Memory and Cognitive Concerns — Psychiatric Evaluation in Texas

Is memory loss always a sign of dementia?

No. Depression, sleep apnoea, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol, infection and the side effects of common medications all cause memory and concentration problems in older adults, and all of them respond to treatment. The National Institute on Aging separates ordinary age-related forgetfulness from the changes that warrant evaluation. Finding a reversible cause is the point of the assessment.

How do I tell normal ageing from something that needs an evaluation?

Occasional word-finding trouble and misplaced keys are ordinary. What is not: repeating the same question within one conversation, getting lost in familiar places, no longer managing money or medications reliably, judgement that is out of character, and personality or mood changes others notice. A change in what someone can do — rather than how quickly they do it — is the signal.

Can depression cause memory loss in older adults?

Yes, and it is one of the most commonly missed explanations. Depression in later life often presents with poor concentration, slowed thinking and genuine memory difficulty rather than visible sadness, closely mimicking early dementia. Treating the depression frequently restores the cognitive function, which is why it is screened for at every evaluation.

Can medications make memory worse?

Yes. Anticholinergic medications — some bladder medications, older antihistamines, certain antidepressants — along with benzodiazepines, sleep medications and opioids all impair cognition, and the effect compounds across a long medication list. A full medication review, including over-the-counter products, is part of the evaluation and sometimes the whole answer.

Does Lyte Psychiatry diagnose Alzheimer's disease?

No. Lyte provides psychiatric evaluation, cognitive screening, and treatment of the mood, sleep and behavioural symptoms that accompany cognitive decline. Diagnosing a specific dementia requires formal neuropsychological testing, laboratory work and imaging, which is the province of neurology and memory clinics. Lyte coordinates with your primary care physician and refers when that is what is needed.

Can an older adult be seen by telehealth for memory concerns?

Often yes, particularly with a family member present to help with history and technology. Some assessments are better in person, and the team will say so. Telehealth removes the travel and the driving question, which is a real barrier for many older patients across Texas.

Does Medicare cover this evaluation?

Lyte accepts Medicare, and psychiatric evaluation and medication management are covered benefits. Coverage and cost-sharing depend on your specific plan, so the team verifies your benefits before the first appointment. See Medicare information →

My parent will not accept that anything is wrong. What can I do?

That is common — reduced insight is part of the condition rather than stubbornness. It often helps to frame the appointment around something concrete and less loaded, such as a medication review, sleep, or a general check on mood, and to attend alongside them. With their consent, your account of what has changed is one of the most valuable parts of the evaluation.