Baptist Memorial Health Care, with help from the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation and the Parker family, recently opened the Baptist Memory Care Center, the area’s first free resource facility for patients and caregivers dealing with dementia or other memory-related issues. The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is growing rapidly, with an estimated five million Americans 65 years of age and older suffering from the disease.
The Baptist Memory Care Center offers a free screening for memory problems and connects patients and their caregivers to community resources and support. Services are provided by appointment, and no referral is needed.
The Baptist Memory Care Center team assists in identifying available resources such as home care, respite care, day care, driving safety, specialty physician services, educational literature, community events, spiritual and emotional guidance and direction, acute care needs and long-term care facilities.
In addition to resource networking, the staff offers caregiving classes, community outreach services, support groups, and advance care planning to help deal with the emotional and practical changes in the patient’s life.
Free services are offered at the center, 400 Market Blvd. in Collierville, and around the Memphis community at health fairs, support groups and other community outreach services.