A caregiver’s experience with cognitive testing

Meet Tammy

Tammy first began noticing small changes in her mother’s memory — subtle at first, but increasingly hard to ignore. “We really noticed as a family that she was struggling with her memory,” Tammy says. “I think she had struggled for quite some time, but we weren’t aware of it.”

Having seen similar patterns in her grandmother, the signs felt familiar. “Some of those things that we saw in my grandma, we were starting to see in my mom,” she says. Like many families, they were left trying to understand what was happening — and whether it was time to act.

The weight of not knowing

As the changes became more noticeable, Tammy and her family found themselves in a difficult in-between — concerned, but without clear answers. “We wanted to see if there was something out there that would be beneficial… to my mom and to us as caretakers,” Tammy explains.

At the same time, the idea of getting tested brought its own uncertainty. “It’s one of those things that you’re pretty sure that’s what’s happening — you want that diagnosis… but then you don’t,” she says. “It’s like a little catch-22.”

Getting answers

Through cognitive testing with Linus Health, Tammy and her family were able to better understand what was happening and begin to move forward. But what stood out most wasn’t just the results — it was the experience of going through the process with guidance and support. “It was very educational for me and for my dad… just to know you have somebody there,” Tammy says. “Understanding and [being] compassionate with the situation, and helping you see the positive.”

The results helped confirm what they had been seeing. “It wasn’t just in our minds,” she says. And with that clarity came a sense of direction. “Once we diagnose it, then there’s help out there for it.”

A shared understanding — and a path forward

With a clearer understanding of her mother’s condition, Tammy’s family was able to move forward together. Instead of avoiding the conversation, they chose to be open about it. “She just wants it out there. She doesn’t want that hidden. She wants people to understand,” Tammy says.

That openness led to support from those around them. “They’ve really rallied around her,” she says. Even difficult decisions became easier with clarity and guidance. “It was almost like she was given permission to feel okay with that,” Tammy says, reflecting on her mother’s decision to stop driving.

After their visit, they were also able to revisit the results and recommendations from Linus Health — something Tammy found especially helpful as they processed everything. “After a discussion like that… you’re trying to process it as you go, but it’s happening so fast,” she says. “So having that packet to go back through was very encouraging.”

Moving forward with clarity

Today, Tammy and her family continue to support her mother with a clearer understanding of her cognitive health — and what to expect moving forward. Ongoing testing plays an important role in that process. “You can see whether it’s improving or staying the same or slowly declining… I think that’s really important,” she says.

For Tammy, the biggest takeaway is about facing things head-on. “Being informed and proactive is the way to go,” she says. “Burying your head and pretending it’s not there is going to do more damage than good.”

Why Tammy's story matters

Tammy’s experience reflects what many caregivers face: uncertainty, hesitation, and the emotional weight of not knowing. Cognitive assessment doesn’t increase fear — it replaces uncertainty with clarity, helping families better understand what’s happening and take the next step forward together.