Dementia & Other Cognitive Disorders: Management, Psychiatry Support, & Education
The Aging Brain Care Program offers evaluation, diagnosis, management and education specifically for memory and thinking disorders (cognitive disorders). Our team includes specialists in many areas, such as cognitive specialists, geriatric psychiatry, social work, nurse care manager, pharmacy, and support staff.
Our program collaborates with our colleagues in neurology and geriatric psychiatry. We are a part of the Division of Geriatrics, School of Medicine.
Virtual Care Offered
Our providers also offer safe and easy virtual appointments. Our virtual care system allows us to evaluate and treat you via videoconferencing from the comfort of your home.
Services
We provide the following services:
- Evaluation, diagnosis, and management
- Advanced neuroimaging
- Geriatric psychiatry support
- Disease education, caregiver support, and resources with a specialized cognitive care team
- Ongoing management and follow up of related symptoms
- Clinical trials and genetic testing access
- Primary care medical home
- Dementia specialists
The most important thing in developing a care plan for a loved one with a memory or thinking disorder is early detection. If you see any symptoms, you should contact a doctor and get an evaluation.
Memory Disorders Symptoms
Symptoms of memory or thinking disorders may include:
- memory loss,
- confusion,
- language changes, or
- changes in mood and personality.
These symptoms may come out in behaviors like:
- Asking the same questions repeatedly.
- Forgetting common words when they are speaking.
- Mixing words up—saying "bed" instead of "chair," for example.
- Taking longer to complete familiar tasks, such as following a recipe.
- Misplacing items in the wrong places, such as putting a wallet in a kitchen drawer.
- Getting lost while walking or driving in a familiar area.
If you are concerned for a loved one or yourself, you can come to our program for an evaluation of your condition.
Find a Specialist
Different Types of Memory Disorders
Memory disorders are disorders that affect your ability to reason, remember, make decisions, and communicate. These disorders can include the following:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Dementia
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
- Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
- Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
- Vascular Dementia
At the U of U Aging and Brain Care Program, we have a team of providers trained in different specialties. Our team works together to help your loved one manage their condition.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
When you see a specialist at the Aging Brain Care Program, you will receive a brief memory screening and appropriate lab work, if indicated. We will conduct a thorough medical history and exam to learn your story and understand what might be causing your symptoms.
Due to the nature of memory and thinking symptoms, please bring someone who knows you well to your visit so that we can be sure not to miss anything about your history. We will work with you to tailor your proactive care plan and next steps to meet your needs. If you have had previous testing by another provider, please let us know prior to your visit.
Next Steps
If you are concerned about a loved one or would like to have an evaluation, you can make an appointment with one of our providers. Patients do not need a referral. You can either login to MyChart or contact your provider’s office or call 801-581-2628 to find out more information.
For information on our clinical research trials, visit University of Utah's Center for Alzheimer's Care, Imaging and Research (CACIR).
