Mercy’s Memory Clinic adds self-scheduling option

The Memory Clinic at Mercy Cedar Rapids now offers a self-scheduling program. This new option is designed for individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of dementia and would like to meet with Mercy’s team of experts for a patient evaluation. This service is available at Mercy’s main campus in downtown Cedar Rapids as well as its outreach clinic in Monticello.

Mercy’s Memory Clinic helps people – of any age – determine whether their concern is dementia or a normal part of aging. Mercy’s specialized team will assess the person’s abilities by interacting with them and their family member or friend.

A physician’s referral to the clinic is not required. Following the patient evaluation, a conference is held with the patient, family members, clinic team and other referral sources, as appropriate. The patient’s abilities are then reassessed, and assistance is provided to the family during follow-up visits.

Is It Dementia?

As people age, there is often worry when a name or a word can’t be recalled, or items are misplaced; people wonder if it is the beginning of dementia, which is an umbrella term for a variety of changing cognitive abilities. Symptoms of dementia may include:

• Forgetting recently learned information
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty driving to a familiar location
• Confusion about the time of day
• Difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color or contrast
• Difficulty following or initiating a conversation
• Placing items in odd places; accusing other of stealing or losing the ability to retrace steps
• Frequently making poor decisions
• Paying less attention to own physical appearance
• No longer initiating activities once enjoyed
• Rapid mood swings

To find out more about self-scheduling an appointment with Mercy’s Memory Clinic, visit https://www.mercycare.org/memorycare.