WHY VISIT?
Dr. Sara Lucas is a highly experienced Clinical Neuropsychologist dedicated to helping individuals facing neurological challenges, people seek her expertise for several key reasons:
Common Memory Concerns
Forgetting things
People often experience memory lapses in day to day life, especially if they are very busy or stressed about something. Such lapses might include losing your keys, going to a room to get something and forgetting why you were there, losing your train of thought during conversation, forgetting what you just read, or forgetting to pass on a phone message.
It is often difficult for people to distinguish between what is normal, and what might be the start of something more worrying. If you are concerned, please speak to your GP or specialist to see whether neuropsychological assessment might be right for you.
Worried about dementia?
Memory problems
People are often referred to a Clinical Neuropsychologist after expressing concerns about developing dementia to their GP or other health professional. Such an assessment is more likely to pick up early symptoms of dementia, but may also put your mind at ease if no problems are found. There are also other reversible causes of memory problems that might be picked up, such as stress or depression.
Some people worried about dementia are often just experiencing age-related memory decline, which is normal (we all become more forgetful as we get older). However, prior to coming for neuropsychological assessment, please discuss your concerns with your GP or other medical specialist.
Getting back to work or study after an accident
Injury Recovery
After suffering severe injuries in a work or car accident, people often go through a lengthy rehabilitation process (sometimes with the aid of a private or public rehabilitation service) during which they unable to work or study. If you feel you are experiencing memory or concentration changes following your injuries, it may be harder for you to return to work. This is especially the case if you have had a brain injury.
Neuropsychological assessment can help with determining what thinking problems you may have, and what sort of return to work program might be suitable for you. We can also provide strategies to assist with return to work, such as modifications to your existing workplace or study program, or areas you may need assistance with from your rehabilitation provider.
Concussion Recovery Service
Injury Recovery
Sometimes after a concussion, people can experience persisting symptoms that remain beyond the usual recovery period. People who have pre-existing psychological conditions, post-trauma symptoms, pain or certain personality factors are more at risk due to the complex interplay between the original injury and developing sleep issues, anxiety/arousal and psychosocial factors that can develop.
Dr Lucas has started a concussion recovery service with a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
For more information visit www.adelaideconcussionrecovery.com.au
Decision making capacity
With a brain injury or dementia
Relatives, friends, health professionals and even lawyers can sometimes become concerned about a potential client's decision making capacity, especially if they have been diagnosed with a brain injury or dementia. This may be in relation to making a Will, signing other legal documents, managing their finances, deciding where to live, whether to proceed with a medical procedure or even getting married.
The person of concern may have signed up to a new mobile phone plan or have bought an expensive piece of equipment they don't need. Concerns may have been raised about potential exploitation. This could also necessitate a hearing being requested before SACAT (or NCAT or NTCAT) to decide if a Guardian or Financial Manager needs to be appointed.
If there are serious concerns, a neuropsycholoical assessment can help determine decision making capacity in the area of question.
NDIS
National Disability Insurance Agency
Dr Lucas sees clients under their NDIS funding plan but only if they are plan managed or self-managed (i.e. not under NDIA).
She also performs assessments that can be used as part of an application for an NDIS plan, or to request change of cirsumstances.
Please ask your NDIS co-ordinator to make contact as approval will be required to ensure adequate funds prior to an appointment being made.
