Avicenna Centre for Brain Health’s Memory Clinic supports patients and families in Calgary 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 Avicenna is built around a multidisciplinary team and a single coordinated assessment, so families are not left navigating separate appointments across the city on their own. Calgary patients and families are encouraged to contact us to confirm current access to memory services and the referral pathway for Alberta.
A memory 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 memory 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, the assessment may include:
The result is an individualized care plan that the patient and family can actually 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 Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) when you have a valid Alberta health card and a referral. The allied health components, such as occupational therapy and other private-pay services, are not covered by AHCIP, 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 for a memory assessment, and the referral 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. Referrals can be sent by email to info@avicennabrainhealth.com or by fax to 1-888-675-9926. For Alberta providers, referral steps may vary depending on whether your practice uses Connect Care.
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, contact Alberta Health Services Access 24/7, or call the provincial Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642.
Our clinic is located at Suite 210, 4525 Monterey Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T3B 0L4, in the community of Montgomery in northwest Calgary, close to Foothills Medical Centre. The building offers on-site parking, elevator access, and wheelchair accessibility, which makes visits easier for older patients and those who come with family. Call 403 454 0902 to learn more or to ask about a memory assessment.
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. A memory assessment helps tell the two apart.
A referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner is the usual starting point. Contact our Calgary team to confirm current referral requirements for Alberta patients.
The physician portions are covered by AHCIP. 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 Calgary 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 Calgary mental health clinic overview.
