For New Patients

The Ayer Neuroscience Institute Memory Care Center sees adults– usually older adults who have been referred by a primary care medical professional because they are concerned about or have begun to experience changes in their thinking, the way they behave, or their ability to take care of themselves.

We understand that these cognitive changes can cause anxiety for both the patient and their family members. The experts at the Memory Care Center will do everything to help guide you through this process, and while a diagnosis is not always definitive, we will offer the best care and advice to help provide the best quality of life.

For most people, the process of determining a diagnosis will require up to three visits. Sometimes, it is not possible to reach a definitive diagnosis. 

Before Your First Visit

It’s important to establish a care partner for your journey who will accompany you to every visit. Your care partner can help you with emotional support and can help you make good choices. Your care partner can also help you gather and understand information about your care.


Incoming patients will receive a packet of pre-visit information in the mail:

  • Patient Questionnaire: This is how we will begin to get to know you before you even arrive. There will be questions aboutmedical history and medications, but also about your hobbies and interests. This is a good spot to tell us about yourself.
  • Patient Scales: We will ask you to fill out forms about your activities and your mood.
  • Care Partner Scales: We will ask your care partner to fill out forms about your activities.

Filling out this paperwork in advance will reduce your registration time and provide your doctor with important information that will help you receive the highest quality of care. You may bring the completed paperwork with you to the appointment or mail or fax it to us in advance.

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On the day of your visit

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time, so that you can check in at the front desk and begin seeing the nurse.

Please bring with you:

  • Your insurance card. We will copy this and give it back to you.
  • A form of identification. You can use a driver’s license, a non-driver ID or a passport.
  • Your eyeglasses and/or hearing assistive devices. We also have “pocket talkers” to help you hear during the visit. Just let the front desk staff know if you would like to use one.
  • Medications (either a list or the actual pill bottles). Please include prescription medications and over-the-counter pills you take.
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The First Visit: Preliminary Examination

Your physician will ask questions about your symptoms and how they are affecting your daily life. The physician will conduct mental and physical examinations. This first visit is usually about 90 minutes.

Second Visit: Thinking Tests

Your physician will conduct thinking tests with you that focus on attention, language, memory and other thinking abilities. The duration of the second visit is variable.

Outside Tests: Blood Tests and Imaging

Sometime between the first and third visits, the Memory Care Center will ask you to have basic lab tests and brain imaging, like MRI, completed, or to send us the results of those tests if done previously.

Third Visit: Diagnosis

Your physician will discuss all of the results with you, explain how they relate to a diagnosis, and what treatments or other steps are recommended. You will be given all of the information that you need to select the treatment option(s) you are most interested in pursuing. This visit usually lasts about an hour.

The full diagnostic evaluation may be completed in as little as one month or it may take up to six months.

About Us

We diagnose neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and help people understand and adapt to thinking changes.

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Our Team

The Memory Care Center’s team is comprised of specialists that include medical professionals from neurology, geriatric psychiatry, clinical social work and neuropsychology.

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Memory Care Center

  • Location

    Address:
    1260 Silas Deane Highway
    Suite 101
    Wethersfield, CT 06109
    Get Directions >>

  • Contact Us

    Phone: 860.545.7550
    Fax: 860.545.7180

  • Hours

    Monday – Friday
    8:00 AM – 4:30 PM