Memory Disorders Clinic
at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center
Director: Kristine Yaffe, MD
Location
The clinic at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center
(SFVAMC) is located on Clement Street in the Outer Richmond district of
San Francisco. For more information about location, directions and phone
numbers, please click here.
About the Clinic
The San Francisco Veterans Administration site offers comprehensive evaluations
to veterans with cognitive changes or memory loss. Family members, patients
or health care providers can make a referral to the Memory Disorders
Clinic for an evaluation.
Evaluation
The initial appointment consists of a 3-hour multidisciplinary evaluation. An in-depth
history and neurological exam is conducted by a physician and
extensive cognitive testing is performed by a neuropsychologist.
In addition, time is spent with the social worker to obtain
information about how the individual is functioning and to
consult about available resources. At the end of the evaluation,
the team meets to review the information and discuss their
findings and recommendations with the patient and family.
It may be necessary to obtain additional examinations or
testing before a definitive diagnosis is determined. Some
patients continue to be followed in the clinic and others
return to be followed by their primary care provider.
Eligibility
Anyone who served in the military is potentially eligible to
be seen in the VA system. Patients must submit discharge
papers and enrollment forms to establish eligibility and
then register with member services at the specific medical
center where they wish to be seen. Forms and further details
are available at Department
of Veterans Affairs or by calling (877) 222-VETS.
These steps are required prior to scheduling appointments or services.
Once eligibility is determined, the individual will need to register
at the San Francisco VA by calling (415) 750-2015. Once registration
is complete, an appointment in the clinic can be scheduled.
Services
The specific services that a veteran is eligible
for and amount of payment, is determined by:
- Financial means – income, assets, etc.
- Service connection – this
refers to the amount of disease/illness or disability that
is related to their time in the service. The higher the service
connection, the more services that individual is eligible
for. For example, to be eligible for long term care (LTC)
at a VA site or reimbursed by VA for LTC costs, the individual
must be at least 70% service connected.
Many veterans are eligible for assistance with cost for adult day health care and all
veterans are eligible for respite stays and palliative care
at their local facility.
Medications
Pharmacy benefits at the VA are quite generous,
with reduced copays available to most veterans for medications
on the VA formulary. However, the VA does not function solely
as a pharmacy and these medications must be ordered by a VA
provider after evaluation and many require specialty approval.
A “dual care” policy which allows for patients to be co-managed
by their community and their VA physician, mandates individuals
receiving prescriptions from a VA provider be evaluated at
least annually.
Home Based Primary Care
Program for veterans which maintains
frail, nursing home eligible patients in their homes by having
a multidisciplinary team follow them. This is available in
Marin, SF and Daly City/San Bruno at this time. There is a
waiting list and patients are very closely evaluated for admission
into this program.
Long-term Care
Only highly service connected veterans, are eligible for long term care within the VA system
(at a VA facility or contracted facility in the area).
Other Services
Additional services include consultation with a pharmacist, occupational therapist,
speech therapist and genetic counselor. There is also a bi-monthly patient
and caregiver
education and discussion group which patients and family members are
welcome to attend.
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