Patients and Community | California Alzheimer's Disease Center | Neurology

A neurologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages disorders of the brain and nervous system.  During your visit to see one of our neurologists they will ask you questions about your medical history, family history, medication history, and current symptoms. This information is typically collected in collaboration with the patient and a family member or friend who knows the patient well. The visit will also include a neurological exam in which the doctor will briefly test cognition as well as balance, coordination, reflexes, strength, vision, hearing, speech, and sensation. Additional blood work, brain imaging or other kinds of tests may be ordered. After the evaluation is complete, the neurologist will provide information about Neuropsychological Assessment.

We provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive neuropsychological evaluations. The goal of a neuropsychological evaluation is to better understand how the brain is functioning. While a brain scan (like an MRI or CT scan) gives an idea of how a brain looks, a neuropsychological evaluation gives us an idea of how the brain works. This type of evaluation involves complete a variety of interactive tests to examine different aspects of your thinking, including attention, memory, processing speed, different aspects of language, visuoperceptual abilities and executive functions (reasoning, problem solving). Neuropsychological testing can help identify cognitive strengths and weakness, aid in diagnosis, and provide useful information that may help you to compensate for cognitive changes and reduce modifiable risk factors. These evaluations and recommendations are tailored specifically for each patient depending on their symptoms and needs.

Social work services include both individual and group-based supportive care in the form of short term counseling and education to families and patients about care planning, transitions of care, safety or other issues, and community resources. 

The UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Center of Excellence offers a variety of other classes including an in-person class for newly diagnosed patients and caregivers to share knowledge on types of dementia, stages, treatment, and next steps for planning. 

In conjunction with the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center we also offer a 4-5 part series available virtually called ‘Caregiver Bootcamp’ were we address various topics of interest to caregivers and those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The course is typically offered in the fall and spring every year. Topics vary but slides of past presentations are provided below.

Sessions Offered Every Fall and Spring

• Five one-hour session focused on different aspects of caregiving covering the basics of Alzheimer's and other dementias, memory support strategies, stress management, and navigation of behavioral changes
• Our clinical social worker answers questions and offers knowledge on community assistance programs for caregivers
• Q&A with faculty and staff from the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the UC Davis California Alzheimer's Disease Center
• Sessions held virtually via zoom

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Caregiver Support Resources

Strategies for Challenging Behavior

Tools for Dementia Caregiving

Who Takes Care of Caregivers?