What is a memory service?
Memory services or memory clinics have been set up to provide specialist assessment for diagnosing, treating and supporting people with dementia. Memory clinics are run by health care and social care professionals.
If you go to your GP because you’re worried about your memory, there’s a good chance that he or she will refer you to a memory service. You may also be referred on to a memory service by a hospital doctor or by your local Community Mental Health Team.
What will the memory service do?
At the memory clinic, you will be offered a full assessment to confirm – or rule out – the diagnosis of dementia. The services are available to people of any age that may be experiencing memory difficulties.
This could include memory tests, brain scans, and blood tests. See ‘getting a medical assessment’ in our worried about dementia section for more information.
If you are found to have dementia, staff at the clinic will discuss treatment options with you and provide advice and support for you and your carer on how to manage your condition and live well with dementia. Their aim will be to help individuals live independently and safely while minimising their memory difficulties.
They will make sure your GP is kept up to date with the outcome of your assessments so that your on-going care can be put in place. They will also tell you how to access your local community services and facilities that are designed to help people with dementia.
People may need a memory service if they are:
- Having trouble remembering day-to-day things
- Getting in a muddle with paying bills, finances etc.
- Losing things around the house
- Finding it hard to remember names
- Starting to forget dates, appointments and events
- Carer needs additional support