Memory and Aging

Late life is a time of transitions, with increased vulnerability to losses and illnesses that can lead to problems in memory and other cognitive abilities, emotion, and behavior. Our goals are to identify the nature and causes of these common problems, to use the most advanced treatments to help restore mental health, and to discover strategies to enhance resilience against the distinctive stressors of late life.

All treatment offered by Penn Behavioral Health is informed by the cutting edge research conducted in the Department of Psychiatry. Patients can elect to receive treatment through one of our excellent clinical programs or, if eligible, may receive treatment as a participant in a research trial at no cost.  Please see below for descriptions of our programs.

Penn Behavioral Health Programs

  • Geriatric Psychiatry Section 
    The Geriatric Psychiatry Section specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in older adults. Such illnesses may include: depression, dementias, bipolar disorder, anxiety, late-onset schizophrenia, and certain medical conditions. Co-existing issues may include familial and environmental concerns, difficulty coping with major life changes, medications, and physical illnesses. 
  • Penn Memory Center Cognitive Fitness Program
    People with “age-associated memory impairment” or with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early stage dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease) face new challenges related to thinking, learning, and remembering. Research data illustrates that individuals can compensate for certain memory and thinking deficits by engaging in specialized cognitive training. Practicing these techniques can help optimize independence, improve overall health, and maintain normal daily activity. The Penn Memory Center Cognitive Fitness Program combines cutting-edge technology with personalized education to optimize cognitive health in older adults. 

 


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