Memory Assessment Clinic at St. John Detroit Riverview Hospital

Memory Assessment Clinic
7733 East Jefferson Ave
Detroit, MI 48214
313-499-4845  

About the Memory Assessment Clinic

The Memory Assessment Clinic is held every week and is designed to provide a full range of services for patients who are concerned about memory-related difficulties. The Memory Assessment Clinic provides a complete evaluation to determine the cause of and treatment for memory loss.

As a consultative service, the Memory Assessment Clinic staff works with a patient's primary care provider to accurately diagnose and treat memory loss, dementia, or conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Through early diagnosis and treatment, the Memory Assessment Clinic aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

The Clinic's experienced staff also provides education, resources and support services to help families cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one affected by dementia or memory loss.

Who can refer patients to the Memory Assessment Clinic?

Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Geriatrician, or any Primary Care Physician can refer a patient to the Memory Assessment Clinic. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call the Older Adult Services office at 313-499-4845. Any individual may contact the Memory Assessment Clinic for information.

What will happen at the evaluation?

The patients receive an evaluation that requires two visits to the Clinic. Each visit should take about 2 to 3 hours. The following exams will take place during the two visits:

• A clinical interview to review the patient's personal and medical history, including symptoms and memory complaints.
• A physical examination.
• Social worker session with patient's family or friends.
• Neuro-psych testing by a Neuro-psychologist.
• Laboratory blood analysis.
• Brain imaging test (MRI exam).
• Care conference with physician, social worker, patient and family to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.

The patient's primary care provider will receive a recommended treatment plan, and will manage the patient. A periodic follow-up visit at the Memory Assessment Clinic may occur approximately 3, 6 or 12 months later or as necessary.

What is Dementia and Memory Loss?

Memory loss can stem from a number of factors that can lead to increased forgetfulness, slower recall, diffi culty concentrating, memory lapses or reduced attention spans. Stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, the use of medications or illness can all affect memory.

Particularly affected areas may be memory, attention, language and problem solving, although particularly in the later stages of the condition, affected persons may be disoriented in time, place and person.

Many things can cause dementia and some dementias are reversible. The most common form of irreversible dementia is Alzheimer's disease. An evaluation by a physician can determine the cause of dementia and possible treatments.

Who is likely to be affected by Dementia?

The probability of suffering from dementia increases with advancing age. Dementia predominantly occurs in the second half of our life, often after the age of 65. An estimated two million people in the United States alone have severe dementia. Up to fi ve million more people in the United States have milder forms of cognitive impairment of the dementia type. About half of those affected by dementia suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

What are the most important early indications of dementia?

Forgetfulness with effects at work:
Most people sometimes forget names or appointments. If this happens more frequently and inexplicable states of confusion also occur, this might be an indication for a decline in memory function. services.

Difficulties with familiar activities:
People who are very busy are sometimes absent-minded and for example forget the pot on the stove. People with dementia possibly not only forget the pot on the stove but also that they have cooked at all.

Language problems:
Most people sometimes experience diffi culties in fi nding the right words. Dementia sufferers often cannot remember simple words and instead they use inappropriate fi llers, which makes it diffi cult to understand the sentences.

Problems with spatial and temporal orientation:
A lot of people sometimes forget e.g. the day of the week or they get lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Dementia sufferers might be in their own street and no longer know where they are, how they got there and how to get home again.

Impaired capacity of judgment:
People do not always choose clothes suitable for the weather. Dementia sufferers sometimes wear totally inappropriate clothes. For example, they wear a bathrobe while shopping or several blouses on top of each other on a hot summer day.

Problems with abstract thinking:
For many people running a bank account is a challenge. Dementia patients can often neither recognize numbers nor carry out simple calculations.

Leaving things behind:
From time to time almost everybody leaves their keys or a wallet behind. Dementia sufferers however might put things in completely inappropriate places, such as for example the iron in the fridge or a watch in the sugar bowl. Afterwards they do not remember where they put them.

Mood swings and behavioral changes:
Everybody has mood swings. People with dementia may have very sudden mood swings, often without discernible cause.

Personality changes:
With advancing age the personality of most people changes a little. People affected by dementia may experience a very pronounced personality change suddenly or over a longer period of time. Somebody who is generally friendly, for example, becomes unexpectedly angry, jealous or timid.

Loss of initiative:
Nobody continuously works with the same motivation. Dementia patients sometimes loose the zest in their work and the interest in their hobbies completely without enjoying new activities. For further information about Dementia, Symptoms, and Treatment please visit www.dementia.com or www.alz.org