ADRC News

By Meghan McCarthy  Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia. Names have been changed to protect PMC patient privacy. We sincerely thank the family involved in sharing their story with our community. When Zachary Collins set out for a drive to Downingtown, the route was seemingly simple. Twenty miles west of his home, neither he nor his wife, Mary, thought much of the outing.   Until Zachary found himself in Delaware.    It was then that the pair fully appreciated the Waze app.   Two Read More The post Technology at the Crossroads: Navigating Dementia and Independence appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Technology at the Crossroads: Navigating Dementia and Independence

By Meghan McCarthy  Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia.   I was in sixth grade when my family moved to Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Massachusetts, the prospect of the move seemed alike to epic adventures I would read as a kid.   In the years that passed, living in the Keystone State became familiar. I grew to love Wawa and enjoyed a soft pretzel school snack. I identified New England versus Pennsylvania vernacular, such as ‘bubbler’ versus ‘water fountain’ and ‘sub’ versus ‘hoagie.’ Read More The post 365 Calls Later: What FaceTime Meant to my Family During the Pandemic appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading 365 Calls Later: What FaceTime Meant to my Family During the Pandemic

Por Meghan McCarthy y traducido por Andrew Beltran y María Valero de Clemente  Read in English Se estima que hasta un 82 por ciento de las personas con Alzheimer tienen diabetes tipo 2.   La relación entre Alzheimer y diabetes es compleja. Un nivel elevado de azúcar en la sangre puede aumentar el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca, lo que puede dañar los vasos sanguíneos del cerebro. La fluctuación de los niveles de azúcar e insulina en la sangre también puede contribuir al deterioro cognitivo. Un nivel alto de azúcar en la sangre también puede causar inflamación, lo que podría dañar las Read More The post El sistema de monitoreo de glucosa impulsado por IA avanza en el cuidado de la diabetes para adultos mayores appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading El sistema de monitoreo de glucosa impulsado por IA avanza en el cuidado de la diabetes para adultos mayores

By Meghan McCarthy  Leer en español Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia.  It is estimated that up to 82 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have type 2 diabetes.   The relationship between AD and diabetes is complex. Elevated blood sugar can increase heart disease risk, which may damage blood vessels in the brain. Fluctuating blood sugar and insulin levels may also contribute to cognitive decline. High blood sugar also causes inflammation, which could damage brain cells.   Diabetes often accompanies other AD Read More The post AI-Powered Glucose Monitoring System Advances Diabetes Care for Older Adults appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading AI-Powered Glucose Monitoring System Advances Diabetes Care for Older Adults

By Meghan McCarthy Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia. When Adrienne Russin’s husband began showing signs of dementia, she was at a loss. Living in a rural area of central Pennsylvania, Adrienne didn’t have access to resources to support her husband or herself. Unaware of the Penn Memory Center (PMC) or similar institutions, the family struggled without adequate support as his condition worsened six years ago. “Roughly 20 years ago, I was the primary caregiver for my mother, who had end-stage cancer Read More The post Virtual Caregiver Support Groups: A Lifeline for Families Facing Dementia appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Virtual Caregiver Support Groups: A Lifeline for Families Facing Dementia

By Meghan McCarthy Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia. Since its debut in 2022, the concept of ChatGPT has sparked discussions within the medical community. Perhaps you’ve heard of comparison between the technology’s bedside manner versus doctors or differences between physician discharge instructions versus ChatGPT. While these studies offer intriguing insights, for many members of the public the primary value of ChatGPT actually lies in its ability to answer short questions.  Common inquiries include definitions, general facts, and even philosophical inquiries like Read More The post How well does ChatGPT understand dementia? appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading How well does ChatGPT understand dementia?

By Meghan McCarthy Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia.   Depending on where you’re from, phrases and sayings differ. The preference for calling something soda versus pop, hoagie versus sub, bubbler versus water fountain are classic examples that often reflect the state in which one was raised. Beyond geographical differences, sayings can vary based on racial and ethnic backgrounds. For instance, Black English, a social dialect with unique expressions and grammar rules, is often used in informal conversations among Black Americans. When studying Read More The post Detecting Early-Stage Dementia Through Speech appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Detecting Early-Stage Dementia Through Speech

I-MEASURED is a study that seeks to better understand the experiences and priorities of persons living with dementia and their loved ones in order to improve the way we test new treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). I-MEASURED is led by Dr. Catherine Auriemma of The PAIR Center in partnership with Dr. Jason Karlawish of the Penn Memory Center. Who can participate? People who provide care (social, emotional, physical, etc.) for a person with mild cognitive impairment or any severity of dementia People diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who have been seen at the Penn Memory Center in Read More The post Participants needed for study to improve the way Alzheimer’s treatments are tested appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Participants needed for study to improve the way Alzheimer’s treatments are tested

By Meghan McCarthy Editor’s note: Editor’s Note: In light of the 2024 PennAITech Symposium, this article is a part of ongoing coverage on the intersection of technology and dementia. Names have been changed to protect PMC patient privacy. We sincerely thank the family involved in sharing their story with our community. Fourteen years ago, Eleanor left her house with a simple afternoon stroll in mind. After the passing of her beloved husband, walks around her gated community were a boost to her daily routine. Hours later, her daughter, Molly, called Eleanor’s home phone and couldn’t reach her. “Because she was Read More The post Tech-Empowered Care: A Family’s Innovative Approach to Alzheimer’s Support appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Tech-Empowered Care: A Family’s Innovative Approach to Alzheimer’s Support

Last week, the Penn Memory Center celebrated the kick-off of the Arts on the Mind festival, a series of events highlighting the profound connection between the creative arts and the human mind. This collaboration unites the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Penn Memory Center, The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Film Society, the Free Library, and ARTZ Philadelphia, bringing events to iconic venues. Together, artists, educators, physicians, and neuroscientists connect to create, observe, and discuss art in ways that illuminate its vital role in the development and maintenance of our minds, particularly as we age. Last Week: The Franklin Institute’s Conversation Lab On Read More The post Arts on the Mind festival begins at Franklin Institute appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Arts on the Mind festival begins at Franklin Institute