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Dementia and related care

Diagnosis, treatment and resources regarding memory conditions for you and your loves ones.

Allina Health can help you determine if your memory loss is part of the normal aging process and when it’s a symptom of something more serious? We offer treatment and resources for you and your loved ones to help you live well and cope well with the challenges of all stages of memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn more

About dementia

Dementia is a category of brain diseases and a group of symptoms that affect your memory and thinking and your ability to communicate and reason. The symptoms make it difficult to perform simple daily tasks. Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of dementia. Dementia can't be cured, but there are medications to manage the symptoms.

What to expect from your visit

Doctors reach a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia through a series of medical evaluations, including a physical and neurological exam. In these exams, the doctor looks for signs of other conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease or a brain tumor that may be causing problems with how the brain functions. Speech, reflexes, eye movement and muscle coordination are all evaluated. Blood tests and brain imaging are often performed to rule out other conditions as the cause of memory loss.

Thinking skills are also assessed. Mental status tests include a mini-mental state exam, which is a series of questions to test your everyday problem-solving ability and mental skills. A mini-cognition exam consists of asking you to perform two simple tasks that require recall.

Good to know about dementia

While it’s usually possible to definitively diagnose dementia, it’s not always possible to pinpoint the exact cause.

If dementia is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as vitamin deficiency or a brain tumor, treating the condition can sometimes reverse your symptoms. In most cases, however, dementia cannot be reversed.

While no one is absolutely sure how Alzheimer’s and dementia start, it is believed that brain cells are damaged and destroyed gradually, which leads to memory loss and changes in brain function.

Dementia and related care at Allina Health

An Allina Health primary care provider can oversee your diagnosis. He or she may refer you or your loved one to community resources or a medical professional who specializes in assessing dementia and memory disorders.

Dementia and related care to lower the risk

A healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk for dementia. To reduce your risk it's recommended that you: 

  • Choose hobbies that involve your mind (chess, crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument).
  • Eat healthful foods low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
  • Get regular physical activity. Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes most, if not all, days.
  • If you have diabetes, follow your care plan and keep all well check-ups with your primary care provider. Maintain healthy blood glucose levels and watch how much alcohol you drink
  • Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure levels in the normal range.
  • Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Quit smoking.

See your primary care doctor for regular preventive checks.

Related links

Source: Allina Health Neuroscience program
Reviewed by: Allina Health Neuroscience program

First published: 8/14/2019
Last reviewed: 8/14/2019

Allina Health Everyday Clinic

This is a retail clinic location. We offer basic services for minor injuries and illnesses for patients 18 months and older. We do not see visits for workers' or injury compensation.

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Everyday On Wheels

Everyday On Wheels mobile clinic is not wheel chair accessible due to the size of the vehicle. Patients should be able to safely climb a short set of stairs to enter the mobile clinic.

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time and have your mobile phone available for the provider to contact you when they are ready to see you.

We've changed how we provide some services with your care and safety in mind. Expanded virtual care services are available to schedule online. You can also call your clinic for help finding the best option.

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What’s the reason for your visit?

Only these primary care appointments can be scheduled online. For all other appointments or with any questions, call 1-888-425-5462.

Health insurance coverage for physicals varies depending on your plan. Contact your insurance provider to verify coverage, especially if you've scheduled less than a year from your last physical exam.
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What’s the reason for your visit?

Only these primary care appointments can be scheduled online. For all other appointments or with any questions, call 1-888-425-5462.

Health insurance coverage for physicals varies depending on your plan. Contact your insurance provider to verify coverage, especially if you've scheduled less than a year from your last physical exam.
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