Click on the resource tabs below for more information.
Dementia Physicians
We are proud to know and highlight the following memory and cognitive disorders physicians, who are recommended by the CTF Consortium:
Oscar L. Lopez, MD
CTF Consortium Researcher
Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Clinical and Translational Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Riddhi Patira, MD
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Researcher
Lead Investigator of the Frontotemporal Dementia Consortium
Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Brain Games
It is important that an individual with dementia works to remain as social and as mentally engaged as possible. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word games, puzzles, memory games, reading – really any type of activity that keeps the mind active! To do so, we suggest the following online learning apps, websites, and games:
Braingle - This free website provides more than 15,000 puzzles, games, and other brain teasers in addition to an online community of enthusiasts to connect with. Braingle has a wide variety of offerings, including optical illusions, codes and ciphers, and trivia quizzes. You can even create your own puzzles to give your brain a super workout!
Elevate - This mobile phone app offers different brain training games that focus on reading, writing, speaking, and math. Users can customize their training to focus on preferred areas and also track their progress to see how their skills are improving. It's free with in-app purchases and available for both iOS and Android devices.
Happy Neuron - This website divides its games and activities into five critical brain areas: memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual/spatial. Like Lumosity, it personalizes the training to its user and tracks progress, will all games being based on scientific research. Users must pay a monthly subscription fee to use the website, and its simplified app version is available for Android users only. Happy Neuron does, however, offer a free trial so interested users can determine if it is a liked approach before purchasing.
Lumosity - This online website is one of the most established brain training and mental fitness programs available. Users can sign up for a free account to play three games per day or choose the subscription service for more offerings with the ability to track results.
Peak - This mobile phone app (available for iOS and Android) provides brain games to help sharpen focus, memory, problem-solving, mental agility, and many other cognitive functions. The app is free to use but a subscription version unlocks more features.
Supplements
Natural cognitive enhancers are one avenue that may help mitigate the effects of dementia for some, potentially improving cognitive function through non-pharmacological approaches. The following are some of the most common over-the-counter supplements recommended in relation to brain health:
Acetyl L Carnitine
Acetyl L Carnitine has been shown to alter brain energy metabolism. How is this beneficial to you? With this supplement, your brain can produce more acetylcholine, which can significantly improve your memory and cognitive performance.
Bacopa Manner
Bacopa Manner has been shown to enhance memory because it is a potent neuroprotector that works to balance neurotransmitters while also boosting cerebral blood flow.
DMAE Bitartrate
DMAE Bitartrate is a synthetic component that also optimizes the brain for accelerated learning and memory. One study found that DMAE accelerated the production of acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter responsible for learning and memory.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba has been known for years to help protect the brain, specifically from free radicals. This not only ensures your mind is healthy for years but has also been shown to help promote excellent memory recall.
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is a natural ingredient that the body needs for muscle performance. Studies have also shown that it has the potential to boost cognitive function including memory and learning.
Taurine
Taurine is a primary ingredient in many name-brand energy drinks on the market. This amino acid works to increase electrical response of the brain’s nerves, giving you the much-needed boost to feel like you’re firing on all cylinders.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that your body needs for many health functions and individuals can struggle, specifically mentally, without it. In fact, studies show that a lack of Vitamin B12 is often linked to poor brain health in older patients. If you want to stay sharp for years, make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin 12.
Support Groups
Finding support while providing care for a loved one battling dementia can be extremely important in maintaining your own mental and physical health. Below are various organizations that provide information on support groups:
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) website provides information on local support groups.
Allegheny County’s website lists several support groups for caregivers with a loved one battling Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania website provides information on support groups available through each local chapter.
FTD Support Forum is an online community which provides a safe and secure place for people who have been diagnosed with FTD and those who care for loved ones with FTD to communicate with one another.
Lewy Body Dementia Association website provides information on support groups nationwide.
Various memory care facilities provide support group opportunities for family members of their residents. If your loved one currently resides in a memory care facility, we suggest you contact that facility to see if they offer a support group.
Diagnosis Planning
A dementia diagnosis often leaves individuals and their families feeling paralyzed with endless decisions as they confront the daunting reality of this disease. The below experts, ranging across a variety of dementia-related services, are those we recommend to help you determine next steps and navigate this very challenging diagnosis.
Dementia Consultation
Elder Care/Estate Planning Attorneys
Financial Planning
- Ameriprise Financial
- Baird Wealth
- Family Wealth Management Group
- Gratton & Kerr Financial
- IMA Financial Group
- Louis Plung & Company
Senior Care Resources
Senior Living Placement Finder
Day Programs
Day programs can provide the needed care and active engagement individuals experiencing dementia and other cognitive impairments seek. It can also provide respite for caregivers. Below are some available options to consider:
The Brite Wellness Program offers classes for individuals with mild cognitive impairments who want to optimize their physical, social, and cognitive functioning. This day program operates out of three locations in the greater Pittsburgh area.
The National Adult Day Services Association website allows you to locate adult day care services throughout the entire country.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging website allows you to locate adult day care services throughout all counties in Pennsylvania.
Educational Articles
We know that a dementia diagnosis can be extremely overwhelming. If you’re looking to learn more quickly, browse through our short articles which cover information spanning from cutting-edge dementia research to national drugs releases, disease prevention tips, and more!
Educational Books
Forget Me Not
Drawing from the latest developments and approaches in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Forget Me Not has all the answers. No matter what challenges you are facing, Forget Me Not provides the reader with clear and concise strategies needed to care for those with neurodegeneration.
How Not to Study a Disease: The Story of Alzheimer’s
For decades, some of our best and brightest medical scientists have dedicated themselves to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. What happened? Where is the cure? The biggest breakthroughs occurred twenty-five years ago, with little progress since. In How Not to Study a Disease, neurobiologist Karl Herrup explains why the Alzheimer’s discoveries of the 1990s didn’t bear fruit and maps a direction for future research. Herrup describes the research, explains what’s taking so long, and offers an approach for resetting future research. Herrup currently serves as the Chief Scientific Advisor to CTF.
Mayo Clinic’s Living With Dementia
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia doesn’t signal the end of a good life or require an abrupt change in your day-to-day routine. This special issue from the medical experts at Mayo Clinic shows how dementia patients and their caregivers can maximize their time and get the most out of life. Living with Dementia offers valuable advice to help patients and caregivers achieve a high quality of life while adjusting to the emotional and practical challenges of living with the disease.
Sometimes Grandmama Doesn’t Know Me
Author, Doreen Coulson Putnam, wrote this children’s book to help children of various ages, and adults, have a deeper understanding of what can happen to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s an educational tool that allows for family discussions – a chance to talk about feelings and concerns.
The 36-Hour Day
For 40 years, The 36-Hour Day has been the leading work in the field for caregivers of those with dementia. Written by experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and other dementias, the book is widely known for its authoritativeness and compassionate approach to care. Featuring everything from the causes of dementia to managing its early stages to advice on caring for those in the later stages of the disease, it is widely considered to be the most detailed and trusted book available.
What if it’s Not Alzheimer’s?
Although the public most often associates dementia with Alzheimer’s disease, the medical profession now distinguishes various types of "other" dementias. This book is the first comprehensive guide dealing with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), one of the largest groups of non-Alzheimer’s dementias. The contributors are either specialists in their fields or have exceptional hands-on experience with FTD sufferers.
Looking for more?
There are hundreds of books out there that address a wealth of knowledge pertaining to dementia and its various disease forms such as Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and more. We encourage you to seek out additional literature beyond these recommendations, to deepen your understanding and discover content that may better directly relate to your dementia situation.
Other Dementia Resources
There are many organizations that are working to connect you to outstanding services, helpful resources, and much needed dementia related support. We are grateful for their collective efforts that contribute to furthering our vision, so that we will all one day see a world free of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Association
Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association advances research to end Alzheimer’s and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease.
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website provides extensive information on FTD to help patients, caregivers, and family members effected find help and hope.
Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA)
The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the Lewy body dementias (LBD), supporting people with LBD, their families and caregivers and promoting scientific advances. The Association’s purposes are charitable, educational, and scientific.
Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic website provides a wealth of information regarding dementia in general, followed by more specific information on specific types of dementia.
MemoryCare.com
MemoryCare.com uses a dual approach of data-driven research and first-hand knowledge from aging experts, medical researchers, and its board of advisors to help caregivers and those living with dementia find the best memory care facilities.
National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), conducts and supports research about health issues for older individuals and is the primary Federal agency for Alzheimer’s disease research. This website includes information compiled by the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center to disseminate information concerning Alzheimer’s disease for health professionals, the public, and individuals diagnosed with AD.
PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources
The PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources connects individuals with IDD and seniors to needed supports and services in their community.
The Seniors Blue Book
The Seniors Blue Book and SeniorsBlueBook.com provides seniors, caregivers and senior professionals a comprehensive source of services, senior housing options, resources and information that enrich the lives of our elder population while affording those businesses and individuals serving that population a unique medium to present their products and services.
