Our comprehensive outpatient office for patients with memory disorders.
For patients with memory loss, the Swank Center provides comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, and neurology who work with patients and their families to help navigate the many challenges faced when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. We take a holistic approach to addressing the mental and physical health needs of our patients and their caregivers. We offer in-person and virtual appointments to serve Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey patients.
ChristianaCare Swank Center for Memory Care is honored to be chosen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a GUIDE model for memory care program. Participating in this model enhances our ability to offer broad treatment plans to people with dementia while supporting caregivers with the resources they need.
Steven Huege, MD
Endowed Chair of the Swank Center for Memory Care
Geriatric Psychiatrist
Patricia M. Curtin, MD, FACP
Director, Clinical Strategy and Community Affairs
Lynsey E. Brandt, MD
Geriatrician, Medical Director
Carolyn O. Ianni, MD
Geriatrician
Joseph S. Handler, MD
Neurologist
Michelle K. Ritona, FNP-BC, MSN
Family Nurse Practitioner, Lead Advanced Practice Clinician
Amy S. Blake, FNP-BC, MSN
Family Nurse Practitioner
Alexandra Nixon, AGPCNP
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Aaron R. Block, PA-C
Physician Assistant
There are two main categories of treatment for Alzheimer’s disease: Symptomatic Treatments and Disease Modifying Treatments.
Symptomatic treatments such as cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and memantine provide temporary improvement in cognitive symptoms such as memory loss but do not alter the overall course of the illness.
Disease modifying treatments are treatments that can alter the course of the illness and have the potential to slow the rate of memory/cognitive decline. Currently, there is only one approved medication available in this category, Leqembi (lecanemab). This medication is given as multiple infusions over several months. However, Leqembi is not appropriate for all patients. All patients seeking treatment with Leqembi must undergo extensive pre-treatment assessment and review, including genetic testing, neuropsychological testing, biomarker studies (PET scan or spinal tap), and brain MRI to determine safety and eligibility.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which one has memory and/or other cognitive complaints that are noticeable to the patient or others and create difficulty, but do not cause severe impairment in functioning. In other words, patients with MCI while needing reminders and other assistance, can still generally function independently. Patients with dementia, on the other hand, have cognitive complaints that do result in severe impairment in functioning. These patients struggle with activities of daily living (ADL’s) and their level of impairment is such that they have difficulty functioning independently.
Dementia, or what is also called major neurocognitive disorder, is a condition in which there are changes to the brain that cause significant impairment in functioning. Cognitive symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, difficulty with language, emotional disturbances, impaired judgment, psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, psychosis), and changes in personality or behavior. Many conditions can cause dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but other conditions also cause dementia such as Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body disease, Frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, certain infections, and vitamin deficiencies amongst others. A thorough memory disorders assessment includes studies to rule out these conditions.
Questions of legal capacity related to health care decision-making, finances, exploitation or abuse, and living arrangements commonly arise in patients with memory disorders. These matters may require the involvement of the legal system and a judicial determination of competency. In order to maintain the integrity of the doctor/patient relationship, Swank providers do not perform capacity assessments, nor do we complete competency evaluation paperwork for legal purposes. The Swank Center provides outstanding clinical care to our patients. Our program is not designed to provide the forensic consultative services that are required under such circumstances.
ChristianaCare Safe Steps offers a team of experts that specializes in geriatrics and physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Please consider making a gift today to the Swank Center for Memory Care and Geriatric Consultation.
Turn to the Swank Center for Memory Care and Geriatric Consultation during this challenging time.
Swank Center for Memory Care at Wilmington
ChristianaCare Wilmington Campus
501 W. 14th Street
Gateway Building, 5th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
ChristianaCare at Smyrna
100 S. Main St.
Smyrna, DE 19977
ChristianaCare at Rehoboth
18742 Coastal Highway
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971