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Specialized Help for Memory Loss
Inova Memory Program is devoted to the evaluation and treatment of any type of memory loss. While Alzheimer's disease often is the first concern when memory problems surface, memory loss can also occur as a result of a stroke, brain infection, injury, brain conditions like Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), or other types of dementia.
Inova Memory Program builds upon the expertise of its highly experienced specialists and sub-specialists from different fields of medicine. These include physicians who specialize in radiology, neurology, psychiatry, neuropsychology, geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatry, cognitive rehabilitation and research.
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How we can help you
Our nurse navigators play a key role in the care of our patients. They can assist with appointments, coordinate test results, answer questions, provide support and community resources, and help manage the sharing of applicable information among all the members of the inter-disciplinary team providing care. To contact a navigator, please call 703-776-4700.
When we receive your call, we will briefly discuss your concerns and decide which of our specialists is most appropriate for an initial evaluation. We have doctors throughout Northern Virginia, making entry into our program especially convenient.
What to expect
On your first visit, the doctor will take a comprehensive health history and do a physical exam. They will then likely order testing to guide diagnosis and treatment. There is no single test to diagnose dementia, so you may be asked to undergo a number of assessments. This might include neuropsychological testing, brain imaging and bloodwork.
A summary of our findings will be sent to your primary care physician, and we will work with him or her as needed to tailor a treatment plan that is right for you. You will be offered medication, if appropriate, and other forms of treatment such as cognitive rehabilitation. We can also put you in touch with other resources in the community, such as support groups and adult day programs. Finally, for those interested in clinical trials, we will evaluate you for trials of new treatments, and if you qualify, help you to enter the study.