Be Mentally Well: Managing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease
Expert panel will provide up-to-date information
By Sandra Gray
UMass Medical School Communications |
March 20, 2012 |
Alzheimer's disease is a disabling brain disorder that threatens the quality of life for patients and caregivers alike. Although there is not yet a cure for the devastating illness, much can be done to help patients and their families live with Alzheimer’s. An interdisciplinary panel of Alzheimer’s experts from UMass Medical School will discuss this topic at the next Be Mentally Well talk, “Managing the Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease,” on Wednesday, March 28.
“Good Alzheimer's disease care is a team effort that relies on the most up-to-date knowledge about the disease from genetics, neuroscience, preventive medicine, neurology and geriatric psychiatry,” said Laura Myers, MSW, EdD, director of parent and community relations for the Department of Psychiatry and coordinator of the Be Mentally Well series. “All these aspects of care will be addressed by our speakers.”
- Geriatric psychiatrist Gary Moak, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Department of Psychiatry’s Geriatric Psychiatry Training Program, will provide an overview of the status of Alzheimer's disease.
- An expert in the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases, Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, chair and professor of neurology, will discuss current recommendations for genetic testing.
- Clinical psychologist Brenda King, PsyD, medical home care advisor for the UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Center for the Advancement of Primary Care, will focus on interventions to help caregivers succeed.
Panelists will also discuss how medications for Alzheimer's disease can make a difference.
The program, which is free and open to the public, will take place in Amphitheatre I from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a provider fair in the old Medical School Lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available. To pre-register, call 508-856-3066 or send an email to diana.langford@umassmemorial.org.
Related links on UMassMedNow
Depression experts offer hope
Understanding the complex world of bullying
Department of Psychiatry brings hope and support to community