Senior Adults Specialty Research

11/19/2025

Most people who provide care and support to a person with Alzheimer’s disease don’t think of themselves as caregivers. Rather, they consider themselves to be a devoted spouse, child, family member or friend helping a loved one in a time of need.

If you pause for a moment and think about all you do, you may be surprised by the depth and extent of your involvement. As a caregiver — and similar to the well-known pre-flight instruction — “you must put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others.” You must take care of yourself first in order to be an effective caregiver. So, what should you do?

Dr. Carriere offers some self-care tips for managing some of the most common challenges caregivers face:

-Be honest with yourself. Recognize when your loved one’s behavior is more than you can handle. Safety — your own and your loved one’s — must be considered at all times.
-Know your limits. Management of problematic behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful. As a caregiver, it’s important to know your physical and emotional limits during these stressful episodes and when to reach out to others.
-Professional help is available. There are programs designed specifically for caregivers to learn hands-on skills in managing difficult behaviors while also learning self-care. Caregivers may also benefit from meeting with a counselor to help deal with the daily stressors of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
-Join a support group. Lots of other families are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and can share successful tips for managing behavior problems.

11/19/2025

There are several online brain-training programs developed by scientists to challenge your brain in fun ways. These games can provide meaningful results, says preventive medicine specialist Sandra Darling, DO.

For example, in one study a group of healthy, older adults took part in a brain-training intervention. Participants took part in brain-training workshops for 10 sessions over six weeks. They then had four “booster” sessions about a year later, and four more sessions about two years after that.

Researchers say the participants showed immediate improvements in their memory, reasoning or speed of processing. Five years after the study, the group still showed significantly less difficulty in their daily living, like managing finances, compared to people who did not undergo the intervention.

“Brain training programs are designed specifically to improve mental performance, but in truth, any game or puzzle involving strategic thinking can stimulate and engage the brain,” Dr. Darling says

Let us know some of your favorite games in the comments!

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

We are excited to announce the launch of our Brain Health Habit Builder! 🧠 This free tool helps you check your current habits and create a plan to support your brain health that is backed by research and personalized just for you. Make a plan for a healthy brain today at alz.org/habitbuilder

11/19/2025

Tune in to The Sandwich Generation podcast and hear from our very own Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly as she shares her personal story, provides an update on treatments, and shares resources available through the Alzheimer's Association. 🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://bit.ly/47mROl6.

11/19/2025

The Empowered Caregiver education series teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. The series includes individual courses that caregivers can attend to meet their needs. Learn more at alz.org/empoweredcaregiver.

11/16/2025

The changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease can sometimes lead to unusual and unpredictable thinking and behavior.

Here are some tips to help you manage the changes in thinking and behavior that often accompany Alzheimer’s disease:

▪️Be calming. If your loved one becomes agitated or aggressive, try playing music, look at old pictures together, read a book, go for a walk, or engage in another enjoyable activity. Talk about “old times”.

▪️Reassure. Reassure your loved one every day, even if he or she does not respond. Use a soft, even-toned voice, and be protective and affectionate.

▪️Redirect, do not correct. Do not correct or confront your loved one if he or she is upset. Do not argue or try to convince the person that he or she is incorrect.

▪️Identify triggers. Try to identify any actions, words or situations that may “trigger” inappropriate or dangerous behavior.

▪️Gain attention. Turn off loud radios and televisions and clear the area of other distractions before talking with your loved one. This will help improve attention. Position yourself at the level of the person.

▪️Reword statements. It may help to simplify or reword your statements if the person with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t seem to understand.

▪️Keep it simple. Follow simple routines and avoid situations that require the person with Alzheimer’s disease to make decisions.

▪️Adapt to your loved one’s communication methods. Try to understand the words, gestures, and body language your loved one uses to communicate.

▪️Review medications and watch for side effects. Check with your patient’s doctor when you see changes in behavior.

▪️Be honest with yourself. Recognize when the person’s behavior is more than you can handle. Safety — your own and your loved one’s — must be considered at all times.

▪️Know your limits. As a caregiver, it is important to know your physical and emotional limits during stressful episodes and when to reach out to others.

▪️Professional help is available. There are programs designed specifically for caregivers to learn skills in managing difficult behaviors while also learning self-care.

11/15/2025

On , we encourage you to take steps like eating healthier, increasing your physical activity, and taking medication, if necessary, to prevent or control Type 2 diabetes. You’ll be doing your body and brain a favor. Learn more at alz.org/healthyhabits.

11/13/2025

Meet our Principal Investigator, John A. Bertelson, MD, FAAN, a board-certified Behavioral Neurologist with more than two decades of experience in Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders.

Dr. Bertelson brings deep clinical insight and a compassionate approach to every study we conduct. His leadership helps ensure that each trial at SASR reflects our commitment to scientific integrity, patient safety, and meaningful outcomes for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

We are proud to have him leading our research efforts here in Austin.

11/12/2025

Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that happens while you’re taking care of someone else. Stressed caregivers may experience fatigue, anxiety and depression. You can reduce your risk of burnout by participating in respite care, joining a support group or talking with a mental health professional.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent caregiver burnout:
Find someone you trust. It helps to talk about your feelings and frustrations with someone else, whether it be a friend, family member, mental health professional or social worker.

Set realistic goals. It’s important to accept that you may need assistance with caregiving, especially if you’re trying to balance other responsibilities with work and family. You may not be able to assume all the caregiving responsibilities single-handedly. Others might be able to help you with some tasks. Set a routine, know your limits and be honest with yourself about your situation. Recognize and assess your risk for burnout.

Learn more. You may feel more comfortable providing care when you have the knowledge and understanding of the condition that affects the person you’re caring for. Be realistic about your loved one’s condition, especially if it’s a progressive disease like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. Acknowledge that there may come a time when they require nursing services or assisted living outside the family home.

Take care of yourself. While you’re taking care of someone else, make sure your needs are met first. It’s the same concept that you hear in airline safety demonstrations: Put your oxygen mask on before helping others. Set aside time for yourself, even if it’s just an hour or two. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury.

Eat well. It’s easy to forget to eat three complete meals each day when you’re providing for someone else. Eating healthy foods keeps your energy up so you perform at your best.

Accept your feelings. Having negative feelings is normal. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or a bad caregiver. If your feelings are overwhelming, reach out for help.