Talking Dementia

Today’s episode is recorded live from the SXSW 2025 conference in Austin, TX where we discuss The Economics of a Dementia Diagnosis. By 2060, the number of US adults who will develop dementia each year is projected to double, putting a massive economic burden on taxpayers, families, and the healthcare system.The financial strain on Medicare and Medicaid is expected to skyrocket and by 2050, costs are projected to reach $1.5 trillion.1

Warning signs can appear years before a formal diagnosis, underscoring the need for earlier detection and proactive intervention. Innovative federal programs like CMS’s GUIDE model, combined with emerging diagnostic technologies and virtual care delivery companies (like Remo Health) offer a great deal of hope for families that have been underserved for far too long.

About this episode’s featured panel members

Dr. Will Poe is co-founder and CEO of Remo Health – a virtual dementia care company reinventing how to deliver high-quality, accessible dementia care to people living with dementia and their caregivers. He's a board-certified internal medicine physician who trained at the University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Daniel Benjamin is Prof of Behavioral Economics and Genoeconomics at UCLA. His work includes addressing how economic behavior relates to cognitive ability and social identity (ethnicity, race, gender, and religion).

Dr. Lauren Hersch Nicholas is an Associate Professor at University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical School. Her research focuses on improving the health and economic wellbeing of older Americans.

About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She's the creator and host of The Nocturnists. Learn more about Emily here.

Connect with us Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the US, accounting for about 60-80% of all dementia diagnoses. But many people don’t want to talk about their diagnosis publicly – or even amongst family and friends.

In today’s episode, Dr. Armen Moughamian and Dr. Emily Silverman continue their discussion about the complexities of Alzheimer's disease, exploring the stigma associated with a diagnosis, and how helping people understand the disease can break down the experience of shame – which in turn can increase the likelihood of people being diagnosed earlier.

About this episode’s featured guest

Dr. Armen Moughamian is a neurologist and Medical Director of the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco. He leads a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurse practitioners, neuropsychologists and social workers in the treatment of patients with cognitive impairment. He also heads the clinical trials program at Dolby with a specific focus on Alzheimer's. Armen went to undergrad at UC Berkeley, got an MD PhD at Penn and did neurology residency and fellowship at University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Learn more about Armen by visiting his LinkedIn.

About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest information, news, and guidance on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

This episode features Dr. Anna Chodos, a geriatrician at UCSF, in conversation with Dr. Emily Silverman. They discuss the crucial role primary care physicians play in the early detection of dementia. Dr. Chodos also addresses the challenges patients and families face, outlining various care options such as home care, assisted living, and nursing homes. Emphasizing a dyad-centered approach, she offers practical advice for families, including how adequate support can enable individuals with dementia to remain in their homes.

About this episode’s featured guest

Dr. Anna Chodos is an associate professor at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in the Division of Geriatrics and the Division of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General. She's the medical director of outpatient geriatrics at Zuckerberg General, which includes the geriatrics neurology cognitive clinic, where an interdisciplinary team evaluates patients for cognitive symptoms.

Learn more about Dr. Chodos here. Visit Dementia Care Aware for more information about Dr. Chodos’ work as Principal Investigator.

Here are links for more information on topics referenced by Dr. Chodos during this episode:

• National Institute on Aging
• Older Americans Act

About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest information, news, and guidance on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Social support for caregivers is strongly correlated with improved health outcomes, reduced caregiver burden, increased psychological resilience, and the remediation of stigma. Online support groups have emerged as a vital lifeline for caregivers who are unable to attend in-person meetings due to time constraints, geographical limitations, or the all-consuming nature of caregiving.

We talk with Remo Health’s Head of Engagement, Jess Corona-Irwin, about Remo’s online Community forum where caregivers and people living with dementia have a space to show up as they are, share their experiences with a community of others who understand, and get the care and support they need.

About this episode’s featured guest

Jess Corona-Irwin is a registered nurse and the Head of Member Engagement at Remo Health, where she specializes in dementia care and support as a certified dementia practitioner and certified dementia support group facilitator. Jess is passionate about creating meaningful connections and support for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest information, news, and guidance on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Join us for a discussion with neurohospitalist and researcher Dr. Elan Guterman about the challenges faced by people living with dementia in the hospital, the significant impact of delirium short-and-long-term, and how she views virtual care delivery for dementia as the future. She shares her vision for how a more comprehensive, dyad-centered approach to dementia care addresses dyad's medical, emotional and practical needs. Elan talks about her work from UCSF's Care Ecosystem, which is credited with shepherding new comprehensive dementia care programs like CMS’ GUIDE model.

***

Dr. Elan Guterman is a neurohospitalist at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is a neurohospitalist and clinical researcher who specializes in the care of patients who are in the hospital. She also has a master's degree in clinical research and studies gaps in care for patients with dementia and other neurological disorders.

Read an excerpt from Elan and Emily's conversation here.

About our host

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest information, news, and guidance on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The very first episode of “Talking Dementia with Remo Health” features Anne Tumlinson, CEO of ATI Advisory and Founder of Daughterhood.org. As an expert in aging and healthcare policy with personal experience caring for her father who had dementia, Anne shares her deeply personal perspective on the complexities of and loneliness and isolation that go hand-in-hand with the caregiving journey. She speaks with our host Dr. Emily Silverman about the urgent need for policy change and why CMS' new GUIDE model is a beacon of hope for dementia caregivers.

***

Anne Tumlinson has spent her career working to improve how we care for frail older adults, including people experiencing dementia. She is the founder of nonprofit Daughterhood – a community providing support and connection to family caregivers, and she heads up DC-based ATI Advisory, which helps clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. One of Anne's passions is developing policy that supports families and caregivers, including CMS’ new GUIDE model.

Learn more about Anne by visiting her LinkedIn.

About our host

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that uplifts the voices of clinicians through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Caregiver stress can be overwhelming – interfering with work, disrupting sleep, and making it difficult to provide proper care. Cultivating communication skills can empower caregivers to navigate difficult conversations with their loved one and care team.

This episode features clinical psychologist Dr. Allison Applebaum who speaks with Remo’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Meredith Bock about practical strategies for navigating the complexities of caregiving.

Drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey as a caregiver for her father with Lewy body dementia, Dr. Applebaum offers compassionate advice on communication, self-care, and building a support network – emphasizing the importance of finding meaning and purpose in caregiving, even in the face of immense challenges.

***

Dr. Allison Applebaum is a clinical psychologist who primarily focuses on addressing the unmet psycho-social needs of family caregivers – the family members and friends of patients with chronic or life-limiting illnesses who serve a critical and often unrecognized role on the healthcare team. For the past 15 years, Dr. Applebaum was on faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), where she was Founding Director of the Caregivers Clinic. She is author of “Stand by Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving.”

Learn more about Dr. Applebaum and her publications by visiting her website.

About our host

Dr. Meredith Bock is a board certified neurologist and Chief Medical Officer of Remo Health. She's dedicated her career to caring for people with neurodegenerative diseases and their families. Her clinical expertise is in cognitive and movement disorders. Her research at UCSF and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs has focused on earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease, and the evaluation of interdisciplinary care models to manage complex symptoms. She is a Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor in Geriatrics at UCSF. She has received research funding from the NIH, NIA, American Academy of Neurology, and Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Why is timely and accurate diagnosis for dementia important, and how can we create preventative systems that keep patients safe, healthy, and independent for as long as possible?

In today’s episode, Dr. Armen Moughamian talks with Dr. Emily Silverman about the crucial role of early diagnosis in managing cognitive impairment and highlights the importance of family involvement in the care process. Join us to learn about emerging treatment options and hear his vision of a future where cognitive decline can be effectively managed.

***

Dr. Armen Moughamian is a neurologist and Medical Director of the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco. He leads a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurse practitioners, neuropsychologists and social workers in the treatment of patients with cognitive impairment. He also heads the clinical trials program at Dolby with a specific focus on Alzheimer's. Armen went to undergrad at UC Berkeley, got an MD PhD at Penn and did neurology residency and fellowship at University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Learn more about Armen by visiting his LinkedIn.

About our host

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest information, news, and guidance on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

This episode features Dr. Meredith Bock, neurologist and Chief Medical Officer at Remo Health, in conversation with Dr. Emily Silverman about the complexities of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

Meredith talks about the unique challenges and rewards of working in the dementia space, the crucial role of interdisciplinary teams, and how palliative care can improve quality of life for patients and families. She also shares insights on the future of dementia care from her personal experience leading a healthcare organization, offering a message of hope and progress amidst the challenges.

***

Dr. Meredith Bock has dedicated her career to caring for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases and their families. Her clinical expertise is in cognitive and movement disorders, and her research at UCSF and the San Francisco VA focuses on earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease, optimizing quality of life at each stage, and the evaluation of interdisciplinary care models to manage complex symptoms.

Learn more about Meredith by visiting her LinkedIn.

Recommended reads

Dr. Bock on integrating neuropalliative care across the entire dementia journey, and the future of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

About our host

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that uplifts clinician voices through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications. Learn more about Emily.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

It's often hard to know how to navigate the end-of-life journey with our loved ones, and our own anxieties about death can make it difficult to offer the comfort they need and deserve.

On today’s episode, end-of-life doula Autumn Campbell speaks openly and emotionally to Remo’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Meredith Bock about the dying process and how we can support others experiencing grief and loss. Autumn explains how end-of-life doulas help families navigate difficult conversations and decisions around death and grief – including the importance of advanced care planning, asking for help, self-care for caregivers, and the dying process.

***

Autumn Campbell is an end-of-life doula and co-founder/facilitator at Justice Leaders Collaborative. In her role as an end-of-life doula, Autumn offers compassionate and caring service to people who are going through the dying process. She provides a voice and perspective for individuals approaching the end of life and support to those around them, be it their caregivers, family members, or friends.

Learn more about Autumn by visiting her LinkedIn.

Here are links for topics from this episode:

• The Conversation Project
• No One Dies Alone
• Grief is a Sneaky Bitch

About our host

Dr. Meredith Bock is a board certified neurologist and Chief Medical Officer of Remo Health. She's dedicated her career to caring for people with neurodegenerative diseases and their families. Her clinical expertise is in cognitive and movement disorders. Her research at UCSF and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs has focused on earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease, and the evaluation of interdisciplinary care models to manage complex symptoms. She is a Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor in Geriatrics at UCSF. She has received research funding from the NIH, NIA, American Academy of Neurology, and Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Connect with us

Learn more about Remo Health and how we’re delivering better dementia care to patients and those who care for them.

Subscribe to the Remo Health newsletter.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Bluesky for the latest on all things #dementia and #brainhealth.

Have a question or a topic you’d like to hear more about? Email us at [email protected].

The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.