The Memory Clinic

Behavioral Health Outpatient Services

812.353.3450 or 800.387.3440
445 S. Landmark Avenue, Bloomington

The Memory Clinic is a specialized service for people who are experiencing memory loss and related cognitive changes, as well as for their family caregivers.  Download and Print our brochure.

The Memory Clinic provides:

• Assessment, evaluation and diagnostic workup
• Ongoing medication management and help with challenging behaviors
• Information, education and support for family caregivers
  

What Causes Memory Loss?
People do experience normal age-related changes in memory as they get older. It is not normal, however, to experience such significant impairment of memory that independent function is impaired or safety is compromised, nor is it normal to experience significant changes in mood, personality or behavior.

Abnormal memory loss may be due to treatable conditions such as depression, infection, nutritional deficiency and medication interaction. With proper diagnosis and treatment, such a condition will improve. Memory loss may also be due to a progressive illness like Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia (a series of small strokes), Parkinson's disease or another related condition. With proper diagnosis and treatment, people with Alzheimer's and related dementias are helped to live as independently as possible for a long as possible, and families are assisted to plan for the future care needs of their loved ones.

If It Is Alzheimer's, Is There Anything That Can Be Done To Help?
Yes. There is much that can be done. It is true that there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's. However, people with Alzheimer's disease may live many years, and there is much that can be done to help during that time.

There are now prescription medications available that may help delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease in some people, especially if administered earlier in the disease process. This is one reason to seek early diagnosis and treatment.

As Alzheimer's progresses, certain perceptual and behavioral problems are quite common, including suspiciousness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, wandering, and hallucinations. Carefully monitored treatment with the right medications in the right dosages and skillful, sensitive communication can dramatically improve the quality of life for both the individual with Alzheimer's and the family caregiver.

What Happens at an Appointment?
At the initial visit, which may last for 1-2 hours, the patient should be accompanied by a family caregiver and should bring the completed self-assessment form provided when the appointment was scheduled. The memory loss staff will meet with both the patient and the family caregiver. This specialized team includes a psychiatric nurse, a psychiatrist or a nurse practitioner, and an Alzheimer's educator or family counselor. Assessments and evaluations to be expected include individual and family histories, physical examination, psychiatric evaluation and neuropsychiatric screening. Referrals to other specialties for further testing may be made.

Shorter follow-up visits for the patient will be scheduled as needed and will feature appointments with the psychiatrist or nurse practitioner. The family caregiver is requested to accompany the patient to each appointment. The family caregiver may be in regular contact with the Alzheimer's educator in person, by phone, by e-mail or via support groups for ongoing information, education, support and referral to community resources.

How to Schedule An Appointment at The Memory Clinic?
A physician, other healthcare provider or a family caregiver may refer patients, or they may refer themselves.

What Does It Cost?
The cost of medical services varies depending upon specific care needs and insurance coverage. There is no charge for family consultation with the Alzheimer's Educator.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease, Developed by the Alzheimer's Association

• Recent memory loss that affects job skills
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation of time and place
• Poor or decreased judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Changes in personality
• Loss of initiative