Early Intervention Memory Clinic

About this clinic

The Early Intervention Memory Clinic provides assessment and intervention for people aged 60 and older. Eligible patients live in the Vancouver area and have experienced a change in their memory or thinking in the past 1 to 2 years. Through group work and individual sessions, the clinic supports people to:

• optimize brain health by reducing risks and developing beneficial lifestyle habits
• maintain functioning, emotional well-being, and quality of life
• slow down cognitive decline as much as possible

As the population ages, more people are noticing changes in their memory and thinking skills. Some changes are part of getting older, but others could be a sign of something that is getting worse over time. We want to identify who is at highest risk and get them help as early as possible. Then, we can try to hold off the onset of conditions, like dementia, that affect day-to-day functioning.

We work within the Older Adult Outpatient Clinic. Our team includes geriatricians and occupational therapists. We make referrals to physiotherapists, dietitians, social workers, and neuropsychologists as needed.

Referral information

If you meet our criteria, you may self-refer to our clinic. Your family doctor or nurse practitioner may also make a referral. Meeting with our specialist physician (geriatrician) requires a referral from a primary care practitioner. If you self-refer, and are eligible to meet with our geriatrician, we will need this referral to book you an appointment.

Referral criteria

• Aged 60 and older
• Lives in the Vancouver area
• Has experienced a change in memory and thinking in the past 1 to 2 years
• Has insight into cognitive changes
• Is able and motivated to engage in self-management strategies
• No known cause of cognitive change (i.e. CVA)

Please note: The clinic is not suited to those with longstanding cognitive difficulties related to known medical conditions (e.g. head injury/acquired brain injury, stroke, dementia). If cognitive changes have occurred 2 or more years ago, referral to Older Adult Outpatient Clinics is suggested.

Referral steps

1. To self-refer, please complete the form below (fillable pdf or print options).
2. Fax your completed form to 604-806-8390 or mail or drop it off to: 
   Attention: Early Intervention Memory Clinic, 9B, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver BC, V6Z 1Y6.
3. Our occupational therapist will be in touch to review your referral by phone. Depending on your situation, our intake clerk will then arrange for an intake appointment with one or more of our team members. Based on individual needs, group or one-to-one services may be offered.

Location

9B, Providence Building, St. Paul's Hospital

The clinic is on the 9th floor. Use the large group of elevators closest to the Thurlow Street entrance in the Providence Building. If you need help locating us, please ask one of our hospital volunteers to direct you.

Support us

Much of what we are able to provide is thanks to generous donations made to the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation.

If you would like to donate to the Early Intervention Memory Clinic please visit the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation website. (Select ‘other’ under ‘choose a fund’ and enter clinic name) or contact Alexandra Erjavec at St. Paul’s Foundation by phone 604-841-0448 or email aerjavec@providencehealth.bc.ca.

Advances in treatments are all thanks to medical research. The Early Intervention Memory Clinic aims contribute to advancing health outcomes and finding better ways to help people live well and thrive. When participating in the clinic, you may be asked if you consent to non-identifiable data being used to evaluate the clinic as a whole. While you cannot assume benefit to yourself, your participation in overall evaluation of data can make a difference in improving care for future patients.

There may also be clinical trials enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.