The care of dementia patients is often long and complex. Families have to navigate changing interpersonal dynamics with their loved one, planning for the future, and increasing caregiver burnout. Social workers, much more so than doctors, are the professionals best equipped to help families navigate the long term care of persons with dementia. To help explain what social work is and the crucial role social workers play in dementia care, I sit down with three experienced social workers at the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center: Alyssa Ghiringhelli ASW, Rebecca Ngu ASW, and Jennice Wong, LCSW. We cover how to find a social worker, how social workers support families, and different models of social work care. A great episode for anyone looking for more support in their journey with dementia or in caring for a loved one with dementia.

First fully approved by the FDA in 2023, anti amyloid antibodies (lecanemab and donanemab) are the first class of medicines to definitively slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Join me for a conversation with CPMC and Sutter Health's Dolby Center Medical Director Armen Moughamian MD, PhD to discuss what these exciting new treatments are, their potential benefits and risks, and which patients are good candidates for treatment. We also touch on some of the initial controversy surrounding these drugs and the clinical trials currently in progress using these medicines to potentially prevent Alzheimer's disease altogether! The episode is a great overview for anyone interested in learning more about the latest in Alzheimer's treatment.

This week we sit down for our first care partner episode with Rachel Main, Alzheimer's Association Family Support Coordinator, and experienced care partners Richard Mendelsohn, Kathleen Suryan, and Laurette Lau to share their initial experiences and reactions after receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in their loved one.