Managing Memory Together

Contact us

Telephone: 0800 694 8800

Email
managingmemory@ghc.nhs.uk

Memory Assessment Service

Gloucestershire’s Memory Assessment Service provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment services to people who are worried about memory as well as providing support to their carers. The memory assessment service aims to:

• Give an in-depth assessment of a person’s memory function
• Make a diagnosis and exclude and treat any reversible causes
• Provide support to people with dementia, relatives and carers and where necessary to put them in touch with the appropriate services within the community
• Offer the best use of new drug treatment and other interventions

How can people request a Memory Assessment?

People can refer themselves directly to the Memory Assessment Service; however if you are worried about your memory it is important that you visit your GP in the first instance to rule out other possible causes for memory loss.

In most cases the GP will conduct a physical health check and request that blood tests are done. If the GP feels it is appropriate he/she will refer to the memory assessment service. Where people feel unable to talk to their GP about their memory problems or that of a family member they can contact us directly.

What happens at the Memory Assessment Service?

At the first appointment, people are assessed by a member of the team usually a nurse specially trained in memory assessment. People are given the choice of being seen at home or in a clinic.

The first appointment involves obtaining information about the person’s personal and medical history. The person will be asked to describe the difficulties or problems they are having and how these problems affect them.

The first appointment usually lasts between one and two hours. In some cases it may be necessary for the person to see other specialists within the memory assessment team such as psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists. The person may also be sent for a brain scan. Once all the assessments are completed a diagnosis will be provided.

What happens after a diagnosis?

All patients from the memory assessment service are followed up according to their needs. Those with a diagnosis of dementia will have an initial four week follow up appointment to discuss any concerns, talk about future support plans.

At this stage people may be offered further follow up appointments or they may be discharged back to the care of their GP.

As part of the service we also refer people with dementia and their family members/carers to our information and education service.

Community Dementia Nurses

Community Dementia Nurses provide support to GP practices in the diagnosis, management and treatment of dementia.

The service also provides short-term support to people with dementia and their carers to address issues and immediate care needs arising from their diagnosis.

This service can be accessed through the patient’s or carer’s GP or by contacting Managing Memory Together on 0800 694 8800 or email managingmemory@ghc.nhs.uk.

Community Dementia Nurses work closely with both the Information and Education Service within the team, and the Dementia Adviser Service that is delivered through the Alzheimer’s Society. Dementia Advisers help anyone diagnosed with dementia and their families to get the information they need about the illness and where to find the most appropriate services in their local area.