Precision medicine is a medical approach that considers a patient’s genes, environment, and lifestyle. In the realm of Alzheimer’s disease, experts are pushing for using this approach to improve diagnosis, treatment, and our understanding of the condition.

This video is part of the Journey to Diagnosis series, produced by Being Patient with support provided by Eli Lilly.

This podcast is part of the Diversity + Dementia series, produced by Being Patient with support provided by Eisai inc.

Award-winning Alzheimer’s and dementia educator and best-selling author Dr. Macie P. Smith joined Being Patient Live Talks to discuss her latest book, “A Dementia Caregiver Called to Action: The Journey.” In the context of her experience as an educator and a licensed gerontology social worker, she’ll also speak to the caregiving needs specific to Black families and Black communities.

Alzheimer’s advocate Betsy Groves joined Being Patient Live Talks to discuss her long and rocky journey to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, her experience living with Alzheimer’s, and her work advocating for other patients on this journey

Positive Approach to Care founder and dementia care expert Teepa Snow returns to Being Patient Live Talks for “Ask Teepa Anything” to answer Being Patient readers’ questions in real-time.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Over time, Alzheimer’s progresses through the brain, causing changes that can lead to cognitive decline, and eventually interfering with everyday life, from daily activities like getting dressed, to having conversations. Alzheimer’s affects everyone differently. The timing and severity of symptoms could be different for each person, and it can be difficult to determine which stage your loved one is in as stages may overlap. So, this “7 stages” framework is only meant to be a guideline, but if someone you care about is living with  Alzheimer’s, knowing the signs of each stage can help you assist in managing the disease — and having a bit of a clearer idea what to expect. Want to keep learning?

Explore our free, expert-vetted, science-backed interactive guide on the 7 stages of Alzheimer’s: 

https://www.beingpatient.com/seven-stages-of-alzheimers-interactive-guide/

Are you taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s? Looking After Yourself While Caregiving: 3 Things You Need To Know:https://www.beingpatient.com/caregiving-strategies-dale-atkins/

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is often a long, complex process, with many individuals facing delayed diagnosis or even misdiagnosis for years. A key reason for misdiagnosis could be the amount of training doctors are receiving on cognitive decline. 

University of Washington’s Dr. Barak Gaster is trying to fill that gap in his work directing the Cognition in Primary Care Program, which trains doctors to improve dementia diagnosis and care. Gaster joined Being Patient founder Deborah Kan in a conversation on why diagnosing Alzheimer’s is so difficult to diagnose, particularly in its early stages. He also shed light on the barriers physicians face in recognizing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and how primary care providers can improve diagnosis and care for those experiencing cognitive decline.

Watch the conversation to learn his practical advice for patients and caregivers seeking diagnosis, as well as his take on why these challenges exist and what can be done to improve the diagnosis process.

Alzheimer’s advocate Myra Garcia joins Being Patient Live Talks to discuss her experience with early-onset Alzheimer’s and her work with the Latino community to shed light on the disease. 

After a career in classical music, performing in musicals and operas around the world, Garcia changed careers to work in higher education when her second child was born. A decade ago, Garcia started to have difficulty with her job responsibilities working in fundraising at the University of La Verne. A neurologist initially diagnosed her with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), but after continued memory issues, she was finally able to see a neuropsychiatrist. After a day-long cognitive testing and review of her medical records, Garcia was finally diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2020. 

Now retired, Garcia served on the 2022-2023 Early Stage Advisory Group and continues to advocate for people like her. As the daughter of Cuban immigrants, she also has a particular focus on education and outreach in the Latino community. She also volunteers at a senior memory care center, sings in three choirs, and remains physically and socially active. Garcia also participated in the donanemab clinical trial. 

Watch the interview to learn more about her story and her advocacy work in the Latino community

Dr. Catherine Madison joins Being Patient Live Talks to discuss how patients experience anosognosia in dementia, which is a neurological condition in which you are unaware of having a particular disease. She’ll explain how understanding this symptom can help caregivers step into dementia’s reality. 

Madison became a neurologist after being a caregiver to her mother, who died of dementia in 2011. She worked with Dagmar Dolby to open the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center in San Francisco in 2014. At this center, she provides support for the individuals and families navigating a dementia diagnosis. In particular, Madison focuses on providing education to the community around dementia planning and care. 

Listen to the full talk to learn more about anosognosia and dementia care.