2021 Charitable Impact Report • 7
Programs for Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers, and medical providers launch thanks to Edson family gift Thanks to philanthropic investment by the J. Orin Edson family, the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute has launched a Support Line for patients and caregivers and a Peer Medical Consultation program that expands Alzheimer’s and dementia expertise to better treat patients throughout Arizona. Support Line: Pandemic conditions created new challenges for patients and families living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, including social isolation, limited access to supportive resources, fear, and burnout. BAI patients and families can call the Support Line when they need advice on changes in mood and behavior, in-home services, respite care, long-term care placement, safety issues, caregiver stress, end-of-life or grief, and more. Since the program launched earlier this year, average monthly calls have doubled in volume and 93% of callers are highly satisfied with the information received. To access the Support Line, current patients and caregivers may call 602-839-6900. Dementia ECHO: As respected specialists in the diagnosis, management, and
treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute’s medical providers are now able to share their expertise with physicians in outlying areas to improve dementia care throughout Arizona. The program is based on a national exemplar called Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes). Using proven adult learning techniques and interactive video technology, Banner connects community providers across Arizona with our dementia-trained specialists in regular real-time collaborative sessions. The sessions help local medical providers gain the expertise required to provide needed services to their patients and families living with dementia. A total of 37 sessions have been conducted with over 100 participants.
Physician and researcher delves into lifestylerelated dementia risk
When Jeremy Pruzin was a high school student volunteering at the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, he could not have guessed he would one day join the esteemed staff as a memory care expert conducting his own research. Today, the Valley native is a physician caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and researching whether lifestyle changes in middle age may delay the onset of dementia. Dr. Pruzin received a grant from WISH (Women Investing in Science and Health), to build an online dementia risk assessment tool. WISH is an affinity group of women who, in partnership with Banner Health, raise philanthropic support and awareness for areas of health care important to women and their families.
Music & Memory “Music is so powerful,” says Heather Mulder, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute’s Senior Manager for Community Outreach. “It taps into emotional memory, which remains strong even as dementia progresses. The carryover effect can allow people with Alzheimer’s or dementia to maintain the emotion of an experience well after the details have been lost.” Uniting those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers and community volunteers, the Shine Your Light Choir is one of many programs offered by BAI’s Family & Community Services team. Supported by WISH, an affinity group of Banner Health, the choir program went virtual due to the pandemic, serving 1,262 patients and caregivers in 2021 through Zoom. It joins another music program, Passport to Music in memory of Arlene Scult, which reached 531 participants virtually in 2021. Participants go on a virtual journey each week, “traveling” to a different destination through its music. “In 2021, we traveled to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, India for the Holi Festival, Hollywood, Detroit and Hawaii,” says Mulder. “Music can truly transport us.”
Dementia Untangled
“The adult children of my patients often ask what they can do to prevent their own memory and thinking problems,” says Dr. Pruzin. “It’s a great opportunity to talk with them about lifestyle changes that might have an impact such as intensive blood pressure control, physical activity, diet, social interaction and so much more.”
Supported by charitable gifts, Dementia Untangled is a podcast produced by the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute. It unites prominent experts to help caregivers navigate their complicated roles and provide informed care to their loved ones. In its first two seasons, the podcast has over 25,000 downloads and a 4.8-star rating. Access the podcast at https://anchor.fm/dementiauntangled.
