I was inspired to seek solutions for the hundreds of patients throughout my career who were suddenly debilitated by neurological disease.  Most of whom I encountered felt they had little access to advice, resources and support needed to help them and their family through these life-altering changes. When asked what they wish they had known about early on in their memory diagnosis, family members were often frustrated by the lack of time doctors spent with them, being given a diagnosis with little opportunity to ask questions until a six month follow-up or later, and not having a resource center to help them find the services they so desperately need.

 

As a Memory Specialist at Memorial Neuroscience Institute (MNI) for Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, my own personal experience and career inspired me to become a neurologist with special expertise in memory through fellowship training in Memory Disorders, and I am leading the Memorial Memory Care Center at MNI.

 

Here at Memorial, we’re entering a new frontier.  Research shows that people can live with cognitive impairment for 20 years or perhaps more, but the stress that this places on families is a burden that causes increased morbidity, hospitalizations, and nursing home placements.  With community physicians strapped for time and resources, families should not be left alone to cope with these changes.  Here at Memorial, we are improving the lives of patients and families facing these issues right now. 

 

I devote time not only listening to patients but also working with their family members to proactively provide education about what to expect over the course of the memory diagnosis.  We also work hard at preventing memory loss, and screen and give up-to-the-minute advice on memory prevention.  We have a multidisciplinary approach to care including partnerships with primary care, social work, rehabilitation, and counseling to reduce family stress, promote a positive environment at home, and maintain independence for the thousands of people out there affected by memory changes.

 

Here is what patients can expect from a Memory visit:

–  A Patient- and Family-centered approach to care with time to discuss concerns and expectations

– A comprehensive evaluation for treatable causes of memory loss

– Education about ways to prevent memory loss

– Up-to-the-minute advice on clinical trials and advances in Memory Care

– Educational series and support groups for families

– Cognitive rehabilitation strategies for patients

– Caring for the whole person and family, that includes strategic approach to treating the symptoms

 

The upcoming changes to healthcare necessitate that we look toward quality outcomes such as patient and family satisfaction, quality of life and independence in the home, and the prevention of falls and hospital admissions.  The best way to do this is send patients to specialized Memory Centers such as the Memorial Memory Center, to prevent, diagnose and treat cognitive impairment early, all in a coordinated approach to Memory Care.