Cognitive Decline & Memory Service Clinic

The Cognitive Decline & Memory Service (CDAMS) can provide detailed assessment, a diagnosis or explanation of memory and thinking problems that are causing you or your family concern. Information, advice and referral on to other services is provided for any ongoing treatment or support needs.

What we do

CDAMS completes a comprehensive range of assessments to identify the causes of memory or thinking concerns and provides education, information, advice and referrals onto other services where ongoing treatment or community supports are needed.

The CDAMS assessments may include medical and allied health consultations.

The team comprises of:

Geriatricians
Neurologists
Psychiatrist
Neuropsychologists
Key Worker's including Occupational Therapist, Nursing and Social Worker

Who we care for

We care for people aged 18 years or over with previously undiagnosed memory loss / cognitive problems.

We care for adults and mainly focus on memory problems which are associated with aging.

If you are under 50 and there are no obvious risk factors for dementia, please consult alternative more appropriate avenues with your GP as a first option.

Whilst you do not have to reside in a specific area to access Caulfield CDAMS, please consider if there is a CDAMS closer to your home as this may make it easier for you to attend appointments.

CDAMS completes initial assessments in your own home, however if you live outside the Cities of Glen Eira, Stonnington, or Port Phillip, the initial appointment will be held at the clinic.

What to expect

Once a referral has been received, you will be contacted by the CDAMS clinic to arrange an initial appointment with one of our Key Workers.

Either a family member or support person is encouraged to attend throughout the assessment process.

The initial assessment may be in your own home, alternatively, this assessment may take place in the clinic.

The key Worker will also be your main contact throughout the assessment process and will assist you with queries and support during your time with us.

Depending on your situation further appointments maybe made with either our Neurologist, Geriatrician or Psychiatrist. This may include a thorough physical examination, testing of memory, thinking, and assessment for any mood problems.

You may also be asked to completed additional investigations such as an MRI, CT scan or PET scan of your brain. The medical specialist will advise you if this is necessary.

If required, our Neuropsychologist will complete further specialised tests of memory, thinking and reasoning to understand the relationship between the brain and behaviour ( how you use your brain) and what may be causing changes.

Once all assessments and any further investigations are completed, a feedback session is held to discuss the results and provide advice regarding any recommended treatment and supports.

The Key Worker will work with you and your family to arrange any ongoing supports and referrals that may be needed after the feedback session and if ongoing treatment is required then we will provide advice to your general practitioner for follow up or arrange referrals for you.

Commonly asked questions

Is there a cost?

There is no cost to attend CDAMS.

With your approval, some medical appointments may be bulk billed through Medicare at no additional cost to you.

How long does an assessment take?

The length of assessment will vary depending on the complexity of your problem.

You will usually have 3 or 4 appointments which are generally each of around 1 ½ to 2 hours long.

Once assessment and diagnosis is completed we will refer you on to other appropriate services for any ongoing treatment or management if this is required.

What if I speak a different language or use sign language?

An auslan or specific language interpreter can be arranged for each assessment.

How to access this clinic

Referral to this service

Referrals can be made through general practitioners, community agencies or by family, friends and self-referral directly to CDAMS.

It is important to see your General Practitioner where you have concerns about your memory as they can review your situation, provide guidance and or refer to CDAMS where needed.

You can also contact us directly.

Caulfield Access is responsible for intake, information and referral processing for a wide range of community and ambulatory services.

Once a referral has been received, the ACCESS unit will contact you and confirm you are happy to proceed with the assessment and that this is the right service for you.

To make a referral

Call the Caulfield Access Unit on (03) 9076 6776, Fax (03) 9076 6773, or send an email to: gcgmcaccess@alfred.org.au

What to bring

Every time you come

Medicare card
Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
Previous X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
Medicines you need to take while you are here
Medications list (or the boxes), including over-the-counter supplements (e.g. herbal supplements, vitamins)
Glasses, hearing aids, or mobility aids, as needed