Memory Care

Changes occurring as your body ages may lead to health conditions that affect memory, brain cells (neurons), nerves and many other aspects of life. You or a loved one may experience these neurodegenerative diseases as a progressive and permanent loss of neurons and brain function that often impair memory and physical abilities, which reduces the overall quality and length of life.

Easy Access to Experts in Memory Care

At OU Health Memory Care Clinic in Oklahoma City, you can take advantage of easy access to specially trained physicians and researchers who work together to understand the effects of aging on the brain. Their scientific discoveries show the value of early diagnosis and intervention that can help slow disease progression, especially when combined with compassionate care that offers better ways to manage your specific situation.

Memory Care Services at OU Health

Like everyone with a busy life, you probably experience the brief loss of a memory – I can’t find my keys; what’s this person’s name; did I close the garage door? Even when such pauses irritate you, they don’t stop you from getting on with daily tasks.

Early Diagnosis Helps Slow Disease Progress

But if forgetfulness becomes more frequent or concerning signs appear, you may want medical advice. Because memory loss and other symptoms often signal the beginning of irreversible disease, early diagnosis holds the key to successful treatment aimed at slowing its progression.

Memory-Related Conditions & Symptoms

You can trust the OU Health Memory Care Clinic at Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging for the comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and care management that supports your best possible quality of life. You benefit from professional memory care evaluation, consultation and comprehensive services for a wide range of conditions, symptoms and concerns, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias such as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia or Lewy body dementia, especially with behavioral symptoms or safety concerns
• Caregiver stress or strain and questions about dementias
• Cognitive (thinking) problems that create difficulty with daily activities
• Depression or mood disorders that affect daily activities
• Driving (vehicle-related) concerns
• High-risk medication use that may worsen cognition; multiple medications or the need to coordinate medications through multiple pharmacies
• Memory or cognitive issues or unusual results from cognitive screening tests that need additional evaluation
• Need for conversations about goals of care and advance care planning

Comprehensive Assessment for Accurate Diagnosis

For an accurate diagnosis through Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, you or your loved one will participate in a comprehensive assessment that includes:

• Medical history – Questions about your and your family’s health history
• Physical exam – Measurements of blood pressure and other vital signs
• Neurological tests – Assessments of balance, reflexes, sensory responses, cognitive function (thinking) and more; may involve lab tests, brain scans, psychiatric evaluation, genetic tests

Because Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, rarely occurs alone, you or your loved one may receive a diagnosis of mixed dementia, the combination of two or more types of dementia.

Extensive Assessment for Accurate Diagnosis

For an accurate diagnosis through the OU Health Memory Care Clinic, you or your loved one will participate in an extensive assessment that involves:

• Medical history – Questions about your and your family’s health history

• Physical exam – Measurements of blood pressure and other vital signs

• Neurological tests – Assessments of balance, reflexes, sensory responses, cognitive function (thinking) and more; may involve lab tests, brain scans, psychiatric evaluation, genetic tests

Because Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, rarely occurs by itself, you or your loved ones may receive a diagnosis of mixed dementia, the combination of two or more types.

Comprehensive Memory Care Management

If you or a loved one receive a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, taking an all-inclusive approach to care and treatment can reduce feelings of fear or hopelessness and boost your sense of empowerment. Through the OU Health Memory Care Clinic at Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, you benefit from comprehensive care management that includes:

• Arriving at a diagnosis and discussing treatment options
• Taking an “assess and restore” approach to care – Involves a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), the gold standard in best practice for managing frailty in older adults
• Determining and providing local resources to support you and your caregivers
• Coordinating services for home health care and the durable medical equipment designed for anyone living with dementia
• Facilitating conversations about your goals of care and identifying advanced care preferences
• Helping you or your loved one complete necessary documents for advanced directives, health care power of attorney, DNR orders and others
• Managing end-of-life care options that may include enrollment in hospice, when appropriate

Related OU Health Services

Explore more OU Health services related to memory care, brain health and living well:

• Neurosciences – Neurology specialists address concerns about brain function, loss of neurons and physical health related to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Batten disease, prion diseases, Huntington disease, Parkinson disease
• Palliative & Supportive Care – Delivers services to help relieve symptoms and stress of living with any major health condition
• Geriatric Medicine (Senior Primary Care) – Provides age-appropriate primary care and services designed to support older adults through OU Health, our nationally designated Age-Friendly Health System

National Dementia Care Resources

Sign up for email newsletters highlighting developments in research and care for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias from national sources such as:

• National Institute on Aging (NIA) – NIA Email Alert Subscription page
• Alzheimers.gov, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); scroll to footer for email subscription link

National Funding Support for Oklahoma

Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging is funded in part by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.

Your Expert Memory Care Team

When you choose OU Health Memory Care Clinic at Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, you or your loved one work with a multidisciplinary team of geriatricians who hold extensive expertise in cognitive evaluation. In addition, your care team involves specialty-trained advanced practice providers, social workers, pharmacists and neuropsychology support specialists. Also, your team members may collaborate with board-certified OU Health providers in neurology and psychiatry to ensure you receive comprehensive care and a wide range of supportive services to assist with memory disorders and related concerns.