Brain Health & Memory in Older Adults

If you are referred to our memory clinic for an assessment, your evaluation begins before your visit. We ask you to forward your medical records to us a few weeks before your appointment. Ask your primary care doctor which parts of your medical record should be sent. Your doctor can fax or mail us a copy.  If your doctor is part of BIDMC, your records are already available to us.

We review your pertinent medical records:

• Imaging studies (CT or MRI scans)
• Information about treatment for any existing medical conditions 
• Lab or blood tests 
• Previous memory tests and any evaluations performed by other clinicians 

What to Expect at Your Memory Clinic Visit

We understand that you might feel anxious about your memory evaluation. Follow these tips to help you feel more comfortable:

• Arrive early. Try to get to the office 10 to 20 minutes before your appointment time. This gives you time to complete paperwork. You will feel more at ease if you are not rushing. 
• Bring a support person. Ask a caregiver, family member or friend to come with you. Your support person should be familiar with your medical history. 
• Bring your medicines. Bring all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take. Keep everything in their original containers. Some medicines can cause memory impairment. 
• Be prepared to discuss your medical and memory history. You will meet with a geriatrician. This doctor talks with you about your medical history and history of memory problems. The doctor may ask your support person to clarify or confirm certain parts of your history. 
• Participate in cognitive testing. Your doctor uses certain tests to identify your mind’s strengths and weaknesses. We do not expect you to perform perfectly on these tests. Do not feel bad if you miss some questions. 
• Expect a neurologic screening and physical exam. After cognitive testing, your doctor completes a neurologic screening and a physical exam.  

After your initial memory clinic visit, your doctor may order more blood tests and imaging studies. You may also get a referral to a neuropsychologist. Additional testing will depend on your specific condition and symptoms. They may help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

Following your diagnosis, your geriatrician will continue to provide comprehensive care for your memory condition. Our colleagues in neurology may offer additional therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

The Brain Fit Club at BIDMC offers the Brain Health in Aging program. We give you, your family and caregivers education and information about what to expect with normal cognitive aging.

You can expect:

• Information about normal age-related cognitive changes.
• Practical skills to optimize brain health and cognitive function. 
• Support to manage changes in functioning and independence.

We also provide screenings with our neuropsychologists to spot more serious cognitive and memory changes early. With an early diagnosis, we can provide treatment to delay or reduce the symptoms of neurologic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Benefits of the Brain Health in Aging Program

When you participate in the Brain Health in Aging program, you get information you can use to improve your overall health and wellness and boost your brain function and memory. Our brain and senior health experts assess your current cognitive and memory skills. We teach you how to boost your brain power with different activities, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.

Offerings and Services

We provide a wide variety of services through the Brain Health in Aging program.

• Cognitive remediation: These group sessions teach you how to optimize your attention, memory and organizational skills. We explain healthy lifestyle behaviors for brain health that help you maintain your independence.
• Lifestyle consultations: A social worker talks with you about lifestyle changes that promote overall wellbeing.
• Meditation and mindfulness: Group sessions teach you skills for improved attention, overall wellbeing and stress reduction.
• Neurologic screening: A neuropsychologist can assess your brain function to check for signs of early concentration, memory loss or thinking problems.
• Wellness assessments: Our experts help you find the best diet and exercise plan for your brain and physical health. 

Delirium is a sudden change in thinking and awareness that commonly occurs during hospitalization, especially in older adults. We offer a dedicated Post-Hospitalization Delirium Clinic to support patients and caregivers in the recovery process.

Our team provides follow-up care to assess memory and thinking, adjust medications and offer strategies to prevent future episodes — helping patients regain independence and peace of mind.