Event Date
Join UC Davis Health Sciences Development and Alumni Relations for an enlightening virtual event featuring experts from UC Davis Health's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Understanding dementia prevention, intervention, and caregiving is crucial, especially when considering the disproportionate impact that it has on women. Studies show that women not only face a higher risk of developing dementia but also often take on the primary caregiving role. Join us to learn more about proactive strategies for preventing dementia, explore effective intervention methods, and gain valuable insights into the unique challenges and strengths associated with caregiving for women. Our experts will share evidence-based research and practical tips to help you navigate the complexities of dementia, address risk factors, intervene effectively, and provide compassionate care.
Dr. Helen Kales is Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of California Davis. Prior to this, she was Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan and a Research Investigator in the Center for Clinical Management Research and the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center in the VA Ann Arbor Health System. She is the founding Director of the UM Program for Positive Aging (PPA), established in 2009, which moved to UC Davis with her transition in 2019. As a fellowship-trained, board-certified geriatric psychiatrist, her research program is directly informed by her clinical work and experiences with patients, families, providers, and systems to diminish the barriers to effective and high-quality care for older patients with mental health issues and/or dementia and their caregivers. She is recognized as a national and international expert in outcomes related to later-life depression, the risks of use of antipsychotic and other psychotropic medications in older adults, and in researching ways to improve dementia care. In recognition of her work in the field of dementia care, she was named to the standing Lancet Global Commission on Dementia Care in 2015. She has had continuous federal funding since 2004, serving as principal investigator on ten federally-funded grants. In her work with junior investigators, she has served as mentor to four faculty with NIA career development funding.
Professor Rachel Whitmer is an epidemiologist with a passion for identifying modifiable risk factors for brain health and dementia in diverse populations, which have previously been underrepresented in population-based research. She leads a large research program funded by the National Institute of Health and the Alzheimer's Association and is the Co-Director of the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Dr. Whitmer is Principal Investigator of the Northern California site for US POINTER, the first multidomain behavioral intervention clinical trial to prevent cognitive decline, funded by the Alzheimer's Association. Dr. Whitmer is committed to mentoring junior scientists and promoting those underrepresented in research.
The event will conclude with an interactive Q&A session. Questions for our presenters may be submitted in advance when you RSVP. Closed captioning will be available.
Please note that registration will close when we have reached capacity. We encourage you to RSVP early.