April workshop surveyed caregiving for Alzheimer's and related diseases
Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., a gerontologist and professor of long-term care, gave an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases (ADRD), and then emphasized the critical importance of family caregivers. He also summarized his many research projects assessing alternative caregiving strategies.
One of the little-appreciated facts Dr. Gaugler highlighted during the UMRA workshop was that “83 percent of all help provided for persons with ADRD comes from family members.”
He strongly recommended “Dementia prevention, intervention, and care,” published in The Lancet in December 2017, which summarizes the latest research and conclusions regarding care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s. The article notes “dementia is the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century.”
With his team of a dozen researchers, Professor Gaugler simultaneously runs a variety of studies to learn both the quality of care provided to those with ADRD but also the effectiveness of existing programs and new tools for family caregivers. In addition to his very busy research and teaching schedule, he also holds an annual event called “Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Conference.” This year it will be on Saturday, June 2, from 8 to 4:30 p.m., at the HHH Conference Center on the West Bank. The conference is free but advanced registration is required. To learn more, visit nursing.umn.edu/events/caring-person-memory-loss-conference.
The annual conference is Professor Gaugler’s way of contributing to the people of Minnesota who are curious about ADRD. He truly believes in the land-grant mission of the U and shows it in the way he contributes to this community.
—Ron Anderson, Workshop Subcommittee acting chair
April 24 Workshop: Alzheimer's disease, what can be done?
Tue, April 24 2018, 1:30pm
Campus Club ABC room, Campus Club, Fourth Floor, Coffman Memorial Union
Our April workshop will be led by Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., a long-term care professor in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.
The workshop will begin with a brief history of Alzheimer’s disease and then examine definitions of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Discussion will include warning signs as well as the diagnostic process. The workshop will then turn to stages of Alzheimer’s disease, updated classifications, and established risk factors.
Dr. Gaugler will discuss the science related to prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. A review of future areas of importance in terms of treatment and management will conclude the presentation, before the workshop is opened up for questions and comments.
An applied gerontologist, Dr. Gaugler investigates the sources and effectiveness of long-term care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and other chronic conditions. His research interests also include the ramifications of family care for adults with dementia, the effectiveness of community-based and psychosocial services for older adults with memory concerns and their caregiving families, and the social integration of residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and family care.
Dr. Gaugler is the current president of the Division on Adult Development and Aging of the American Psychological Association (APA). He has served as editor-in-chief for the Journal of Applied Gerontology and currently serves on the editorial boards of The Gerontologist; Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences; and Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences.
A recipient of the Dean’s Award from the School of Nursing, Dr. Gaugler’s other honors include the Springer Early Career Achievement Award in Adult Development and Aging Research and the M. Powell Lawton Distinguished Contribution Award for Applied Gerontology, both from the APA.
Please join us after the UMRA luncheon on April 24 for this workshop from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the ABC Dining Room of the Campus Club.
— Ron Anderson, Workshop Subcommittee acting chair
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.