Cognitive decline usually develops in people over the age of 65, but some individuals experience these conditions at a younger age. Common symptoms include forgetfulness, repeating questions, and difficulties in daily functioning that were not present in the past.
Services provided by the clinic include personalized guidance and support, individual counseling, referrals to community-based treatments and support groups, coordination with the National Insurance (Bituah Leumi) system if necessary, and assistance with various behavioral issues that may arise in the patient or family members. Regular follow-up tests are conducted to monitor changes in the patient's condition.
The clinic also offers medications that can slow down cognitive decline and improve the patient's quality of life and functioning. Some patients come to the clinic for occupational therapy sessions, while others benefit from consultations with a social worker to clarify their rights. Each patient receives personalized counseling tailored to his/her specific needs. Success is measured by improvements in the patient's quality of life and a reduction in the burden on their family.
The treatment process usually involves three appointments at the clinic. The first and second involve a detailed clinical examination by a geriatrician; functional and cognitive evaluations by an occupational therapist; and a social assessment to review the patient's social support system. Where necessary, a neurological evaluation is also performed. After these two meetings, the professional team analyzes the information that has been gathered to formulate recommendations.
At the third appointment, the patient and family members meet with the geriatrician again to receive the recommendations of the professional team. These recommendations are also sent to the family doctor, and a treatment plan is determined accordingly.
