Diagnosing and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
About Memory Care
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior, interfering with daily tasks over time. If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease,
We interact with patients very early in the disease progression, when impairment is typically mild. Working together with a patient’s primary care physician, our Memory Care program ensures proper diagnosis and provides evaluations, treatment and family counseling.
We support both you and your family in managing Alzheimer’s disease to help delay the onset of debilitating conditions that could lessen your independence.
Evaluation
When assessing memory loss, it is critical to have a complete evaluation to rule out any treatable conditions. A variety of manageable conditions—including stroke, vascular disease, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, infections and depression—can affect memory and cognition. These conditions vary from Alzheimer’s disease, which has symptoms that can be managed, but has no cure. A thorough evaluation by the Memory Care team of specialists—which includes geriatric providers and a neuropsychologist—can determine if dementia is a factor in behavioral issues
Diagnosing Alzheimer Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed locally through a Memory Care program. Memory Care utilizes a team approach to diagnosing memory impairment.
The recommended standard evaluation may include:
- Medical, social and family history
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- Neurological diagnosis (may require MRI, CT or PET scan)
- Neuropsychological testing
- Psychosocial assessment and planning
- Possible medication treatments
Treatment
After diagnosis, treatment also involves a team approach. Once a plan of care is established and discussed with the patient and his or her caregiver, the Memory Care team sends results to the patient’s primary care physician and any other specialists on the patient’s care team. This ensures coordinated, efficient and effective care.
The Memory Care team also provides patients and caregivers appropriate community resources and assists in aligning services specific to each patient’s situation.
Tests
CT Scan
A series of X-rays that can be used to visualize nearly all parts of the body in 3-D is known as a CT scan.
Electroencephalogram
The procedure is performed by a specially trained EEG technologist to measure brain activity, and neurologists utilize the results to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a possible neurological disorder.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Radiologists and oncologists often use advanced MRI technology to obtain visual detail of your body to help detect many conditions.
Neuropsychological Tests
These tests can acquire information about a patient’s cognitive, motor, behavioral, linguistic and executive functioning and lead to the diagnosis of a cognitive deficit.
Related Programs & Services
The neurologists provide specialized care for a wide range of diseases and conditions affecting the brain and nervous system.
Geriatric Medicine helps you better manage your changing health needs as you age. We offer comprehensive, interdisciplinary primary care and consultations to support patients and families coping with challenging conditions related to aging.