Information for Patients

The Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders is a clinical service operated by Vancouver Coastal Health. It is located on the second floor of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.

CONTACT 

UBC Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders
Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
2215 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

Phone: 604-822-7031
Fax: 604-822-7191

OUR CLINICAL SERVICES

The UBC Hospital Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias was established through an operating grant from the BC Ministry of Health of British Columbia in 1983. It is the only clinic of its kind in BC and serves individuals and families across the province. UBCH CARD offers the following services: 

  • Diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and related disorders
  • Information about the natural history and known causes of the diagnosed disorder
  • Information about available treatments for specific symptoms
  • Counselling for strategies for coping with the day to day difficulties which occur due to mental changes
  • Opportunities for involvement with research including clinical trials
  • Information for patients and caregivers regarding support groups, financial and legal issues, care facilities, adult day programs, and other support services such as the Continuing Care Program and the Alzheimer Society of BC

Accessing our clinical services

Patients are typically referred to UBCH CARD by a doctor. Concerned individuals, family members, friends or other health care professionals may also contact UBCH CARD. However, for an assessment to be scheduled, a referral must be provided by a doctor.

There is a waiting list for an assessment at UBCH CARD. An appointment is made once all previous medical reports are obtained. A close family member or friend is asked to accompany the patient to appointments as a support person. This is important because they may be able to provide historical information and also to give the patient support throughout the assessment.

Preparing for your appointment

The clinic is located on the second floor of the the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, beside UBC Hospital. The clinic is open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Please check in at our reception desk a few minutes prior to your appointment.

Please note that part of your appointment may involve team members meeting separately with your support person.

For more information, please download our New Patient Information Form.

Brain Donation/Autopsy Services

FOR CLINIC PATIENTS

The option of brain autopsy at the time of passing is available to all UBCH CARD patients upon request. Autopsy investigations allow for confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and related disorders. The autopsy findings are shared with our patient's next-of-kin, and implications for other family members are addressed as needed.

Additional information regarding autopsy arrangements can be obtained from the Clinic physicians or genetic counsellor.

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF CLINIC PATIENTS

Upon request, UBCH CARD also facilitates autopsy arrangements for family members of patients who 1) have received a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or other related disorder and 2) are BC residents. If an autopsy is desired for an affected family member who is not a BC resident, arrangements will need to be made by that family member's local physicians.

Additional information regarding autopsy arrangements for affected family members of UBCH CARD patients can be obtained from the Clinic genetic counsellor.

FOR NON-CLINIC PATIENTS

Unfortunately, we are unable to facilitate autopsy arrangements for individuals who are not UBCH CARD patients or family members of UBCH CARD patients.

An additional option for body donation for medical research and education can be found on the UBC Body Donation Program website. Please note that there is no diagnostic component to this option and no feedback to family members.