January 22, 2010

Memory Disorder Clinic To Open In Moline

Genesis Health Group clinic is the first of its kind in QC

Neurologist Waseem Ahmad,  M.D., has always felt frustrated that he couldn't do more for his patients living with memory loss or dementia.

Often, the patient would come into his office with a family member or caregiver who would tell him a litany of challenges - from agitation at night, confusion, forgetfulness and refusal to take medications to hazardous driving, legal issues and even wandering the neighborhood. Usually, the patients remained oblivious to their problem, while their caregivers struggled to keep them out of harm's way.

"Dementia is a disease that affects not only the patient, but the family members, too," says Dr. Ahmad of Genesis Health Group, who practices at Genesis Medical Center. "As a physician, I could address the medical problem but not the social component.

"I told myself, ‘I need to do more than prescribe medicine for these patients.' It was the many phone calls from patients' families that prompted me to look for a more comprehensive approach."

Opening In February
That comprehensive approach will come in February, with the opening of a Memory Disorder Clinic at his Genesis Health Group office, located at 2526 41st St., Suite 1, in Moline. The clinic will be the first of its kind in the Quad Cities, he says. An evaluation will include:

• A physical and neurological examination;
• Neuropsychological testing;
• Social worker support for family and caregivers;
• An individualized plan for ongoing care;
• Information and support to understand and cope with memory changes; and,
• Laboratory testing and brain imaging if needed.

Dr. Ahmad is trained to diagnose and treat people with memory loss, but the uniqueness of the clinic lies in the broad, multi-disciplinary experience of its professional team.

Phillip Kent, Psy.D., a boardcertified clinical neuropsychologist, will provide assessment to people with suspected memory loss. With more than 35 years experience in psychology, he will observe, interview and provide specialized testing to evaluate the behavioral expression of brain dysfunction. Dr. Kent is director of Genesis Psychology Associates in Davenport.

In addition, a social worker will help patients and caregivers work out a long-term care plan and coordinate with the local resources, such as the Alzheimer's Association, to help patients with dementia. A registered nurse will help with patients' ongoing health and medication needs.

"Patients with memory disorders usually don't come to the doctor and say, ‘I'm having a hard time remembering,' " Dr. Ahmad says. "Someone typically has to recognize the problem and bring the patient in.

"If they go to a neurologist, a psychologist and a social worker in three different offices; then go to have their lab work done; and then ask them to come to a follow-up appointment, chances are very slim they will come back. It's too much of a toll on the family to take the patient to multiple appointments at multiple locations. The idea of this clinic is to have everything under one roof for the convenience of our patients and their families."

First Appointment
At the initial appointment, the patient or family member will fill out a questionnaire. During the first hour, the patient will meet with Dr. Kent, who through a series of tests, will assess them and immediately plot the results on a graph.

At the same time in another room, the family member will discuss the patient's challenges with a social worker and a local representative from the Alzheimer's Association. "The caregiver may tell the social worker: ‘My mother is leaving the stove on; she goes for a drive and can't find her way home; she's getting up in the middle of the night,' " Dr. Ahmad says. "We will get a good idea of what the home life is like for the patient with memory problems."

After the first hour, Dr. Kent and the social worker will report to Dr. Ahmad about what they've learned about the patient's condition. With information in hand, Dr. Ahmad will then do a physical exam, look at the patient's medication and may order lab work and imaging studies.

About 65 percent of elderly patients with memory loss or dementia have Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia that affects approximately 1 in every 8 people ages 65 or older. Applying those percentages to the local, nine-county population, Dr. Ahmad estimates that 13,000 people in the Quad Cities area have some type of severe memory loss or dementia.

Memory problems also can stem from other causes, such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, depression, anxiety or even lack of sleep.

"Before the patient leaves the clinic, we will suggest an individualized plan of action," Dr. Ahmad says. "Families dealing with this for the first time don't know what to expect or what kind of support is available. They usually have their own busy lives - jobs, kids and home - as well. We can help."

Slowing Memory Loss
Memory has become an important issue, particularly with the aging Baby Boomer population. An estimated 5.1 million people across the nation have Alzheimer's disease today; by 2030, the number is expected to increase to 7.7 million. Medications for Alzheimer's disease - Aricept, Namenda and the Exelon Patch - can slow the disease's progression.

"Unfortunately, you're not going to reverse the disease process but can slow the progression of the disease," Dr. Ahmad says. "The average cost of a nursing home is $45,000- $50,000 a year. It's a big gain if you can delay having to go to a nursing home for 2-3 years with medication."

The Memory Disorder Clinic will open in February, but patients and family members can schedule an appointment now by calling (309) 792-4295.