Specific care program for the older adults: Memory Clinics

Abstract Memory Clinics are interdisciplinary, specialized outpatient units for the early diagnosis of cognitive impairments and rare forms of dementia in the rapidly growing older population. At the Basel Memory Clinic, a team of neuropsychologists, geriatricians, neurologists, and psychiatrists use standardized procedures to comprehensively diagnose patients in the earliest possible stages of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. In collaborative efforts with family physicians and dementia care providing agencies, such as the Alzheimer's Association, patients and families are offered up-to-date pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options and educational and counseling services. These efforts aim to maintain the quality of life of both patients and caregivers as long as possible and to delay nursing home placement which accounts for the majority of costs associated with dementia.