Her diagnosis was scary: Alzheimer's Disease. So Myriam Torres was desperate for accurate information and help with coping with what the future might bring.
"I must have had to make six phone calls before I got to the right place. It was so frustrating. I even had a social worker friend trying to help me. And finally I got somebody," says Torres, a 58-year-old Ypsilanti Township, Mich. resident.
Torres' story is not uncommon. That's why the University of Michigan Health System has established a new phone number that connects patients and their families and friends to University of Michigan memory loss and dementia services. The number for the new U-M Memory Connection is 734-936-8803.
"We need to do a better job of helping our patients and families find their way," says Henry Paulson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center and professor of neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School.
"We don't want patients, their families and friends to spend a lot of time on routes that don't lead to answers. And the U-M Memory Connection call center is a great start to solving that problem."
The U-M Memory Connection is designed to be a one-stop resource to learn about and connect to U-M memory loss and dementia services. The goal is to help individuals and families affected by memory and/or thinking changes to learn about services in an easy, non-stressful way, Paulson says.
Calls will be answered by a trained professional who understands conditions such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body disease, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. The line is answered Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the goal of providing service within the next business day or sooner.
"This is a huge health problem that affects all of us. We need to do a better job of making the diagnosis but also implementing care … it can be very difficult for patients to navigate their way," Paulson says.
U-M Memory Connection can offer advice and information about multiple clinics and departments at the University of Michigan, including the Cognitive Disorders Clinic, Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychology, Pharmacology and the Turner Geriatric Clinic.
The call center specialists also can provide links to services like the Silver Club Programs at the U-M Geriatrics Center, social work and community programs, the Housing Bureau for Seniors and the Drive-Ability program through U-M's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department.
Patients and families also can be connected to research studies on various topics.
"Many people experience changes with memory as they age. Some changes are normal, but other changes could be a sign of memory loss and we know it is important to understand that difference. Our call center specialists can answer some of the difficult questions you may have at the time of a diagnosis and beyond, " says Cassie Starback, coordinator of the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center.
U-M Memory Connection was developed in collaboration with the U-M Dementia Consortium, which was established by the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center. The consortium is comprised of various U-M departments and institutions, such as Neurology, , Geriatrics Center, U-M School of Public Health, U-M School of Social Work and also the local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association.
Torres says she's glad to know that U-M is offering a phone line that can help others find the support and information they need. Torres, who was eventually diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, actively participates in programs through the Silver Club, but wishes she could have found out about it sooner.
"I really needed to be with people who are like me," says Torres, who is a retired statistical analyst. "This group looks like me, is dealing with the same issues. I knew I was going to be fine in this group. I have a lot of people who understand me."
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