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
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.