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The Memory Clinic: A New Approach to the Detection of Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

T. J. M. Van der Cammen ,
J. M. Simpson ,
R. M. Fraser ,
A. S. Preker  and
A. N. Exton-Smith
T. J. M. Van der Cammen*
Affiliation:
Geriatric Medicine. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University College London
J. M. Simpson
Affiliation:
Geriatric Medicine. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University College London
R. M. Fraser
Affiliation:
Geriatric Medicine. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University College London
A. S. Preker
Affiliation:
Geriatric Medicine. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University College London
A. N. Exton-Smith
Affiliation:
Geriatric Medicine. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University College London
*
∗Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine, Dijkzigt University Hospital, Room D 406, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Memory impairment is a salient and early feature of developing dementia, but in practice is often not recognised until it has reached an advanced stage. The operation described is of a Memory Clinic opened on an experimental basis at the Geriatric Research Unit, University College London, in 1983, with the aim of identifying the causes of memory impairment in the elderly, with particular reference to the early detection of dementia. It proved possible to identify a group of people with early dementia who had previously been undiagnosed, and also to reveal deficiencies in the utilisation of existing services. Memory clinics would be a valuable addition to geriatric and psychogeriatric services.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 150 , Issue 3 , March 1987 , pp. 359 - 364
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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