ElderAdvocates has helped fourteen communities throughout the country establish Memory Diagnostic Centers, with a number of other communities currently beginning the process.  The mission of each Memory Diagnostic Center is to provide a center for excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of dementias.  The Centers serve as a diagnostic service for patients with memory impairment and a resource for information and case management for families dealing with dementia.  The Centers do not provide primary care, but do furnish the patient’s primary care physician with diagnostic expertise, treatment plans and ongoing consultation.  The Memory Diagnostic Centers also link the patient and family with ongoing support through the Alzheimer’s Association and other care and support providers. 

The Memory Diagnostic Center Development consultation services that ElderAdvocates provides are tailored to the needs of each individual community.  Some communities require consultation for only one element of the process; other communities employ the Petersens’ expertise for the entire process.  The Petersens have edited a Memory Diagnostic Center Tools and Protocols Workbook, which is used in training staff members on the diagnostic team.

The consultation process to develop a Memory Diagnostic Center is broken down into the following steps:

Initial Consultation:

• Meet with members of the medical and geriatric services community to determine the interest and feasibility of establishing a Diagnostic Center
  

Organizational Meetings: 

• Develop a mission statement
• Identify Center partners
• Identify Center team members and director
• Identify Center support organizations
• Determine Center location
• Develop the business plan

Staff Training and Marketing:

• Develop job descriptions for team members
• Design Center process
• Train staff in the use of diagnostic Tools and Protocols
• Assist with a Center “dress rehearsal”
• Help to create a public awareness campaign
• Help to create a marketing plan
• Assist with Center opening celebration

On-Going Support:

• Provide telephone and email consultation to Center staff members
• Provide chart review
• Provide information about upcoming conferences and research breakthroughs

ElderAdvocates has consulted with the following communities to help them establish or refine the process of their Memory Diagnostic Center:

• Ishpeming, Michigan
• Rhinelander, Wisconsin
• Cumberland, Wisconsin
• Eau Claire, Wisconsin Family Practice Residency Program
• LaCrosse, Wisconsin
• Richland Center and Mineral Point, Wisconsin
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Rockford, Illinois
• Gregory, South Dakota
• Parkston, South Dakota
• Scottsbluff, Nebraska
• Flemington, New Jersey
• Des Moines, Iowa Mercy/Mayo Geriatric Fellowship Program
• Sioux Center, Iowa