In Our Community
Brain Health Workshop at the Yarnell Regional Community Center
We had a great time with the Yarnell community on January 30th, 2024 where we learned and discussed strategies for promoting memory and brain health in daily life! We also shared details on opportunities for people with memory or thinking challenges and their care partners to participate in our Northern Arizona Memory Study (NAZMS). Thank you to graduate student Sam Osinga for the wonderful pictures!
Graduate student Sam Osinga helping put flyers and brochures around town to promote
recruitment for our Northern Arizona Memory Study (NAZMS)
Aging Well Arizona Initiative
In November 2023, Aging Well Arizona hosted its first meeting of community stakeholders. Aging Well Arizona is a collaborative focusing on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, brain health, and wellbeing. In Northern Arizona’s six-county region, approximately 24,000 people have Alzheimer’s or dementia, with as many as 150,000 afflicted statewide. This figure is expected to increase by 33% in the next two years. Of all 50 states, Arizona has the second highest projected increase of people with dementia. The community event began with numerous speakers and was followed by community breakout sessions. Attendees, which included caregivers, identified the region’s needs; these included adult daycare options, improved communication related to services, additional healthcare providers, socialization for older adults, and training for caregivers. Pursuing a Dementia Friendly Community status was also highlighted as a potential next step for this nascent community collaborative. Aging Well Arizona is a NARBHA Institute initiative. The institute is focused on advancing community wellbeing.
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Aging Well Arizona Website with Community Meeting Videos from November 2023: https://agingwellaz.org/community-meeting-videos-from-november-2023/
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Presentation from Dr. Eric Cerino and Dr. Michael McCarthy on Aging and Dementia Challenges and Caregiver Support in Northern Arizona: https://youtu.be/tdUt2vl9plI
Community Presentations
We are looking forward to discussing the research and community outreach efforts happening in our lab on May 8, 2024 at the Flagstaff Public Library!
We had a great time visiting the Joe C. Montoya Center in Fall 2023 for a lunch and discussion on ways we can promote healthy aging in everyday life. (Pictured from left to right: Gillian, Vanessa, & Eric)
Montoya Center Bingo
Lab members Raechel Livingston (left), Amanda Goldtooth (left-middle), Kayla Ann Powley (right-middle), and Vanessa Rodriguez (right) had a great time helping with Bingo and getting to know patrons at the Joe C. Montoya Center in Spring 2024.