Let’s Chat About Thinking

With special guest Alex Brandenburg, M.A., CCC-SLP
Alex and Dr. Pauldurai will discuss the role of cognitive therapy and its benefits. They will also introduce common compensatory strategies to assist with cognitive impairment.

If you’d like to follow-up with a speech language pathologist (SLP) please visit ipmdc.org/therapy for the list of Inova and community teams that all have experts in Parkinson’s on their team.

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In the midst of busily caring for our loved ones with dementia, it is difficult to know all of the resources and supports that are immediately available to us.

Join Dawn Jefferson, Education and Support Coordinator with Insight Memory Care Center, and Dr. Pauldurai, to hear about support programs offered by Insight Memory Care Center in Fairfax and Sterling.

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•    Understand the various types of senior living options available and their key differentiators
•    Gain insight into pricing models and fee structures
•    Understand how senior living is regulated and what is public knowledge
•    Key questions to ask when shopping/touring senior living communities.   

This program was not recorded, but you can sign up for a recorded session on this same topic at silverbridgesconsulting.com/resources/events/.

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Getting a memory evaluation can be stressful, and we may be afraid of what the doctor will share. During this seminar, we will go over how you can prepare for a cognitive evaluation, what are some tests you may want to get done before your specialist visit, and what to do after the visit.

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The brain does a whole lot more than just remember, and we take for granted some of these complex neural networks. Decision-making, organization, motivation, and prioritization are all frontal lobe functions that the brain typically manages with ease…until there is a problem.

This month we are privileged to be joined by clutter and organization expert, Maria Spetalnik, as we discuss frontal, organizational, and problem-solving changes that can result from cognitive disorders.

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When most people think of financial wellness, it’s saving for the future and managing debt. But when you or your loved one has a chronic neuro illness, there is a much broader definition.

Guest speaker Arvette M. Reid, Healthcare Planning Strategist with SEIA, discussed the essential integration of legal documents and financial roadmaps, and provided actionable steps to take now and considerations for future years.

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In this discussion, we will go into details about what our brain does while we sleep, why it is important to get good rest, and how brain diseases can interfere with successful sleeping.

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With special guest, Sabina Kelly, IPMDC Healthy Eating program partner
What are some behavioral and nutritional strategies to give our loved ones the nutrition they need if they don’t know how best to choose for themselves? How do we work around specific diet recommendations?

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Anosognosia means the brain can be unaware of the symptoms or severity of changes happening during a brain disease. When anosognosia happens, a person may deny the presence of a brain disease, others may believe that they are fully capable of taking their medicines independently. Still others may suggest that they are the best person to handle their financial affairs and become upset when suggested to have help. How do we help someone who doesn’t seem to see things the same way that we do? During this seminar, we will talk about practical ways to recognize anosognosia, and how to deal with resistance or denial when it comes to providing care.

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How Do I Not Get Dementia?

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We have discussed at length the cognitive and behavioral changes associated with dementia, but dementia can also cause other somatic (bodily) changes like loss of appetite, loss of smell, changes in movement, falling, and loss of bladder control. During this seminar we will go over what might be an expected symptom of dementia, and what is not typically a dementia problem.

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Last time, we discussed that brain disease can cause a significant amount of stress on the person, as well as their loved ones. When the brain is under duress, it can behave differently, such as with hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, anger, and restlessness. Let’s discuss how to help when someone is actively having unusual behaviors, and how to talk about it afterward in a safe and supportive environment.

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When people have changes in their brain, or have been diagnosed with a brain disorder, they can have changes in behavior that are unlike their usual behavior. These can be episodes of short temper, agitation, loss of appetite, or loss of motivation. Sometimes these behaviors are a reflection of increased stress in the brain. We will discuss how to recognize a brain that is under stress, and what to do about reducing stress on the brain.

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Anosognosia is a phenomenon when the brain is unaware of the problems or challenges that it may be having. Other people may notice that we are forgetting or making more mistakes, but in our perspective, it seems like we are doing just fine! Why does this happen? Is it subconscious, or is it my brain stubbornly denying the truth? Sometimes trying to “prove who’s right” can lead to conflicts and defensiveness—and often this is the most troubling and sensitive part of having brain disease. Let’s talk about this sensitive topic of not knowing what’s wrong and decide if ignorance really is bliss.

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We have learned that differentiating the type of dementia is important for understanding symptoms and prognosis. It is also helps guide treatments. While many types of dementia do not have a cure, there are treatments that can reduce the burden of symptoms. We have methods of managing stress, mood, sleep, forgetfulness, and appetite. These treatments could be medications, rehabilitation therapies, behavioral changes, and even surgery. Dementia is not something you have to suffer through; by talking to your doctor, we can come up with a plan to live your highest quality of life despite having an illness.

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Dementia is not actually a single diagnosis, but rather a description of function; where a person needs help to survive alone. This can be caused by multiple different infectious, inflammatory, genetic, or degenerative diseases. It has different stages and can be described by various physical, cognitive, and behavioral needs. Some people with dementia live independently, while others with dementia may need the services of residential care. Some dementias may be treatable (even with surgery), while others have no cure, but the symptoms are treatable.

Let’s explore all the different ways that the brain can change to cause this state of being, and what we can do to adapt to these changes.

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As we age, our brain size and processing speed can change, and this can look and feel a lot like dementia. How do we know what is normal and what is not? In our chat, we will first review non-brain problems that can cause forgetfulness (like sleep disturbance, chronic pain, depression, and trauma). We will then discuss the red flags that might signal the early stages of a neurodegenerative condition, and when to seek help.

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