Why a Memory Clinic? What does the UCT/GSH Memory Clinic offer?

World-wide, populations are ageing and people The University of / are growing older than previously. Increases in Memory Clinic is a programme of the longevity mean an increase in the number of Institute of Ageing in Africa and was older persons manifesting physical and established in 1999. cognitive symptoms which may be attributable MEMORY CLINIC to illness or to the ageing process. Some The multidisciplinary clinic offers focused, individuals may experience mild memory loss, holistic assessment and treatment to an older while others may have a memory disorder that person suspected of having, or diagnosed with a interferes with daily functioning. memory disorder. Support and counselling are offered to the carer. Memory loss can occur with normal ageing and A programme of forgetfulness is common in older people. The services of different disciplines are Persons with a memory disorder will gradually integrated at the Memory Clinic to provide The Albertina and Walter Sisulu become more forgetful, and as the memory loss efficiencies of cost and time. Specialists and The Institute of Ageing in Africa increases, changes may appear in their professionals, among whom are geriatricians, judgement, concentration, behaviour and psychiatrists and social workers, assess a patient personality. Memory disorders occur in several in a single consultation. If indicated, an forms. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of appointment will be made for a patient to revisit memory disorder. the Memory Clinic at a later point for follow-up

Incorporating the assessment and treatment. A Memory Clinic offers a site for the diagnosis of a memory disorder. Each person suspected of Division of Geriatric Medicine having a memory disorder who is referred to a Old Age Psychiatry Programme Memory Clinic by a medical practitioner is given a thorough clinical evaluation. A memory Neuropsychology Programme disorder must be differentiated from the Neurosciences Programme forgetfulness that occurs during normal ageing Gerontology Programme and from depression which may affect memory. The presence of brain tumours, infections and other abnormalities also needs to be eliminated.

What else does the How to use the services Contact information: Memory Clinic do? of the Memory Clinic

Apart from a clinical diagnostic focus and Older persons must be referred to the Memory Location service, the Memory Clinic is an important site Clinic for assessment by a private doctor or a Department of Psychiatry J2 Groote Schuur Hospital for teaching and research on various memory doctor at a public health care service facility. Observatory, Cape Town disorders. Memory Clinic sessions are held at Groote Career and rotational registrars in Geriatric Schuur Hospital on Wednesday mornings. A Clinicians Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and family member or a carer must accompany the Dr Sebastiana Kalula Psychogeriatrics receive on-site training in the person to be assessed. Dr Kevin Thomas Memory Clinic. Dr Linda de Villiers Dr John Joska An appointment is required, and either the Researchers in the Institute of Ageing in Africa, referring doctor, an assistant, the person him/- Appointments which incorporates the subdisciplines of herself, or the carer or a family member of the Geriatric Medicine, Old Age Psychiatry, person to be assessed may make an Tel. 021 404 2119 Psychology, Neurology and Gerontology, appointment. conduct research to yield knowledge to Postal address strengthen the Memory Clinic’s programmes. Memory Clinic Institute of Ageing in Africa In addition, the Memory Clinic works in Faculty of Health Sciences partnership with the Alzheimer’s Observatory 7925 (ASA), the National office and Dementia South South Africa Africa (DSA) in its teaching, research and public awareness programmes on memory and Tel. +27 21 404-2119 dementia. Patients and their carers who are Fax +27 21 406-6846 interested are referred to one of the several E-mail: [email protected] support groups in the Western Cape. At Website: www.instituteofageing.uct.ac. present, Alzheimer’s South Africa have support groups in Bellville/Panorama, , George, Hermanus, Knysna, Langebaan, , Montagu, Mossel Bay, Riversadale,

Stilbaai; and Dementia South Africa:

Atlantic/, Bellville, , Fish Hoek, Hanover Park, Hermanus, Kuils’ River, Langebaan, , Milnerton, Mitchell’s Plain, Ottery, Paarl, Plumstead, , Silvertown (Athlone), , Stellenbosch, Stikland Hospital, Strand,

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