Dementia Matters

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) like concussions are not uncommon, especially in children and older adults. These injuries can have both short-term and lasting effects on the brain, but what about their impact on cognitive function? Dr. Deling He of UW–Madison’s Cognitive-Communication in Aging and Neurogenic Disorders Laboratory (CCANDL) lab joins the podcast to discuss her research on the connections between TBI, speech pathology and cognition and what her study findings mean for people with a history of TBI. Guest: Deling He, PhD, postdoctoral research associate, Cognitive-Communication in Aging and Neurogenic Disorders Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, UW–Madison Show Notes Read the study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), “Traumatic Brain Injury Strikes 1 in 8 Older Americans,” mentioned by Dr. Chin at 0:30 on the UCSF website. Learn more about Dr. He’s study in the article, “TBI linked to long-term cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease,” published on Healio’s website. Learn more about the Cognitive-Communication in Aging and Neurogenic Disorders Laboratory (CCANDL) on their lab website. Learn more about Dr. He on the CCANDL website. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.

When memory, thinking or communication changes begin, knowing where to turn for support can make all the difference. In this episode, we explore how two key health care specialties can help individuals and families meet those challenges with confidence. Sarah Gunderson, an occupational therapist, and Kari Esser, a speech-language pathologist, draw from their work supporting people experiencing a wide range of neurological conditions to walk us through the foundations of their specialties and their unique roles in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia care. Sarah and Kari also provide a preview of their upcoming talk, “Partnering with Your Healthcare Team,” as part of the 2025 Healthy Living with MCI education program. Guests: Sarah Gunderson, OT, occupational therapist, UW Health, Kari Esser, MS, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist, UW Health Show Notes Register and learn more about the upcoming Healthy Living with MCI event featuring Dr. Chin, Sarah Gunderson and Kari Esser, happening on December 12, 2025, and future programs on our website. Learn more about Sarah from her profile on the UW Health Website. Learn more about Kari from her profile on the UW Health Website. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.

What do COVID-19 brain fog and ophthalmology have to do with Alzheimer’s disease? There may be more connections than one might think. Dr. Sean Miller is one of the scientists behind a recent study that used retinal tissue to investigate the links between COVID-19 infections and the build-up of amyloid and other indicators of Alzheimer’s disease in the central nervous system. Dr. Miller joins the podcast to discuss his research and its implications for COVID and dementia diagnosis and treatments in the future. Guest: Sean Miller, PhD, research scientist, department of ophthalmology and visual science, Yale School of Medicine, co-investigator, Logan Lab, Endicott College  Show Notes Read Dr. Miller’s study, “SARS-CoV-2 induces Alzheimer’s disease–related amyloid-β pathology in ex vivo human retinal explants and retinal organoids,” on the journal Science’s website. Learn more about Dr. Miller at his profile on the Yale School of Medicine website. Read “Retinal pathological features and proteome signatures of Alzheimer's disease,” mentioned by Dr. Miller at 2:50, on the National Library of Medicine website. Listen to our past episode, “Long COVID and Its Effect on Cognition,” on our website for more information on how COVID-19 can affect the brain. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.

Caring for someone living with dementia can be both deeply meaningful and incredibly challenging. Finding effective ways to connect, communicate and provide support often requires shifting how we see and respond to changes in the brain. In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, renowned dementia care specialist Teepa Snow joins the podcast to share her insights on improving life with dementia through empathy and understanding. As the founder of Positive Approach to Care (PAC), Teepa has developed the Snow Approach, a set of practical and compassionate techniques designed to empower care partners. She discusses the philosophy behind her methods, the importance of recognizing retained abilities and strategies that can make daily interactions more positive and meaningful for both care partners and those living with dementia. Guest: Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, dementia care specialist, educator, owner, trainer, Positive Approach LLC, co-Founder & chair, Snow Approach Foundation Show Notes This episode was uploaded as an exclusive video episode on the Wisconsin ADRC YouTube page on November 5, 2025. Watch the video interview with Teepa Snow here. Find videos, resources and more on Teepa Snow’s website. Interested in hearing more from Teepa? Attend Dementia Friendly America’s (DFA) Dementia Friendsgiving on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to hear her keynote talk on supporting people with dementia in dignified and respectful ways. Learn more about lecanemab and the eligibility requirements from our past episode, “Looking at Lecanemab’s Eligibility Guidelines and Prescription Process,” on our website. Learn more about grief and dementia from our past episode, “A Guide to Grief: Strategies for Navigating Loss and Dementia,” on our website. Learn more about the National Council of Dementia Minds on their website. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.

Grief is a complex topic for people with dementia, their loved ones, caregivers and doctors to navigate. Dr. Erica Srinivasan, an expert on the psychology behind grief, joins the podcast to discuss the different kinds of grief people can experience and share strategies and resources for addressing the grief associated with dementia. Guest: Erica Srinivasan, PhD, associate professor of psychology, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UWL), director, Center for Grief and Death Education, lead instructor, Grief Support Specialist Certificate, UW–Madison Continuing Education Show Notes Register for Dr. Srinivasan’s Grief Support Specialist Certificate course at the UW–Madison Continuing Education website. Register for Dr. Srinivasan’s Dementia Support Specialist online courses course at the UW-La Crosse Extended Learning website. Read more about Dr. Srinivasan at her profile on the UW–La Crosse website. Listen to our episode “Shining Light on Younger-Onset Dementia with Lorenzo’s House,” mentioned by Dr. Chin at 14:19, on our website. Learn more about MyGrief, the resource mentioned by Dr. Srinivasan at 22:42, on the Canadian Virtual Hospice’s website.  Learn more about the UK Alzheimer’s Society, mentioned by Dr. Srinivasan at 23:04, on their website. Learn more about Wisconsin’s Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), mentioned by Dr. Srinivasan at 23:13, on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. Looking for resources outside of Wisconsin? Find local organizations using the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Eldercare Locator. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. All donations go toward outreach and production.