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Memory Health Assessments

Why you need an early Diagnosis

If someone you care about is having memory problems, you may be wondering when is the right time to get them checked out. The answer is clear and simple Go Now!

There are many benefits to an early assessment and diagnosis. One of the first and most clear-cut is that you may find treatable conditions that could be causing the memory loss or confusion. Treating ailments such as depression, stress, thyroid imbalance, or vitamin deficiencies could return your memory to normal. Of course if you do have Alzheimer’s or any other type of dementia, the real benefit of early diagnosis is early treatment.

Early detection is vital in helping people with memory loss, whatever the cause may be. The sooner an assessment is made, the sooner appropriate treatment or support can be offered.

Do you or does anyone you care for:

Get confused doing ordinary things?
Have difficulty in filling in a form, reading or concentrating?
Find it hard to remember a story on television?
Have trouble remembering recent events?
Have problems finding words?

If the answer is yes, we recommend that you talk to your GP. If necessary, he or she can refer you privately to us. Alternatively if you prefer, you can book a consultation directly with us. We aim to see patients within 7 to 14 days.

If you are worried about whether your relative is developing Alzheimer’s, answer the following questions.

Problems with judgment (problems making decisions, bad financial decisions, problems with thinking)
less interest in hobbies/activities
Repeats the same thing over and over (questions, stories, or statements)
Trouble learning how to use a tool, appliance, or gadget, (VCR, computer, microwave, remote control)
Forgets correct month or year
Trouble handling complicated financial affairs (balancing check book, income taxes, paying bills)
Trouble remembering appointments

If you answer yes to two or more from the above, you need to get your relative assessed promptly by a specialist.

Our Approach

At a patients initial appointment Mr Davies, or one of his equally highly experienced team, conducts a thorough assessment, talking with the patient and a relative (or close friend), to explore the difficulties or problems being experienced and their effect on daily living. We will carry out tests to find out the strengths and weaknesses of memory, so it is important to have reading glasses or hearing aids to hand if these are used. We also gather detailed information about the patient’s background, past medical history and any current medical problems.

As part of our approach to do all we can to assist people with memory impairment, SP Care employ the CANTAB mobile system, developed by Cambridge Cognition, to offer state of the art, patient friendly, touch screen-based memory assessments.

You will undergo a 45-60 minute test of your memory and other cognitive functions. The check accurately measures 5 key cognitive functions: working memory, processing speed, attention, executive function and episodic memory.

Working Memory - How we hold information while processing or acting upon it
Processing Speed - The ability to perform mental tasks quickly and efficiently
Attention - The ability to concentrate and actively process information
Executive Function - Central control, planning and flexible thinking
Episodic Memory - Memory of events and experiences

These highly effective tests can be conducted in a patient’s home, care home, day centre or at one of our clinics. Results from each test are immediately compared to a database of more than 5,000 patients, so that an evaluation can be made as to whether a person's memory is 'normal' for their age, gender and level of education. At the end of the assessment, we will discuss the results and the options available for future treatment or care.

After each assessment a letter will be sent to your GP to let them know the results. You will be offered a copy of this letter.

Booking a consultation

As we highlight earlier on this page, a consultation with an SP Care Clinic Specialist is normally undertaken following a referral from your GP. However, you may wish to self-refer without visiting your GP. This can be via a clinic visit, be conducted in the home or a community setting. You can book an appointment at our Newcastle Under Lyme Consulting rooms or you can contact us via the button below. We look forward to hearing from you.