Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's and other memory issues affect everyone in the family. Caregiver mental health is just as important as the health of the person living with dementia. I have worked extensively with both.

I have over 8 years of experience working with caregivers, families and people living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. From processing the complicated grief to developing plans of action to address behaviors, I have been able to successfully help family navigate this difficult disease.

I hold a special interest in providing psychiatric care to the aging population, particularly those affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. My experience has equipped me with the knowledge to address the complex mental health needs that often accompany aging and neurocognitive disorders. I am dedicated to creating individualized treatment plans that alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and support both patients and their caregivers through this challenging journey.

I prefer a relaxed setting in my sessions. You may have heard "humor is the best medicine" so I try where applicable to add humor to my sessions. I also strive to find strengths in everyone I meet.

For more than 15 years, I have conducted research related to dementia, and have worked with clients coping with a dementia diagnosis (either their own or a loved one's). I have a deep understanding of the challenging behaviors associated with dementia and how to manage them, as well as techniques to decrease caregiver stress.

We will work on different therapeutic and recreation activities that will help improve the brain functioning for those suffering from Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Alzheimer's and other dementias have an immense impact on the individual and family. Efficient and thorough assessment of strengths and weakness and differential diagnosis can help guide you in the right direction for treatment and long-term care planning. Neuropsychological evaluations can help provide those essential insights and answer the many questions you may have.

I have over 10 years of experience working with families affected by Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.

Disorientation, memory loss, mood changes are all associated with Alzheimer's disease and for those individuals and families impacted, the grief and sense of loss can be extreme. I work with individuals and families to accept the diagnosis, focus on strengths and ability to cope with changes, process feelings and emotions related to change and loss, and helping families and care-givers focus on self-care, coping and necessary life changes.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia takes a village. Navigating the network of medical, financial, and support services can be a full-time job. The emotional challenges of day-to-day care can take you to the breaking point. I can be the part of your loved one’s support system that is there to focus on your wellness. I’ve been where you are and can provide authentic empathy and a guiding heart and hand through this time of need.

In practice, I often use state of the art assessment instruments to help people determine what is typical age-related decline vs what may be a neurocognitive disorder, which may include Alzheimer's, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, and others.

I have many years of experience evaluating and determining a variety of dementia types. Alzheimer's is the most common neurodegenerative disease. However, memory loss may also be related to many other causes. During my evaluations I am able to look at specific cognitive performance patterns and diagnose a variety of dementias and/or other causes for memory loss.