George Perry – Advocating for Loved Ones Living with Dementia
I featured guests to speak on the topic of Alzheimer’s because we all need to advocate for those living with dementia, through awareness and empower those family members & people who live with the disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological disorder that slowly destroys memory and cognitive abilities. An estimated 6.2 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021. More than 1 in 9 people (11.3%) age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of cases is expected to triple by 2050 as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Although there are medications available to treat symptoms such as memory loss or confusion, these do not cure the underlying condition in most patients. Furthermore, due to high costs and insurance restrictions many people cannot afford treatment for this devastating illness. While we don’t have a cure for Alzheimer’s yet, there are some promising therapies that may provide relief from symptoms or even slow down its progression in certain individuals. Researchers are working on ways to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to lower your risk of developing it later in life. Joining me in conversation is Dr. George Perry, Professor of Biology, University of Texas, and Dean of the College of Sciences. He will share his work in “Living with Aging: Alzheimer’s, the Disease of Our Time”.——————– Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction to George Perry.[02:21] George shares a little bit about himself on a personal level.[03:06] What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?[04:17] What are the main stages that a person moves through as they develop Alzheimer’s?[12:08] What are some of the top risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease?[14:20] What are the current treatments or therapies for Alzheimer’s?[24:34] What types of therapies do you think are currently most promising?[27:54] Why do you think clinicians are chasing after the same amyloid theory for the past 30 years and yet not showing something that’s effective?[36:26] What is your goal with regards to Alzheimer’s therapies? What are you working on right now?[41:43] Has artificial intelligence assisted in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other diseases linked to dementia?[47:44] Do you think in 10 years we will have a cure for Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia?[55:41] Do you have anything else that you would like to share?[59:35] How can people contact you?——————– Bio: George Perry is a distinguished professor of biology and chemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has been recognized in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research for his work on oxidative stress. Perry received his Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology with high honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara after which he continued to Scripps Institution of Oceanography where he obtained his Ph.D. in marine biology under David Epel in 1979. Learn more about George Perry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeperry/
Mary S. Daniel – Why Can I See My Husband as a Dishwasher Employee but Not as His Wife?
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When you love someone with Alzheimer’s, the disease can rob you of your relationship. It also affects everyone else in the family—the children, siblings, and grandchildren who are left behind to care for their loved ones. What do you do when your spouse is diagnosed with this disease that progressively affects the brain and limits one’s ability to remember, think, communicate or take care of themselves? Is it possible to maintain a loving marriage when your spouse has Alzheimer’s? Join me in this conversion with Mary S. Daniel.——————– Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction to Mary S. Daniel.[02:04] You have a very interesting story about working as a dishwasher to care for your husband who had dementia?[04:16] What was the reunion like? Did your husband recognize you?[08:07] What was the hardest thing you had to do while your husband was in the nursing home?[13:09] How is your husband now?[17:40] What advice would you give to other caregivers if they are caring for a spouse or a loved one with dementia?[32:05] The Essential Caregivers Act and what it will take to increase caregivers’ rights?[42:14] Why are so many people pushing against the bill when it could give many caregivers more time off, so they can take care of their own children or family members during difficult times?[50:12] Is there anything else that you would like to add?——————– Bio: Mary S. Daniel is a Board-Certified Patient Advocate and the founder/CEO of ClaimMedic and the Daniel Advocacy Group. Mary’s husband, Steve was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013 at the age of 59. He has been a resident at Rosecastle at Deerwood Memory Care Center since July 2019. In July 2020, Mary gained national attention after taking a job as a dishwasher at Rosecastle so that she could spend time with Steve after being separated for 114 days during the lockdown due to COVID-19. Mary founded the Facebook group Caregivers for Compromise. Learn more about Mary S. Daniel:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysdaniel/
Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel R. George, American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society
Dementia is a growing epidemic that affects individuals and families around the world. Despite the billions of dollars funneled into biomedical research, we still don’t have a cure for Alzheimer’s. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Alzheimer’s is not one disease, but rather a syndrome caused by many different age-related processes. We need to take action now if we want to protect our brains and prevent dementia from becoming an even bigger problem. This means making lifestyle changes like exercising more, eating better, and reducing stress. It also means supporting research that looks at the complex causes of dementia and finding new ways to treat it.——————– Bio: Peter J. WhitehouseMD, Ph.D., is a professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve University and a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. He is co-founder of Intergenerational Schools, a network of unique public, multi-age community schools in Cleveland, Ohio. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-whitehouse-156b432/ Daniel R. GeorgePh.D., M.Sc, is a medical anthropologist and an associate professor in the Department of Humanities and the Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgeorge2844/ You can find their book “American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/American-Dementia-Health-Unhealthy-Society/dp/1421440474
Giulio Maria Pasinetti – Aging Is Inevitable. But Biological Aging? That’s Optional.
For thousands of years, humans have been aging. And as our technology has progressed, so has our understanding of aging. We now know that while chronological aging is inevitable, biological aging is not. That’s why it’s so important to understand the biology of aging. We can reduce our risk factors for disease and improve our quality of life by making conscious choices about how we live our lives. When you hear that the baby boomer generation is getting older and people are living longer than ever before, what does that mean for us? Well, the definition of “aging successfully” is up for debate. Some people think that baby boomers have taken advantage of the system and should retire earlier. Others argue that we need to find a way to financially support older adults who are unable to work. There are also concerns about whether or not the healthcare system can handle an aging population. Many baby boomers are choosing to stay active and healthy well into their golden years. So, it’s important to remember that each person’s experience with aging is unique. We should all be prepared for the challenges and opportunities that come with growing old. Will baby boomers be the last generation to experience successful aging? Or will millennials and Generation X continue to enjoy good health into their golden years? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: the science of aging is constantly evolving, and we’re only getting better at fighting the effects of age-related disease. No matter what the future holds, we should all strive to age gracefully and with dignity.———- Joining me today is DR. GIULIO MARIA PASINETTI, MD, Ph.D. He is a world-renowned expert on aging and Alzheimer’s disease. He has dedicated his life to understanding the root causes of brain disorders. By developing model systems of brain disorders, he has been able to clarify their underlying mechanisms and develop preventative and therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders. This research has earned him a strong record of successful and productive endeavors. He is currently the Saunders Family Chair and Professor of Neurology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as well as the Director of the Basic and Biomedical Research and Training Program of the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center. You can find Dr. Pasinetti on these platforms:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulio-maria-pasinetti-md-phd-943b1b39/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IcahnCMIN