If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of memory loss, finding a diagnosis is one of the most important things you can do to improve quality of life. Accurate diagnosis can provide you with a clearer picture of the existing symptoms and what other symptoms could be part of the disease process. Whether the symptom of memory turns out to be Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s dementia, depression, or another diagnosis, treatment options may be available to reduce or alleviate symptoms. Learn from Julie Feil, LCSW from Neuroscience Group’s Memory Diagnostic Clinic about what the diagnosis process looks like at a specialized memory loss clinic. Diagnosis could include neurological exam, medical history, family and genetic history, psychosocial assessment, labwork, and/or imaging. Typically diagnostic appointments last multiple hours and take an interdisciplinary approach to ensure accuracy.

Julie Feil, LCSW also reviews the 10 warning signs of dementia which include

1. Memory loss affects day-to-day abilities
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation to time and space
5. Impaired judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

All of these warning signs are regarding changes in what was normal for an individual before memory changes occurred

In this episode, Julie and Harper discuss the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI) Memory Clinic Network. This program establishes guidelines for best practice including interdisciplinary evaluations and thorough review of each patient as an individual. To access the WAI Memory Clinic finder, click HERE https://wai.wisc.edu/memory-clinic-finder/