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…
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…
8/16/2022 by Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW Caregiving can be a time intensive activity, and caregiving needs can sometimes be unpredictable. That can pose a lot of challenges for caregivers, who are often also full-time workers and have other family responsibilities. Even though most caregivers are happy that they are able to care for their…
11/27/2022 by Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW Some time ago, I met a caregiver in Jefferson County named Mary who asked: How do I get my husband to stop giving out our banking information? Sometimes I catch him on the phone talking about our finances and I have no idea who he is talking to…
1/21/2023 by Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW It is never easy for someone to receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other type of dementia. In fact, research has shown that older adults are more afraid about dementia than they are afraid of cancer. It is normal for those who are diagnosed with dementia to experience a…
5/4/2023 by Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW May is mental health awareness month! One common mental health challenge that people living with dementia face is depression. Depression is a common condition for adults and can range in severity and duration. While depression is common among all adults, older adults with dementia are at greater risk of developing…
8/31/2023 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW Driving is often seen as a symbol of freedom and independence, which is why many families struggle when they aren’t sure if their older relative should still be behind the wheel. Many care partners find it stressful to even discuss issues of driving safety with their loved one. In…
August 1, 2024 The University of Alabama School of Social Work is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Brian E. Bride as the Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health. Dr. Bride brings a wealth of expertise, dedication, and leadership to our community, marking an exciting new chapter in our commitment to advancing…
Associate Professor Dr. Karen A. Johnson has received the Deep South Mentored Career Development K Award, funded by the National Institutes of Health and awarded by the UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). Dr. Johnson’s prior funded research has focused on refining and implementing the Empowering Black Women on the Road to Health (E-WORTH) intervention, which is an…
Dr. Tenesha Littleton has received a grant from the Resource Center on Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) Deep South! Her project will build on her previous work funded by the University of Alabama Research Grants Committee that examined child wellbeing in the Alabama Black Belt. For her current study, Dr. Littleton will examine social determinants of health (SDOH) among African American…
