The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Older Adults and How Caregivers Can Help In many cultures, alcohol consumption is so engrained in social rituals that not drinking seems much stranger to people than frequently drinking. However, alcohol is never without its risks, and this is especially true for older people. Older adults are much more vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol than younger people due to age-related changes to their bodies, medication interactions and other health conditions. And though reckless drinking is an issue most people associate with younger people, older adults, especially those in the 55-64 range, are more at risk of alcohol-induced deaths than any other age category, according to data from the CDC. Read more
The Way of the Future? Healthcare Investment in Medically Tailored Meals Learn about medically tailored meals (MTMs) with Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and the Elder Justice Coalition. Join us for a virtual discussion on the Collaborative Approach to Public Goods Investment (CAPGI) model. As part of this project, 11 investors in the Cleveland, Ohio area came together to expand the MTMs program offered through Benjamin Rose’s Rose Centers for Aging Well. Dr. Len Nichols will lead the discussion on how the model can address food insecurity and serve as a tool to finance, govern and evaluate interventions in social determinants of health. Read more
Sorting out the Risks and Benefits of Medications for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Learn more about the risks and benefits of medications that are currently on the market to treat dementia and mild cognitive impairment. This webinar also discusses ways to get the most benefit and minimize the risks of these medications and have a brief discussion on medications that are being studied for these conditions that appear to be close to being marketed. Read more
Navigating the Path: A Guide for New Dementia Caregivers Becoming a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is a profound and, at times, overwhelming journey. It's a role that comes with many responsibilities and challenges, and requires careful planning. If you've recently become a dementia caregiver, here's what you can expect and some recommendations to help you along the way. Read more
Understanding Glaucoma: A Guide for Caregivers of Older Adults Ensuring the well-being of older adults involves comprehensive care, and one aspect often overlooked is eye health. Glaucoma, a progressive eye disorder leading to optic nerve damage and potential blindness, is a significant concern, especially among older adults. As a caregiver, it's crucial to integrate glaucoma testing into the care plan, given its prevalence and potential severity. Read more
Decoding Dementia’s Genetic Connections Dementia affects millions of individuals globally. While age, not genetics, is the primary risk factor, there's growing evidence that genetics can indeed play a role in determining an individual's susceptibility to certain types of dementia. Read more
Navigating Strokes, from Recognition to Recovery The brain, despite weighing a mere three pounds, serves as the body's mastermind, orchestrating complex functions from speech to movement. But as hardworking as it is, the brain is vulnerable to internal injuries known as strokes or "brain attacks," placing both it and its owner at risk. Strokes, the third leading cause of death in the US, can occur at any age but are more prevalent among older individuals. Read more
Every Time I Hear That Song: The Impact of Music Intervention on Persons Living with Dementia This webinar discusses the benefits of using music as a tool to engage persons with dementia. Music, which can elicit memories and positive feelings in those with dementia, has the potential to decrease anxiety and the occurrence of agitated behaviors. In recent years, a variety of individualized music interventions have been developed that capitalize on the use of music as a promising practice. The use of familiar music can be a powerful way to tap into an individual’s long-term memory, increase social interaction, produce positive mood, and promote feelings of belonging. Silvia Orsulic-Jeras of Benjamin Rose and Gregg Gorzelle of Hopeful Aging, LLC discuss the Making Connections through Music intervention, a program consisting of six individually themed sessions containing songs and corresponding discussion points that have been carefully selected with the assistance of a board-certified music therapist. Materials, such as handheld percussion instruments, photos and other props, are used to elicit engagement with the music and increase socialization among group members. Read more
Adult Protective Services: The What, Why, and How In this virtual discussion presented in partnership with the Elder Justice Coalition, we examine baseline funding for Adult Protective Services, and how service providers can advocate for our communities. Jennfer Spoeri, Executive Director for the National Adult Protective Services Association, covers the importance of APS funding and the services it provides, and addresses misconceptions about APS. Heidi Turner-Stone, Section Chief of the Ohio APS, highlights the significance of state-level APS funding, while Bob Blancato of the Elder Justice Coalition covers this significance on a federal level. Read more
Hoarding Connection Benjamin Rose is member of Hoarding Connection of Cuyahoga County, a group of more than 20 organizations working together to address the issue of hoarding in the community. Read more
