Avicenna Centre for Brain Health’s Memory Clinic supports patients and families across the Fraser Valley who are concerned about memory loss, cognitive decline, or dementia. Changes in memory and thinking can be worrying, both for the person experiencing them and for the people who love them. Our role is to assess those changes carefully, clarify what may be causing them, and help you understand the next steps with a clear, coordinated plan.
Memory care at our established North Delta clinic is built around a multidisciplinary team and a single coordinated assessment, so families are not left navigating separate appointments across the region on their own.
An assessment can help when an older adult, or their family, notices ongoing changes such as:
If these changes are affecting daily life, an assessment can provide clarity and direction.
This is one of the most important things to understand. Memory and concentration problems can have many causes, and a number of them are treatable or reversible. Depression, anxiety, stress, poor sleep, certain medications, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies such as low B12, infections, and other medical conditions can all affect memory and thinking. A thorough assessment is designed to identify what is actually contributing to the symptoms, rather than assuming the worst, so that the right support can follow.
The Avicenna assessment brings several disciplines together to build a complete picture of the patient’s cognitive health, physical function, and wellbeing. Depending on the patient’s needs, it may include:
The result is an individualized care plan the patient and family can act on, rather than a single test result with no roadmap attached.
The physician portions of the assessment, such as the geriatric psychiatrist and family physician involvement, are insured services covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) when you have valid BC coverage and a referral. The allied health components, such as occupational therapy and other private-pay services, are not covered by MSP, although many extended health benefit plans reimburse a portion. Our coordinators will walk you and your family through what is covered before the assessment begins.
A referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner is the usual starting point, and it can include relevant history, current concerns, and medication information. Once we receive it, our team will reach out to confirm details and guide you through the process. See our referral information for details, or contact our Delta team directly.
Memory changes affect the whole family, not just the patient. We involve loved ones throughout the process where appropriate, from gathering history to the final care-planning meeting, so that everyone understands the situation and the plan. For families who are unsure where to turn, our health navigation helps connect you with the right mix of medical care, community resources, and ongoing support.
Avicenna is a referral-based assessment clinic and is not an urgent or crisis service. If an older adult is experiencing a sudden, severe change in thinking or behaviour, or if you or someone else is in crisis, please call 911, call or text the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, or call the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789.
Our clinic is located at Unit 216, 7313 120th Street, in North Delta on the Scott Road corridor near the Delta and Surrey border. It is easy to reach by Highway 91 and the Alex Fraser Bridge, with parking and everyday amenities along Scott Road and transit through nearby Scottsdale Exchange, which helps for patients who come with family. Call 778 590 8334 to learn more or to ask about a memory assessment.
Families come to our North Delta clinic from across the Fraser Valley and South Fraser, including North Delta, Surrey, Ladner, Tsawwassen, White Rock, Langley, Richmond, and New Westminster.
Occasional forgetfulness, like misplacing keys or briefly forgetting a name, is a normal part of aging. Dementia involves more persistent and progressive changes that interfere with daily life, such as struggling to manage familiar tasks or repeating the same questions. An assessment helps tell the two apart.
A referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner is the usual starting point. Contact our Delta team to confirm current referral requirements.
The physician portions are covered by MSP. The allied health portions are private-pay and may be covered by extended health benefits. Our coordinators will explain the details before you begin.
Yes. Mood, sleep, medication, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, and other medical conditions can all affect memory. A proper assessment is designed to identify the actual cause.
Yes, and we encourage it. Input from loved ones is valuable, and families are included in the care-planning discussion where appropriate.
If you or someone you love is noticing changes in memory or thinking, an assessment can bring clarity and a plan. Ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner for a referral, or contact our Delta team to learn more. You can also read about our broader Memory Clinic program and our older adult mental health services, or return to our Delta mental health clinic overview.
