How Socialization Helps Fight Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on our growing understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, and our need to listen to, and learn from, people living with the disease.
Every 66 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. The diagnosis can be devastating. Patients worry they will forget the simple things that used to bring them joy like friends and family, hobbies and memories.
There are currently 5.5 million Americans living with the disease.
Alzheimer’s is still clouded by stigma, not unlike that experienced by those living with mental health problems or illnesses. With the right care and support, people living with Alzheimer’s can enjoy meaningful and healthy lives.
Research shows that friendships and a strong social circle have a dramatic impact on quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s. Socialization has been shown to help slow down memory loss and can be important to fighting Alzheimer’s.
Gerontologist Juliet Holt Klinger joined me to talk more about the importance of staying connected as you age. Juliet is the Senior Director of Dementia Care for Brookdale Senior Living and specializes in person-centered programs for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Brookdale is the nation’s largest senior living provider.
During our discussion, Juliet also shared how those living with Alzheimer’s Disease can download an available journal to share with their families things that they need to know once they can no longer communicate to them.
Take a listen
Meet Our Guest
Juliet Holt Klinger’s desire to improve life for those with dementia and their families began in high school, when she volunteered at a skilled nursing center in her Iowa hometown and felt drawn to seniors with dementia. A gerontologist, she has dedicated her three-decade career to this mission, serving as Brookdale’s senior director of dementia care program development since 2006. Juliet, who has had family members with dementia, participates on expert committees of the Dementia Action Alliance, Pioneer Network for culture change in long-term care, and Argentum, the senior living professional association. She is a sought after speaker for national conferences and health care meetings. Juliet lives in Chicago with her husband Christian and four-legged “daughter” Ruby.
