Memory Care Caregiver Resources and Support

Georgia Memory Net is a statewide early diagnosis and care program for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, supported by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Georgia Alzheimer’s Project (GAP). Georgia Memory Net established five clinics in 2018 with $4 million in state health funds. Georgia Memory Net-supported outreach and training activities provide resources to Georgia physicians and medical professionals on how to use the Medicare-supported Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to screen for early memory loss and cognitive decline. Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) are encouraged to refer patients who demonstrate signs of memory loss and cognitive decline to a regional Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic. At each Memory Assessment Clinic, trained clinicians perform comprehensive diagnostic assessments and care planning. Each Memory Assessment Clinic has a Community Services Educator (CSE) who works with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), the Alzheimer’s Association, and other organizations to provide education and support for Georgians living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their care partners. The Memory Assessment Clinics share diagnosis and care recommendations with the patient’s Primary Care Physician, so the provider is better prepared to treat the patient’s memory issues and cognitive decline. Georgia Memory Net expansion is anticipated in the future, so even more Georgians will have access to these vital diagnostic services.

There are three main goals of Georgia Memory Net: 1) Improve the screening of Georgians with memory loss with a sustainable Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) model. 2) Establish Memory Assessment Clinics around the state that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's and related dementias, and improve care. 3) Support the Georgia Alzheimer’s Project’s oversight and evaluation of project performance and direct data collection to the Alzheimer's Registry in the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Working with many partners, Emory University serves as the primary implementing partner for the project, providing the clinical workflow model for Georgia Memory Net. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) and its Division of Aging Services (DAS) oversee all aspects of Georgia Memory Net development, implementation and reporting. These agencies also keep the Georgia General Assembly apprised of the progress and fiscal responsibility of Georgia Memory Net administration. Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (GARD) State Plan Collaborative, a task force consisting of private, nonprofit, and government agency representatives, partners closely with Georgia Memory Net on educational efforts, advocacy, workforce development and other areas. During Georgia Memory Net's first few years, the academic medical center partners concentrated on implementing the initial clinic sites. They have successfully established the first five Georgia Memory Net locations: The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; Medical College of Georgia affiliates based in Albany (within the Phoebe Putney Health System); Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon (Navicent Health); Mercer affiliates at Columbus Regional Medical Center; and the Morehouse School of Medicine at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. In addition to Georgia Memory Net’s partnerships with academic medical centers, many community and education service partners are key to the project’s success and to the improvement of the health and quality of life for Georgians with dementia and their families. The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the state Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection (ADRC), the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving all serve vital roles in Georgia Memory Net. These agencies work closely with Georgia Memory Net leadership to develop infrastructure and workflow for implementing the comprehensive care plan. The Emory Alzheimer's Disease Research Center leadership and technical assistance groups provide training, funding, and ongoing evaluation for each Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, a person may start to have problems making sense of the world around them. Though no two people’s symptoms are the same, common early signs of dementia can include memory loss, poor judgement, losing track of dates, getting lost, and others. If you or someone you care about is experiencing symptoms, talk to a Primary Care Provider.

There are many possible causes of memory loss and other dementia-like symptoms. Those causes can include stress and anxiety, as well as medicine side-effects, head injuries, alcohol use, vitamin deficiencies, and others. It’s important to seek a diagnosis when experiencing memory loss since some of these causes are reversible. Even if the cause is Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, diagnosis can still make a positive difference.

Memory loss and cognitive issues—such as forgetfulness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating—are not always signs of dementia. These symptoms are often caused by reversible conditions like depression, stress, anxiety, or alcohol use disorders. Because some causes are treatable, it's crucial to seek a diagnosis if you experience memory loss. Even if the cause is determined to be Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, an early diagnosis still provides important benefits and can make a positive difference.

At Georgia Memory Net’s Memory Assessment Clinics, we use a variety of the latest tools and techniques to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Our specialists use a combination of cognitive status tests, physical and neurological exams, diagnostic tests, brain imaging, and medical history as needed to determine a diagnosis.

In the state of Georgia, it used to take up to 18 months to schedule a diagnostic appointment for a definitive diagnosis for Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Since Georgia Memory Net was founded, Georgians can get an appointment for a diagnosis in an average of 5 weeks, though that time can vary depending on demand.

There are several genetic variants that may increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s. However, many people who have these variants never exhibit any symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This is why Georgia Memory Net uses a variety of tests including cognitive status tests, physical and neurological exams, diagnostic tests, brain imaging, and medical history to accurately diagnose dementia and related dementias.

Access to Georgia Memory Net clinic services requires a referral from a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Potential patients should discuss their memory concerns with their PCP, who can provide a Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic referral if they meet the referral criteria.

Many medical and mental health conditions can present with symptoms that mimic Alzheimer's or other dementias. Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers, such as Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, are best equipped to rule out some of the masking disorders, including thyroid or Vitamin B disorders, depression, and side effects of particular medications or combinations of medications. Utilizing PCPs to assess the likelihood of dementia before a specialized referral enables Georgia Memory Net to streamline the delivery of specialized diagnostic and care planning expertise.

General neurologists treat a wide range of conditions and diseases affecting the nervous system. Cognitive neurologists specialize in treating patients with memory loss, dementia, and cognitive dysfunction. There are few cognitive neurologists in Georgia outside of Atlanta. Using telehealth and consultative resources, Georgia Memory Net provides its Memory Assessment Clinics with access to cognitive neurologists, Emory clinicians and scientists specializing in memory issues and cognitive decline, and a Community Service Educator (CSE) for care recommendations. Moreover, Georgia Memory Net staff has the education and resources to follow up with a patient’s local Primary Care Physician, ensuring that they are well-equipped to continue caring for their patients with memory issues and cognitive decline, since many patients are unable to regularly visit a neurologist due to geographic distance or scheduling constraints.

Georgia Memory Net trains Primary Care Providers on how to conduct and bill for the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), ensuring the Mini-Cog™ is conducted within the AWV. PCPs also receive training in providing the best care for dementia patients and their families in primary care settings to ensure they’re equipped to care for their patients in the long-term following their Memory Assessment Clinic visits. As Memory Assessment Clinics move from pilot to full operations, Georgia Memory Net delivers regional messaging in digital and live format via webinars. This messaging covers referral processes through the AWVs, expectations for PCP-to-Memory Assessment Clinic communications, and care continuity instruction. Finally, Georgia Memory Net offers regional and statewide conferences in partnership with various professional organizations, such as the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians and the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association.

All Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinics are required to register patients who meet the criteria for Alzheimer’s or related dementias in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias State Registry. This data helps Georgia plan for current and future healthcare and social service needs.

The Community Service Educator meets with Georgia Memory Net patients and their care partners to provide initial support and education, assess initial care needs, develop written care recommendations and link the patients and care partners with community resources that can provide ongoing support, like the Alzheimer’s Association and the local Area Agency on Aging.