University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: dementia

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

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

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

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

What Population Research Can Tell Us about Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

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Dr. Rachel Whitmer details how social determinants of health can lead to an elevated risk for dementia and shares what she has learned about modifiable risk factors and how they affect brain health.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Whitmer, PhD, UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences and Chief of the Division of Epidemiology

Understanding Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

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This week, we continue our conversation with Dr. Art Walaszek discussing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In this episode, he speaks about hallucinations and delusions and what caregivers can do to help.

Guest: Dr. Art Walaszek, Geriatric Psychiatrist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Identifying and Managing Mental Health Issues in Older Adults

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Dr. Art Walaszek joins us for a two-part series discussing the mental health and behavioral changes family members and caregivers may see in people with dementia. In this first part, he delves into the relationship between depression and dementia, as well as tips and advice for caregivers.

Guest: Dr. Art Walaszek, Geriatric Psychiatrist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

The Science of Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

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Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, but who and when it strikes is unpredictable. Recent research can help us understand how brain changes, genetics, gender, and environment and lifestyle factors affect risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Guest: Elizabeth Mormino, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Stanford University

How Language and Conversation Can Help Detect Dementia

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On this week’s episode, Dr. Kimberly Mueller helps explain connected language and how studying conversations can help detect early signs of cognitive impairment.

Guest: Dr. Kimberly Mueller, Assistant Professor Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison