In the United States, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease every 67 seconds, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The Baylor Memory Center, newly re-named the Baylor AT&T Memory Center, is hoping to make a devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders a little easier to handle for patients and their families.
Memory Center patient James Hostler felt like the bottom had fallen out of his world in 2010 when he and his wife Betty learned of James' diagnosis of a dementia closely associated with Parkinson's disease. James and Betty, who have been married 63 years, had built a life together, full of wonderful memories. Now, because of dementia, those memories are slipping away for James.
The Baylor AT&T Memory Center medical staff helped the Hostlers through the diagnosis, and then, connected them with community resources. In North Texas, there are only a handful of specialized health centers dedicated to providing comprehensive services for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Care Coordination
"We recently added a Care and Support Specialist from the Alzheimer's Association, who in addition to providing education and support, can help patients and their families with additional financial, legal, social and residential resources, " says Cindy Marshall, MD, medical director of the Baylor AT&T Memory Center.
The Baylor AT&T Memory Center is the first outpatient clinic in Dallas to have an Alzheimer's Association staff member on location. "This enhancement to our program will help patients get access to services quicker," continues Dr. Marshall.
These program enhancements were made possible thanks to a generous lead gift from AT&T. The gift also allowed the Baylor AT&T Memory Center to more than double its space with a move to the second floor of the Pyramids at Park Lane building on the northwest corner of Park Lane and Central Expressway across from NorthPark Center.
Future Plans
In the future, the Baylor AT&T Memory Center also plans to add another fulltime physician to its medical staff to further speed services for patients and their families. Others who have contributed to the expansion of the Baylor AT&T Memory Center include Denny Alberts and Cynthia Comparin, Hal and Diane Brierley, Donor-advised fund at the Communities Foundation of Texas supported by Anne and Harris Clark and The David B. Miller Family Foundation.
As the Hostlers continue their journey with James' dementia, they walk hand in hand with the Baylor AT&T Memory Center through its comprehensive programs to support patients and families with various types of dementia. Betty has become a care provider for a husband who often doesn't recognize her.
Since 2011, the Baylor AT&T Memory Center has been a key resource not only for patients suffering from memory loss and their family members, but also local physicians. Physicians refer patients to the center, where they undergo an evaluation and additional diagnostic testing as needed.
"What we do that is different than many other programs is that we not only provide the test results via report to you and your physician, but we invite the patient and their family to come in for an hour long feedback session with our neuropsychologist to discuss the results, what they mean and what the next steps are," says Dr. Marshall.
Based on the results, the referring physician can either manage the ongoing care of the patient's condition, or ask the Baylor AT&T Memory Center to develop a comprehensive treatment program and connect patients and their families with the tools they need. This may include prescriptions for medications, behavioral and other forms of intervention, caregiver education and additional assistance.
The ultimate goal is to manage symptoms and help patients preserve their cognitive and functional abilities as long as possible, in the hopes that patients and their loved ones can enjoy a better quality of life.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Hall
susanh@baylorhealth
214-820-1817
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
