About Your Visit

We want your first visit to our center to be as pleasant and simple as possible. Here is some guidance on how you can prepare for your first appointment, and what to expect during follow-up visits.

How do I prepare for my first appointment?

• Bring your Patient Form filled out and ready for your specialist.
• Bring any medications you are currently taking.
• If you are new to our hospital and have not had any neurological work up or testing such as MRI, CT, neuro-psychological testing, fax them to us at 212-305-2526.
• We encourage everyone to bring family members or someone close to their appointment (spouse, adult children, caregiver, or home attendant). They can help describe any changes you maybe experiencing.
• Expect your appointment to be 1 to 2 hours. 

What should I expect at my first visit?

• Our specialist will review your completed patient form and discuss your memory, physical and social changes.
• They will then discuss your personal and family medical history.
• You will receive a physical and neurological examination.
• You may be sent for blood testing and brain imaging if further testing needed.
• Return for a follow up appointment 1 to 3 months after initial visit and receive a diagnosis as well as a customized treatment care plan and social supportive referrals

How will I pay for my care?

We accept all insurance plans and receive funding to help provide affordable care. If you have any questions, please contact the center at 212-305-2316.

What should I expect after my first visit?

Following your initial examination, our specialist will refer you to additional evaluations that are required in order to provide you and your family with a complete treatment plan. This additional testing may be arranged the same day (depending on availability) or scheduled separately and may include:

• Neuropsychological testing to thoroughly assess memory and thinking
• Laboratory analyses—blood and CSF (for possible nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, thyroid imbalance, inflammation, or infections)
• Brain structural imaging tests such as MRI or CT
• Brain functional imaging such as SPECT or metabolic PET
• Molecular imaging including amyloid imaging PET or ioflupane-SPECT
• Vascular tests such as carotid ultrasound or MRA
• Biomarker testing of spinal fluid (CSF)
• Genetic testing (in consultation with our genetic counselor)

Your results and overall exam will then be discussed with our multidisciplinary team of neurologists, geriatricians, neuro-psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, nurses, social workers, genetic counselor and other healthcare professionals to determine the most accurate diagnosis. Following this review, our program coordinator will contact you or the family to scheduled your follow up visit also known as your informing visit.

What to expect at your follow-up visit (also known as “informing visit”)?

After completion of the treatment recommendations made during first visit, (such as MRI, labs, CT, LP) you will see the specialist for a follow up visit usually 1 to 3 months after the first visit.

• Patients and/or their caregiver will be contacted 1 to 2 days prior, with an appointment reminder and will be encouraged to attend this appointment accompanied by caregiver, family member or a loved one.
• During this visit, the specialist will discuss the results of tests, diagnosis and treatment care plan.
• Our social worker will also meet with you to discuss counseling, guidance on the managing dementia symptoms, and referrals to community support programs.