confidence.

Why Early Memory Testing Matters

Early memory testing gives families something uncertainty can never take away: clarity.

When changes in cognition are identified early, care options expand, and intervention can happen before decline accelerates. Yet many families wait too long to act, often out of fear or a desire to avoid difficult conversations.

We created Neurogen to make proactive brain health simple, science-backed, and accessible.

By combining leading biomarkers with digital cognitive assessments, we empower families to understand memory health in ways that were once only available in hospitals or research centers.

Why you should consider early testing for a loved one:

• It offers clarity and peace of mind for both families and patients
• It enables earlier access to treatment or cognitive support programs
• It reduces uncertainty and replaces it with a clear path forward
• It empowers families to make informed health and lifestyle decisions together

At Neurogen, we believe that knowing before significant cognitive decline isn’t just science — it’s compassion in action.

Understanding the Neurogen Testing Process

Our at-home testing process is designed to eliminate the stress and uncertainty associated with traditional diagnostic pathways. Every step is guided by medical precision and human understanding.

Step 1: Requesting the Test Kit

The process begins online, where your loved one completes a brief eligibility screening to ensure the test is right for them. Once approved, the test kit is shipped directly to their home.

How you can help: Be present during this initial step. Offer to sit with them as they complete the form, help schedule the delivery, and explain that eligibility is part of ensuring safe, accurate results. Small gestures of reassurance go a long way in easing hesitation.

Step 2: The At-Home Collection

Next, a certified mobile phlebotomist or nurse visits the home for a quick blood draw. The test measures phosphorylated tau-217 (p-tau217) — a protein linked to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes.

While this biomarker doesn’t diagnose Alzheimer’s, it helps neurologists detect early patterns of concern that may warrant deeper evaluation.

How you can help:

• Prepare a comfortable, quiet space for the collection
• Stay nearby to offer calm reassurance
• Encourage your loved one by emphasizing the courage it takes to take this step

Step 3: Digital Cognitive Assessment

After the collection, your loved one completes a digital cognitive assessment, which they access through their customer portal.

The test measures memory, attention, and reasoning — key indicators that complement biomarker data.

How you can help: Help your loved one set up their device in a distraction-free environment, make sure they’re comfortable, and gently encourage focus until the assessment is complete.

Step 4: Neurologist Review and Next Steps

Once the data is processed, Neurogen’s board-certified neurologists review the results. They interpret both biomarker and cognitive findings to provide a comprehensive picture of memory health and next-step recommendations.

If the results show potential for Alzheimer’s, one of our neurologists will schedule a telehealth appointment to go over the results — you are more than welcome to join.

If the results do not show potential for Alzheimer’s, we will guide your loved one on the potential next steps they can take to care for their memory health.

How you can help: Sit down together to review the results. Help your loved one write down questions, clarify medical terms, and plan potential follow-up steps to ensure they understand their results.

Remember that you don’t have to be the expert. We take care of the science so you can focus on what matters most: emotional support and taking next steps with confidence.

How to Be There During Every Step of Memory Testing

Supporting a loved one through the process can feel overwhelming, but your steady presence can transform anxiety into strength.

When families approach testing as a shared journey, it builds connection and peace of mind for everyone involved.

Before the Test

Preparing for the testing process starts before your family member joins the Neurogen ecosystem. This stage is all about creating emotional safety and clarity so your loved one feels supported in taking action.

Approach these early conversations with empathy and patience, allowing space for questions or hesitations.

Tips for starting a conversation before ordering an at-home test kit:

• Choose a calm, unhurried moment to bring up testing.
• Use inclusive language: We could check this together, rather than saying, You need to get tested.
• Frame it around empowerment and prevention — “Let’s understand this early” — instead of fear.

During the Test

The testing day can bring mixed emotions. Some people feel nervous or uncertain, while others are relieved to be taking a proactive step.

Your role as a supporter is to maintain a calm, reassuring, and pressure-free atmosphere.

Tips for supporting your loved one during testing:

• Treat the day like any other, and avoid making it feel clinical.
• Stay present and reassuring, but let your loved one lead.
• Offer gentle encouragement, such as, “I’m proud of you for taking this step.”

After the Results

If your loved one’s testing indicates positive or elevated results, the process continues with a telehealth appointment before any report is delivered.

This meeting enables the neurologist to review findings in real-time, address questions, and discuss what comes next.

Guidance for After the Telehealth Appointment:

• Listen before offering advice — emotions come first, solutions second.
• Review what the neurologist shared together and jot down any follow-up questions.
• Reinforce that taking this step was a courageous, proactive decision.
• Explore credible resources like the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Institute on Aging for education and community support.

Turn Concern Into Confidence With At-Home Alzheimer’s Testing

Memory testing should never be seen as a final verdict — it’s the first step toward clarity, prevention, and peace of mind.

With Neurogen’s at-home process, families can take that step together from the comfort of home, guided by expert neurologists who interpret every result with precision and empathy.