Senior Adults Specialty Research

Senior Adults Specialty Research Our organization is lead by principal investigator, Jaron L. Winston, MD and the president of our company, Cliff Whitehead.

Our dedicated research team, led by Board Certified Behavioral Neurologist, Dr. John Bertelson, MD, brings over 20 years of combined experience in conducting clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological and psychiatric conditions. At Senior Adults Specialty Research, our mission is to conduct clinical research in a manner that expands the options available for medical care, while protecting the rights, dignity, and health of our patients. For over 25 years, Austin-area patients, families, physicians, and professional caregivers have called on Jaron L. Winston, M.D., for his compassion and vast knowledge in the field of Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Winston graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 1981. He then completed a fellowship in Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, practicing both internal medicine and pediatrics. He received his post-graduate training in psychiatry at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Over the course of his 25 years in the field, Cliff Whitehead has worked across a variety of medical settings devoted to the care and advancement of treatment for geriatric patients. Since 1997, Cliff has been Chief Operating Officer of Dr. Winston’s private practice, Senior Adult Specialty Healthcare, P.A. In 2001, Cliff partnered with Dr. Winston to open Senior Adults Specialty Research continuing his career long work of improving healthcare options for seniors. Please note: Information presented on this page is not to be taken as medical advice. Any study related events or concerns should be reported to the study doctor as soon as possible at 512-407-8628.

01/07/2026

Join us via ZOOM on Thursday, January 15 at Noon for our FREE series to learn how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, and gain skills that will help you build confidence for your caregiving journey.

January 15's topic: COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY
Learn how dementia affects communication at any stage of the disease, and get tips on how to provide person-centered care.

Register: alznct.news/JanComm
For more information or to register by phone, call 800-272-3900

01/07/2026

Age-related hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in older adults, yet 75% of these individuals go untreated. This gap in care is especially concerning because of the important role hearing loss plays in cognitive decline – and the fact that the disorder is “eminently treatable,” says Cleveland Clinic geriatrician Ardeshir Hashmi, MD, AGSF.

“Hearing is incredibly important to cognitive health, longevity and overall well-being,” says Dr. Hashmi, Endowed Chair of Geriatric Innovation and Section Chief for the Center for Geriatric Medicine. “The common idea that you must learn to live with hearing loss and accept it as an unavoidable part of getting older is problematic, especially since the disorder can lead to so many other downstream complications.”

Identified as one of the largest potentially identifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, midlife hearing loss is also associated with increased social and emotional isolation, depression, and even mortality. Despite its well-known risks, however, hearing loss is profoundly misunderstood by both patients and clinicians, Dr. Hashmi says.

Research shows that only 9% of older adults know what constitutes “normal” hearing. Furthermore, one recent study shows that only 40% of primary care providers believe hearing loss is treatable, and only 17% think it is preventable.

Want to learn more about the impact of hearing loss on cognitive decline? Use this link: https://cle.clinic/4fLzt5d or click the link in our story or in our “Research” highlight.

01/07/2026

Our experts weigh in on some of the most common New Year’s resolutions and how to set yourself up for success as you pursue each of them. Good luck — and Happy New Year!

No. 1: Eat healthier
This is a huge, broad category, and trying to overhaul your entire diet all at once is a surefire way to overwhelm yourself. Instead, narrow your focus and work on mastering healthy habits.

No. 2: Workout more
Not sure how to start working out? Don’t go too hard too soon. “If you’re starting from zero, you need to set the bar low enough to be realistic,” says certified professional trainer Alena Beskur, CPT.

No. 3: Drink less
First, it’s important to understand your relationship with alcohol, says addiction psychiatrist David Streem, MD. Once you figure out why you drink, when you’re most likely to drink and how drinking makes you feel, you can formulate a plan that will help you scale back (or give it up entirely).

No. 4: Manage stress
You deserve to feel less stressed and more chill in the new year. Because the world won’t magically stop turning and give you a quick break from all of your responsibilities, the key is learning to manage your stressors. “While no one can avoid all stress, you can work to handle it in healthy ways that increase your potential to recover,” says clinical psychologist Adam Borland, PsyD.

No. 5: Quit smoking/vaping
Kicking your smoking habit is, hands down, one of the very best things you can do for your health — and it’s no easy feat. We’re proud of you for resolving to quit!

No. 6: Cook more
Another habit worth adopting in the new year is home cooking and meal prepping, which ensures that you always have healthy options on hand. Choose simple, well-rounded meals that don’t include a ton of ingredients, and then learn to plan ahead for grocery shopping.

No. 7: Create a better work/life balance
The effects of working too much are real, and burnout is so common that the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a syndrome resulting from “unmanaged workplace stress.”

No matter what your resolution is, stick with it and work toward building better habits all year!

🎄 Happy Holidays from Senior Adults Specialty Research 🎄We wish our patients, caregivers, and families a joyful holiday ...
12/24/2025

🎄 Happy Holidays from Senior Adults Specialty Research 🎄

We wish our patients, caregivers, and families a joyful holiday season filled with peace, comfort, and meaningful moments together.

Please note that our office will be closed on:
• December 24–25
• December 31–January 1

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year and remain grateful for the trust you place in our team.

✨ Warmest holiday wishes,
The SASR Team

12/22/2025
12/22/2025
12/22/2025

Every day, caregivers in Central Texas do everything they can to care for someone they love living with dementia. Your generosity gives them strength, relief, and a community to lean on. Make a meaningful gift today at the link in our bio.

12/22/2025

Gatherings, decorations, and changes in routine can sometimes feel overwhelming for someone living with Alzheimer’s. A little preparation can help create a smoother experience for you and your loved one. 🎄✨

Try choosing familiar spaces, keeping schedules as steady as possible, and adjusting gatherings to shorter or quieter formats. Simple steps like labeling rooms, reducing noise, or offering a calm space to pause can help maintain comfort throughout the day.

Alzheimer’s Texas and the DKR Fund encourage caregivers to approach this season with flexibility and to make choices that support both your loved one and yourself.

11/24/2025

Respite care is a short-term service that allows you to take a break from your usual routine of daily care as a primary caregiver. The break may last for a few hours or several days or weeks.

During this time, someone else — typically a trained professional or a trusted friend or loved one — takes on your caregiving duties. This might involve helping with medications, fixing meals or simply providing companionship. Respite care helps people who are caring for adults and children of all ages, including those with medical needs.

Why is respite care important?

Respite care can help you juggle many responsibilities while still making sure your loved one receives the care they need. But it’s also a way to restore your energy, do something relaxing or simply have some alone time.

Caregivers often feel guilty taking a break when it doesn’t seem absolutely necessary. But research shows that breaks from regular caregiving are, in fact, necessary (even if you don’t have anything else on your calendar). Having some time to yourself helps you avoid caregiver burnout. This state of exhaustion can affect any caregiver no matter their level of dedication or determination. Respite care helps caregivers provide better care by improving focus, energy and motivation.

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3215 Steck Avenue, Suite 202
Austin, TX
78757

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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At Senior Adults Specialty Research, our mission is to conduct clinical research in a manner that expands the options available for medical care, while protecting the rights, dignity, and health of our patients. With a focus on brain health, our clinic specializes in offering clinical trials for investigational medications for Alzheimer’s Prevention, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Our organization is lead by principal investigator, Jaron L. Winston, MD and the president of our company, Cliff Whitehead. For over 25 years, Austin-area patients, families, physicians, and professional caregivers have called on Jaron L. Winston, M.D., for his compassion and vast knowledge in the field of Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Winston graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 1981. He then completed a fellowship in Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, practicing both internal medicine and pediatrics. He received his post-graduate training in psychiatry at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Over the course of his 25 years in the field, Cliff Whitehead has worked across a variety of medical settings devoted to the care and advancement of treatment for geriatric patients. Since 1997, Cliff has been Chief Operating Officer of Dr. Winston’s private practice, Senior Adult Specialty Healthcare, P.A. In 2001, Cliff partnered with Dr. Winston to open Senior Adults Specialty Research continuing his career long work of improving healthcare options for seniors. Please note: Information presented on this page is not to be taken as medical advice. Any study related events or concerns should be reported to the study doctor as soon as possible at 512-407-8628.