TUCSON (July 7, 2020) – Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, an international leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, is proud to expand its services to Southern Arizona with a brand new, 10,000-square-foot comprehensive care center now open to patients.
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is a Center of Excellence focused on the diagnosis, treatment and study of Alzheimer’s disease. The multidisciplinary memory and research center is in collaboration with the University of Arizona Department of Neurology physicians and researchers.
The Toole Family Memory Center, located at 2626 E. River Road in Tucson, broke ground in June 2019 and offers the only comprehensive care model for Alzheimer’s and related dementias in Southern Arizona. The memory center is named for the Toole family of Tucson to honor their philanthropic gift to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation.
“The Toole family is proud to support the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and to help bring this holistic care model to the Tucson community. Life’s experiences are often the greatest form of education and, unfortunately, we learned first-hand how difficult this disease is for both the patient and family,” said Tom Toole. “Our father’s multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s is now over, but his legacy of supporting community and helping others continues with the establishment of this center.”
Now open, the Toole Family Memory Center provides outpatient services related to the evaluation, diagnosis and medical management of both cognitive and non-cognitive behavior problems; a clinical trials program, where patients can learn about and gain access to promising investigational treatments and prevention research; a family and community services program to help address commonly unmet non-medical needs of family care providers; and offer various community education programs.
“When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia’s, there are actually two patients: the person with memory impairment and their family,” said Allan Anderson, MD, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute director. “We are proud to expertly care for both in our unique care model. We treat the patient medically, but also meet their nonmedical needs like free education and support as the disease progresses.”
“We are proud to collaborate with the Banner Alzheimer Institute and bring their unique model of clinical care, family support and research to our community. It is an asset for Southern Arizona,” said David M. Labiner, MD, The University of Arizona Department of Neurology professor and chair.
The number of Arizona residents facing Alzheimer’s disease is outpacing other states in the country. To provide these vulnerable patients with the highest quality care, Banner Health is working tirelessly to put best practices in place to ensure the safety of all our patients and health care team. Clinical appointments, support groups and educational classes are all available virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep people safe and still connected. For in-person appointments, learn more about the additional safety measures.
To make an appointment, visit our website to complete the New Patient Packet or call (520) 694-7021.
About Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Through its research and care, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is dedicated to the goal of ending Alzheimer’s disease without losing another generation. Founded in 2006 by Banner Health, one of the country’s largest nonprofit health care systems, BAI has a three-fold focus: to conduct revolutionary studies in the detection, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s; to set a national standard of patient and family care; and to forge scientific collaborations that bring together institutions and disciplines internationally. For more information visit www.banneralz.org.
About Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation
Established in 2006, Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation secures and stewards charitable gifts to advance the mission of the nonprofit Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, including groundbreaking research initiatives and pioneering prevention studies, family outreach, counseling and support services. The programs and services created to support those with memory impairment at Banner’s memory centers throughout the state are funded by the foundation and its donors. Visit give.bannerhealth.com/alz or call 602-747-4468 to learn more.
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Editor’s note: The memory center is named for the Toole family of Tucson, who made a significant donation to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation to bring the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to Southern Arizona. Tom Toole, representing the Toole Family, is available for interviews. Dr. Allan Anderson, dementia care specialist and director of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, is available for interview about the disease, programs and services available to patients. Due to COVID-19 and visitor restrictions in place to keep our patients safe, interviews will be conducted remotely by phone or video services like FaceTime or Zoom. HD B-roll of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is available to download and use. Download will ask for name and email, there is no password. To schedule an interview, please contact Jen Fenter by email at jennifer.fenter@bannerhealth.com.