Traumatic Brain Injury Centers

  National Event Stresses the Importance of Proper Detection and Treatment

Free Memory Screenings for Brain Optimization

 Boca Raton, FL— Consumers who want a status check on their memory can take advantage of free, confidential screenings on November 17 as part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) designed to promote proper detection of memory problems and strategies for successful aging.

 Memory screenings are a significant first step toward finding out if a person may have a memory problem. Memory problems could be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions.   

 Now in its seventh year, AFA’s National Memory Screening Day coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, which takes place during November.

    On November 17,  Sparks of Genius Brain Optimization Center will hold memory screenings at 7777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, from 10 am – 3 pm. Please call 561-859-4060 for more information or to make an appointment. You are also welcome to stop by.  Refreshments will be provided.

    At Sparks of Genius we offer cognitive training program which can slow down the progression of memory loss or delay it’s onset.

    AFA suggests memory screenings for adults concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a related illness. Screenings also are appropriate for those who do not have a concern right now, but who want to see how their memory is now and for future comparisons.

    The event features a face-to-face screening, which takes only about five to ten minutes, and consists of a series of questions and tasks. Screenings will be conducted by Dr. Rohn Kessler, Dr. Amy Price and Ninah Kessler, LCSW. The results do not represent a diagnosis, and AFA advises those individuals with below-normal scores or those who have normal scores but are still concerned to follow up with a qualified healthcare professional.

     Eric J. Hall, AFA’s president and CEO, is urging consumers “to be proactive about brain health.”

    ”We pay so much attention to the health of our bodies, but we should be equally concerned about the health of our brains,” he said. “National Memory Screening Day offers the opportunity to find out how your memory is now and to learn how to protect it in the future.”

        For more information about National Memory Screening Day, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.org or call 866-AFA-8484.

Medical Specialist Appointment and You

By Amy Price PhD
You have been sent to a specialist…what next? First of all sort out what you expect to happen as a result of this visit. What are your goals? Make sure they are realistic. If this was easy your primary care doctor could probably fix it.

Before your visit explain what records you have and ask which of these they would like you to copy and pre-send. Usually you can get copies of MRIs or other diagnostic tests on CD. They are easier to carry with you or send than bulky films. If you choose to send your diagnostic results and films call and confirm they arrived. Get a cost for a cash price unless you have medical insurance which will cover your visit so that you will know your costs and if you can absorb them.

If you are making a distance appointment insist on a phone consultation so you will know if your expectations are viable. If the staff you speak with don’t have information about a certain area make arrangements to call back when it is available. This way all the preliminary material is out of the way and your appt can focus on what is most important. Explain you are travelling from out of town and are in pain and request the best time of day to be seen promptly. Emergencies or office back ups can still happen but this step minimizes the possibility.

Write down what you consider to be the most important things you want covered in your visit. The reason you may want to do this is because chronic pain and injury can cause us to be sidetracked by emotion. You may get a compassionate response but it may eat away at the time available.

This is the place to get your MRI and other diagnostic tests explained. The doctor that ordered the test is the one who needs to explain it. Get an advance copy of the report and ask about what you don’t understand. We get emails every day from people who want us to translate the MRI or other diagnostics. We cannot do this because the MRI is only part of the equipment needed for a diagnosis. It is your job to make sure you understand your diagnosis before you leave the doctor’s office.

It is helpful to plan a nice dinner out or a treat for yourself for afterwards and if you can, take someone with you who will remember what the Doctor says. The reason for this is it will be difficult for you to reconcile yourself to a 40 minute appt when the injury has taken over your life 24/7. Even though your appointment time may be quite generous, logic and rational thought cannot always be counted on, when you just want it fixed.

Now relax and trust the specialist you have chosen!

Dr and TBI

How you communicate with your doctor will often determine the quality of care you recieve and that your legal rights are protected. Here is a practical guide from Michael Kaplen a lawyer at BrainLaw. For other survival skills to help you through a doctor’s appointment this post is good reading

1. When you schedule your first appointment, tell your doctor that you will require extra time. Tell him that you need at least an additional 20 minutes (or more if you need it) for your appointment. The challenge here is to not feel rushed, as when you are stressed your cognition erodes.
2. If distractions bother you, arrange with the doctor’s office (when you make the appointment) for a quiet place to wait, such as a quiet exam room. If this is not possible, ask for somebody to come and get you in the foyer or your car.
3. Get to your appointment at least 15 minutes ahead of time, so you can collect your thoughts, become settled and unwind from the drive.
4. Write down everything you want to tell or ask your doctor. Cross each item off the list after you have covered it. Write down instructions that your doctor gives. Recap at the end of each issue, to make sure you understand.
5. Ask your doctor to write down your diagnosis. Ask for a written explanation in layman’s language. Ask for a written description of the preferred treatment and goals, with an estimate of the costs and the expected time frame.
6. Trust your instincts. If you don’t think that a diagnosis is valid, or if you think it minimizes your problems, remember this: YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT. Remember, you are the “expert” about you.
7. Always ask your doctor about the contraindications when he prescribes new medications. Additionally, have the doctor provide you with a written list. Take charge of knowing everything about the drugs you take.
8. Ask your doctor to make a notation in your file stating that you should receive a copy of all reports and tests as soon as they are received by the office.
9. Never sign a blank release form. Make sure all authorization forms are completely filled out. Read what you’re signing. Make sure the release has ONLY the names on it that YOU want. Get a copy of each and every release form/letter you sign.

TBI Math Help Online

By Amy Price PhD

If you are having a tough time with math after an injury or just never understood it. This is a great link. The material is free online and you can download explanations and practice questions. If you learn best by hearing and seeing there are I-Phone apps by Math tutor that you can down load.  There are also math  apps for othe 3g phones  although the I-Pod selection is better. Most people have trouble with math because it is sequential so if you missed steps or the brain injury knocked them out you need to relearn them. Simple things like what to do with brackets and in which order to do the equations help a lot. There is also a free class for basic math at open university and one on visualizing maths. This is an important step for really getting it as if when you can see it in your mind it is easier to work the equations. Remember if you are using a scientificor graphing  calculator the vendor will generally have tutorials on the web site.  Be patient with yourself and give it time. You can do this!