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Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s Disease

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call us. 305-243-3100

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. It causes a decline in cognitive abilities, and will eventually affect memory, thinking, awareness, and behavior. This is a progressive disease that starts slowly and eventually causes a significant decline of higher mental processes and an individual’s ability to function independently. Most cases of AD begin in people over age 65. The incidence of AD increases as one gets older. 1 in 9 people over 65 have AD and 1 in 3 over 85 have AD.

Why Choose UHealth?

Access to the latest research programs in the country. Through our Department of Neurology, we are the first in the U.S. to use mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.  Our researchers are also studying the effects of diet and nutrition on brain health and memory.

Appropriate tailored medication therapy.  Our physicians are experts in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of Alzheimer’s and related memory problems, and are devoted to high-quality patient care, education of caregivers and health professionals, and pursuit of clinical research.

Bi-Lingual Educational and Outreach Services. UHealth offers a variety of educational and training sessions for caregivers, social service professionals, and the general public throughout the year.  These are available both in English and Spanish, as part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Caregiver Educational Series and our Caregiver Education Center located in the Center on Aging.

Questions? We're here to help.

Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.

Call 305-243-3100 Request an Appointment

Treatments


There is no cure for cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s, so our treatment plans center around slowing down the loss of abilities and increasing quality of life through a combination of drug and psychosocial therapy.  In addition, patients may be eligible for clinical trials. We also offer caregiver education and support so that you or your loved ones can make adjustments at home that will help create a safe and supportive environment.

  • Pharmacological Treatments

    Cholinesterase Inhibitors:

    • GIves modest benefits
    • Reduces deterioration of the illness
    • Benefits are symptomatic, not disease modifying
    • Primary benefits focus on cognition and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL's)
    • Improvement in symptoms of depression, agitation, anxiety and apathy

    Memantine (Namenda) N-Methyl-D Aspartate (NMDA) Antagonist:

    • Improves cognition modestly
    • Regulates excessive glutamate activity
    • Indication: moderate to severe dementia
    • Benefits are symptomatic, not disease modifying
    • Reduces deterioration of the illness

    Caprylidene (Axona):

    • “Medical food”
    • In AD, neurons are less able to use glucose as energy source
    • Axona increases ketones in brain
    • Ketones provide alternative energy to neurons with compromised glucose metabolism
    • FDA approved for Mild AD
    • Prescription only: comes in a powder
    • It has GI side effects, may increase BUN, uric acid, creatinine

  • Non-Pharmacological Psychosocial Treatments

    • Recreational therapy
    • Art therapy
    • Pet therapy
    • Exercise therapy

  • The University of Miami Memory Disorders Center provides psychosocial support and referral services to assist patients and their caregivers in dealing with the problem of memory loss and the difficult challenges it brings. These include counseling to patients, family members via telephone and/or office visits, as well as referrals to community resources such as adult day care, respite care, support groups, social services agencies, and to other health care professionals, including a UM specialist in geriatric medicine.

Tests


We offer comprehensive evaluation and diagnostic services for Alzheimer’s. The evaluation process involves both patients and family members because dealing with the problem of memory loss is a difficult challenge for all concerned. It is a comprehensive exam lasting approximately 2 to 3 hours and consists of:

  • Psychosocial Interview 

    Our team will meet with the family members and/or informant to get more information about daily routines and how the patient is interacting with friends and family

  • Psychiatric and Cognitive Assessments

    The patient may be asked to perform cognitive tests or answer questions that will give insight into any psychiatric issues that may be present.

  • Blood Work 

    The doctor will likely order lab work to test thyroid function, B12 and Folate levels.  They may also screen for syphilis and HIV.

  • MRI or Non-Contrast CT Scan 

    Theses imaging tests can help the doctor see structural changes in the brain which may indicate Alzheimer’s Disease.

To make an appointment please call 305-355-9065.

Accepted Insurances

Note: Health plans that are currently contracted with UHealth are listed below. However, please check with your insurance provider to verify that UHealth is part of your provider network.

  • Aetna WC
  • Aetna Affiliates/Signature Adm (ASA)
  • Aetna Behavioral Health
  • Aetna Elect Choice (EPO)
  • Aetna Florida Healthy Kids
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna Medicaid HMO
  • Aetna Medicare HMO
  • Aetna Medicare PPO
  • Aetna POS
  • Aetna PPO
  • Aetna UM Employee HMO 1
  • Aetna UM Employee HMO 2
  • Aetna UM Employee POS HRA
  • Aetna/Coventry Institutes of Excellence (IOE)
  • Amerigroup Florida Healthy Kids
  • Amerigroup Medicaid HMO
  • Argus Vision
  • AvMed Choice
  • AvMed HMO/POS
  • AvMed MDC and JHS Groups
  • AvMed Medicare HMO
  • AXIS
  • BCBS Blue Options Network Blue PPO
  • BCBS BlueCare HealthOptions HMO
  • BCBS BlueChoice PPC/PPO
  • BCBS Miami Dade Blue PPO Limited Benefits Plan
  • BCBS of Florida (All products except "SELECT" Plans)
  • BCBS of Florida (Commercial plans exclude HIX Select)
  • BCBS Traditional PHS/PPO
  • Beacon Health (ValueOption)
  • Beech Street PPO
  • Broward Health Medical Center
  • CarePlus Medicare HMO
  • Catholic Hospice
  • CCP/CMS Title XIX (Medicaid Enrolled in South Florida)
  • CCP/CMS Title XXI (Non Medicaid Enrolled in South Florida)
  • CCP/MMA (Broward County residents)
  • Charlotte County Sheriffs Office PPO
  • Cigna Affiliates
  • Cigna Behavioral Health
  • Cigna Dental HMO/PPO
  • Cigna EPO
  • Cigna HMO
  • Cigna Life Source (Intracorp is part of Cigna Lifesource)
  • Cigna MDCPS Jackson Sr. High
  • Cigna POS
  • Cigna PPO
  • Cigna Shared Administration
  • Clear Health Alliance SNP Medicaid HMO
  • Concordia Behavioral Health
  • CorVel WC
  • Coventry First Health WC
  • Coventry Health Care of Florida (HIP) HMO/POS
  • Coventry Health Care of Florida (HIP) PPO
  • Coventry Health Plan of Florida (Foundation) HMO
  • Coventry Health Plan of Florida (Foundation) POS
  • Coventry National PPO
  • Coventry Summit Medicare HMO
  • Coventry Vista Medicare HMO
  • Coventry First Health PPO
  • Delta Dental PPO
  • DentaQuest (ADI)
  • DIKLA
  • Dimension WC
  • Dimension Plus PPO
  • Doctor's Healthcare Plan
  • EHN PPO
  • EQUIAN (Health Systems International)
  • Europe Assistance/Global Corporate Solutions (Care Management Network)
  • eyeQuest
  • FCCI WC
  • Florida Community Care (FCC)
  • Florida Healthcare Plan (Affiliate of BCBSFL)
  • Florida PACE (FPC)
  • Freedom Health Medicaid HMO
  • Freedom Health Medicare HMO
  • Gallagher Bassett WC (MDCPS & FCSRMC)
  • Global Excel Mgt PPO
  • Great West (Cigna) HMO/POS
  • Guardian Life PPO
  • HAA Preferred Partners
  • Health First Health HMO/POS
  • Health First Health Medicare HMO
  • Health First Health PPO
  • Health Net Veterans Choice HMO
  • Heritage Summit Healthcare WC
  • Humana Behavioral Health (LifeSynch)
  • Humana Dental/CompBenefits/OHS
  • Humana EPO
  • Humana HMO
  • Humana Medicaid HMO
  • Humana Medicare HMO
  • Humana National Transplant
  • Humana PPO
  • Humana Premier
  • iCare Health Solutions
  • Interlink Health Services
  • International Kids Fund (IKF)
  • League Medical Concepts Federal Inmates
  • Life Trac
  • Magellan Behavioral Health
  • Magellan Complete Care SNP Medicaid HMO
  • MDAbroad
  • Medica Medicare HMO
  • Medical Development In't (MDI)-Federal Inmates
  • Medicus
  • Metlife Dental PPO
  • MHNet Behavioral Network (MHNet)
  • Molina
  • Molina Market Place
  • Molina Medicaid HMO
  • Molina Medicare HMO
  • Morgan White International
  • MultiPlan PPO
  • Naphcare (Federal Prisoners)
  • National Healthcare Solutions Inc.
  • Neighborhood HealthPlan HMO/POS
  • Neighborhood HealthPlan PPO
  • North Broward Hospital District PPO
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare
  • Optum
  • Positive Healthcare SNP Medicaid HMO
  • Positive Healthcare SNP Medicare HMO
  • Prestige Health Choice Medicaid HMO
  • Prime Health Services WC
  • Quality Health Management
  • Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses PPO
  • Rockport Healthcare Group WC
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises PPO
  • Sanus Health Corporation
  • Seasons Hospice
  • Simply Healthcare Medicaid HMO
  • Solstice Dental HMO/PPO
  • Start Healthcare Network
  • Sunshine
  • Sunshine AMBETTER
  • Sunshine Healthy Kids HMO
  • Sunshine Medicaid HMO
  • Sunshine Medicare HMO
  • Tricare South Prime HMO
  • Tricare South Standard PPO
  • United Behavioral Health (UBH)
  • UnitedHealthcare Affiliates
  • UnitedHealthcare Healthy Kids HMO
  • UnitedHealthcare HMO/POS
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicaid HMO
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Nursing Home Plan
  • UnitedHealthcare PPO
  • University of Miami Athletic Dept PPO
  • VUMI
  • Wellcare/Staywell Healthy Kids HMO
  • Wellcare/Staywell Medicaid HMO
  • Wexford Health State Inmates
  • Worldwide Managed Care