What is AD?
AD, Alzheimer's disease, or just Alzheimer's is the most common dementia (sometimes called "neurocognitive disorders"). It accounts for about two-thirds of cases although many cases are mixed types, such as AD and vascular dementia. Dementia often starts slowly and then worsens. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language(understanding and/or expression), disorientation, difficulties in planning, decline in self-care, and behavioral issues such as agitation, delusions, hallucinations, sleep problems, or depression. Persons who are experiencing memory problems should seek dementia screening as early as possible.
Other Dementias
Vascular dementia, Lewy Body Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia. As noted above, in many instances the disorder may be a mixture of various dementias.
Vascular dementia may begin suddenly after a stroke or some conditions may be related to movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease or Lewy Body Dementia.
Other Neurological Disorders
Parkinson's with dementia, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal Degeneration.
Recent evidence suggests that early treatment may result in better quality of life and increased longevity. Importantly, some dementias may be reversible or partially reversible such as those caused depression, medical conditions, low vitamin B12 or folate, low Vitamin D, neurological diseases, excessive medications, alcoholism or drug abuse.
Although current treatments and supports cannot stop dementia from progressing, treatment can temporarily slow the dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with dementia and their caregivers.
Programs and Services
- Initial comprehensive assessment consisting of cognitive, physical, neurological and psychiatric examination, and social service assessment.
- On-going treatment and follow up visits (1-4 months) for patients.
- Extensive supportive social services for patients and family members including care management
- Caregiver support and referral services
- Telehealth services
- Home visits
- Clinical trials opportunities
- Training of professionals and care providers in dementia care
- Outreach to the community health and social service agencies
- Educational programs for lay persons
- Staff who are fluent in Haitian-Creole, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Hindi, and Arabic.
