A message from Dr. Kelly Bakulski |
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This week the 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report was released. Within our family experiencing dementia, these figures have traditionally helped us feel less alone. Here in Michigan, 190,000 people were projected to have experienced Alzheimer’s dementia in 2020. Reminders that dementia is a shared experience can help us build important connections and community.
As a public health researcher, I also find this annual summary of the state of dementia in the United States a renewed call to action. The serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with dementia is described in the summary. Importantly, modifiable risk factors to reduce the likelihood of developing dementia are highlighted, such as increasing access to cognitive and social engagement, physical activity, and heart-healthy diets, as well as reducing air pollution exposure. For persons with dementia, active management is recommended to improve quality of life and support physical health, mental health, and social care. Team efforts from diverse perspectives are needed to support and address the scale of dementia in this country.
Especially in honor of women’s history month, we are reminded that almost two thirds of Americans living with dementia are women and women with dementia experience faster rates of cognitive decline. Minoritized women experience dementia at higher rates than non-Hispanic White women due, in large part, to structural racism and discrimination. Further, women are more likely to provide unpaid caregiving support for persons with dementia. Dementia impacts women disproportionately and effective work to understand, prevent, and treat dementia advances our march for equality.
Wishing you a safe and joyful month.
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— Kelly M. Bakulski, PhD
Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center Data Core Lead
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Women Experience Faster Cognitive Decline with Age
While women may enter middle age with stronger brain function than men, they experience faster declines in overall cognition and executive processes as they get older, according to a new analysis by Deborah Levine, MD, MPH, associate professor of Internal Medicine and Neurology and director of the Cognitive Health Services Research Program.
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People With Dementia Are Twice as Likely to Get COVID, Study Finds
In analyzing over 62 million electronic medical records, researchers from Case Western Reserve University found that out of 15,770 patients with COVID-19, 810 of them also had dementia. When the researchers adjusted for general demographic factors — age, sex and race — they found that people with dementia had more than three times the risk of getting COVID-19. When they adjusted for COVID-specific risk factors like nursing home residency and underlying physical conditions, the gap closed somewhat, but people with dementia were still twice as likely to become infected. Experts and the study authors said the reasons for this vulnerability might include cognitive and physiological factors.
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Join us on Giving Blue Day
March 10, 2021
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In the United States, there are more than five million people living with dementia. Since 2012, the Wellness Initiative at our Center has focused on creating a community of resilient caregivers caring for someone with memory loss. Our Wellness Initiative staff lead several groups for family caregivers of persons living with a dementia, including:
Catching Your Breath
A free monthly program for learning and practicing stress resilience skills for continued health, balance and well-being;
Caregiver Wellness Days
Half-day wellness, creativity and social retreats;
and Mindfulness-based Dementia Care,
An 8-week program that teaches how the practice of mindfulness can help cope with the challenges and stresses of dementia care.
In the last year, our Center has expanded the Wellness Initiative to also include those living with a dementia or memory loss. These programs, called Mitten Minds, include a new educational series for those with a recent diagnosis of memory loss, a support group specifically for those with a recent diagnosis, and brain health and dementia education for youth and students interested in careers in dementia care. More information below:
Mitten Minds Dementia Education Series
This education series is specifically for individuals who are newly diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or are in the earlier stages of a dementia. Each session will be presented by an expert in the field of dementia care and research. The goal is to provide important information to individuals who have been recently diagnosed, provide a space for questions to be answered, and to connect to other resources and support services available. The next session begins on March 9 and registration is open here.
Mitten Minds Dementia Support Group
This support group is specifically for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia and takes place on the third Tuesday of the month. Registration can be found here.
If you’re able, we hope you’ll join us for Giving Blue Day on March 10. This year, we’re raising funds specifically for the growth of our Wellness Initiative to continue to grow and develop programs such as these. With your help and the help of others like you, we will be able to enhance our programming to support those folks living with and caring for someone with memory loss.
If you're able, we hope you'll join us for Giving Blue Day on March 10. This year, we're raising funds specifically for the growth of our Wellness Initiative to continue to grow and develop programs such as these. With your help and the help of others like you, we will be able to enhance our programming to support those folks living with and caring for someone with memory loss.
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New Studies Looking for Participants |
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Dr. Polenick Investigates Experiences Among Couples Living with Multiple Chronic Health Conditions and Dementia in New Research Study
Dr. Courtney Polenick, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at U-M and Faculty Associate at the U-M Institute for Social Research, is recruiting participants for a research study looking at how couples manage multiple chronic health conditions. Dr. Polenick’s study is recruiting a subgroup of couples in which one partner has received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, both partners have two or more chronic conditions, and at least one partner is aged 50 or older. Each partner will receive $30 for participation in a 45-60-minute telephone interview. For more information, and to participate, contact the study team at sharpstudy@umich.edu or 734-232-4565.
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Drs. Hampstead and Bohnen Lead New Research Study in LBD
Dr. Benjamin Hampstead, Professor of Psychiatry and MADRC Clinical Core Leader, and Dr. Nicolaas Bohnen, Professor of Radiology and Neurology, are co-leading a new research study investigating cognitive rehabilitation and non-invasive brain stimulation in individuals living with LBD to see if this has an effect on symptoms of the disease. The study is recruiting individuals 50-90 years old with an official diagnosis of LBD who are on a stable dose of cholinesterase inhibitors and are comfortable undergoing imaging scans. For more information and to participate, contact Max Padgett at 734-764-4446 or padgetmi@med.umich.edu.
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Dr. Henry Paulson Named Interim Director of the Michigan Neuroscience Institute
On February 18, the Board of Regents approved the appointment of our Center Director, Henry L. Paulson, MD, PhD, as interim director of the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, effective March 1, 2021. Shelly B. Flagel, PhD, was named interim co-director of the institute.
The Michigan Neuroscience Institute, which evolved from the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute in the Medical School, was approved by regents in January 2020 to engage researchers from multiple disciplines and units across the University of Michigan in the pursuit of addressing the most pressing questions in neuroscience at the fundamental, translational, and clinical levels, while educating future leaders in the field.
Please join us in congratulating Drs. Paulson and Flagel on their leadership appointments. You can read the full statement from Dr. Marshall Runge here.
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Dr. Benjamin Hampstead Named Inaugural Stanley Berent, PhD Collegiate Professor of Psychology
Please join us in congratulating our Clinical Core Lead, Dr. Benjamin Hampstead, as the inaugural Stanley Berent, PhD Collegiate Professor of Psychology. While at Michigan, Professor Berent was the Chief of the Psychology Service at the Ann Arbor VAMC from 1979 to 1986, Director of the Neuropsychology Program at the University from 1979 to 1993 and Chief of Psychology from 1993 to 2001. He also was Co-Director of the Neurobehavioral Toxicology Program at the University from 1997 to 2007. Dr. Berent passed away in 2015. He valued high quality research and a high level of professionalism. This is a true honor bestowed to Dr. Hampstead.
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Successful Aging Through Financial Empowerment (SAFE)
March 23, 12:00 - 1:00PM
This event will be presented by Latoya Hall of the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology
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Issues in Aging Conference
April 19, 9:00AM - 3:40PM
The Wayne State Institute of Gerontology's Issues in Aging conference is one of the longest running, well-recognized professional conferences of its kind. The annual conference held every May since 1987 provides healthcare professionals with best practices and current research in the field in geriatrics and gerontology. The virtual event is held in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association - Michigan Chapter. We are a proud annual sponsor of this valuable event.
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Ways to Improve Memory and Thinking Skills in Older Adults Without Medication
April 28, Noon - 1:00PM
Dr. Benjamin Hampstead, Clinical Core Lead of our Center and the Stanley Berent, PhD Collegiate Professor of Psychology will present.
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Mitten Minds Dementia Education Series
Registration is open for our next session of the Mitten Minds Dementia Education Series. This program is a free virtual dementia education series specifically for those with a recent diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or in the early stages of a dementia.
The program will take place weekly from March 9 – April 13 from 10:00AM - Noon.
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Mitten Minds Support Group
Mitten Minds Support Group is available specifically for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. The group will meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month from 3:00-4:00pm, and newcomers are welcome at any time.
The next session is:
Tuesday, March 16
3:00 - 4:00PM
Registration is required for each session to receive the virtual log-in information.
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Dr. Jason Karlawish of Penn Memory Center Launches a New Book |
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Jason Karlawish, Professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, and Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director of the Penn Memory Center recently published a new book titled The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It.
Part case studies, part meditation on the past, present and future of the disease, The Problem of Alzheimer's traces Alzheimer’s from its beginnings to its recognition as a crisis. While it is an unambiguous account of decades of missed opportunities and our health care systems’ failures to take action, it tells the story of the biomedical breakthroughs that may allow Alzheimer’s to finally be prevented and treated by medicine and also presents an argument for how we can live with dementia: the ways patients can reclaim their autonomy and redefine their sense of self, how families can support their loved ones, and the innovative reforms we can make as a society that would give caregivers and patients better quality of life.
Rich in science, history, and characters, The Problem of Alzheimer's takes us inside laboratories, patients' homes, caregivers’ support groups, progressive care communities, and Jason Karlawish's own practice at the Penn Memory Center.
Join Dr. Karlawish and the Penn Memory Center for a live book launch celebration on March 18 at 4:00PM. Registration required at the link below.
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This initiative of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Community Service Commission provides free masks to Michigan residents so they can better protect themselves from COVID-19. Our friends at the Area Agency on Aging 1-B are a distribution partner of this great initiative. They distribute masks out of their Southfield office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Click the button below for more details. |
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