Grandma
Neuropsychological Services provides comprehensive consultation, evaluation and intervention services via a holistic view of the individual. For the Geriatric patient Neuropsychological Services can provide information of the strengths and weaknesses in a person's cognitive abilities and emotional state. Assessment can determine degrees of dementia and identify potential red flags.

Clinical Services for Geriatrics

Studies have consistently shown that untreated neuropsychological (i.e., dementia, cognitive disorders, etc.) and psychological disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress-related illnesses, etc.):

(a) are among the leading causes of visits to primary care physicians

(b) result in prolongation of illnesses and hospital stays

In contrast to this data, neuropsychological and psychological assessment and treatment services have often been neglected among the elderly or geriatric populations with diagnostic conclusions being reduced to brief screenings with a final diagnosis of “dementia”.

The term, “dementia”, simply refers to the presence of deficits among at least 3/5 functional areas.  The diagnosis does not indicate an underlying etiology or cause.  As a result, individuals with often very dissimilar etiologies (i.e., stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, etc.) are often treated in the same way with resulting failure to address potentially treatable problems. 

Long-term Care Facilities: The Mental Health Challenge read the report by Dr. Dowell

Neuropsychological Services helps Geriatrics through

  • Gaining an understanding of the effect of aging on mental health
    (Why can't mom remember things? )

  • Differentiating normal aging from dementia
    (Is dad normal for his age or is something wrong?)

  • Obtaining recommendations on the level of supervision needed by Mom
    (Can she live alone or does she need someone to help her?)

  • Understanding the causes of dementia
    ( Is this normal aging, caused by depression or a degenerative disease?)

  • Understanding the impact of physical illness on your mental health