When Donna's husband, Scott, began showing signs of young-onset Alzheimer's, their world turned upside down. Their story, shared with raw honesty in our latest podcast episode, brings to light the harsh reality of seeking an accurate diagnosis for Alzheimer's, particularly in younger individuals. Their journey through a maze of dismissive attitudes and misdiagnoses is a testament to the struggle that many face in the face of this daunting disease. Alongside hosts Dr. Raj Shah and Susan Frick of the Rush Alzheimer's Center, we gain a perspective on the emotional and systemic hurdles in rural ca ..read more

When your world revolves around the delicate balance of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, each day can bring a torrent of emotions and challenges. That's the reality James Litchfield faced when his father, Buddy, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.  Host Dr. Raj Shah and Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center talk about the early warning signs, the gripping fear when Buddy got lost while driving, and the struggle of managing care from a distance. James's candid narrative is a familiar story for primary care clinicians and caregivers alike, highlighting the cri ..read more

The Brain Trust Caregiver Mini-Series brings you into the quiet strength of Alzheimer's/Dementia care partners, as Dr. Raj Shah and social worker Susan Frick from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center guide us through the delicate tapestry of caregiving. When the familiar fabric of life begins to unravel with the onset of Alzheimer's, it falls on the shoulders of caregivers like Ms. Katrina Miller to reweave a sense of normalcy. Ms. Miller grants us access to her world, sharing the profound challenges and unexpected joys found in her role as her husband's caregiver. This mini-series unravels the ..read more

In our latest Brain Trust podcast episode, Dr. Raj Shah sits down with Dr. Tanya Austin, a seasoned family physician and esteemed assistant professor from Rush University. Dr. Austin shares her valuable insights, stemming from her extensive, frontline experience within the African-American community in an area commonly referred to as Illinois Southland. Dr. Shah and Dr. Austin delve into this community's unique characteristics, barriers they face, and most importantly, the necessity of fostering trust and providing education as key tools for empowerment. Our conversation navigates through the ..read more

Connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers: Advancing Early Detection and Diagnosis of ADRD. Join hosts Raj Shah, MD  and Eukesh Ranjit, MD as they discuss the importance of connecting Primary Care Practices with Community Health Workers to advance early detection and diagnosis of ADRD.  They chat with Tracey Smith, Director of Community Health at the Illinois Public Health Association, and Angelia Gower, the first VP of the NAACP in Madison, Illinois to discuss the nature of community health workers, their importance in communities with limited resources, and th ..read more

 In today's episode, Eukesh Ranjit, MD talks with  Sharon Smaga, MD about the unique challenges faced by providers serving in rural patient populations. They discuss the barriers, solutions and provide successful tips on how to improve early diagnosis clinic practices in rural communities.  Learning Objectives: 1 - Describe barriers to early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias in rural communities 2 - Name ways family physicians can create a supportive environment for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for patients living in rural com ..read more

Dr. Shah and Dr. Ranjit discuss the differences between the cognitive, functional, and behavioral changes of normal aging and those associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementias. Learning Objectives: •        Identify differences between the cognitive, functional, and behavioral changes of normal aging and those associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementias. •        List the most common types of dementia and identify the prevalence, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and rate of progression of dementia. •        R ..read more

Special episode with Dare To Care radio show connecting social workers, community members and primary care physicians on the importance of efforts being made across the state in the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We invite you into the world of the Dare to Care program and the Brain Trust initiative this episode. Join our hosts and guest as they offer profound insights into health literacy, dementia management, and how connections with community and social workers can enhance the efforts in primary care. Learning Objectives: •Describe how primary c ..read more

In today’s episode host Raj Shah, MD chats with Avinash Mantha, MD, Associate Program Director at Loyola Hines VA Geriatric Fellowship, to discuss the adaptations primary care will need to make with the introduction of new ADRD treatment modalities. Learning Objectives:•Describe one reason why current processes for early ADRD diagnosis will have to change. •Identify one action primary care physicians can take to support their patients concerned about cognitive changes go through the process of evaluation.  Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rus ..read more

Discussion on ways physicians can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease by leveraging caregiver support Learning Objectives: Identify opportunities to guide caregivers and families of persons with dementia to appropriate care and support resources. Describe the ways a Care Consultation can be beneficial to families dealing with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Host:  Raj Shah, MD - Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Guests: Mark Drexler, MD, FAAFP. Lead Physician, for the Comprehensive Care Center at NorthShore ..read more