Press Pitch
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Liz Adams, Marketing Media Manager
Marketing Communications
Phone 850.434.4854 or Page 850.494.8633
Liz.Adams@bhcpns.org
Concerned About Memory Loss, Baptist Memory Clinic Can Help
PENSACOLA, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2011) – Are you or a family member forgetting common information or just
can not remember things like you use to? The Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic offers a full range of
services including memory disorder screenings, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning,
therapeutic interventions, complex long-term care planning and crisis intervention. The clinic also will
assist patients and family members as they transition to the next appropriate level of dementia and
Alzheimer’s care.
“Many people age 50 and older wonder if forgetfulness is just normal aging or a sign of concern”, said
Laura Levitan, licensed clinical social worker at The Baptist Memory Disorder. “Our thought process and
reflexes slow down as we age, which is why we take longer to learn new material. Dementia is NOT age
alone. Persons ranging from 30 to 60 years of age can have dementia.”
The Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic shares the differences between normal and abnormal aging as well
as reversible causes of certain memory loss and what you can do to learn more.
Normal aging includes:
 Forgetting names of church members, persons you work with or school mates.
 Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room.
 Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
 Misplacing keys or wallet but finding after a short search.
 Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
 Occasionally forgetting the date.
Signs of abnormal aging:
 Feeling disoriented to time and place – unable to remember the day, month or year
 Giving away large sums of money, wearing several layers of clothing on a hot day or
experiencing general poor or decreased judgment ability
 Misplacing items in unusual places – keys in sugar bowl, freezer goods in your pantry, or putting
your glasses in the clothes hamper
 Repeating questions and stories – Where are we going? When is my appointment?
 Experiencing difficulty with abstract thinking – difficulty writing a check
 Getting lost in a familiar place i.e. neighborhood
 Experiencing difficulty performing familiar tasks – difficulty preparing a meal or cleaning,
neglecting hygiene
 Forgetting appointments, family members or regular tasks such as paying bills
 Sleeping more, not wanting to go out and general absence of motivation or initiative
 Experiencing changes in mood or behavior – easily agitated, paranoid and repetitive movement
 Forgetting what you read or a general inability to learn new information
The Goal is to Rule out Reversible Causes of Memory Loss:
 Low Thyroid
 Anemia – low number of red blood cells
 Urinary Tract Infection
 Low levels of B Vitamin
 Depression or Grieving
 Sleep Apnea or Lack of Sleep
 Prescription Medication Side Effects
 Hypoglycemia – not enough sugar in the bloodstream
 Stress
 Alcohol abuse
 Too little or too much sodium or calcium
What can you do?
Start with a baseline FREE memory screening from The Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic. Every Monday
at Baptist Medical Park Memory Disorder Clinic. Call 850.208.6180 for your appointment.
The compassionate staff at The Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic is available to help you and your loved
ones. For more information, contact The Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic at 850.208.6180.
About Baptist Health Care
Baptist Health Care is a community-owned, not-for-profit health care organization committed to improving the quality of life for
people and communities in Northwest Florida and South Alabama. A 2003 Malcolm Baldrige recipient, Baptist continuously
strives to be a national leader in quality and service. Baptist Health Care includes four hospitals, two medical parks, Baptist
Manor, Baptist Leadership Group, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, Lakeview Center and Baptist Medical
Group. With more than 5,000 employees and employed physicians, Baptist Health Care is the largest non-governmental
employer in northwest Florida. For more information, please visit www.eBaptistHealthCare.org.
Baptist Hospital ● Gulf Breeze Hospital ● Jay Hospital ● Atmore Community Hospital ● Lakeview Center ● Baptist Manor ● Baptist LifeFlight
Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile ● Baptist Medical Park – Navarre ● Andrews Institute ● Baptist Medical Group ● Baptist Leadership Group
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