University of Wisconsin–Madison
A framed picture of the Dementia Matters logo and a lit up "On Air" sign on a wall

Welcome to Dementia Matters

The Latest

Two older adults sit on the couch and look through paperwork

Caring for those with dementia represents a major public health challenge, with caregivers, especially spouses, providing long-term, largely unpaid care. With caregiving stress linked to a decline in mental and physical health, it is crucial to understand the complex burden these care partners face in order to  support them. Dr. Donna de Levante Raphael joins the podcast to shed light on the effects of caregiving on the spousal caregiver and share possible interventions and programs to support their needs. 

Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and supplements are incredibly common among older adults, yet many of these routine treatments can unexpectedly impact cognitive function and brain health. To help us safely navigate medication management, Dr. Lauren Welch, a clinical geriatric pharmacy practitioner, joins the podcast to discuss how common drugs affect cognition, the risks of drug-drug interactions, and how families can effectively partner with their health care team to review and de-prescribe medications.

Guest: Lauren Welch, PharmD, BCGP, clinical geriatric pharmacy practitioner, Veterans Affair Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center

Dr. Jessen returns to the podcast to take a deeper dive into subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Aiming to cover everything relating to SCD, Dr. Jessen shares insights in prognosis, risk factors and how SCD should be addressed in research and clinical practice. 

Guest: Frank Jessen, MD, professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy, director, department of psychiatry, University of Cologne, clinical board member, Clinical Alzheimer’s Research, German Center of Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), chair, European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC), founder and past chairman, ISTARRT Professional Interest Area on SCD,  SCD-initiative (SCD-I), founder, chair, German Memory Clinic Network (DNG), advisory board, German Alzheimer Association, Hirnliga

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) can be one of the earliest noticeable signs of Alzheimer’s disease, yet SCD is not yet fully understood. To help us understand more, Dr. Frank Jessen, an expert in the field, joins the podcast to discuss how SCD is defined, classified, and evaluated in both clinical and research settings.

Guest: Frank Jessen, MD, professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy, director, department of psychiatry, University of Cologne, clinical board member, Clinical Alzheimer’s Research, German Center of Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), chair, European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC), founder and past chairman, ISTARRT Professional Interest Area on SCD,  SCD-initiative (SCD-I), founder, chair, German Memory Clinic Network (DNG), advisory board, German Alzheimer Association, Hirnliga

Want to learn through a particular format?

Get Involved

Find ways to get involved with research, contact us, or make a gift to our program!