Learning about Dementia

Community outreach recruiter for the CARES study at the University of Pittsburgh, Dorothy Yam will share insights for caregivers around dementia. Although check-up appointments for patients with dementia focus on cognitive impairment, caregivers know all too well that it is the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia which cause the most distress and burden. In this talk we break down the different symptoms and offer research-backed advice on tackling the symptoms and optimizing both caregiver and care recipient health.

Dorothy Yam is currently a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Brown University. She worked as a community educator and support group facilitator via the Alzheimer’s Association this past year, as well as community outreach coordinator for the Caregiver Stress and Sleep Study in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. She is passionate about bringing dementia resources in accessible community settings, as well as breaking down the neuroscience behind the many confusing elements of dementia.