Category: Research News


2025 National DSW Conference on Education & Social Work Practice

The University of Alabama is Excited to Host the 2025 National DSW Conference on Education & Social Work Practice on Friday, April 25th 2025. DSW at the Helm: Leading Social Work Through Today’s Uncharted Waters. Given changing social and political landscapes, now is the time for us to cultivate spaces for practice doctorates in overcoming…


SSWR 2025 Presentation Schedule

January 15-19, 2025SHERATON GRAND SEATTLE | 1400 6TH AVE, SEATTLE, WA 98101 The UA School of Social Work is pleased to announce the following faculty and student research presentations for SSWR 2025 in Seattle, Washington. We encourage you to visit our presentations, discussions or workshops and to learn about the innovative research of our faculty and students.…


I’m a New Caregiver. Where Do I Start?

2/23/2022 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW I often talk with people who have recently become caregivers and are not sure where to turn to for information. Oftentimes, they do not know what information to look for or where to find it. Also, the resources and services available in communities varies, so I’m often at a…


What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

2/26/22 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW When I’m working in the community, one of the most common questions I get from caregivers is, “What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?” The truth is, they are the same thing, though the answer is a little more complicated than that.  Dementia is a syndrome, which is…


I sometimes feel guilty as a caregiver. Is that normal?

3/13/2022 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW Caregiving is hard. It can be hard, physically and mentally. For many caregivers, this results in a mix of emotions from day to day. Even though it’s challenging, caregivers often feel good about being able to provide care for their loved one. However, sometimes caregivers also feel guilty. ​Take Kim*,…


Why doesn’t my love one remember who I am anymore?

3/20/2022 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW When caregivers tell me how much their loved one’s dementia symptoms upset them, they are most upset when their spouse or parent does not recognize them anymore. I understand this first hand. ​When my grandmother’s dementia became severe, she would become scared and upset when I visited her. She didn’t…


What is palliative care and how is it different from hospice care?

4/15/2022 by Hyunjin Noh, PhD, MSW Watching a loved one struggling with difficult pain can be a traumatic experience for caregivers and can have a negative impact on their mental health. Many caregivers are unaware about palliative care and how it can help them and their loved one. However, palliative care may be a health…


I need to make a care plan for my loved one. Where do I start?

4/17/2022 by Bryan Ford, PhD, MSW Caring for another human being can be one of the most rewarding accomplishments of your life. It can also be very challenging and at times, overwhelming. It disrupts our lives, forces us to change our schedules and habits; just when we feel our lives are already busy enough. Yet,…


How do I know if my loved one with dementia is in pain?

6/10/2022 by Lisa M. O’Neill, DBH, MPH A person living with dementia can experience pain, just like anyone else.  Dementia does not cause pain, but a person living with dementia can be at risk for other things that cause pain such as falls or other injuries. Further, as with most older adults, people with dementia…


My loved one might need more care than I can provide. What do I do?

7/7/2022 by By, Nancy Kusmaul, PhD, MSW Caring for another person can be rewarding, challenging, and overwhelming . Many caregivers choose to care for family members and friends out of a sense of love, or paying someone back for care they have received earlier in life.  But what happens when you can no longer provide that care?​There…


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