Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS)
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 your 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
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 includes:
- 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
- People aged 60 years and above
- First Nations people aged 50 years and above
- Anyone 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.
Note: Clients where a diagnosis is already known would generally not be eligible for our service unless a specialist second opinion is required.
Areas we service
The local government areas of:
- Brimbank
- Hobsons Bay
- Maribyrnong
- Wyndham
- 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.
Who can refer
Referrals may occur from any source, including the client, family, GP, specialist or other advocates for the client.
How to make a referral
Referrals can be made by telephone, fax or mail to the intake worker on the contact numbers listed below.
The CDAMS referral form below should be completed if possible, but a referral letter from a GP or medical specialist will be accepted.
What to expect
Where a client or family refers, their GP will be asked to:
- provide some medical information
- arrange investigations including brain imaging and pathology tests.
CDAMS referral form
Contact
Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS)
Address: Footscray Hospital
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 8345 7865
Fax: (03) 8345 6394