Resources

The Four Pillar Program to Preserving Brain Health

The Four Pillar Program to Preserving Brain Health: 1. Physical Health, 2. Emotional Health, 3. Knowledge and 4. Action

Following this Four-Pillar Program may delay the onset, slow down, or prevent dementia and AD by 5-10 years. But if all pillars are followed, life expectancy may also increase by 5-10 years, and the #1 risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia is aging. However, compliance will restore balance and maintain cognitive performance with aging. Adhering to only part of the Program may be less effective or ineffective. The goal is to maximize health-span and lifespan while minimizing years of disability (cognitive and/or physical) at end-of-life.

Come to a Memory Cafe

Memory Cafe is a casual social meeting venue for those with progressive memory or cognitive impairment and their caregivers. A Memory Cafe is a place where caring individuals come together to find resources, support, companionship, and fun. You can work simple puzzles, play games such as bean bag toss, Yahtzee, etc.

Memory Cafes in the Washington DC area:

  • Club Memory (DC) meets virtually. Call (202) 364-7602 for details.
  • Vienna Memory Café meets at Andrew Chapel United Methodist (1301 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182) on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM. Please contact Carolyn Blackwell at (571) 236-6933 or lovriver@aol.com for details.
  • Alexandria Memory Café meets virtually every Thursday at 1:00 PM. Please contact Nicole McMonigle Knight at nicole@dementiacareconnections.com for details.
  • Silverado Memory Café meets virtually the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM. Please contact Nicole McMonigle Knight at nicole@dementiacareconnections.com for details.
  • Fairfax Memory Café is based out of Insight Memory Care Center (3955 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030) and meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM. As of this posting they are meeting virtually, but plan on resuming in person in the Spring of 2022. Please contact Kay Yong at kay.yong@insightMCC.org or at (703) 204- 4664 for details.
  • Sterling Memory Café is based out of Insight Memory Care Center (45945 Center Oak Plaza, Suite 190, Sterling, VA 20166) and meets the 2nd Thursday of every month from 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM. As of this posting they are meeting virtually, but plan on resuming in person in the Spring of 2022. Please contact Kay Yong at kay.yong@insightMCC.org or at (703) 204- 4664 for details.

Alzheimer’s Disease Organizations

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Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association has local support groups that serve DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The National Capital website links to many other online and offline resources offered by the national Alzheimer’s Association, including a 24/7 Helpline, education programs, Trial Match and advocacy resources.

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Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center

The Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center Web site will help you find current, comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) information and resources from the National Institute on Aging (NIA).” Their website includes caregivers’ resources and research, as well as general information.

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Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS)

The Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) was formed in 1991 as a cooperative agreement between the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the University of California, San Diego. The ADCS is a major initiative for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) clinical studies in the Federal government, addressing treatments for both cognitive and behavioral symptoms. This is part of the NIA Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program’s effort to facilitate the discovery, development and testing of new drugs for the treatment of AD and also is part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Initiative.

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Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI)

The Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine is dedicated to the development of effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease through innovative, collaborative, multicenter clinical trials. USC ATRI is the Keck School’s clinical outlet for testing of new treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease. Paul Aisen, MD is the founding director of USC ATRI. He was the director of the ADCS until 2015.

The 20th Anniversary Presentation Slides

A photo of the Georgetown University Memory Disorders Program

Thank you for participating in the Georgetown University Memory Disorders Program 20th Anniversary Celebration. Our goal was to show our appreciation of your efforts to help us combat Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders.  We also sought to educate the community about current trends in Alzheimer’s disease research. It is because of your involvement in the Memory Disorders Program that we can celebrate 20 years of research and clinical care.

On October 17th, 2019 we presented:

Additionally, we seek your feedback regarding the 20th Anniversary Celebration (new window). Thank you to those who completed the questionnaire at the event. If you have additional thoughts you wish to share with us, we would appreciate hearing from you.  For those who registered, but did not attend, we welcome your feedback; please share your suggestions on what would motivate you to participate in a future MDP event.

You helped to make this event a success, and your ongoing commitment in fighting Alzheimer’s disease energizes us to move forward in our search for improved care and cures.

For More Information

For more health, research and clinical trials information, visit the National Institute of Aging and Clinical Trials Directory websites.