Avera Behavioral Management (formerly The Memory Center) is a regional provider of On-site, On-Line, and On-call Behavioral Management Programs and Caregiver Educational Services for the Long-Term Care and Home Care Community. Our Practice was founded in 1999 by Dr. Russell E. Brown, a Board Certified Neurologist and Psychiatrist, who specializes in Dementia/Memory Care and Behavioral Issues in the Elderly. We operate with the dual purpose of helping families, facilities, and agencies develop high quality Behavior Management Programs to assist their Residents and deliver cost-effective Mental Health Education and Training Services to support their Caregivers.

Avera Behavioral Management is also a pioneer in the use of the internet and telecommunications to improve the effectiveness and convenience of developing and supporting on-site, on-line, and on-call Behavioral Management Programs and Mental Health Educational Services. Our main goal is to reduce caregiver burden and stress by teaching caretakers how to manage disruptive, challenging resident behaviors with our detailed, structured Behavioral Planning Process allowing the Resident to remain in his or her natural environment for a longer period of time. Implementation of these behavioral tools and strategies will minimize unnecessary Psychiatric Hospitalizations and curtail the unwarranted use of Psychotropic Medications. Ultimately, this will result in an increased quality of care and an enhanced quality of life for your residents, facility or agency staff, and family members.

Avera Behavioral Management is committed to serving families, facilities, and agencies who care for residents suffering from Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Mental Retardation, Dementia, Depression, Brain Injury, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or Stroke with our customized Behavioral Management Programs and personalized Mental Health Interventions.

Our Mission

_{^{"To develop and provide the highest quality Behavioral Management Programs and Caregiver Educational Services to the Long-Term Care and Home Care Communities."}}

_{Our Values}

Accountability: To be responsive to and satisfy the needs of your family members and facility or agency staff.

Quality: To uphold the standards set forth by our state and federal governments and other regulatory agencies.

Value:  To produce cost-effective, evidence-based, and outcomes-driven Behavioral Management and Mental Health Educational Services for the ElderCare Community.

We Are Committed To Helping Families, Facilities, and Agencies :

• Assess and address the BioPsychoSocial factors that affect Resident functioning.
• Document Behavioral Assessment and Planning recommendations clearly and concisely.
• Develop integrated and comprehensive Behavioral Plans.
• Understand the Pharmacologic and Psychosocial Strategies in Behavioral Care Planning.
• Understand the Neurologic and Psychiatric Aspects of Behavior in the Elderly.
• Reduce inappropriate use of Psychotropic Medications or Physical Restraints.
• Reduce unnecessary Psychiatric Hospitalizations or Emergency Room visits.
• Reduce episodes of Agitation, Aggression, and Depression in residential care environments.
• Reduce Caregiver burden, stress, burn-out, and turnover rates.