The Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment

The Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and trEatment (CARE) is dedicated to assisting patients and families who may be affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions through patient care, education, research, and service to the community.

Located on the SIU School of Medicine campus in Springfield, the Memory and Aging Clinic provides complete memory and cognitive assessment, treatment, education, referral and counseling services to patients and their families.  Both self-referred and physician-referred patients are welcomed.

Memory and Aging Network

The network is comprised of a variety of community-based providers throughout the 93 county CARE service area. Network providers work closely with SIU School of Medicine faculty and staff and are specifically trained to evaluate individuals with memory or other cognitive complaints according to a standard protocol. In addition, Network providers may provide counseling, referral services, and education to individuals, the community and health care professionals.  Patients and families may be referred for available research programs if they wish.

Research

CARE conducts and supports scientific and psychosocial research, including multi-center clinical drug trials, the brain autopsy program, neuropsychological research, and basic science research. CARE researchers collaborate with many other researchers, including those in other departments on the School of Medicine campus and those affiliated with other institutions, like SIU Carbondale, Eastern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois.

Educational Programs

CARE sponsors educational events and services for clinicians, health care professionals, patients and family members throughout the year.  Our major events include our annual conferences on Alzheimer’s Disease Risk and Protective Factors and Early Interventions, held each spring; Alzheimer’s Awareness Family Caregiver Conference, held in November; and Synchronizing Science and Support: Annual Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, also held in November.

Service to the Community

CARE is an active participant in many community programs, including those sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association as well as the School of Medicine.  Likewise, many of the Memory and Aging Network sites are active in their own local communities.

To find more information on CARE, please visit siumed.edu/alz