BEST OF HEALTH Dementia Research and Care
Ben Readhead is an Australian born medical practitioner, passionate about innovation in the life sciences, with a focus on the application of biomedical informatics to enable precision medicine and improve patient care. ASU is intimately involved in the war against this disease and has recently formed a path breaking, interdisciplinary contingent of leading researchers known as the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center (NDRC). The center, headquartered at ASU’s Biodesign Institute, has just received a portion of a new $5 million grant, with Ben being one of six researchers named in the new award belonging to the NDRC, including the center’s Interim Director Eric Reiman, M.D, a world-renowned leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Connect with Ben on LinkedIn.
Carol Becker, CCHt created Universal Resources with a mission and passion to help people understand themselves and help them learn to experience a better quality of life.
Carol is a Dementia Therapy Specialist who has been fascinated by and exploring the field of memory loss after recovering from her own brain infection thirty years ago. As a certified master hypnotherapist, Master Practitioner in NeuroLinguistic Processing and TimeLine® Therapy, and a Trauma and Dementia Therapy Specialist, Carol has worked over 20 years helping people find hope and meaning in their lives. As a knowledge junkie, Carol loves learning how things work like internal combustion engines, magnetism, and human beings. She brings that innate curiosity and passion for learning to her work with dementia clients and their care partners in the work she does through her company Universal Resources, blending alternative health practices with proven treatment methods to provide holistic services and techniques that reduce the overwhelming stress, fear and anxiety that often plagues clients dementia journeys, improving their confidence, memory and quality of life.
Follow Universal Resources on Facebook, and connect with Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
Jan Dougherty is a Special Projects Consultant at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a known expert and leader in crafting innovative programs to support people living with dementia and their family caregivers. As the former Director of Family & Community Services at BAI, she designed a new standard of care while also directing the Native American Outreach Program. This included raising awareness about dementia, evaluating culturally sensitive cognitive assessment, brining novel brain health programs, and identifying health disparities among Southwest tribes. Obtaining grant funding of over $3.5 million, Jan has pioneered unique dementia programs being used in Arizona, nationally and internationally. These programs include Dementia Care Paths and Best Practices for Dementia Care Management; Hospice Care for Dementia; and Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia. Most recently, Jan is leading the efforts in helping Tempe, Arizona to become the first “Dementia Friendly Community” in the state. These innovations have resulted in major changes in care practices.
Jan completed her BSN from Valparaiso University and her MS in Gerontological Nursing from the University of Arizona. She was named “Gerontologist of the Year” in 2003 by the Arizona Geriatrics Society and received the “Caring Spirit Award” in 2005 from the Area Agency on Aging, Region One. Jan was named a finalist by the Phoenix Business Journal as a Health Care Hero – Nursing in 2009 and for Community Outreach in 2011. In 2013 she was recognized as “Preceptor of the Year” by the ASU College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation. She is a noted speaker and author in the field of dementia. Jan is a Fellow in the Academy of Nursing and a 2014 Piper Fellow.
Connect with Jan on LinkedIn, and follow Banner Alzheimer’s Institute on Twitter and Facebook.
The City of Tempe‘s commitment to Dementia Care & Education is evident! Since March 2016, Dementia Friendly Tempe has been taking shape & action to improve the lives of people living with this condition and supporting family caregivers. Their weekly Memory Café helps to minimize social isolation by bringing together the affected person & family member(s). Joining over coffee and then providing specific programs for both people with dementia and caregivers provides needed socialization, education & support. Their monthly lectures have brought valuable information to over 500 community members and our 3rd annual DFT Summit will bring together experts to provided practical tools & assistance to family caregivers. They are leading the efforts to raise awareness about dementia to remove the stigma associated with this condition. The program known as “Dementia Friends” builds understanding and brings action to support those who are affected. To date, over 800 community members have become Dementia Friends and we hope that many more around Tempe & our state will join their efforts.
Dementia Friendly Tempe will host its free annual summit on Saturday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pyle Adult Center, 655 E. Southern Avenue. Working from the theme: “Tools for Building Resilient Caregivers,” this free two-hour community gathering will feature medical experts and local resources that specialize elder-care and Alzheimer’s or dementia-related diseases. And you will hear personal stories from caregivers who have cared or are caring for someone experiencing memory loss.
To download a caregiver summit flyer, please click here.
Respite Care will be provided for those with memory loss. Please register in advance so we can accommodate your loved ones during the event.
To register, please contact the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute; call (602)839-6850 or email BAIFCS@bannerhealth.com
WHY BEST OF HEALTH?
I am a Physician Assistant who has been caring for patients for over 20 years and Family Practice (cradle to grave) is my specialty.
Following the footsteps of three generations of family practice physicians (my father, grandfather and great grandfather) this was a natural and genetic calling that I do not regret.
Given this, I have a unique perspective and it’s time to share that perspective through Ask the PA. As a health care provider, teacher, business owner, patient, and advocate for my family and friends throughout the years, it has been painfully apparent there are disconnects within the current state of health care in the US and throughout the world. It can be confusing and frankly very scary.
It is my goal though this series, Best of Health, to bring people together that are passionate about their roles in the business of health care… and yes, whether or not you want to hear that it’s a business, it is — and that’s the fact. I will introduce to you great, dedicated practitioners and people with a passion for getting the word out about their personal journeys and causes. I will provide information about navigating through a confusing system, asking the right questions and share ways for saving money and time along the way.
It’s time to create change by partnering, empowering, and focusing on the patient, their families and their providers of care. It’s time for you to take the driver’s seat rather than leave your health care solely in the hands of entities such as insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry.
Stay tuned. Here’s to your Best of Health.
~ Barb
ABOUT BARB
Barb is a Physician Assistant (PA) and a primary care provider with a passion for education and advocacy. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant (PA), Barb was an accomplished musician and teacher. In 1992, Barb made the conscious decision to leave teaching and her musical career in pursuit of a career in medicine. She graduated from AT Still University’s first PA class in 1997 with a Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
Barb has spent several years working in clinics and family practices. Currently, Barb works for Premise Health at Insight Enterprises in Tempe, AZ as a solo practitioner providing primary care to employees and families on campus. She was also a partner in Renaissance Medical Group and Renaissance Medical Properties in Chandler and Maricopa, AZ and had a dual role of Chief Operations Officer and practicing PA for 14 years.
Along with being a PA, Barb is the author of the book Surviving the “Business” of Healthcare, Knowledge is Power! She is a certified Medical Professional Legal Consultant and Patient Advocate, speaker and influencer for change in healthcare for the patient, provider and family members. Barb is also certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants and is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
In her spare time, she loves to travel, maintaining an active lifestyle that includes running, biking, swimming. She loves to spend time outdoors with her family and friends, whether it’s walking on the beach or hiking in the desert.
For more information about Ask the PA and to connect with Barb:
