EVOKE BRAIN SCAN 

A QEEG scan of the brain helps evaluate brain health via neurophysiology biomarkers to help determine the cause of cognitive impairment while there is still time to treat. Symptoms of brain changes can appear to look the same, leading a person to believe they may be developing dementia. However, an onset of forgetfulness for example, can be causes by thyroid disorders, a vitamin deficiency, chronic stress, depression, chronic pain, or the beginning of cognitive decline. This scan assists the team with determining the underlying cause of brain changes to point to a specific treatment plan based on the findings.

Function Evaluation 

Evaluation from an occupational therapist specializing in cognition to provide a comprehensive assessment of functional performance related to cognition function. Goals of this evaluation are to identify reversible and irreversible brain changes, the effects of these changes on an individual’s overall occupational performance and provide specific recommendations to support ongoing brain health and wellness.

Therapy Treatment for brain health

Our specialized speech and occupational therapy staff work to assist you with rewiring the affected pathways to improve or maximize your cognitive function. Cognition includes many brain functions:  attention, concentration, orientation, memory, word retrieval, and executive function skills such as planning, problem solving, and reasoning. Within these brain function there are normal ranges and our therapists work to educate clients and families on various changes and ways to maximize these functions.

Treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is of special interest for our therapy staff. MCI is characterized by subtle cognitive changes that do not significantly interfere with day-to-day living. Research shows that 15% of individuals with MCI will develop dementia within two years. Additionally 32% of individuals with MCI will develop dementia within five years (Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures 2021). These statistics drive our therapists daily while treating clients because we know that with cognitive therapy, individuals can maintain and/or improve their cognitive function. Prognosis for improvement is strongly determined by both the individual’s and the care provider’s motivation and participation. It is ideal to seek treatment for even subtle cognitive decline immediately before impairment progresses and may be irreversible.

Therapy Treatment for Dementia 

Living with dementia creates a need for modification due to a change in how we experience the world, both for the caregiver and the person living with dementia. Our occupational therapy staff do not remove the disease that is creating the impairment, but they can help modify and adapt the environment to help the person living with dementia be successful. In therapy for brain health, as described above, we work on the brain, so it can more effectively adapt to the world. In therapy for dementia, we work on the world, so it can be better suited for the person’s brain. By adapting and modifying the environment around a person living with dementia, we can help maximize their cognitive function and preserve abilities to help slow or minimize the progression of the disease creating the impairment. The goal of this therapy is to determine which cognitive functions are working well, which cognitive functions are not working well, and then adapt the outside world to better meet the needs of the person to help them use the abilities that are their strengths.

Collaboration with care providers

Assisting someone who is living with any type of Dementia can be rewarding and yet challenging. Brain Intercept has programs for both the client living with dementia and their care provider. These programs are guided by the needs of the client, however, are targeted to the care provider to help them understand how they can adapt and modify to assist with any problems they are encountering. Through education and training with the care provider a higher quality of life for all
parties involved can be achieved. These specialty services include assisting with maintaining abilities of the person with dementia and minimizing behavioral disturbances or changes in psychological function that often accompany any type of dementia. Ever-Present Insight, by Sarah Viola, is utilized throughout this therapy. 

Professional Consultations services

Many professionals need support, education, or training in assisting clients with living with dementia. There are best practice strategies, approaches, and interventions to support quality of life and safety in these clients and we are here to provide this information. We provide consultation services specifically for organizations, professionals in healthcare, and personal care providers related to specific client cases or situations.

Brain Health Education

The team at Brain Intercept is passionate about teaching persons at all ages what it means to have good brain health. They have developed pillars of brain health that help to improve the environment in which your brain resides to maximize its function daily.

Dementia Specific Education

The team at Brain Intercept provides education for both professionals and individuals wanting increased knowledge of dementia and related cognitive impairment. More specifically Brain Intercept is a provider of Ever-Present Insight dementia care. The initial book written to support care providers, When Waves Rise, teaches skills for navigating difficult moments related to dementia care.

EVER-PRESENT INSIGHT

Ever-Present Insight provides dementia care, education & resources to personal and professional care providers.