For Patients and Visitors
What is the Service?
Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) is a multi-disciplinary, specialist service providing early diagnosis, advice, support and referral for people with cognitive difficulties causing confusion, memory loss or thinking problems. Early diagnosis is important to determine appropriate treatment needs and to plan for the future.
Forgetfulness and Normal Ageing: As part of the ageing process some people may notice some mild slowing in their memory and thinking. This is normal. If, however, the changes become progressively more obvious and begin to impact on everyday life, an assessment of memory and thinking would be appropriate.
The clinic is provided at Bundoora, Broadmeadows and Craigieburn campuses. Disciplines involved with the clinic include Geriatrician, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Psychogeriatrician and Neuropsychology.
Broadmeadows Clinic: Friday mornings
Bundoora Clinic: Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings
Craigieburn Clinic: Monday mornings
What can I expect from the service?
CDAMS at Northern Health are experienced clinicians specialised in the management of needs relating to cognitive difficulties. The service will provide advice and support for adults which include:
• Expert clinical diagnosis
• Information on appropriate treatments
• Education, support and information
• Direction in planning for the future
• Information on dealing with day to day issues.
• Links and information for clients and their family regarding other service providers or community supports
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
Please bring a list of current medication, reading glasses and hearing aids.
How much does it cost?
There is no fee for this service
Contact us
For referrals or enquiries regarding this service please contact the Community Access Service team
Free Call: 1300 128 539
Fax: 8405 8616
For Health Professionals
Service/Clinic overview
CDAMS is a multi-disciplinary, specialist service providing early diagnosis, advice, support and referral for people with cognitive difficulties causing confusion, memory loss or thinking problems. Early diagnosis is important to determine appropriate treatment needs and to plan for the future.
The clinic is provided at Bundoora, Broadmeadows and Craigieburn campuses. Disciplines involved with the clinic include Geriatrician, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Psychogeriatrician and Neuropsychology.
Broadmeadows Clinic: Friday mornings and some afternoons
Bundoora Clinic: Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings
Craigieburn Clinic: Monday mornings
What can be provided:
CDAMS at Northern Health are experienced clinicians specialised in the management of needs relating to cognitive difficulties. The service will provide advice and support for adults which include:
Expert clinical diagnosis
- Information on appropriate treatments
- Education, support and information
- Direction in planning for the future
- Information on dealing with day to day issues.
Links and information for clients and their family regarding other service providers or community supports
Inclusion criteria:
- A client experiencing cognitive decline that does not have a diagnosis
- Priority will be given to clients who:
- Live alone and have identified safety risk
- Clients who are the nominated care for another person
- Client lives with carer but there is high carer stress or safety risks
- Client is young and there are changes to behaviour and function in daily living activities
Exclusion criteria:
- Where a client’s issues are related to general decline of an already diagnosed cognitive condition i.e. advancing dementia
- Referral for capacity assessment
- Referral for Neuropsychology only
- If client is ineligible for Medicare the referral for the service will need to be reviewed by management.
How to Refer:
Referral source must be a GP or Consultant/Specialist. Referral must include:
• Past medical history including Psychiatric history
• Current presenting memory problems
• List of medications
• Results of all current pathology and radiology including CT brain
• Details of appropriate person for the service to contact about the referral and appointments
For referrals or enquiries regarding this service please contact the Community Access Service team
Free Call: 1300 128 539
Fax: 8405 8616
Alternative service options:
• Private Specialists
• Over the age of 85 years consider GEM specialist clinic
• HARP Rapid Response
• Private Neuropsychologist
