Building the Brain: Finding the Cognitive Benefits of Physical Activity

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To many people, exercise can seem like an uncertain and intimidating new world. The confusing marketing around it can make it hard to find a healthy, sustainable exercise plan. But it's important for people to fit movement into their lives because a growing body of research is showing the positive effects that physical activity can have on your brain. Our guests Sarah Lose and Max Gaitan, research specialists and exercise physiologists, discuss building cognitive resilience, defining physical activity, and researching exercise and its links with brain health. Guests: Sarah Lose, Max Gaitan, Research Specialists and Exercise Physiologists, Okonkwo Lab, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

When Good Becomes Bad: Researching the Impact of Neuroinflammation

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Inflammation is a common response throughout the body that fights injury and infection and works to rebuild cells after damage. Inflammation works the same way in the brain, but sometimes the inflammatory response meets damage it can’t manage and becomes dysregulated. Our guest Dr. Linda Van Eldik discusses her research into the connections between neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, and how this research can help inform the medical community about drug-based treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Guest: Dr. Linda Van Eldik, Director, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging

The Power of Disclosure: How Explaining Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Impacts Life Afterward

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In the advancing field of dementia research, the rise in genetic and biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease creates a need for conversations around how to disclose disease risk to research participants who may be years away from experiencing the symptoms of the disease. Guest Dr. Shana Stites discusses her research that examines public perception of the disease, associated stigma and discrimination, and how the research and medical communities can support people who learn about their Alzheimer’s disease risk profile. Guest: Shana D. Stites, PsyD, MS, Penn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Simple Steps to Reduce Fall Risk among Older Adults

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Falls are the leading injury related cause of emergency room visits, and people with dementia experience falls at about twice the rate of other older adults. But falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and balance and strength training have been proven to reduce fall risk. Our guest joins us to talk about fall risk in older adults and steps patients and caregivers can take to help reduce falls. Guest: Barbara Fischer, PhD, neuropsychologist at the Milo C. Huempfner VA Heath Care Clinic

The Evolving Definition of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s disease researchers are developing new techniques for identifying the disease much earlier than was possible in the past. This requires patients, families, and the medical community to talk about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in different ways. Our guest Dr. Jason Karlawish joins us to discuss the evolving definitions of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as the ethical and social issues people with dementia face. Guest: Dr. Jason Karlawish, Penn Memory Center, Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, and Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania

Telemedicine Reduces Emergency Room Visits for Dementia Patients

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A visit to the Emergency Department can be stressful and disorienting for a person with dementia, and oftentimes unnecessary. Dr. Manish Shah discusses his research into programs that reduce Emergency Room visits for dementia patients. Guest: Dr. Manish Shah, professor at UW School of Medicine and Public Health and Co-Leader of the Care Research Core at the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Safety Tips for the Aging Driver

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Dr. Chin talks with our guest about safety tips for aging drivers, caregiver considerations, and information on classes offered through AARP's Driver Safety Program. Guest: Neil McCallum, Wisconsin State Coordinator of AARP’s Driver Safety Program

A Guide to Developing Mind-Body Skills for Improved Brain Health and Wellness

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Learn how to increase positivity, nurture mindfullness, and combat loneliness to improve overall health and wellness. Guest: Dr. Shilagh A. Mirgain, PhD, Distinguished Psychologist with the University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation/UW Health

Bank Supports Aging Customers with Dementia Friendly Training for Its Employees

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Missteps with money management is an early warning sign of dementia, and aging customers are often targets of financial scams and abuse. This week's guest spearheaded dementia friendly training across all branches of the bank she works for in hopes of supporting and protecting aging customers. In this podcast episode, learn about River Valley Bank's Dementia Friendly program, the type of training employees completed, and how bank customers and communities reacted to the initiative. Guest: Rhonda Lewis, River Valley Bank

Medication Management Tips for Seniors

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Our guest discusses a wide range of pharmacological topics of interest to the aging adult and caregivers, from medication reconciliation to sleep aids to addressing how some drugs affect memory and thinking skills. Guest: Robert Breslow, pharmacist, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy

Dementia Caregiver Turns Advocate for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

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Former Badger Men’s Hockey announcer and “The Golf Affect Radio Show” host Paul Braun was a caregiver for his late wife, Karen, who had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Paul’s experiences motivated him to become an advocate for people with Alzheimer’s disease and raise awareness and money for research and caregiver support. Paul was instrumental in developing the American Family Insurance Championship golf tournament Birdies for Health campaign, which raises money for five health causes at UW Health. Guest: Paul Braun, radio and sports broadcasting personality

Battling Health Disparities in Aging Research and Care

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Dr. Carl Hill joins the podcast to discuss research taking place around the country that works to improve health care and access for elders in diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Guest: Carl Hill, PhD, MPH, Director, Office of Special Populations, National Institute on Aging

Improving Care for an Aging Population through Innovative Nursing and Caregiver Programs

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Dr. Barbara Bowers is an expert on improving care for older adults and people with dementia. Her work focuses on improving work life quality for formal caregivers, and developing tools to guide and support informal caregivers. Guest: Barbara Bowers, PhD, RN, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing

How to Live a Joyful Life after a Dementia Diagnosis

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Our guest is Dr. Tia Powell, author of the new book Dementia Reimagined: Building a Life of Joy and Dignity from Beginning to End. Dr. Powell wants more people to live safe and happy after a diagnosis of dementia, and encourages them and their caregivers to focus on living, instead of dying, throughout the course of the disease. Dr. Powell discusses proactive preparation, planning for physical and financial safety, and learning how to incorporate joy into a changing life. Guest: Tia Powell, PhD, director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Bioethics and professor of epidemiology and psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York

Where’s the Connection? The Role of Synapses in Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Synapses are points in the brain where two brain cells connect and communicate. Dr. Barbara Bendlin discusses her new research into synaptic change, its relationship to memory loss, and how her first-in-the-field research might one day lead to a new tool for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Guest: Barbara Bendlin, PhD, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center