Alzheimer's Disease, Dementias and Healthy Aging

January Newsletter

NYU Grossman School of Medicine is a Public Health Center of Excellence (PHCOE) dedicated to improving early detection of dementia (EDD).

The Center has developed BOLD Early Detection Toolkits intended to assist users customize dementia detection efforts to their needs and setting. Toolkits contain measures, strategies, and useful links to resources to guide your organization toward becoming more ‘dementia-capable.’ The Health Systems toolkit supports a comprehensive approach to dementia detection and includes resources that encompass a broad view of the capacities necessary to make your efforts most effective. Every section in this toolkit can stand alone as a separate resource.

What is the CARERS Program?

CARERS (Coaching, Advocacy, Respite, Education, Relationship and Simulation) is an evidence based therapeutic group program that enhances the knowledge, skills, and competence of informal family caregivers of people with dementia. 

What is the TEACH Program?

TEACH (Training, Education, and Assistance for Caregiving at Home) is a therapeutic, evidence based group designed for family members who are new to caregiving.  

Homelessness and

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD)

In 2021, HUD reported the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the US is estimated at 552,830. Risk factors for homelessness are greater with the presence of cognitive impairment. Understanding ADRD prevalence in populations experiencing homelessness is incredibly challenging due to lack of medical care and lower likelihood of a diagnosis . Additionally, a lack of follow-up care due to the transience of the population, a higher prevalence of comorbid mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD) and substance abuse may further complicate a timely diagnosis. This article reviews existing literature related to homelessness and ADRD to hone in on dementia prevalence among those who have or are currently experiencing homelessness in the US.

The Brain Health Academy

Free, evidence-based courses to equip healthcare and wellness providers with the knowledge and resources to help people reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. The Academy includes six courses covering the science and interventions to address modifiable risk factors for dementia, including nutrition, sleep, social isolation and loneliness, physical inactivity and hypertension. Special attention is given to ensuring culturally relevant strategies for serving populations that are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.