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Broward Health North Leads the Way With

Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support

Considering approximately 580,000 Floridians aged 65 and older currently living with gram. The Joint Commission
Alzheimer’s disease and that the Alzheimer’s Association predicts that number will grow, Gold Seal of approval validates
Broward Health provides a diverse range of memory disorder support services. that stringent national standards
Broward Health North’s Memory Disorder Center treats patients with Alzheimer’s and for care of Alzheimer’s patients
related types of dementia using a personalized, multidisciplinary approach. The Memory are consistently met.
Disorder Center team includes neurologists, neuropsychologists, social workers and Dr. Hazel Wiley Dr. Shaye Moskowitz
nurses who conduct diagnostic evaluations and neurocognitive testing to determine the Broward Health Home to
cause of memory impairment. They then collaborate on individualized treatment plans Revolutionary Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial
to help patients and their caregivers navigate the challenges associated with these pro- Early this summer, Broward Health announced an
gressive diseases. unprecedented partnership with University of Florida
“Alzheimer’s disease can cause changes in personality and behavior, including getting Health and Insightec, becoming one of the first health sys-
upset, angry or worried more easily,” said Hazel Wiley, D.O., medical director of the tems in the state announced to participate in a clinical trial
Memory Disorder Center. “Those with Alzheimer’s may suffer from depression as well. for a potentially groundbreaking new therapy for
And some can have difficulty with new things or changes in routine. Our approach holds Alzheimer’s.
great promise for patients and caregivers struggling to manage the many challenges.” The unique technique being tested in the clinical trial is
To address some of those challenges, the Memory Disorder Center offers a Care non-invasive and does not involve pharmaceuticals.
Assistance Program (CAP) that provides free services including counseling, education, Instead, it uses MRI-guided focused low-frequency ultra-
community referrals, and weekly in-person support groups for spouses and children of sound to temporarily create an opening in the blood-brain
those with Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders. Both day and evening CAP meet- barrier, allowing plaque to clear from the brain. Antoinette Buckham-
ings are available. This medical innovation – focused ultrasound – is being Charles
The center also offers complimentary and confidential memory screenings. Early studied to see if it can control the disease earlier, giving the
detection of changes in memory and thinking skills can provide access to treatments that medical community, patients and their families, both here in Florida and around the
may mitigate slow changes. world, the hope of treatment of this debilitating disease.
“It takes extraordinary commitment and understanding to manage the personality “We are incredibly excited about the potential of this study and hope a true reversal
changes and unusual behaviors so often associated with memory loss, and it is our mis- and cure for Alzheimer’s is on the horizon,” said Shaye Moskowitz, M.D., Ph.D., a neu-
sion to provide the essential tools and knowledge that patients, families and caregivers rosurgeon with Broward Health Physician Group who is the primary investigator for the
need,” said Memory Disorder Center Coordinator Antoinette Buckham-Charles. To reg- clinical trial. “I’m proud to be part of Broward Health as we embark on this critical step
ister for one of Broward Health North’s Care Assistance Programs (CAP) or for additional forward.”
information, call 954-786-7392 or visit the website BrowardHealth.org/MemoryLoss. Interested Alzheimer’s patients or their family members should speak to their physi-
The Memory Disorder Center is a Joint Commission-certified Alzheimer’s disease pro- cian for more information or a referral into this study.

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18 September 2022 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News