Information About Services
WHAT THE CENTER DOES FOR YOU
The UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center (ADC) is a special consultation clinic. We provide a diagnostic work-up for those who are experiencing significant memory problems. Persons who come to the ADC clinic are seen by a team of health professionals. Appointments are scheduled after we receive copies of medical records about the patient past visits to doctors, clinics of hospitals. Diagnostic results and recommendations for patient care and caregiving are presented to the family after all laboratory and clinical information is obtained, the patient evaluated, and the team has had a chance to discuss the patient's results in a case conference. We do not take the place of a patient's personal physician. Patients' continue to see their personal physicians for prescriptions and basic health care.
IS A REFERRAL NEEDED?
Patients may be self-referred or referred by a family, an agency, or a physician.
WHO SHOULD COME TO THE ADC?
Patients with serious symptoms of memory loss can be evaluated. Medical records are required.
Out staff will help you decide which physicians should send us records for the patients health history, previous
medical problems, current medications, copies of MRI or CT scan and laboratory results. Sometimes it can take four
to eight weeks to get the records. All this has to happen before the patient’s first appointment is scheduled.
A family member or friend who can give accurate information about the patient's symptoms, behaviors, or changes
in daily habits and abilities must come with the patient to every appointment because people with memory problems
cannot always tell us how their problems began or how they are changing.
APPOINTMENTS
Two or three visits to the Center may be needed to complete the evaluation. The length of these appointments will vary from approximately one to three hours. The patient will be seen by a clinical nurse specialist, a neuropsychologist and a neurologist.
FAMILY CONFERENCE
A conference for family members and others involved in the patient’s health care is scheduled after all testing is done and has been reviewed by the ADC team at the case conference. At the family conference, the staff (Nurse, LCSW and other staff) summarize results of all testing and the patient’s diagnosis. Advice about ways to care for the patient is given along with referrals to other agencies that could be helpful. Reading materials and references are also given. The caregivers can ask question about the diagnosis or care issues at this meeting. After the conference both the family and the patient’s doctor get information about the patient’s evaluation. The physician gets detailed information and recommendations, and the family gets a summary of what was discussed at the family conference.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
Patients enrolled in research studies may be followed yearly. These follow-ups may be office appointments or telephone contacts. Please let us know about any address and/or telephone number changes for caregivers of patients. Our staff is available for phone consultation for advice, resource information, and support.
RESEARCH
The ADC provides diagnosis, consultation and research for Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. Research is vital part of the program. ADC patients and their caregivers may be eligible to participate in research studies. The ADC staff review each case and determine which studies may be appropriate based on each individual’s interest and eligibility. Participation in any research program is voluntary.
BILLING POLICY
Any patient who is seen at the ADC for a diagnostic evaluation or clinically necessary reevaluation receives a professional service that the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center (UCD-ADC) must bill to the appropriate person or agency. You will not be billed for evaluations performed as part of research studies. Charges for evaluations performed as part of research studies. Charges for professional services provided by (UCD-ADC) are billed directly to Medicare, Medi-Cal, and/or other insurance providers. Your insurance plan may require the patient's doctor to provide a referral in order for the patient to be seen at the ADC You are responsible for any additional x-rays or laboratory tests required for the ADC evaluation. You are also responsible to pay your insurance deductible, if any. If you are unsure about your insurance plan, please discuss this with the ADC staff. The UCD-ADC staff, along with the UCD Professional Billing Group, will be happy to assist you in understanding and managing the evaluation costs and billing processes.
EVALUATION
The ADC Clinic places primary emphasis on a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation by
a multidisciplinary clinical team. The evaluation includes:
Clinic staff remain available for consultation and support
throughout the course of the illness.