So many of us understand the challenges of caring for a loved one who has a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or frontotemporal dementia. At our Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center, our team of experts meets with the patient, family members, or caregivers to determine how medical, psychological, cognitive, or social problems are impeding function or threatening independent living. After assessment, our physicians focus on minimizing the progressive loss of neuron function and repairing neural damage, helping people with these conditions live with as much peace and stability as possible.

We are dedicated to excellence in patient care through the study of the cognitive and behavioral changes that can result from medical and brain injuries. We are experts in identifying a patient’s pattern of cognitive and emotional functioning and how this relates to expected brain function. A neuropsychological evaluation combines tests of cognition, behavior, and emotional functioning. This comprehensive evaluation will help to determine whether cognitive changes are related to symptoms of a medical or neurological illness, a psychological condition, or a normal part of aging. This evaluation is also part of the gold-standard workup for neurosurgery candidates. We provide neuropsychological evaluations for a wide array of medical and neurological disorders, as well as neurosurgery-specific candidacy evaluations. In addition, our bilingual neuropsychologists are able to provide evaluations in Spanish. We have expertise in the following areas. Epilepsy Memory disorders & dementia Multiple Sclerosis Oncology Parkinson’s disease Stroke Traumatic brain injury What to expect at your appointment A neuropsychological evaluation consists of an interview and testing, and lasts approximately three to six hours. During the interview, you will be asked about your cognitive and emotional symptoms, health history and medications, and other important background information. Neuropsychological Testing : Cognitive testing is designed to assess domains of thinking including attention, processing speed, memory, language, visual spatial abilities, and problem solving. Tests include paper-and-pencil as well as computerized methods. Emotional functioning is evaluated during the clinical interview and supplemented with self-report measures. We often request information from a close relation (family member or caregiver) about the individual’s functioning in daily life. The results from testing will aid your providers in diagnosis, treatment planning, and recommendations to improve your overall well-being. The neuropsychological evaluation typically includes administration of standardized tests to determine cognitive functioning in the following areas: General/baseline intellectual ability Attention Processing speed Visuospatial abilities Language Memory Executive functioning (problem solving) Motor skills Behavioral and emotional functioning What to bring to your appointment We are very attentive to our patients’ needs. We work with each patient so that they feel as comfortable as possible. We encourage patents to get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast before the appointment. Please bring the following: Glasses and hearing aids Water and a small snack, if needed Reports from any prior neuropsychological testing previously completed A family member, friend, or caregiver so they can provide insights into your abilities Please call us at 203-785-4085 if you have any questions about your appointment.

Falls and fall injuries are one of the most common health problems among older adults. However, since falling is not a single disease, clinicians may not recognize falling as a treatable health problem. The consequences of untreated falls and their risk factors can be just as serious as those of other untreated chronic diseases. We have identified risk factors that increase the chance of falling. While some factors that increase risk of falling cannot be changed (such as age and previous falls), there are a number of important ones that can. These include: Any problems with walking or movement Blood pressure dropping too much when getting up (postural hypotension) Use of four or more medications or any psychoactive medications Unsafe footwear or foot problems Visual problems Environmental hazards that can cause tripping Research has shown that treating and correcting these specific health problems reduces the rate of falling by more than 30%. Yale researchers were among the first to show that falls among seniors could be prevented and that fall-prevention interventions mean that seniors are less likely to be hospitalized or need advanced medical care. This research has since been translated into protocols that are used in clinical and community settings to help prevent falls. Falls and fall injuries: Are more common than strokes and can be just as serious in their consequences Are the most preventable cause of needing nursing home placement Lead to problems with daily activities like dressing, bathing, and walking Among adults 70 years and older: Three in 10 fall each year Two in 10 who need home health care after being in the hospital will fall during the first month after coming home One in 10 suffer a serious fall injury such as a broken bone or head injury Five in 10 have problems getting up without help after they have fallen Falls cause over 90% of broken hips; only half of those who break their hip will get around as well as they did before their broken hip In the United States, 16% of all emergency department visits and almost 7% of all hospitalizations are for fall-related injuries