Neurology Clinic – Big Stone Gap

Memory care program

Dementia is a growing problem, with more than 5 million Americans diagnosed.

Ballad Health’s Memory Care Program offers support services to help patients, families and caregivers with the challenges this disease presents.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in both Tennessee and Virginia, and the problem is growing. In Tennessee, there’s been a 205% increase in Alzheimer’s deaths since 2000.

Since our region is considered a leading retirement zone in the U.S. – thanks to our low cost of living, good healthcare and many conveniences – we’re especially vulnerable.

The disease creeps into our lives in stages. It starts with a mild memory decline that evolves into a struggle to find the right words. It can manifest itself in poor performance at work, or difficulty handling finances. It becomes difficult to remember names of people we know.

Eventually, someone with dementia can forget large parts of their life or even their spouse’s name. In its most severe stages, the disease causes difficulty doing virtually everything in daily life, including talking, eating, using the bathroom or being mobile in any way.

Services and procedures

Ballad Health Memory Care is led by Dr. Earl Wilson, who provides expert care at Ballad Health Medical Associates Neurology in Bristol, Abingdon and Big Stone Gap.

Nurse practitioner (NP) Kara Hill does diagnostic testing at the clinic. She is also able to make home visits to help care for those who aren’t able to get out, serving as a patient advocate and complementing other services the patient may be receiving, such as home health.

This dedicated memory care program treats:

• Cognitive concerns
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

We also provide:

• Memory impairment evaluations
• Prescription management as needed, and encourages non-pharmacologic management through meaningful activities
• Support for families and caregiver
• Specific, individualized care for patients and families
• Home visits as needed
• Community dementia resources to raise community awareness, including at senior centers, ER/urgent care locations and with local law enforcement agencies

Clinic hours

• 1st Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.