Dementia & Cognitive Care — Compassionate, Expert Support for Patients and Families
Specialized cognitive health evaluation, dementia management, and family-centered care — at our Lansdowne and Reston locations.
Of all the health concerns that come with aging, cognitive decline is among the most feared — and the most misunderstood. Many patients and families spend months or years quietly worrying about memory changes before anyone puts a name to what’s happening. At VPMC, we believe that early attention, accurate diagnosis, and honest conversation change outcomes. We don’t wait for a crisis to start the conversation about cognitive health.
Our care team screens for cognitive changes at every geriatric wellness visit using validated clinical tools, because the earlier a change is detected, the more options exist — for treatment, for planning, and for preserving quality of life. When concerns are identified, we conduct a thorough evaluation to understand what’s actually driving the symptoms. Not all memory loss is dementia. Thyroid dysfunction, vitamin B12 deficiency, depression, sleep apnea, and medication side effects can all produce cognitive symptoms that look like early dementia but are entirely reversible with the right treatment. Finding a treatable cause can be life-changing — and it’s something we look for deliberately, not as an afterthought.
When dementia is diagnosed, we provide evidence-based care across the full spectrum of the condition — from early-stage Mild Cognitive Impairment through moderate and advanced dementia. We differentiate between Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and other forms of cognitive decline, because the type of dementia matters for treatment decisions. We manage medications carefully to support cognitive function and address behavioral symptoms, with particular attention to drug interactions and side effects in older adults. We coordinate with neurology for advanced diagnostic workup, neuropsychological testing, and specialist-level treatment when needed.
We also recognize something that medical practices often overlook — caring for a patient with dementia means caring for their family too. Caregivers carry an enormous physical and emotional burden, and that burden affects their own health. Our team provides caregiver education, practical guidance on safety and daily management, community resource referrals, and support for the difficult conversations about driving, advance directives, and long-term care planning — while the patient can still meaningfully participate in those decisions.
Cognitive decline is not something to face alone, and it is not something to face unprepared. Our team is here to walk alongside patients and families at every stage — with honesty, compassion, and a depth of experience that makes a difference when it matters most.
