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It is important not to dismiss memory and behavioral changes as simply old age.
A thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the extent and cause of memory problems. Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are many other reasons why people can have problems with their memory. Many memory problems are treatable and a supportive and caring team of health care professionals can help all patients and families.
Are you or a loved one experiencing any of the following?
Memory loss that affects your job or lifestyle
Difficulty performing familiar tasks, such as cooking, driving, paying bills on time
Problems with language, such as forgetting common words
Disorientation to time or place, including getting lost
Poor or decreased judgment
Constantly misplacing things
A change in mood or behavior
A change in personality
Loss of initiative
These symptoms may indicate a memory disorder or dementia such as Alzheimer disease.
The University of Chicago Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders
A committed team of highly trained neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and specialized nurses staffs the University of Chicago Memory Center. This multidisciplinary team approach allows us to evaluate each patient in a very thorough manner to uncover all possible causes of memory or behavioral problems. Because all these specialists work under one roof, patients and families have easy access to the appropriate specialist for their individual needs, ensuring seamless, thorough care.
As a world renown academic medical center, our team of physicians and researchers participate in the latest cutting-edge research, bringing the most up-to-date knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of memory disorders to patients more quickly and with more expertise than at other institutions.
The Memory Center serves as a referral resource for physician in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Physicians can refer patients here for diagnostic evaluation, periodic consultation, or comprehensive on-going care.
Evaluating Memory Disorders
Patients evaluated at the Memory Center will be seen independently by several team members in order to clearly understand the full scope of the memory problem and how it affects both the patient and the family. In general, a neurologist or geriatrician will be designated as the primary physician, guiding patients throughout their care. Additionally, the patient will see a neuropsychologist to specifically test memory function, a nurse to evaluate how well the patient is functioning at home, and a social worker to assess the needs of the family. A small number of blood tests will be performed at the Center, and if needed, an imaging study using high resolution brain scans will be performed at the main campus of The University of Chicago Hospitals. The entire evaluation process generally takes one or two closely timed visits. At the end of the evaluation period, the team members meet to determine the most accurate diagnosis.
Individualized Care Plans
After a thorough evaluation, the Center team will develop an individually tailored, comprehensive care plan for each patient and family. The care plan is summarized in a report made available to patients, families, and physicians who refer patients to the Center. The care plan aims to help guide the ongoing care of the patient over the long- term course of the memory disorder. Because of its unique multidisciplinary approach, the team serves patients and families by:
- performing initial evaluation of suspected memory problems
- providing second opinions
- assessing and managing behavioral problems or psychiatric problems that often accompany memory disorders
- serving as the primary care source for patients with memory problems.
- available as a "one stop" resource for referring physicians, patients and their families.
These services can be provided either through continued follow up with the Center team, continued follow up with one of the geriatricians based in the Center, or through direct communication with the patient's family physician, whichever the family and patient prefer.
Treatments for Alzheimer Disease or Dementia
Currently, there are no cures for Alzheimer disease or most other kinds of dementia. However, there are many medical illnesses and medications that can either cause memory problems or worsen an existing dementia. For this reason our evaluation is extremely thorough to uncover any such conditions. In the absence of a cure, the goal is to find specific ways to help manage the patient's problems and improve the condition of the patient and the family who cares for him or her.
The Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders is committed to going beyond the diagnosis by providing ongoing care and support to patients and families throughout the course of the illness. Backed with the resources of an academic medical center known for its innovative programs, physicians and researchers here at the University of Chicago advance the latest in medications and research, helping to manage symptoms and provide relief for Alzheimer disease and other dementias.
Related Websites
The Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (part of the National Institutes of Health
Alzheimer's Disease International
Alzheimer's Diease Society, England
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Appointments and information
The University of Chicago's Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders is located in the Windermere Senior Health Center on the corner of Cornell and 56th St. in Hyde Park. To call to make an appointment or to obtain further information call (773) 834-4340. You can send us an e-mail at: memory@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
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