Our Services

  • Memory Disorders Clinic

Memory Disorders Clinic

 

Mercy Medical Center’s Memory Disorders Clinic evaluates and treats persons exhibiting signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other degenerative brain disorders.

This clinic is located at Mercy Medical Center on the fourth floor of the hospital, off Elevator C. Its purpose is to help patients and their families compensate for cognitive and behavior changes, allowing persons with memory disorders to stay in their homes as long as possible.

A physician’s referral to the clinic is necessary. Following the patient evaluation, a conference is held with the patient, family members, clinic team and other referral sources as appropriate.

Neurologist Erich Streib, M.D., is the medical director. He review the diagnostic workup, coordinates the plan of care and medication management, and if requested by the referring physician, initiates a full neurological evaluation.

Other Memory Disorders Team Members include:

  • Social worker: Assesses the patient’s financial, family and community resources, and helps the family access services such as adult day programs, Social Security, Meals on Wheels, and alternative placement options.
  • Occupational therapist: assesses activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (check writing, money management, etc.), and driving, if indicated.
  • Speech therapist: Assesses cognitive skills and helps the patient and family develop compensatory strategies.
  •  Neuropsychologist: Performs neuropsychological testing, assists in diagnosis, and assesses competency.
  • Access nurse: Helps family members deal with personality and behavioral changes.
  • Program coordinator: Coordinates the clinic and acts as the liaison between the family and the clinic team.

All the above services are not indicated for every patient. The combination utilized depends of patient and family needs. Follow-up clinic visits take place about every six months, if indicated. The patient’s abilities are reassessed and assistance is provided to the family as appropriate.

 

For more information, call the program coordinator at (319) 398-6435.

For specific nursing questions, please call the nurse line at (319) 398-6861.