April/May 2025 Newsletter | | | |
UW Medicine Offers Second Drug for Early Alzheimer's at UW MBWC
UW Medicine’s Memory & Brain Wellness Center at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle recently started treating patients with donanemab, an Alzheimer’s drug. The drug is similar to lecanemab, which the center began offering in late 2023.
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Community Spotlight: "Long Distance Daughter" and Member of our research center's community advisory board
Eun Jeong Lee, PhD
| | | | Eun Jeong “EJ” Lee, PhD, is the founder and president of the Asian American Resource and Information Network, Inc. (AARIN), a nonprofit organization that runs initiatives to support wellbeing in Asian communities. She is a current member of our ADRC Community Advisory Board. Dr. Lee is passionate about representing community perspectives in research and health policy decisions. She can also offer insights from her own family experience with dementia and caregiving. | | As a “long-distance daughter,” Dr. Lee stays in close contact with her mother in Korea who lives with dementia. “Although I live far away from my mother, I feel incredibly blessed that modern technology allows us to stay connected,” she says. “Thanks to video calls, we can see each other’s faces, share smiles, and maintain a sense of closeness despite the physical distance. This has been especially meaningful because it enables my mother to recognize me and feel my presence, even when I can't be there in person. I am truly grateful for this gift of connection that technology provides.” | | | |
Researchers Publish New Guidelines to Diagnose a Type of Memory Loss Commonly Mistaken for Alzheimer's
An international group of researchers have introduced new guidelines to diagnose LATE (Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy), a common memory disorder, during life.
| | “Having a specific alternative diagnosis can help patients and families with understanding why the memory change is happening, and how to appropriately plan for the future," said Kimiko Domoto-Reilly, MD, MS, associate professor in neurology at UW Medicine, who is an author on the new paper in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. | | | | |
'Dancing Together' Seated Movement Class
Wednesdays, 1-2pm: May 7, May 21, June 4, June 18
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You & Me
Tuesdays, 12pm - 1pm
May 6
An opportunity for individuals living with dementia to build meaningful connection across generations. Once a month, join the Memory Hub and students from O’Dea High School for an hour of facilitated conversation and fun activities.
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Books & Beats
3rd Wednesdays
May 21 and June 18
Caregivers will have a book discussion group led by Seattle Public Library. People with memory loss will have a music engagement program led by a certified music therapist. The last half hour we'll come together for social time and snacks!
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Gardening Group (Cathedral Garden at St. James)
Join the Memory Hub and O’Dea High School students for an afternoon of volunteer service in the Cathedral Garden at St. James, which provides food for neighbors in need.
Tuesday, May 27, 2:30 - 4pm
Meet at: the Memory Hub
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Spring Open Mic & Karaoke Night
Thursday, May 22, 4 - 5:30 pm
Join others with memory loss and their families, as well as a group of local high school and college students, for a warm and welcoming open mic experience at the Memory Hub.
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A Listening Circle for Music and Conversation
Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 at 10:30 - 11:30 am.
Each week, explore short musical clips based on a theme, to reflect, imagine, and share what the music brings to mind. Led by Sarah McKiddy, violinist and PhD student, UW School of Nursing. A free program for people living with memory loss and their families. Attend as many sessions as you like.
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Help bring joy and purpose to people who are living with dementia
Our on-site collaborator at the Memory Hub, Elderwise, has an exciting new facilitator job opening and volunteer opportunities!
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Seeking Caregivers for a Research Survey
Are you or someone you know a caregiver for a patient seen at the UW Memory Brain and Wellness Clinic (MBWC)? A graduate student at the University of Washington is conducting research to better understand the Patient Portal needs of caregivers. Caregivers are invited to participate in a short survey, even if they do not currently use UW Medicine’s MyChart Patient Portal.
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Caregivers provide essential support in many ways, including personal care, medical assistance, household management, and emotional support. Their perspectives are invaluable in shaping future healthcare tools.
The survey is open from April 30, 2025 - May 31, 2025.
For questions, contact Monica Phariss at mbp518@uw.edu.
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Monthly Orientation for People Recently Diagnosed with Memory Loss
Have you recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia? Join us for this introductory class. Get your questions answered by an expert panel including peer mentors who share strategies for living well with memory loss, and a MBWC medical provider. 2025 Flyer
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Dementia Caregiver Support Group
Build a support system with people who understand. Alzheimer's Association® support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a FREE safe place for care partners to: develop a support system, exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions, talk through issues and ways of coping, share feelings, needs, and concerns, and learn about community resources. Flyer
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Atypical Parkinson's Virtual Support Group
Mutual support for people with CBD, PSP, MSA, and their care partners and loved ones. Offered by MBWC and facilitated by the American Parkinson Disease Association NW Chapter. Contact info: Katie Freeman, MSW kfreeman@apdaparkinson.org | (206) 507-4091.
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PPA Together Group
Do you or a loved one live with Primary Progressive Aphasia or Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPA/PPAOS)? Join us for a social/support group for people with PPA/PPAOS and families. Offered by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and the UW Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences.
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Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience Program (S.O.A.R)
With the S.O.A.R. (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience) Program, reinforce your strengths and connect with others through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area, through June 2025. S.O.A.R is for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia before age 65, with a family member or friend. Learn more | April 17, 2025: Meadowdale Beach Park, Edmonds, WA
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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.
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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.
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Garden Discovery - Spring 2025
Connect with nature and engage in nature-based projects at Maude's Garden with others living with memory loss and friends and family.
| | | | Dementia Friends is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. It’s energizing to see much-needed awareness continue to spread throughout the state. | | We are spotlighting a few of our wonderful volunteers across the state. These dedicated individuals are making a difference in communities across the state by spreading awareness about dementia. | | Other Community Resources | | Open House for Amy’s Place runs 11 am – 2 pm on Saturday, May 17. Check out this new dementia-friendly community center at Bellis Fair Mall, Bellingham! Learn more. | | Meet Me at the Movies Program at the Frye Auditorium Wednesday, May 14 at 11am-12pm. The event features film clips and inspired conversation on the theme animals and pets, featuring legendary animals like Toto from Wizard of Oz. This event will be co-presented with special guest, Katie Zeitler, Program Manager for Dementia Friends. Learn more | | NEW Artful Moments program at Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds, offers dementia-friendly, self-guided museum visits from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday May 20 and continuing every 3rd Tuesday. Learn more | | NEW Aging Creatively art workshops for people with memory loss and care partners at Fort Forden, Port Townsend. 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday May 6 and Tuesday May 27, and other first and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Learn more | | Art in the Park exhibit at the Seattle Japanese Garden features artwork created by people with memory loss in a program organized by Seattle Parks and Recreation and Elderwise. Opening reception 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday May 1; view the exhibit 12-7 p.m. from May 1 to June 29. Learn more | | |
Our on-site collaborator at the Memory Hub, Elderwise, has exciting new job openings and volunteer opportunities!
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Our on-site collaborator at the Memory Hub, Elderwise, offering an exhibit an silent auction: Spring for Art on Saturday, May 17, 2pm - 4:30 pm at the Memory Hub.
Join Elderwise in celebrating our participants and the exceptional watercolors created at our adult day program. This is an occasion not to miss - please attend and bring your family and friends! Free to attend.
Hors d'oeuvres, sweets, music, and our unique community.
We hope to see you there!
Contact Elderwise
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