Memory Clinics in Switzerland. Collaborative Group of Swiss Memory Clinics

Currently, eleven Memory Clinics (MC) in Switzerland offer their services to patients, caregivers and family doctors. Their primary goal is the early diagnosis and management of dementia in elderly outpatients. Special emphasis is put on the detection of reversible causes of dementing disorders. Diagnoses and medical, pharmacological, neuropsychological and social treatment recommendations are established in a multidisciplinary consensus conference and communicated back to the referring physicians. The psychosocial therapies and supportive activities include counseling, memory training for patients, neuropsychological rehabilitation, caregiver groups, relaxation and biofeedback training, day care centers, Alzheimer's Tanzcafé, and special vacations for dementia patients. These activities vary from MC to MC according to the availability of resources. Research activities are an integral part of all MCs and range from the attempt to identify preclinical markers of Alzheimer's disease to studies of neuropathological correlates of cognitive disturbances. Moreover, patients are encouraged to participate in studies investigating new medications. MCs play an important role in the education and training of health care professionals and in raising awareness and support in the general population.