--- title: "Dementia services at Sutter Health" description: "Sutter provides dementia services, including diagnosis, treatment and support for people managing cognitive decline from conditions like Alzheimer's." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/dementia" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services) / 3. Dementia ![dementia-3](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/Hero-Images/dementia-3.jpg?h=2100&iar=0&w=3150) # Dementia Memory problems and other symptoms caused by conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are life changing for patients and families. We provide compassionate care and the latest advancements in treatment. [Find a neurologist](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22acceptingNewPatients%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5Btrue%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Geriatric+Medicine%22%2C%22Neurology%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) [Request a referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals?facets=%7B%22c_relatedServices.name%22%3A%7B%22102%22%3A%7B%22value%22%3A%22Dementia%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24eq%22%7D%7D%7D&verticalKey=healthcare_facilities) ![dementia-3](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/Hero-Images/dementia-3.jpg?h=2100&iar=0&w=3150) ## Why choose Sutter? Supporting someone with dementia can be stressful and overwhelming. If you or a loved one has noticed cognitive changes, such as increasing forgetfulness, inability to identify objects or just general trouble getting your thoughts out, our brain health specialists are here to help. We're dedicated to improving diagnostics and care for people with dementia and finding ways to cure and prevent it. Our memory care clinic in Sacramento and the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center in San Francisco provide cutting-edge care for patients with dementia. Dementia is a progressive condition that causes severe memory loss and mental decline. There are many types of dementia, including Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Experts estimate that nearly 7 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease, while another 7 million have other types of dementia. At Sutter, our clinical neuropsychologists, neurologists and other brain health specialists use a variety of tests, scans and examinations to diagnose all types of dementia. When you turn to us for care, we’ll work with you to help maintain and improve crucial brain functions, like memory, attention and learning abilities. Our teams are also committed to advancing dementia research efforts and clinical studies. We’re proud to be a leader in providing access to new disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. ## By the numbers ### 100+ neurologists deliver trusted care across prevention, diagnosis and recovery. ### 200+ patients  received a novel Alzheimer’s treatment in its first year of FDA approval. ### 2 memory clinics  provide multidisciplinary care, combining advanced diagnostics, treatment and support. ### 25,000 people across Northern California receive memory care from Sutter. ## Need a referral? Chat live with our team Monday through Friday, 8:00 am — 5:00 pm, or call us at [888-834-1788](tel:+18888341788). [Request a referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals) ## Conditions - Alzheimer's disease - Corticobasal degeneration - Frontotemporal dementia - Lewy body dementia - Vascular dementia ## Diagnostics - Brain CT scan - Brain MRI - Neurological assessment - Neuropsychological assessment ## Treatments - Behavior management and therapy - Medication management - [Occupational therapy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/occupational-therapy) - [Physical therapy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/physical-therapy) - [Speech and language therapy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/speech-and-language-therapy) ## Related services - [Behavioral health care for seniors](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/behavioral-health-care-seniors) - [Neurology](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/neurology) - [Parkinson’s, tremor and movement disorder care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/parkinsons-tremor-and-movement-disorder-care) - [Senior services and geriatric care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/senior-services-and-geriatric-care) ## Specialty programs ### Brain health centers The Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at CPMC in San Francisco and Novato, along with the Sutter Neuroscience Institute Memory Clinic in Sacramento, offers integrated, multidisciplinary care for people living with cognitive impairment or dementia. Care teams include physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, neuropsychologists, medical assistants and administrative staff, all working together to support patients and their families at every stage of care. The Ray Dolby Brain Health Center also partners with the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California to connect patients and families with additional education, support and community resources. Patients benefit from advanced diagnostics, rehabilitation services, access to research and clinical trials, and comprehensive psychological and social support. Compassionate, long-term relationships with care teams are central to this approach, ensuring care that supports both medical needs and overall well-being. The Ray Dolby Brain Health Center serves patients throughout Northern California with locations located in the bay area and Sacramento Valley. **Bay Area** - 45 Castro Street, Suite 220 in San Francisco - 601 Duboce Avenue, Suite 165A in San Francisco - 101 Rowland Way, Suite 240 in Novato. To learn more about services offered in the bay area, patients can call [415-600-5555](tel:415-600-5555) or email [brainhealth@sutterhealth.org](mailto:brainhealth@sutterhealth.org). To learn more about or enroll in the Ray Dolby Music Mends Minds program, call [415-463-8505](tel:415-463-8505). **Valley** - Sutter Neuroscience Institute Memory Clinic located at 2800 L Street in Sacramento To learn more about services at the Sutter Neuroscience Institute Memory Clinic in Sacramento, call [888-287-2270](tel:888-287-2270) or email [brainhealth@sutterhealth.org](mailto:brainhealth@sutterhealth.org) to connect with the care team. Ray Dolby Brain Health Center ![doctor-reviewing-brain-xray](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/doctor-reviewing-brain-xray.jpeg?h=2700&iar=0&w=5120) ## Alzheimer’s research Our research works on ways to improve diagnosis and care for people with Alzheimer’s, as well as focusing on a way to cure and possibly prevent the disease.  [View research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Alzheimer%27s+Disease%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=clinical_trial) ![grandparents-grandchild-playing-with-blocks](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/family/grandparents-grandchild-playing-with-blocks.jpeg?h=4672&iar=0&w=7008) ## Improve your brain health Learn ways you can reduce your risk for dementia through lifestyle changes from Sutter providers who work with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.  [Watch webinars](https://sh-patientwebinars.brightcovegallery.com/detail/videos/brain-health-and-memory/video/6284580190001/) ![grandparents-grandchild-playing-with-blocks](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/family/grandparents-grandchild-playing-with-blocks.jpeg?h=4672&iar=0&w=7008) ## Sutter spotlight Health & wellness ### [Your Guide to a Healthy Brain](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/brain-health-guide) Alzheimer's disease and dementia are on the rise. See what you can start doing today to protect your brain's health. Health & wellness ### [How to Improve Your Memory](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/how-to-improve-your-memory) Your recall can get better with small changes. Health & wellness ### [How to Lower Your Risk of Dementia](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/how-to-lower-your-risk-of-dementia) Simple lifestyle changes now might protect you from dementia later in life. Learn how you can lower your risk. ## Patient stories [View all stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) - [Patient story ### New Treatment Offers Hope During Early Stages of Alzheimer’s ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/new-treatment-offers-hope-during-early-stages-of-alzheimers-2023563909) - [Patient story ### A husband’s love that never gives up ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/a-husbands-love-that-never-gives-up-2037892109) - [Patient story ### Grandfather Determined to Remember Happiness Despite Alzheimer’s ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/grandfather-determined-to-remember-happiness-despite-alzheimers-2023453234) [View all stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease care and support Receive care at Sutter with personalized support and advanced treatment for dementia and Alzheimer's. 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","duration":"PT6M28S","transcript":"[MUSIC PLAYING]\n\nARMEN MOUGHAMIAN: The Ray Dolby Brain Health Center\nexists to improve the quality of life\nof both patients and their families\nand loved ones that are dealing with degenerative diseases\nof the brain that can affect cognition.\nSo we primarily see patients with Alzheimer's disease,\nas well as other dementing illnesses like Lewy body disease\nor frontotemporal dementia.\nAnd the clinic exists because we recognize that not only does\na neurodegenerative disease or a dementing disease\naffect the patient's brain, but it has wide-ranging effects\non the family.\nAnd so our entire clinic exists to treat the patient,\nbut also the family so that they can\nhave a better quality of life.\nTRAVIS URBAN: It's often hard to tell in the beginning\nif the things that I'm feeling are something progressive\nor if it's part of the aging process.\nHow we get a sense of whether that's\ndue to something progressive or concerning\nlike Alzheimer's disease is really\nthrough detailed cognitive testing.\nIt can be hard, just on an initial visit,\nto really know for sure what's going on.\nAnd so it's really the detailed cognitive\ntesting that we provide, where we compare people\nto others of their same age and education level\nto get a sense of, no, look, everything that you're\nexperiencing is totally within the bounds of other people\nlike you, or, no, this is something\nthat is maybe going beyond.\nAnd let's dig into that a bit more\nand see if we can figure out what's going on.\nCATHERINE MARREIRO: In the age of biomarkers\nfor Alzheimer's disease, one might also\nask, why do I need a diagnostic neuropsychological exam?\nWe can now test if someone has Alzheimer's disease.\nAnd one thing that neuropsychology does\nis that it helps understand a person's functioning as well\nas any cognitive decline.\nSo even if we know someone has Alzheimer's disease,\nthat doesn't mean we know if they've\nhad a cognitive decline yet.\nHOWARD HAHN: Every patient that comes to the Ray Dolby Brain\nHealth Center is assigned a social worker and a therapist.\nMost of the time, they come in thinking, oh, I don't need it,\nor what is this for?\nAnd then they eventually find it indispensable,\nand they find that that's what makes\nthe difference between this clinic and many others,\nis the dedicated time that we can spend with them to help\nthem navigate this disease.\nDONNA LABAGH: The social worker is a very important part\nof the care.\nHoward has been my go-to person for the last 10 years.\nWhenever I have a question, I call Howard.\nEmail him, he gets right back to me.\nIf it's something he doesn't feel he can handle\nor needs more, he'll say, I'll talk to Dr. Moughamian\nand get back to you.\nSo he's been our lifeline.\nDAVID HARDMAN-RIEDELL: Well, Gretchen first\nstarted being concerned about losing bits of language.\nAnd so she--\nI felt that she was overly concerned from that standpoint.\nAnd then we found the Ray Dolby Brain Center.\nAnd we said, well, let's get a baseline.\nFind out where you are.\nRACHEL MAIN: My role here at the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center\nis, I am a family support coordinator.\nAnd what that means is that the Ray Dolby Brain Health\nCenter is the only health institution in the United\nStates, actually, that has an employee\nfrom the Alzheimer's Association embedded into their programs.\nSo it was pretty unique and pioneering.\nAnd then what we provide here is education classes,\nsupport groups, early stage engagement programs,\none-on-one care consultations.\nThe Alzheimer's Association has a 1-800 helpline that people can\ncall 24/7.\nSo it's just an added layer of support and connection\nand services for patients and family members at the Ray Dolby\nBrain Health Center.\nDONNA LABAGH: Last year, in about November, at our visit\nhere, Dr. Moughamian told me that I\nshould start looking at places that Marty could maybe\neventually go into a memory care,\nbecause things were changing.\nHOWARD HAHN: They come in, and we know their whole story,\nand they're not just a number.\nWe know what they've been going through.\nWe know the ups and the downs.\nAnd so we're really with them, standing beside them\non the entire journey.\nJOHN: I started having problems with my brain when I was a very\nbusy and successful realtor.\nThat's how I kind of found my way to this place.\nAnd Dr. Moughamian did a two-hour initial consultation.\nAnd at the end of that he said, you know,\nI think you have early onset Alzheimer's,\nwhich was totally not something I expected.\nTRAVIS URBAN: Some of the things that\nhad been happening in the field, specifically\nin Alzheimer's disease, that are really exciting\nare these new therapies that, for the first time\nin the history of the disease, are showing\nthat they can actually slow down the trajectory of the disease,\nthey can slow down the disease process.\nWe've never had that before.\nERIC: I think recently, John just started the new drug\nfor Alzheimer's.\nAnd Dr. Moughamian got it all set up.\nJOHN: So yeah.\nSo it's called lecanemab.\nThat's the brand name.\nIt's Leqembi is the other name, the regular name.\nI'm hoping that it will help slow things down.\nARMEN MOUGHAMIAN: But we also engage in research.\nSo we're here not just for diagnosis and evaluation,\nbut we want to advance treatments.\nAnd so all of our research at the Dolby Brain Health Center\nis to be able to offer patients and families the earliest access\npossible to novel therapeutics."} ```