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The Memory Loss Prevention, Screening and Care Management Program at the St. Alexius Center for Integrated Medicine

Posted on 2/26/2004

by Becky Graner, Program Coordinator

St. Alexius Center for Integrated Medicine

Friedrich Nietzsche took a humorous look at the frustration of a failing memory when he said, “The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.” For some, increasing forgetfulness is not so funny. Questions such as “Where did I park my car?,” “What was I going to do?,” or “What was her name?” may mean we have simply overstressed our brains, but this may be a sign of medical problems.

The new Memory Loss Prevention, Screening & Care Management Program at the Center for Integrated Medicine at Gateway Mall is led by Cheryle Bitz, a certified geriatric nurse practitioner. It is designed to provide wide-ranging prevention, care and teaching strategies that have been shown to delay the onset or progression of memory loss. Staff also screen for medical disorders and provide ongoing care management in partnership with the client’s primary healthcare provider (generally a physician).

The Memory Program is divided into four levels of service:

  • First level is prevention or delay of memory loss with a focus on lifestyle issues such as nutrition, body and brain exercise, stress reduction and a review of supplements or medications.
  • Second level is possible memory loss where screening for memory loss is completed with discussion of care management recommendations.
  • Third level is moderate memory loss for those already diagnosed with a memory loss disorder or those in the early stages of memory loss that has decreased ability to function fully in everyday life.

    Recommendations for care are shared with the client and with the client’s primary health care provider.

  • The last level is the advanced stage of memory loss. Care

    management recommendations are made with a team approach and appropriate referrals are made to other disciplines as needed. Consultations with pharmacists are included to

    handle issues of poly-pharmacy (many different medications). Nutritional referrals are another part of the program.

A significant portion of the Memory Loss Prevention, Screening and Care Management Program is to provide preventive health care teaching. Lifestyle choices play a large role in achieving ongoing good health, including brain health. Topics for brain health include healthy nutrition recommendations, daily activity for both brain and body, stress reduction/injury avoidance and supplements/medications.

For further information about this exciting new program, contact the St. Alexius Center for Integrated Medicine at 701-530-4190.

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