Neuropsychology for Seniors

If you, a parent or loved one is showing signs of memory loss or declining cognitive ability, it may be time for an evaluation. A correct diagnosis is the first step. Learn more about the conditions we diagnose and the therapeutic offerings we provide.

Alzheimer's Disease 

These are the most common changes seen in people who have Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. 

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience:
  • Forgetfulness
  • Easy distractions
  • Problems with organization
  • Confusion about their surroundings, getting lost
We are experienced in evaluating individuals that may be suffering from symptoms of Alzheimers. Your comfort and the comfort of your loved on is important to us and our evaluations are designed to pinpoint an accurate diagnosis in a caring, knowledgable environment.

In-home evaluations are available upon request. Contact us here.

Post Diagnostic Solutions

A diagnosis is just the first step in the process of supporting a person with Alzheimers. Once a diagnosis is made, our therapists offer a wide variety of therapeutic solutions to support caregivers and individual.
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Complex Decision Making

Is it time for the Power of Attorney to start making important decisions, such as for financial and healthcare? Serious consequences can occur if seniors do not have the capacity to make those decisions for themselves. 

A neuropsychological evaluation can help determine if the patient is able to make complex decisions, and if they are deemed to not have the capacity, then it can help put a power of attorney (POA) in place for them. Our doctors are happy to see these patients in our offices or as an in-home evaluation. 

Neurological Disorders

Neurological Disorders are diseases of the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them in the central and peripheral nervous system. There are over 600 of these neurological diseases. Hundreds of millions are affected by neurological disorders around the world.
 
Known neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis,Parkinson's disease or hydrocephalus can result in a multitude of cognitive and emotional symptoms. This can be further amplified by given stressors such as job or school disruption and problems with family members. A neuropsychological evaluation can help identify these difficulties and develop appropriate recommendations.
 
Patients can effectively compensate for changes in thinking by using organizational and memory strategies. Implementing these strategies in a work or school setting is essential for functional improvement. Additionally, the patient's expectations need to be commensurate with current functioning. If the person is experiencing persistent changes and is constantly wanting to just 'be who he/she used to be,' these issues need to be addressed so the patient can move forward and develop new goals that are essential to self-worth and life satisfaction. 

Thomson Memory Center also offers a Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy Program that can provide the patient with such comprehensive therapy.


Pseudodementia/Depression

Pseudodementia is a disorder in which a person experiences the cognitive symptoms that manifest many of due to dementia, Alzheimer's disease or stroke. However, these changes actually have to do with emotional changes such as depression. It is difficult to discern pseudodementia from dementia as the reported changes in thinking are similar, and the person may not present with typical symptoms of depression, such as tearfulness or overt sadness. A neuropsychological evaluation can determine the reason for the changes in thinking. This is especially important as pseudodementia can be reversible with treatment.
 
Someone with Pseudodementia may experience some or all of these symptoms:
  • Memory Loss
  • Word finding difficulties
  • Fogginess
  • Feeling slowed down
  • Sluggish
  • Feeling blue or down
  • Losing his/her train of thought
  • Having a hard time staying on task


Stroke

Stroke is a vague term that comprises of a multitude of conditions, from a large stroke that impairs functioning globally, to a small stroke that you may not even know happened.
 
Common symptoms following small strokes include:
  • Reduced attention
  • Distractibility
  • Slowed processing
  • Changes in mood or personality
  • Difficulties with multi-tasking

A larger stroke of the left hemisphere may result in significant changes with language, including difficulties expressing oneself or understanding others. There may also be changes in mood, especially depression.
 
Larger strokes of the right hemisphere have a different clinical presentation. This may include difficulties processing visual information. There may be some disinhibition, such as saying inappropriate jokes or spending excessively. There may not be insight into these behaviors.



Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Common symptoms after a Traumatic Brain Injury:
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Visual disturbances
  • Memory loss
  • Poor attention/concentration
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Dizziness/loss of balance
  • Irritability-emotional disturbances
  • Feelings of depression
  • Seizures
  • Nausea
  • Loss of smell
  • Sensitivity to light and sounds
  • Mood changes
  • Getting lost or confused
  • Slowness in thinking
Traumatic brain injuries can result in lingering effects for weeks, months, and even years. If you or your loved one has lingering effects from a past event, our comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and cognitive rehabilitation therapy can help achieve the highest levels of independence through memory training and life skills strategies sessions. Evaluations are available after an event has occurred, and our providers will work closely with your doctor to help you or your loved one return to daily life. 

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Our highly trained providers, technicians and support staff offer a friendly yet knowledgable 
approach, each step of the way. Let's get started today. 

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