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This free program is for PMC patients experiencing memory change, or for those with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. Throughout 7 classes, participants will engage in collaborative and creative musical experiences, with a particular focus on creating new music. Participants will also be treated to musical performances by Curtis Institute students, including a concert at the end of the program! Beginners welcome.

Session Schedule:

2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2019
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2019
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2019
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2019
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019
2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Where:
The Curtis Institute of Music
1616 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
Lenfest Hall, Room LH314

RSVP by contacting:
Matt Volpe, 215-360-0274
matthew.volpe@uphs.upenn.edu

By Linnea Langkammer

Moment to Moment isn’t a story about Carl’s Alzheimer’s disease, but it does tell that story.

It isn’t an origin story about the unique works of art Susan helped create, but it tells that story too.

“This film,” says filmmaker Mike Attie, “it’s a love story.”

By Sharnita Midgett

The “Promise Garden” has flower beds at a high perimeter, a circular path and no jarring shapes or colors. Its creators say it’s an ideal environment for those with memory loss.

The display at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show was designed for those with dementia as an area where one could not wander off, get lost, or experience stress.

Promise Garden was designed by Tom Morris, Operations Manager at J Downend Landscaping, in memory of his late father-in-law, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mohamad Habes, PhD, (left) and David Wolk, MD

By Janissa Delzo

For the past year, Mohamad Habes, PhD has worked with Penn Memory Center (PMC) researchers to use emerging image analysis techniques to capture subtle brain changes for early recognition of aging and neurodegenerative disease effects.  

“Mohamad is an extremely bright and innovative young researcher who is making increasingly important contributions to our understanding of vascular disease and its relationship to the aging brain and Alzheimer’s Disease,” said Dr. David Wolk, PMC co-director and Habes’ mentor. “While his training and expertise are focused on statistical and computational approaches to image analysis, he consistently applies these tools to answer compelling questions that have true clinical implications.”

The Penn Memory Center kicked off its new Empowering Caregivers speaker series this month with occupational therapist and Day by Day Home Therapy founder Rachel Wiley, who presented “Meaningful Activities to Engage Your Loved One.” Wiley’s workshop was both practical and personal, emphasizing real-world advice on how to keep your loved one with dementia engaged and active, even as cognition declines.

Empowering Caregivers gives caregivers access to area experts who present on a variety of intensive topics, from in-home activities to end-of-life care. Each talk is free and capped at 30 guests. Priority will be given to those caring for patients of the Penn Memory Center. RSVP is required.

To RSVP, contact Felicia Greenfield, MSW, LCSW, at felicia.greenfield@uphs.upenn.edu or 215-662-4523 and note which workshop(s) you’d like to attend.

Memory in Motion is a dance class tailored to meet the challenges of people living with dementia and their caregivers. The class incorporates simple, adaptive movements set to musical favorites from the ’40s to present day in an open and accepting environment. It provides an opportunity for people living with dementia to better connect with bodily experience, and a chance for caregivers to participate in a fun, nostalgic, and active way. No prior dance experience is necessary!

Time:  11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Dates:  Every Monday between March 11 and April 22
Place: BalletX, 1923 Washington Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146
RSVP: Contact Felicia Greenfield at 215-662-4523 or at felicia.greenfield@uphs.upenn.edu

Instructor:
R. Colby Damon, BA
Professor of Dance, University of the Arts
Lead Teaching Artist, BalletX
Freelance Choreographer

Many caregivers experience depression, injury, and self-neglect as they face challenges supporting their loved ones with dementia.

By Linnea Langkammer

A dementia advocacy group co-signed a recommendation for a set of 2030 federal health objectives, encouraging the establishment of dementia-friendly communities and improving the psychological health of caregivers.

These two objectives were overlooked by the federal committee that advises the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on national health and disease prevention, according to the Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD) Coalition.