Nurse Practitioner Led Memory Clinic
Your Health Hub has a multi-disciplinary team approach to Memory Assessment and Dementia Diagnostic Services and is led by our Specialist Aged Care Nurse Practitioners Lisa Sproule and our skilled team of Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians and Psychologists.
Lisa Sproule's Aged Care and Dementia Bio
Lisa has extensive experience and post Graduate Qualifications in the Assessment and Diagnosis of almemory related conditions in both the young (early onset) and over 60s, as well as Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsons Disease, and the associated conditions of chronic disease and Ageing.
She Also has Post Graduate qualifications in Neuromedical and Neurosurgery from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney where she worked with prominent nationally renowned Neurologists and Clinicians for 6 years.
She then went on to complete her Palliative Care Certification that she is incredibly passionate about.
Following this time she was recruited from SYDNEY by Calvary Hospital Hobart to set up the Neuromedical / Neurosurgical Unit which she managed for the next 4 years.
The following 15 years were clinically spent between setting up Calvary Hobart’s first Rehab unit at the then St Johns Hospital – as a Nurse Manager, to 9 years as an Emergency Nurse at St HELENS Hospital until we relocated to the newly built Hobart Private Hospital Emergency
Then she was recruited to set up the Hobart Private Rehabilitation Services and managed for 4 years.
She worked as a Community Nurse, in Rural Outreach and in General Practice at The Eastern Shore Doctors whilst she completed her Nurse Practitioner Masters as well as upon becoming endorsed
This toolkit of skills and experience enable her during these clinics to provide multidimensional assessment for the memory clinic clients, carers and family compliment my practice enabling her to even further assist with helping patients achieve maximum diagnostic outcomes, care coordination and support.
She works in collaboration with Dr David Dunbabbin an Dr Frank Nicklason – specialist Geriatricians and Old Age Psychiatrists
The Nurse Practitioner Led Memory Clinic is a specialist diagnostic clinic which aims to assist people with memory loss, or changes to their thinking, and those who support them.
Early diagnosis of memory loss is critical to determining the best treatment and plan for the future. It provides the opportunity to learn about the condition, understand changes as they happen and cope with day-to-day issues of cognitive change.
An assessment with the memory clinic provides:
- Expert clinical diagnosis
- Information on appropriate treatments
- Direction in planning for the future
- Referrals to other services that can help you manage
Early stage dementia can often be accompanied by depression or anxiety, which can be treated.
When will I visit a memory clinic?
In most cases, you’ll visit a memory clinic after being referred by your General Practitioner. You may have already had a memory assessment from your doctor and he decided that you need to see experts who specialise in memory problems, such as a Nurse Practitioner Psychologists, Geriatricians.
You are able to self refer to our Nurse Practitioners or a family member or carer can refer a loved one.
Why would I go to a memory clinic?
The idea behind a memory clinic is that it provides a more in-depth look at any memory problems you might be having. They can provide a diagnosis, offer treatment where appropriate and provide advice or put you in touch with services that might help you within the community. More importantly, they have plenty of experience and more time during the appointment than a GP might have to really get to the bottom of any issues.
How will I be assessed at a memory clinic?
During your visit to the memory clinic, you will normally be seen by a nurse, doctor or psychologist. You should bring someone along with you to the appointment such as a family member or friend as the doctor may also want to talk to them about any of your symptoms that they’ve noticed. You should bring your spectacles or hearing aid if you use them, as well as details of any medications that you are taking. The appointment can last around an hour.
The doctor will discuss any current or past medical problems as well as any memory problems you’ve encountered. They may get you to do some short tests to check your memory and thinking processes. We realise it can be daunting having to do tests and it’s easy to get stressed about them, but try not to as much as possible. They’re not trying to catch you out or show you up. They just want an accurate idea of how you’re coping.
Individual Consultations
Our Nurse Practitioners and Psychologists offer individual and confidential support and treatment.
Post Hospital Care
Post hospital care provides support and reduces social isolation. Healthy Ageing Group Therapy programs are conducted at Your Health Hub and delivered by one of our clinicians. They focus on understanding depression and anxiety and developing new ways of coping.
What happens next after visiting a memory clinic?
Depending on what facilities are available in the clinic, you may have other tests either there, or be referred to your nearest hospital’s neuropsychology unit for brain scans such as a CT or MRI scan.
At the end of the visit you will be told how you have done and if and when you need to be seen again. They will also send details of your test to your GP. You may be asked to come back to the clinic in a few months’ time for more follow-up tests.
If you’ve been diagnosed with dementia, the team may be able to prescribe medication , talking therapies and counselling, or support for life story work. Friends and loved ones who might be involved in your care going forward can also access information, advice and support
An assessment with the memory clinic will include medical and allied health consultations and usually includes a visit to your home. We will discuss the assessment results and recommendations with you.
It is necessary to have a family member or close friend present at both the home visit and clinic appointment to assist in our assessment process.
Following our investigations and assessment we will meet up to provide you and your family member or friend with feedback. This feedback will also be sent to the referring doctor.
Community Care & Support
People experiencing dementia need support to manage common issues of anxiety, stress, depression, lack of motivation and low self esteem.
Our variety of group therapy programs provide skills to help overcome memory difficulties as well as,
- Exercise
- Falls and Balance Program
- Strength to Strength program
- Sit and be Fit Classes
- Dancing with Parkinsons and Dementia
- Relaxation and Mindfulness classes in a supported environment.
Individual Consultations
An initial consultation consists of a
- Comprehensive Clinical Assessment / History
- Nutritional Assessment
- Neurological Assessment
- Medication Assessment and review
- Activities of Daily Living Assessment
- Cognitive Testing
- Ordering and review of Pathology
- further consultation with you and your family/carer to discuss an ongoing management plan.
- Communication and liaison with your General Practitioner
Older Persons Mental Health
As we age mental Health concerns can become of increasing concern
Symptoms
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Confusion, worry or agitation
- Difficulty in getting motivated
- Behaviour out of character
- Moodiness or irritability
- Sadness
- Negative comments/thoughts
- Loss or change in appetite
- Loss of self-esteem
- Change in sleeping patterns
Depression and anxiety often goes unrecognised in older people.
Older people are less likely to talk about their mental health.
You should bring someone that you choose along with you to the appointment such as a family member or friend as the
Nurse Practitioner will also want to talk to them about any of your symptoms that they have also noticed.
You should bring your GLASSES or HEARING AID if you use them, as well as details of any medications that you are taking. The diagnostic memory assessment will occur over 5 x 40 minute separate consultations.
The process of having a cognitive screen, can be very stressful for both the yourself undertaking the test as well as your family and carer.
The Assessment Process
- An initial consultation (appointment 1) will Consists of a Comprehensive history taking and be completed during 2 double appointments – one for yourself and one for your family member.
- If you come from referred from your GP we will possibly ask your GP to send you for some blood tests and scans to bring with you – if not Lisa will order these at your appointment as required.
- Initially I will see you together then each individually – this gives me the best way to obtain a well rounded assessment of all elements and issues being experienced
- Pathology testing will be ordered – to be taken so we have the results for your next consultation.
- Once we are both feeling comfortable with one another, at your next appointment (appointment 2) I will perform a Full Neurological, Cognitive and Functional assessment – we will do this in privacy so there is no concern re embarrassment of humiliation – this will be a 40 min consultation
- Results of testing – discuss Management Plan with you and your family – commence coordination of services If required ~ liase with chosen GP
- Follow up arranged according to diagnosis and outcome / will monitor regularly
- Referral made to specialist services if need be – Geriatrician / Older Persons Mental Health
Integrated Medicine
We live in a world that is rapidly changing. The ailments of modern living can cause confusion and can often lead to many unnecessary treatments and procedures
To address modern lifestyle illness effectively we need an “Integrated Approach.”
We regularly help people with ongoing pain, poor posture, stress management, fatigue, insomnia, digestive disturbances, hormonal imbalances and mental health issues as some examples
We use a three tiered system to address your concerns to help you get well and stay well, integrating the best of medical, physical, nutritional, psychological and social support.
Schedule of Fees
Full memory assessment with all required testing and dementia diagnostic
Inclusive of full assessment and diagnostic report for your GP and referral to a relevant specialist if required
5 x consultations each $95.00 – Medicare rebate $50.60
$222 out of pocket for complete assessment.
OR alternatively $200 if paid as out of pocket with initial consultation upfront.
You may have already had a memory assessment from your doctor and he decided that you need to see experts who specialise in memory problems, such as a Geriatricians or an Aged Care Specialist Nurse Practitioner.
All you need to do is give us a call, and book yourself or a loved one in for a memory Assessment with Lisa.
Sometimes there is conflict between parties as to whether there is a memory problem at all!
There can even be disputes between the loved ones family.
That is all ok, there is NOTHING WE CAN NOT HELP WITH
ALSO WE ARE NOT ON ANYBODYS SIDE!
Our job is to provide a very OBJECTIVE, INFORMED & UNBIASED.
Medical assessment of your memory so we will listen to all that everybody has to say and we have YOUR best interests at heart.
Some people are afraid that if there are problems with their-memory that they will be made to go to a nursing home or give up their drivers licence so they avoid the issue.
This is not at all the case, and most often, if memory IS declining the earlier we are able to diagnose it the better we can manage the condition, improve the symptoms and slow the decline.
Many times there are other factors causing memory loss that are very treatable.
Either way, we know what we are dealing with – you have me on your team and we can then coordinate a smooth path forward together.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and that you feel that you are in a safe place free of judgment.
In order to ensure that this is the case, the purpose of the initial consultation is to “get to know you” – during this time The Nurse Practitioner will discuss any current or Past Medical Problems as well as any memory problems you feel you may or may not be encountering.
They may get you to do some tests to check your memory and thinking processes, as well as perform some Specialised neurological, pathological and Radiological testing.
A full assessment of your medications, falls history, how you are managing socially, with your diet and how you are coping at home are some of the things we will cover.
We realise it can be daunting having to do tests and it’s easy to get stressed about them, but try not to as much as possible. They’re not trying to catch you out or show you up. They just want an accurate idea of how you’re coping.