March/April 2025 Newsletter | | Newest Faces of the Memory and Brain Wellness Center Neuropsychology team | | |
Tasha Rhoads, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the UW School of Medicine. She is a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, and movement disorders. Dr. Rhoads uses an integrative, strengths-based approach to assessment and treatment.
Dr. Rhoads' clinical expertise includes pre and post-surgical epilepsy evaluations and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Outside of the office, Dr. Rhoads enjoys live music, travel, cooking/baking, photography, sewing, and spending time with family and friends.
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Justin B. Miller, PhD, ABPP, is a Professor of Neurology at the UW School of Medicine. He is a board-certified neuropsychologist with specialization in neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Miller brings an expertise in cognitive assessment, and interest in the integration of technologies into clinical care.
Dr. Miller serves as the Director of the Rural Brain Health Initiative and has been a leader in the UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center since 2024. He has a research focus on disparities in brain health in rural communities and social determinants of health.
Outside of work, Dr. Miller enjoys mountain biking, cooking, and growing bonsai trees.
| | | Serving Up Smiles, at Bridges Bistro | | This month, we co-hosted the second run of Bridges Bistro - a unique dining experience in which the servers are individuals living with memory loss or dementia. Organized by Murano Senior Living and The Memory Hub, Bridges Bistro aims to build dementia awareness while providing a meaningful volunteer opportunity for people with dementia. We hope to be a bridge of connection between our neighbors with memory loss and dementia and the wider community. | |
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In the News: How far could NIH funding cuts set medical innovation back?
MBWC/ADRC Director and a local Alzheimer's research participant reflect on impact of uncertainty around funding for medical research.
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Voice your opinion on research priorities heard at the ADRD Summit 2025
The Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias Summit helps set national research recommendations that reflect critical scientific priorities for research. The ADRD Summit 2025 will address research priorities for Alzheimer's disease-related dementias, including frontotemporal degeneration, Lewy body, multiple etiology dementias, and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia, along with broader cross-cutting areas. Significant portions of the Summit will be dedicated to public comment on the updated draft research recommendations.
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Are you a person with lived experience of dementia interested in participating in the 2025 ADRD Summit? It is critical for the panel to hear from people with lived experience of dementia, including those diagnosed with dementia, those at risk (e.g. gene carriers), as well as their caregivers and loved ones.
Learn more by completing the NINDS Partner Engagement Nomination Form.
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'Dancing Together' Seated Movement Class
Wednesdays, 1-2pm: April 2, April 23, May 7, May 21, June 4, June 18
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You & Me
Tuesdays, 12pm - 1pm
April 15, 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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Become a Dementia Friend - Free 60-min information session
Monday, April 14
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Books & Beats: Book Group for Caregivers, Music Groups for People Living with Memory Loss
Wednesday, April 16
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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.
Wednesday, April 30 / Tuesday, May 27, 2:30 - 4pm
Meet at: the Memory Hub
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Public Lecture: Dancing with Dementia
Thursday, May 1, 6 - 7:30
Location: Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave. Seattle
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Arts, Naturally
Friday, May 2, 2 pm- 4 pm
Join the Frye Art Museum and the Memory Hub for an arts and nature experience for people with memory loss and their families, in association with Seattle Public Library's 2025 Seattle Reads.
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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 exciting new job openings and volunteer opportunities!
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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. | | News: Anastacia Kakorin translates Dementia Friends materials into Russian! | | | | Anastacia Kakorin is a bachelor's of social work practicum student at the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, focused on supporting and evaluating a wide variety of programs for people living with memory loss and caregivers, offered at Memory Hub community center. | | In her time here, she has made a major contribution to the MBWC'S Dementia Friends Washington program: translating the program's educational materials into Russian, her native language. Learn more. | | Other Community Resources | | Applications for the 2025 Maude’s Ventures and Young Founders Program grants open on April 14. We value the unique perspectives and impactful solutions that young minds can offer in dementia care. If you’re an innovative young entrepreneur with a vision for positive change, we encourage you to apply! Learn More | | Join Swedish Center for Healthy Aging for their 2025 Healthy Aging Summit from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at Mercer Island Community Center. Features a brain health lecture series and community resource fair with resources for people with memory loss and their families. Learn more. | | NEW Memory Café at Seattle’s Northgate Library, 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday April 3, and continuing every first Thursday of the month. A welcoming environment for conversation, refreshment, and more. Offered in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation. Learn more. | | New Memory Café in Ellensburg, from 1-3 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Come together at Old Skool’s for informal conversation, music, and companionship with others experiencing memory loss. Learn more. | | New funding opportunity: Department of Health’s Healthy Aging Program, in partnership with the Dementia Action Collaborative of Washington, is offering a dementia grant opportunity that is now open for applications until April 4. Community and faith-based organizations with strong ties to their communities and the people they serve can apply for grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 each. The goal of this grant is to help increase awareness of dementia and promote early detection and diagnosis. Learn more. | | Special new Dancing Together at the Frye program from 1-2 pm. on Wednesday April 23. Come together in the Frye Salon at Seattle’s Frye Art Museum for a seated dance class for people with memory loss and their families. Inspired by the artwork on display, this class incorporates classical dance elements and playful movements. Learn more. | | |
Our on-site collaborator at the Memory Hub, Elderwise, has exciting new job openings and volunteer opportunities!
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