Geriatric Assessment Clinic
OUR SERVICES
OUR SERVICES
Geriatric Assessment Clinic
GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT CLINIC
Our Geriatric Assessment Clinic team has many years of combined experience in caring for those who have cognitive impairment and are experts in diagnosing the causes of memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias.
- There are effective treatments available today for persons suffering from memory impairment as well as a number of new medications on the horizon.
- The clinic team partners with the patient, family, and caregivers to provide education and interventions in coping with memory loss.
- The clinic team can link the patients, family, and caregivers with the Alzheimer Association and other resources as appropriate.
- The clinic team provides ongoing monitoring and support, assisting the patient and family in planning for the future.
- The clinic follows internationally-recognized protocols for making diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Signs of Geriatric Cognitive Impairment
If you’ve noticed an aging person has trouble completing key life tasks, it may be a signal that it’s time to be assessed at our Geriatric Assessment Clinic.
Often the signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia are subtle – and then there’s a rapid change. You may find yourself taking “over” for someone because they are unable to complete basic functions or activities that they previously were able to do, such as:
- Paying bills and managing money
- Cleaning and housekeeping
- Doing laundry
- Managing and taking medications
- Preparing meals
- Shopping
- Driving
When someone has trouble completing those activities – enough that triggers an alarm that something’s just not right – then we suggest getting assessed.
In addition, you may also notice these struggles:
- Using the phone, computer, TV remote, etc.
- Bathing and showering
- Recognizing cues such as hunger, thirst, and using the restroom
- Decline in social skills
- Dressing
- Mobility
- Loss of normal inhibitions
- Abnormal sleep patterns
The Appointment Process
Please call 608.647.6161 to schedule an appointment or to find out more information.
- The first visit is a two-hour appointment with a comprehensive study and exam.
- The return visit, generally scheduled 2-3 weeks later, is a one-hour appointment. The patient, family, and caregiver will be given the diagnosis and treatment recommendations. A comprehensive, written summary is provided to the family and a copy is sent to the primary care provider. Further information is provided regarding dementia; future planning and community resources are provided.
- As appropriate, 3, 6, and 12-month appointments are scheduled.
The clinic does not provide primary care but communicates with the patient’s primary care provider.
*Patients should be accompanied by at least one family member to ensure comprehensive history.
*Patients should wear glasses and hearing aids/devices.
The Geriatric Assessment Clinic’s Mission
The mission of the Geriatric Assessment Clinic (part of The Richland Hospital Clinic) is the provision of comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations for individuals to maintain and enhance maximum cognitive, physical, and psychological functioning.
FIND CARE CLOSER TO HOME
The Richland Hospital & Clinics are committed to offering the highest level of care that's closer to home. Our dedicated medical teams utilize state-of-the-art technology and receive special training to provide expert care to the communities we serve.
We serve a vast area in and around Iowa, Sauk and Richland counties.