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Dementia Diagnostic Clinics

Many things can cause dementia, a decline in intellectual ability severe enough to interfere with a person's daily routine. Dementias related to depression, drug interaction and thyroid problems may be reversible if detected early.

Other causes of dementia include strokes, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Pick's disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is important to identify the actual cause in order for the individual the receive proper care.

The individual who may have Alzheimer's disease may be able to maximize the quality of his or her life by receiving an early diagnosis. It may also resolve the anxiety of wondering "What is wrong with me?"

An early diagnosis allows more time to plan for the future. Decisions regarding care, living arrangements, financial and legal issues, and other important issues can be addressed.

There is no one diagnostic test that can detect if a person has Alzheimer's disease. The diagnosis is made by reviewing a detailed history on the person and the results of several tests, including a complete physical and neurological examination, a psychiatric assessment and laboratory tests. Once these test are completed, a diagnosis of "probable" Alzheimer's disease can be made by process of elimination. However, physicians can be 80 to 90 percent certain their diagnosis is accurate.

The following clinics specialize in diagnosing dementia symptoms:

*Clinics affiliated with the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute.

Aspirus Memory Clinic*
Wausau

Calumet Area Memory Clinic*
Nelson Family Clinic, LLC, Hilbert

Dementia Diagnostic Clinic of Ashland*
Ashland

Fort Healthcare Memory Center*
Fort Atkinson

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Dementia Care Program*
La Crosse

Geriatric Assessment Center - Aurora
Kenosha

Geriatric Assessment Center - Aurora
Racine

Geriatrics Institute*
Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Milwaukee

Geriatric Memory Disorders Clinic*
Senior Health Program, Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Geriatric Research and Education Clinic Center Memory Assessment/Dementia Clinic
William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, Madison

Gundersen Lutheran Memory Disorders Clinic*
La Crosse

Janesville Geriatric Assessment Center*
Janesville

Latino Geriatric Center Memory Clinic*
Milwaukee

Manitowoc Area Memory Assessment Center*
Manitowoc

Memory Assessment Center*
West Bend Clinic, West Bend

Marshfield Clinic-Chippewa Center*
Chippewa Falls

Marshfield Clinic-Indianhead Center*
Rice Lake

Marshfield Clinic-Oakwood Center*
Eau Claire

Memory Assessment Clinic*
Moundview Hospital and Clinics, Friendship

Memory Assessment Clinic*
UW-Health Hospital and Clinics, Madison

Memory Care Clinic*
Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Beaver Dam

The Memory Center*
Affinity Health System, Oshkosh

Memory Diagnostic Center of Upper Michigan*
Marquette, MI

Memory Disorders Clinic
Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield

Mercer County Hospital Memory Clinic
Aledo, IL

Neurology Memory Disorders Clinic*
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee

Northern Wisconsin Memory Diagnostic Center*
Rhinelander Regional Medical Group, Rhinelander

Richland Area Geriatric Assessment Clinic*
Richland Center

SAM-C (Stateline Area Memory Clinic)*
Beloit

Senior Health Center*
Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha

Southwest Health Center Memory Diagnostic Clinic*
Platteville

Spooner Health System Memory Clinic*
Spooner

UW Health-Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic*
Eau Claire

Wheaton Franciscan Memory Diagnostic Center*
Milwaukee

Older couple
The Urgency of Our Mission

In the U.S. approximately 5-10% of the population aged 65 and older has AD. In Wisconsin, this number is expected to increase by 58% from 103,000 to 163,000 persons over the next 25 years.

19 million Americans say someone in their family has the disease.

50% of persons with AD are undiagnosed and therefore, untreated.

Families delay seeking help for almost three years after the onset of cognitive symptoms.

50% of nursing home residents have AD or a related disorder.

Family and friends provide almost 75% of home care. Costs for at-home care average $12,500 each year with families paying almost the entire cost out-of-pocket.