Wellness Watch - Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older. It is a progressive disease that begins with mild memory loss and may lead to the loss of the ability to carry out daily activities or carry on a conversation.
Phoebe is part of Georgia Memory Net, a statewide program dedicated to earlier diagnosis and customized care plans for those living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Our Memory Assessment Clinic at Phoebe Northwest in Albany is one of six such sites in the state where patients with signs of memory loss may be referred by a primary care provider for evaluation. We provide a document designed to make it easier for patients to talk to their primary care provider. The printable form can be found at www.gamemorynet.org/referral.
Jennifer Ban is the nurse practitioner at the Phoebe Memory Assessment Clinic who, along with a community services educator, meets with patients and their care partners to determine a diagnosis and care plan. Caregivers are interviewed separately and provided with education, referrals and resources to better equip them to care for their loved one facing a dementia diagnosis. Watch this video with Jennifer to learn more about Alzheimer’s and Georgia Memory Net.
Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
♦ Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
♦ Challenges in planning or solving problems.
♦ Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
♦ Confusion with time or place.
♦ Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relations.
♦ New problems with words in speaking or writing.
♦ Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
♦ Decreased or poor judgment.
♦ Withdrawal from work or social activities.
♦ Changes in mood and personality.
Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy
♦ Take care of your physical health.
♦ Manage high blood pressure and diabetes.
♦ Eat healthy foods.
♦ Be physically active.
♦ Keep your mind active.
♦ Stay connected with social activities.
♦ Manage stress.
To learn what to expect during a visit to a Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic, watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HXJuQdoDmg&t=155s
You may call the Phoebe Memory Assessment Clinic at 229-312-8590, but you will need a referral from a primary care physician or neurologist to schedule an appointment. Much more information about Georgia Memory Net is available at www.gamemorynet.org.
You can learn more information about Alzheimer’s disease and find helpful resources for patients and caregivers at the following trusted sites.
► www.alz.org
► www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm
► www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia