April/May 2023 Newsletter | |
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Promoting the well-being of those living with memory loss and their families.
Exceptional care. Innovative research. Community transformation.
In partnership with the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
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Pay attention for fall prevention
We can all help prevent falls for people living with dementia. Dementia Friends—people who have taken a dementia awareness training at the Memory and Brain Wellness Center—offer some tips and resources to help protect our loved ones from fall-related injuries.
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Study of King County seniors yields clues about dementia, aging
For the Pacific NW Magazine, Sandi Doughton interviews UW Alzheimer's researchers about their work to prevent declines in memory and thinking. As part of the Adult Changes in Thought Study....
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Mother's Day and Memory Loss | | |
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Mother's Day can be a struggle if your mother or loved one has memory loss or dementia.
Karen Clay, a social worker with the UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center offers tips for having a good day with your loved one. "She may not remember what you said, but she will remember how you made her feel." Watch (from the archives).
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Dementia Friends Spotlight | |
Dementia Friends Spotlight: Misty Eberspecher, Independent Living Program Manager at Housing Resources Bainbridge | Dementia Friends Champions help us spread the word about supporting people living with dementia. This spotlight features the great people championing our shared mission to make communities more dementia friendly. Today, we spotlight Misty Eberspecher, Independent Living Program Manager at Housing Resources Bainbridge! | | | | |
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May 2nd: Upcoming Dementia Friends Event:
You are invited to join the May 2nd YMCA Healthy Aging Community Cafe: Dementia Friends (with MBWC presenters!)
What can you do to help people affected by dementia in your community?
Tuesday, May 2 via Zoom, 1-2 pm
Learn more and sign up here.
View flyer for all Health Aging COmmunity Cafes.
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Seattle Reads 2023 Programs
Seattle residents can dive more deeply into their experience of reading this year’s Seattle Reads selection, “The Swimmers” by Julie Otsuka, at four programs with the author on May 19 and May 20. On May 20th, you have the chance to see the author discuss her book with MBWC's Dr. Kristoffer Rhoads at two Seattle locations! See below:
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MBWC Programming - Support and Education | |
The UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center is pleased to offer a variety of support and education programs for people with memory loss, their families, and the wider community. View upcoming opportunities below, or on our website. For more information, contact Marigrace Becker, 206-543-2440, mbecker1@uw.edu. | | |
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Atypical Parkinson's Virtual Support Group
4th Mondays, 11am - 12:30 pm
Mutual support for people with CBD, PSP, MSA, and their care partners and loved ones. Facilitated by Dr. Kristoffer Rhoads, Neuropsychologist. Offered by the MBWC in partnership with the American Parkinson Disease Association NW Chapter.
For more information, contact: atypicalpd@gmail.com
View Flyer
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Virtual Coffee Chats
Make a cup of coffee or tea, and come together online for an informal social time with others living with memory loss or dementia. Facilitated by trained volunteers with support from Program Manager Marigrace Becker. Space is limited; sign up by the day before. Join for just one session, or multiple.
10 - 11 a.m. every Tuesday.
Sign Up
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Virtual Caregiver Forum
Join other family caregivers online to connect, share strategies, and support each other's experience caring for a loved one with dementia. Facilitated by trained volunteers with support from Program Manager Marigrace Becker. Space is limited; sign up by the day before. Join for just one session, or multiple. 10 - 11 a.m. every Monday
Sign Up
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Garden Discovery Program - Spring 2023
Connect with nature and engage with others living with memory loss and friends and family. Explore Maude's Garden at the Memory Hub as spring approaches, engage in nature-inspired projects, and make social connections in a supportive community.
Learn more
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Monthly Orientation for People Recently Diagnosed with Memory Loss | |
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Association for FTD's 2023 Education Conference: May 5th
Join the AFTD for this unique opportunity to connect with people who understand the journey, learn about available resources and supports, and engage with experts to gain insight on the latest in FTD research and approaches to care. Virtual livestream or in person.
Learn more
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Local Resources at the Memory Hub
We welcome you to visit our community center on Seattle’s First Hill, the Memory Hub! The Memory Hub is located at 1021 Columbia St, next to the Frye Art Museum. Free valet parking is provided by Murano Senior Living with validation at our front desk. Drop by from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and enjoy resources, such as our art gallery, memory garden, library, and Memory Navigator service.
View our calendar and sign up for additional programs and events – including free public tours the first Thursday of each month.
Learn more
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See below for a snapshot of upcoming community events and activities for people with memory loss and their caregivers. | |
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a variety of educational seminars this month. More info. | |
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NEW Community Service Group for people with early stage memory loss begins Monday, May 8 at Seattle’s Greenwood Senior Center. More info.
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NEW Dementia-Friendly Recreation series meets the 2nd Monday of every month at North Bellevue Community Center. Enjoy a rotating menu of activities including singing, painting and more. More info. | |
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NEW “Old Friends Club” adult day programs have launched in Whatcom County, led by Dementia Support Northwest.
Learn more here.
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Enjoy the return of “Memory Café” events throughout the region. A Memory Café is a free, fun social gathering for people with memory loss and their families in a welcoming community venue. View some options below:
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McMenamins Anderson School offered by Northshore YMCA, to begin in June. More info by calling Heather at Northshore YMCA, 425-318-8007 | |
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Charisse Winston shared her work on blood tests for Alzheimer's proteins
The UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center hosted Charisse Winston, PhD, UC San Diego, as the April presenter at the UW ADRC Seminar Series for our researchers. She is interested in developing accessible tests to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's at early and more treatable stages.
Winston shared her team's findings about exosomes, which are tiny vesicles that shuttle key protein cargo and waste out of the brain and into the blood. Winston is measuring Alzheimer's-related proteins inside exosome samples from research participant blood samples. She showed evidence that the contents of exosomes may be able to serve as a blood-based proxy measure for Alzheimer's and related diseases. She pointed out that developing saliva-based tests would make it easier for more diverse socio-economic and minority communities to access screening and participate in clinical trials. Thank you, Charisse Winston, for sharing your take on the future of Alzheimer's research with us.
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Thank you for supporting the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center on Husky Giving Day!
Thanks to everyone you supported the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center on Husky Giving Day! We were thrilled to raise over $11,000 on April 6th, thanks to the support of over 70 donors on the day and the generous challenge match!
What a huge difference this will make in our work to create blood tests for Alzheimer's disease! Thank you! You can always support our research at this page.
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ADRC Community Outreach Grows
In partnership with the UW Health Promotion Research Center, the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Outreach & Engagement team has grown! Check out the team's vibrant new communications effort, with a quarterly newsletter and a new Facebook page!
The 4-page newsletter, available by email and/or mail, is a seasonal update from the ADRC outreach and engagement team. It features a team member spotlight, information about recent and upcoming community events, health tips, ADRC research updates, and local resources.
To sign up, email: adrc-community@uw.edu. Available in English and Spanish.
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Enrolling Research Opportunities | |
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UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) scientists want to learn more about the diseases that cause memory loss and dementia. Our center is looking for a variety of people who are willing to partner with us in Alzheimer's research. We think of study participants as our partners in the effort to find a prevention for neurological conditions that lead to dementia. The goals of these studies may be to:
►Help us understand more about how these diseases change the brain, through studying people with methods like neurologic examination, brain imaging, and cognitive tests.
►Help us understand what triggers these changes
►Test the safety and effectiveness of treatments that may prevent or delay these changes
Find Enrolling Studies and Trials at the ADRC on the How to Participate in Research page.
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Virtual Online Communities for Aging Life Experiences - Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) | |
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The University of Washington is looking for participants for a pilot study of a new online support program for informal caregivers of people diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). The program is called VOCALE LBD+ and will enable participants to share their experiences in a supportive space and build problem solving skills to help them in their caregiving. We are looking for caregivers to participate in an 8-week program on a private online discussion board, as well as individual follow-up interviews over Zoom.
There is no in-person interaction for this study. You can receive up to $250 in a virtual gift card for completing the whole study.
This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is a collaboration between the UW Schools of Medicine and Nursing.
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are an informal/lay caregiver of a person with Lewy Body Dementia (you may be family, friend, or have some other relationship to the person)
- Read, write, and speak English
- Have access to a device (such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone) capable of video conferencing and accessing the Internet
Contact information:
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Research Talks Calendar: May 2023 | |
* Indicates the event is open and of interest to the general public | |
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May 15-16 10th Adult Changes in Thought Research Symposium Sensory Impairment across the Life Course for Dementia Prevention*
Location: Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA
Thank you to those of you who have already registered.
Host: Kaiser Permanente WA Health Research Institute
Register Open to general public
More information on ACT website
May 9-10 NIA Workshop: Advances in Aging, Immunity, and Chronic Inflammatory Disease
More info and register
May 25, 7am - 3pm PT (held in ET) ADRC LATE Workshop: Gaps and Opportunities Related to Clinical Detection of LATE. Agenda and registration.
July 20-21 NIH RCCN Workshop*
Promoting Healthy Aging Through Nutrition
Learn more: Applications now accepted for travel awards
Nov. 7-9 International Indigenous Dementia Research Network Annual Conference*
Marriott Beach Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii. See flyer for details.
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UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center | | | | |
