Ministry Memory Clinic Door County

The Ministry Memory Clinic Door County (MMCDC) was established in 2011 with assistance from the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute and the support of Ministry Health Care. Its mission is to provide a center of excellence in the early diagnosis and treatment of dementia. It serves as a diagnostic service for patients with memory impairment and a resource of information and care management for families dealing with dementia.

The MMCDC is particularly grateful for grant funding from the Helen Bader Foundation.

How is the Clinic structured?

• The Ministry Memory Clinic Door County is located within Ministry Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.
• The first visit to the Clinic is a 2-hour appointment
• The return visits, generally about a month after the first visit and again at three and six-month intervals, are typically 1-hour and are scheduled as appropriate.
• The Clinic provides diagnosis and treatment plans for persons experiencing memory impairment. The Clinic provides information and referral for families dealing with dementia.
• The Clinic staff includes a physician, an occupational therapist, and the outreach coordinator.
• The emphasis of the Clinic is on early diagnosis and treatment of dementia.
• The Clinic does not provide primary medical care, but will communicate with the patient’s primary care provider.

What is the diagnostic process?

There is no one single diagnostic test that can detect if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. The MMCDC follows the internationally recognized protocol for making the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, or reversible causes for memory impairment.

Before your appointment:

• A screening evaluation will be done by the outreach coordinator to determine whether referral to the Clinic is appropriate to meet patient and family needs.
• The patient/family will receive a packet that includes a release of medical records from the primary care provider.
• The patient/family will complete and return the medical history, medical release, and caregiver assessment forms.

At the first 2-hour appointment:

• Family and caregiver history of concerns will be obtained
• The patient will undergo cognitive testing, depression screening as well as physician evaluation and targeted physical examination.
• Lab testing and diagnostic imaging if previously performed will be reviewed or ordered if medically appropriate.
• Appropriate ancillary services, such as OT, Speech Therapy, PT and a Dietician’s services will also be scheduled, if indicated.
• A preliminary plan will be developed, communicated to patient, family/caregiver and PCP.

At the follow-up one-hour appointment:

• The patient, family and caregivers will be given the diagnosis and treatment plan. A written summary is prepared for the patient and family members.
• Further information about dementia will be provided to the patient and family.
• Recommendations for community services options and future planning will be provided.
• Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will be linked with the Alzheimer’s Association for further education and support.
• Appropriate patient information will be entered in the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute research database. Patients have the option of refusing to participate in research.

WHY GO TO THE MINISTRY MEMORY CLINIC DOOR COUNTY?

• The memory clinic is an efficient means of accessing comprehensive diagnostic services for individuals concerned about memory loss.
• The interdisciplinary team members have extensive training in identifying the causes of memory loss, as well as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• The clinic’s partnership with UW Madison’s Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute provides access to the latest knowledge of dementia treatment options and research opportunities. The clinic will provide you with information about the latest research and treatment for memory impairment.
• The interdisciplinary team provides education on coping with memory loss for both the patient and family.
• The team links the family and patient with the Alzheimer’s Association and other community resources, as appropriate.

For more information, or to make an appointment:

1. Call Christy Wisniewski, Outreach Specialist at 1-800-864-6179
2. E-mail cw@dcmemoryclinic.org
3. Visit ministryhealth.org 

Referral Sheet

Download and fill out our referral sheet (printable)

Additional Resources:

Alz Assoc of Greater WI
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute
Door County Senior Resource Guide
DCMC Rehab Services
Nurse Direct
Family Caregiver Alliance
This Caring Home
Tips for People Affected By Alzheimer's Disease

This clinic is a member of the WAI-affiliated Dementia Diagnostic Clinic Network. Network clinics differ from other memory clinics in that their staff have received training/observation time and/or guidance from the WAI and the UW Health Memory Assessment Clinic. In addition, clinic network staff attend the WAI’s annual conference and bi-annual clinic networks meetings, which provide up-to-date research and disease management information. Clinics in the network do remain autonomous, but follow a set of guidelines.