Brain Talk | Being Patient for Alzheimer's Patients and Caregivers

Being Patient
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Being Patient is the leading online community for Alzheimer's, dementia patients, caregivers. We talk to experts about Alzheimer's news, advice, stories and support! Visit www.beingpatient.com for the latest Alzheimer's news and researches!

  1. Aug 12

    How Urinary Tract Infections Trigger Delirium in People With Dementia | Dr. Shouri Lahiri

    Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in older adults, but in people living with dementia, they can trigger a sudden and dramatic change in behavior and cognition. A UTI that might cause mild discomfort in a younger, healthier person can instead set off delirium — an acute, fluctuating state of confusion — in someone with Alzheimer's or a related dementia.Dr. Shouri Lahiri is director of the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit and Neurocritical Care Research at Cedars-Sinai and leads the Lahiri Lab. His research focuses on the inflammatory mechanisms that link acute illnesses and infections to delirium and cognitive decline, including the role of immune signaling in brain changes during infection.In this conversation with Being Patient founder Deborah Kan, Lahiri explained why up to one-third of older adults with a UTI can develop delirium, and why that risk is even higher for people with dementia, who have less cognitive reserve to draw on. He discussed why early antibiotic treatment is critical and what caregivers can do — from monitoring hydration and sleep-wake cycles to recognizing subtle signs of urinary discomfort — to help prevent and manage delirium at home. He also shared where his lab's research into anti-inflammatory treatments currently stands.----If you loved this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  2. Jul 29

    Inside ‘Memory Generation,’ an Interactive Theater Work About Living With Dementia | Sara Zatz & Sherrine Azab

    The experience of dementia, for people living with memory loss and for the family members and friends who care for them, is often told through the language of loss. But there is a growing effort to change that, creating work that centers connection, humanity, and what remains. One of those projects is “Memory Generation,” an interview-based theater production set in a memory cafe, where people affected by dementia gather in a space built around creativity and community.Memory Generation was created by Sara Zatz and Sherrine Azab and premiered this year at La MaMa in New York City. Zatz is the artistic director of engagement at Pink Fang,, where she develops community-based work rooted in first-hand interviews. Azab is a Detroit-based theater director and co-director of the ensemble A Host of People. Both drew on their own experiences as family caregivers for loved ones living with dementia, as well as interviews with people across the country and the lived experiences of the show’s performers.In this Live Talk with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Zatz and Azab discussed how they built the production, why they set it inside a memory cafe, and how they worked to portray caregiving without reducing it to its hardest moments. They also reflected on questions of consent and whose stories get told, the strain that limited resources place on caregivers, and how the arts and community might help build what they describe as a more dementia-friendly society.---If you loved this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  3. Jul 28

    I’m Still Me: Scott Redfern on Living With Alzheimer’s | Scott Redfern

    Journey to Diagnosis is a Being Patient series sponsored by Eisai. As with all of our reporting, the sponsor has no role in choosing guests, shaping questions, or reviewing content before publication.Eisai: https://www.eisai.com/index.htmlJourney to Diagnosis: https://beingpatient.com/journey-to-diagnosis/Scott Redfern first noticed cognitive changes in his mid-50s, when he began struggling to find words during stressful meetings and conversations at work. Because Alzheimer’s disease ran in his family, he sought medical guidance, but early cognitive testing and an MRI did not provide clear answers. After advocating for further evaluation, an amyloid PET scan confirmed amyloid buildup in his brain. Redfern, now 62, has since retired and is receiving Leqembi, also known as lecanemab, an anti-amyloid treatment approved for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Redfern discusses the emotional impact of his diagnosis, the importance of finding compassionate care, and why patients may need to advocate for themselves when they know something is wrong. He also shares how writing his Substack newsletter “I’m Still Me,” volunteering, hiking, and staying connected with friends have helped him preserve his sense of identity. His message to others experiencing cognitive changes is that seeking answers early can provide access to treatment, support, and more time to plan how they want to live.----If you loved this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  4. Jul 22

    George King on Alzheimer’s Early Signs, Treatment, and Choosing to Live Fully | George King

    Journey to Diagnosis is a Being Patient series sponsored by Eisai. As with all of our reporting, the sponsor has no role in choosing guests, shaping questions, or reviewing content before publication.George King’s work spans film, theater, writing, and photography. With both parents having lived with dementia, King was already attuned to the possibility of cognitive change when he began noticing subtle shifts in his own memory. A word game on his phone eventually became an unexpected warning sign, prompting him to seek evaluation from a neurologist. Today, he documents his experience on Instagram at @dancing.with.delirium, using his platform to share what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s.In this conversation with Being Patient founder, Deborah Kan, King reflects on the path to diagnosis, the role of Leqembi in his treatment and the importance of finding a neurologist who answers questions clearly. He also discusses the daily adaptations that help him manage frustration, stay independent and continue traveling, creating, and engaging with the world. For King, living with Alzheimer’s is not about fighting the disease, but learning how to negotiate with it while continuing to live as fully as possible.----If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  5. Jul 7

    Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: The Symptoms Beyond Memory Loss | | Dr. Gil Rabinovici

    The symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t always begin with the memory changes that many people associate with dementia. For some, the first signs may involve vision, language, decision-making, behavior, or changes in daily functioning.Dr. Gil Rabinovici, a professor of neurology and radiology at the University of California, San Francisco, and a behavioral neurologist at the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, explains why Alzheimer’s can look different in people who develop symptoms before age 65. His research focuses on using brain imaging and other biomarkers to improve dementia diagnosis, better understand neurodegenerative diseases, and support the development of new treatments.In this Live Talk with Being Patient’s founder, Deborah Kan, Rabinovici discussed how early-onset Alzheimer’s may first appear through changes in executive function, language, visual processing, or personality, and why those symptoms can sometimes lead to confusion or delayed diagnosis. He also explainsed how advances in PET scans, spinal fluid testing, and emerging blood tests are helping clinicians detect the biology of Alzheimer’s during life, while new antibody treatments and future combination therapies are beginning to reshape what diagnosis and care may look like for patients and families.-----If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  6. Jul 1

    What Blood Tests Could Mean for Early Alzheimer’s Detection | Dr. Joshua Grill

    Blood tests and other biomarkers are bringing researchers closer to detecting Alzheimer’s disease before memory loss begins — a shift that could reshape prevention, treatment, and the way families think about risk.Dr. Joshua Grill, director of the UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) and UCI’s NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, explains how advances in amyloid PET scans, spinal fluid testing, and blood-based biomarkers are changing Alzheimer’s research and care. Grill has published more than 150 articles and is nationally recognized for his work on clinical trials, recruitment and retention, and biomarker disclosure.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, Grill discussed why these tests are useful today for people already experiencing cognitive symptoms, why they are not yet recommended as a routine risk test for people without memory problems, and how biomarkers are helping researchers design prevention trials for people at higher biological risk. He also explained the emotional, ethical, and legal questions that come with assessing Alzheimer’s risk and what still needs to happen before early testing and treatment become part of routine care.---If you loved listening to this interview, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  7. Jun 23

    When Memory Fades: Navigating Dementia From Early Signs to Later Care | Dr. Nathaniel Chin

    An Alzheimer’s disease or dementia diagnosis can leave families unsure of what comes next. In his new book, Dr. Nathaniel Chin offers families a guide to navigating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, from the first signs of memory loss to the later stages of care. Chin, the medical director and clinical core co-lead of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and an associate professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Medicine, hosts the podcast “Dementia Matters.” `He wrote “When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Early Signs to Full Support for Alzheimer’s and Dementia” after his father’s diagnosis changed his career and he became one of his father’s primary caregivers. The book offers practical guidance on recognizing early symptoms, navigating medical exams, holding family meetings, building routines and maintaining connection as the disease progresses. In the conversation with Being Patient founder, Deborah Kan, Chin shared guidance from “When Memory Fades,” including how families can approach early symptoms, why people should be prepared before pursuing biomarker testing, and how routines, habits and advance care planning can help people live with more stability and dignity. He also discussed the promise and limits of new Alzheimer’s blood tests and treatments, the importance of building brain resilience in the early stages, and the need for honest conversations about what families may face as the disease progresses. --- If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

  8. Jun 16

    How to Train Your Memory, According to a Six-Time Memory Champion | Nelson Dellis

    Can memory be trained? Six-time USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis says the answer is yes. He explains simple techniques to help people strengthen recall, focus and confidence in everyday life.Dellis is a memory coach, author, speaker and one of the world’s top competitive memorizers. Inspired by his grandmother’s death from Alzheimer’s disease, he began training his memory in 2009 and later founded Climb For Memory, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research through mountain climbing.In this conversation with Being Patient’s founder Deborah Kan, Dellis explains how memory techniques work, such as turning information into vivid images and linking items together through stories. He shares practical tips for remembering names, lists and numbers, and discusses the role of practice, attention and repetition in moving information from short-term recall to longer-term memory. Dellis also discusses how technology and artificial intelligence may be changing the way people use their memories, and why memory remains closely tied to identity, storytelling, and daily life.---If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer’s coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

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Being Patient is the leading online community for Alzheimer's, dementia patients, caregivers. We talk to experts about Alzheimer's news, advice, stories and support! Visit www.beingpatient.com for the latest Alzheimer's news and researches!

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