Treating Cognitive Disorders

We know a cognitive disorder can be life changing. That’s why we’re here for you with compassionate care to ease your symptoms, potentially slow the progression of your disorder and help you live to the fullest.

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Why Choose Us for Your Cognitive Disorder Care?

At Providence, we see more than patients – we see the life in us all. Learn why people trust us to treat their cognitive disorders and maximize their quality of life.

Doctor speaking with patient

There are many kinds of cognitive disorders, and all of them can affect patients differently. That’s why our neurologists and other neuroscience experts work closely with you to diagnose your condition and create a personalized treatment plan. We provide leading-edge medical treatment for your mind, body and spirit.

Our care focuses on diagnosing cognitive disorders early, sometimes decades before they become apparent. We provide imaging services and genetic testing to evaluate your risk of cognitive disease. Our neuroscience specialists work closely with primary care providers, who often spot signs of cognitive problems first.

We practice lifestyle medicine, evidence-based care aimed at maintaining optimal cognition. Lifestyle medicine includes brain and physical exercises and diet. Together, changes in lifestyle and other treatment may help slow the progression of some cognitive diseases or prevent symptoms from becoming worse.

The neuroscience experts at Providence take a team-based approach to your treatment. This can involve assessing your risk for a cognitive disorder, managing your symptoms and helping you maintain brain health. Your team includes specialized neurologists, neuroimaging specialists, psychometricians and neuropsychiatrists. You may also work with occupational and speech therapists, clinical pharmacists and cognitive rehabilitation specialists.

Providence provides support services to help you keep your body and mind active.

For example, art and movement classes can help improve your brain function. We also offer cooking classes to help you improve your diet and nutrition. Coordinators and social workers can help you and your caregivers take advantage of counseling, physical and occupational therapy, spiritual care and more.

At Providence, we are committed to providing access to the best care to everyone in our diverse community, including patients with cognitive disorders. We respect and support the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and spiritual identities of each of our patients. We offer location-specific services such as translation for non-English-speaking patients, telehealth and transportation assistance. And, in keeping with our Mission, Providence offers financial assistance programs that provide free and low-cost care to those who are eligible.

As our patient, you benefit from one of the largest networks of neuroscience clinicians in the country. This collaborative system includes award-winning physicians, scientists, researchers and caregivers across 51 hospitals in seven states. The knowledge and skills of these professionals – combined with the expertise of your local cognitive care team – mean you’re getting the best personalized care. Our network is one of the reasons we care for patients with cognitive disorders through more than 12,000 appointments each year.

How Our Doctors Are Making a Difference

Verna Porter, M.D., a Providence neurologist in California, often sees people over the age of 55 who want to maintain their brain health and well-being. She explains how to do that and debunks myths about aging.

More About Cognitive Disorders

Cognitive disorders can be caused by disease, injuries, aging or other factors. They affect the way the brain works, making it difficult to think, remember or learn things. Symptoms can include difficulty concentrating, solving problems or even recognizing familiar people or objects. For example, a patient with a cognitive disorder may not remember how or why to use something that’s a part of daily life, such as a key or a credit card. Or they may not be able to solve a problem such as what to make for dinner.

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Amnesia
  • Dementia
  • Down syndrome
  • Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Lewy body dementia (LBD)

Testing and Diagnostics

Senior couple with doctor

Your neurological care team uses advanced diagnostics to diagnose your condition. Depending on your case, these may include one or more of the following:

  • Advanced neurological imaging
  • Blood test
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • Genetic testing
  • Neuropsychological testing

Personalized Treatment for Cognitive Disorders

There are many cognitive disorders, and symptoms can vary from patient to patient. This is why your care team works with you to create a treatment plan based specifically on your disorder, your symptoms and your personal needs. Your plan will combine medical treatment and supportive care, and may include one or more of the following:

  • Culinary medicine
  • Drug interaction monitoring
  • Health coaching
  • Lifelong learning
  • Lifestyle medicine
  • Prescription medication
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy

Find Neurological Care Close to You

Meet the Team

At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

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