Cognitive Dementia and Memory
Where to find this service
Where to find this service
What we do
The Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) is a specialist diagnostic service for people with memory and cognitive changes who do not have a diagnosis.
The CDAMS assessment will include medical, allied health and/or nursing consultations. This generally includes an initial assessment at Footscray Hospital with a Nurse or Allied Health Professional.
Other specialist assessments are conducted at the Footscray Hospital. The outcome of these consultations and recommendations will be discussed with you, and if agreed to, with their family and general practitioner.
Interpreters can be arranged where English is not the first language of the person to be assessed or their family.
Services and facilities
CDAMS provides
- 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
- Linkages for clients or their family to other service providers or community supports.
Our CDAMS team include:
- Geriatricians
- Psychiatrists
- Neuropsychologist
- Social Worker
- Community Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Pathologist
CDAMS does not provide ongoing treatment or case management.
Who this service is for
This service is for:
- persons requiring a diagnosis or explanation for the memory problems that are causing them or their family concern when a cause or diagnosis is not known.
- clients where a diagnosis is already known would generally NOT be eligible for our service unless a specialist second opinion is required.
- CDAMS accepts referrals for persons aged 60 years and above and for First Nations People aged 50 years and above.
Areas we service
The local government areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Wyndham and the Shire of Melton.
Referrals
Please review the guidelines before referring a client to CDAMS to ensure that the referral meets eligibility and triaging criteria. Referrals with insufficient information to facilitate triage will be returned with a request for additional information which may delay access to this service.
Referrals may occur from any source, including the client, family, GP, Specialist or other advocates for the client. Referrals can be made by telephone, fax or mail to the Intake worker on the contact numbers listed below. Where a client or family refers, their GP will be asked to provide some medical information and arrange investigations including brain imaging and pathology tests. The CDAMS referral form should be completed, if possible but a referral letter from a GP or medical specialist will be accepted.