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Member Tool · Inside The Compass
Is it ordinary aging — or time to see a doctor?
The Cognitive Observation Protocol is a gentle, no-quizzing way to notice changes in a loved one's memory and thinking during one ordinary week — conversations, games, cooking, errands. At the end, your notes roll up into a simple green / yellow / red answer.
Green — reassurance, keep living
Yellow — worth a check-up
Red — book the appointment
What it is — and what it isn't
It is
A structured way to observe how your person manages real life, so a vague feeling of "something's off" becomes something specific you can act on — and share with a doctor.
It is not
A diagnosis, a clinical score, or a quiz at the kitchen table. Only a doctor or clinician can diagnose dementia or its cause. Think of it as preparing for a good conversation with a doctor.
The activities quietly cover the same six areas a doctor checks — you don't have to memorize them; the guide organizes everything for you.
MemoryOrientationPlanning & judgmentLanguageVisual-spatial skillsAttention
How it works
Formal "quizzing" causes anxiety, embarrassment, or refusal. Watching how someone manages an ordinary afternoon is kinder — and often a truer picture — than a test at a desk.
Spread it over 5–7 days
Just one or two short activities a day, 10–15 minutes each, woven into your normal routine. There's no rush.
Pick good moments
When your person is rested, fed, and relaxed — not late in the day if that's when they tire or get confused.
Keep it light and social
Never say "I'm testing you," never correct or quiz, and don't make a big deal of mistakes. If they struggle, smile and move on.
Jot notes, watch trends
A few private words after each activity is enough. Everyone loses a word sometimes — you're looking for a change from how they used to be that shows up again and again.
What you end up with
- Part A — changes over recent years, based on the validated AD8: a quick read on whether thinking or memory has shifted.
- Part B — everyday independence: how your person manages daily activities now, compared with before.
- Combined with your activity notes, a clear green / yellow / red result — and a gentle script for raising it with your person and their doctor.
What members get
The full protocol is one tool inside The Compass — the plain-language education pillar of your Day to Day Dementia membership.
Included with membership
The complete printable protocol (PDF)
Everything you need for your week of observing
- The activity guide — natural, enjoyable activities mapped to all six cognitive areas
- The daily observation log you fill in privately, in just a few words a day
- The Part A and Part B checklists that turn your notes into a green / yellow / red result
- A "raising it kindly" conversation guide — including exactly what work-up to ask the doctor for, so treatable causes (thyroid, B12, medication side effects, depression, sleep) get checked first
- The four validated screening tests clinicians use — AD8, Mini-Cog, GPCOG, and SLUMS — so you know what to expect at the appointment
- Pairs with the Stage 1–3 guides for the early stretch of the journey
And the protocol is just the beginning. Membership includes all three pillars:
The Community
People who actually get it
- Weekly live group support calls
- Subgroups for spouses, adult children, and post-loss
- Monthly office hours with a clinician advisor
The Meditation Library
45 original guided meditations
- Mapped to all seven stages of dementia
- Targeted to hard moments — sundowning, after a fall, panic, grief
- Listen on iOS, Android, and the web
The Compass
Plain-language education
- This protocol, plus stage primers for all seven stages
- What to expect next at every stage
- Decision checklists — driving, finances, care levels
One price, paid once, yours for life — $149 for the first 250 founding members, then $179. No subscription, and access continues through bereavement.
Common questions
Is this a test or a diagnosis?
Neither. It's a caregiver observation aid to help you decide whether to seek a professional evaluation. Only a clinician can diagnose.
Should I tell my loved one I'm doing this?
Do the observing gently and privately, but the goal isn't secrecy — it's to gather what you've noticed and then share it, kindly, with your person and their doctor. It's preparation for a good conversation, not a file kept in the dark.
What if the result is yellow or red?
Treat it as a nudge to book a check-up, not a diagnosis. Bring your log, and ask the doctor to check for reversible causes — thyroid, B12, medication side effects, depression, infection, sleep. If you ever have concern about safety or a sudden change, contact a healthcare professional promptly.
Read all frequently asked questions →
Stop wondering. Start knowing — gently.
Get the full Cognitive Observation Protocol, the community, and the complete meditation library with one lifetime membership.
Join Now — $149 founding membership
One-time payment · first 250 members only, then $179 · 60-day money-back guarantee
A gentle note. The Cognitive Observation Protocol is an educational caregiver aid. It is not a medical device, does not diagnose any condition, and does not replace professional evaluation. Day to Day Dementia is for support and information — not medical advice. If you have any concern about a person's safety or a sudden change in their condition, contact a healthcare professional promptly. See our
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privacy policy.