University of Wisconsin–Madison

Category: Caregiving

‘Finding the Right Words’: Author Interview with Cindy Weinstein and Bruce Miller

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American literature professor and author Cindy Weinstein and behavioral neurologist Bruce Miller join the podcast to discuss their latest book, Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief, and the Brain, a dual-memoir that alternates between Weinstein’s memories of her father who experienced early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and Miller’s scientific responses. They discuss their writing process, developments in Alzheimer’s disease research, and their experiences as care partners and care providers to those experiencing dementia.

Guests: Cindy Weinstein, PhD, Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of English, California Institute of Technology and Bruce Miller, MD, director, University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center

Caregivers, Care Partners and People with Dementia: Brainstorming New Interventions for Dementia Care

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When talking about dementia caregiving, researchers are often working toward new treatments and strategies for supporting people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. But how can we push the topic further and learn how we can better support dementia caregivers themselves? Dr. Eric Larson joins the podcast to discuss possible interventions to support patients with dementia and their caregivers and care partners. Dr. Larson chaired a National Academy of Medicine committee focused on researching dementia caregiving interventions. As part of their report titled “Meeting the Challenge of Caring for Persons Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners and Caregivers: A Way Forward,” the committee found that two models, the Collaborative Care Model and REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiving Health), had the most evidence of benefits for supporting people with dementia and their care partners and caregivers. Discussing this new report, the recent approval of aducanumab, and the field of geriatrics as a whole, Dr. Larson shines a light on the nuances of dementia research and dementia caregiving.

Guest: Eric Larson, MD, MPH, Senior Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Creative Care: The Power of Imagination in Dementia Caregiving

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What would happen if caregiving strategies were inspired by wonder rather than memory? That’s what Dr. Anne Basting, founder and president of the nonprofit TimeSlips, asked when she began her research into how the arts could be integrated into dementia caregiving. Basting joins the podcast to discuss her caregiving approach rooted in creative engagement and imagination. From storytelling to beautiful questions to performance, Basting describes a new way of caregiving that helps caregivers and families meet patients and loved ones where they’re at to have meaningful connections and spark joy in the later years of life.

Guest: Anne Basting, PhD, professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, founder and president of TimeSlips, author of Creative Care

Managing Inappropriate Sexual Behavior in Alzheimer’s Disease

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Inappropriate sexual behavior is a common yet rarely discussed symptom in individuals with dementia. Author Elizabeth Marcus writes about her personal experience with her father’s behavioral changes in her new book, Don’t Say a Word!: A Daughter’s Two Cents. Elizabeth shares what she learned caring for her father, as well as advice for caregivers responding to the symptoms. Neurologist Dr. Martin Samuels offers background on changes in the brain that can cause inappropriate sexual behavior and other personality shifts that are common in people with dementia.

Guest: Elizabeth Marcus, author; Martin Allen Samuels, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Being Patient Translates Alzheimer’s Disease Science for the General Public

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Being Patient is an online news source dedicated to providing research news, caregiver information and resources related to Alzheimer’s disease. Being Patient founder Deborah Kan discusses how her personal experiences led her to develop the website, as well as how online resources and communities can help empower individuals affected by memory loss.

Guest: Deborah Kan, journalist, founder of beingpatient.com

How Society Can Improve Care for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

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Dr. Jason Karlawish discusses society’s role in addressing care for individuals with memory loss, as well as current stigmas around Alzheimer’s disease, Wealthcare, and his cautious optimism for the future of Alzheimer’s disease research and care. This is the final episode in our four-part series with Dr. Karlawish on his new book, The Problem of Alzheimer’s: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It.

Guest: Jason Karlawish, MD, co-director, Penn Memory Center

The Powerful Benefits of Music on Memory Loss

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Growing research has shown that music can have a profound impact on individuals with memory loss. Right to Music is an organization dedicated to promoting use of personal music by families and professionals caring for people with dementia and other cognitive challenges. Founder Dan Cohen joins the podcast to discuss how music can affect memory loss and tips for starting music therapy.

Guest: Dan Cohen, founder, Right to Music

Emergency Care Tips for People with Dementia

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Visiting the emergency department can be a challenging experience for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. Dr. Manish Shah joins the podcast to discuss the difficulties people with dementia face in the emergency department and offers tips for making the most out of a visit. 

Guest: Manish Shah, MD, MPH, professor, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Apps & Alzheimer’s: Supporting Informal Caregiving Through Mobile Technology

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Human factors engineering is the study and design of interactive systems, tools and technologies to best assist individuals in need. We are joined by Nicole Werner, PhD, an engineer working on a mobile technology to serve the lives of informal caregivers.

Guest: Nicole Werner, PhD, Harvey D. Spangler Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Exploring the Lessons Learned as a New Caregiver

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After serving as the primary caregiver for his wife for 11 years, Dr. Arthur Kleinman shares the unexpected experiences, difficulties and lessons that he faced. His book, The Soul of Care: The Moral Education of a Husband and a Doctor, chronicles the emotional and physical journey as a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Guest: Arthur Kleinman, MD, professor of medical anthropology and cross-cultural psychiatry, Harvard University

Caregiver Coping Skills and Communication Strategies for a Pandemic

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COVID-19 Special Series

The pandemic has placed a significant strain on the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of many caregivers, as well as individuals with cognitive decline. Our guest discusses COVID-19’s impact on underserved communities, offers communication tips, and reminds people to practice self-care.

Guest: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing

Long Distance Caregiving and Connecting: How to Remain in Close Contact with Your Loved Ones while Following Physical Distancing Recommendations

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COVID-19 Special Series

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic visiting and communicating with people living with memory loss, whether at home or in a care facility, has become more difficult. Our guest joins us to outline the different ways to communicate remotely, how rural communities are adapting to this change and methods to help caregivers cope. 

Guest: Becky DeBuhr, MS, Program Director, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin

A Glimpse Into the National Family Caregiver Support Program

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COVID-19 Special Series

The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) offers information, support, and resources to assist family caregivers (spouse, adult child, other relative, friend or neighbor) with their concerns related to caregiving. COVID-19 has impacted many resources and supports. Funding is available to help. This episode delves into what the program offers and ways to support caregivers and care recipients especially during the pandemic.

Guest: Jane DeBroux, Caregiver Program Coordinator, Dane County Area Agency on Aging

Considerations for Caregivers in Indian Country

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Dr. J. Neil Henderson is an expert on diabetes and dementia, as well as creating culturally specific caregiver training programs for people who care for American Indian elders. Dr. Henderson, who is Oklahoma Choctaw, discusses cultural influences on caregiving and his work in improving brain health among American Indians and rural populations. 

Guest: J. Neil Henderson, PhD, professor, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Duluth campus; executive director, Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team on Health Disparities

Palliative Care and Hospice Conversations for Dementia Patients, Families and Caregivers

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A common concern for families and dementia caregivers is when to start talking about palliative care and hospice with and for their loved ones with dementia. Our guest, Dr. Kate Schueller, recommends these conversations happen soon after a diagnosis, when the dementia patient can still be involved in planning their care. This episode talks about the difference between palliative care and hospice, the right time to initiative services, and other considerations for patients, families, and caregivers.

Guest: Dr. Kate Schueller, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health