Penn Memory Center

@pennmemorycenter.bsky.social

A Penn Medicine organization evaluating, diagnosing and researching Alzheimer's disease and related diseases.

Dogs are more than companions. For many older adults, they are motivators to keep moving, steady sources of comfort, and even partners in dementia care. Our latest episode celebrates this bond, with stories from caregivers and expert insights into why humans and dogs just get each other.

Canine Care: Can A Dog Help You Live Well Longer?

At the Penn Memory Center, we often recommend exercise, social engagement, and a solid support system to help people age well. Owning a dog is not on that list, but maybe it should be. For many older adults, dogs are more than companions. They’re motivators to stay active, reasons to connect with neighbors, and steady sources of comfort through life’s challenges. Emerging research suggests that that this age-old bond between humans and dogs may be one of our healthiest friendships. On this episode of The Age of Aging, we celebrate dogs, and how they might help us live long, healthy lives.   First, we hear from caregivers and dog owners about how their dogs help them care for their loved ones with dementia. Then, Professor Philip Tedeschi explains how humans’ co-evolution with dogs has made us perfect support system for one another. Lynn Cronomiz recounts how a powerful moment between a therapy dog and her mother with Alzheimer’s helped her process her mother’s passing. Finally, we explore humans’ inseparable connection with nature through the biophilia hypothesis.  Resources  • Dog ownership (https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/ProductDownloads/eco-pet-demographic-report-22-low-res.pdf) in the U.S. statistics – American Veterinary Medical Association  • “2025 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures” (https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf) –  Alzheimer’s Association  • Listen to Season 1 Episode 4, “Diagnosing Dementia,” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diagnosing-dementia/id1757439424?i=1000668135282) featuring Lynn Cronomiz  • Learn more about the Insitute for Human-Animal Connection (https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection)   • Visit KPETS, (https://kpets.org/) which Lynn Cronomiz does her therapy dog work with  • Learn more about the “biophilia hypothesis” (https://www.britannica.com/science/biophilia-hypothesis)   • Petfinder (https://www.petfinder.com/) to adopt a pet near you  • Visit the American Kennel Club website (https://www.akc.org/) for more information on dog breeds  Special thanks to Tom Casey, Miguel Centeno, Kathy Oldfield, Philip Tedeschi LCSW, MSSW, Lynn Cronomiz, and Carlo Siracusa DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharpe.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsor, the TIAA Institute. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.

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High blood pressure often shows no symptoms, but raises risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and dementia. New American Heart Association guidelines: treat it early with diet & exercise. “If you catch it early, you can gain many more years of healthy life,” says Penn’s Dr. Jordana Cohen.

The silent killer increases your risk of stroke and dementia. Here's how to control it

New recommendations for early treatment of hypertension to prevent strokes, heart attacks and dementia come as an experimental medication is shown to lower blood pressure in hard-to-treat patients.

npr.org

Registration is now open for the 2025 Penn FTD Center’s Annual Caregiver Conference! 📆 Monday, November 3, 2025 ⏱ 8am-4:30pm 📍Smilow Center for Translational Research Click the link in our bio for the link to register for the conference! We hope to see you in November!

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Air pollution doesn’t just harm our lungs, it may also harm our brains. New research led by Dr. Edward Lee, co-director of Penn Institute on Aging, finds people with Alzheimer’s living in high-pollution areas face faster memory loss, impaired judgment, and more daily challenges.

Air pollution has been tied to Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what you need to know

‘Air pollution doesn’t just increase the risk of dementia — it actually makes Alzheimer’s disease worse,’ Dr. Edward Lee says

the-independent.com

“The POINTER study shows lifestyle choices like exercise, diet, and social connection can boost brain health.” – Dr. Jason Karlawish Hear more takeaways from AAIC 2025 in our bonus Age of Aging episode. ▶️ Watch the full episode ✅ Subscribe today so you don’t miss Season 4 coming soon

This Moment in Alzheimer's: Taking Stock and Look Forward

Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they attended earlier this summer. They discuss their biggest takeaways, including the impact of NIH funding cuts, the rapid innovations that continue to shape the field, and what they’re keeping their eye on for next year’s conference in London.   We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for season 4 of The Age of Aging this fall! If you enjoy the show, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. If you have any story suggestions for Season 4 and beyond, contact us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu (mailto:ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) .   Resources  • Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC (https://aaic.alz.org/overview.asp)   Special thanks to Jason Karlawish, MD and David Wolk, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

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What will shape Alzheimer’s research in the year ahead? In a bonus episode of The Age of Aging, Penn Memory Center’s Dr. Jason Karlawish & Dr. David Wolk share insights from AAIC 2025 on funding, biomarkers, & breakthroughs already changing care.

This Moment in Alzheimer's: Taking Stock and Look Forward

Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they attended earlier this summer. They discuss their biggest takeaways, including the impact of NIH funding cuts, the rapid innovations that continue to shape the field, and what they’re keeping their eye on for next year’s conference in London.   We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for season 4 of The Age of Aging this fall! If you enjoy the show, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. If you have any story suggestions for Season 4 and beyond, contact us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu (mailto:ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) .   Resources  • Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC (https://aaic.alz.org/overview.asp)   Special thanks to Jason Karlawish, MD and David Wolk, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

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"Take her home and love her." That was the advice Ellen Boyle’s parents received in 1965 when she was born with Down syndrome. It became the guiding light of her family’s journey, through decades of joy, advocacy, and eventually, Alzheimer’s. Read more in our Disability and Dementia Series.

Take Her Home & Love Her - Penn Memory Center

By Meghan McCarthy Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Disability and Dementia Series, an ongoing project highlighting the experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities who are affe...

pennmemorycenter.org

Could we stop Alzheimer’s before it starts? New FDA-approved drugs like lecanemab and donanemab are giving researchers hope, not just to slow dementia, but to prevent it altogether. Clinical trials are underway to find out. Read more on where Alzheimer’s science stands and what might be coming next.

We May Be on the Cusp of Transformative Alzheimer's Progress

What if your doctor could, when you turn 65, order a test that predicts whether you are going to develop Alzheimer’s dementia in your 70s or 80s? And what if – in case the test comes back

realclearscience.com

How should clinicians talk about a diagnosis of MCI or dementia? A new JAMA paper co-authored by PMC’s Dr. Jason Karlawish offers a framework grounded in empathy, shared decision-making, and support.

Communicating a Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia

This JAMA Insights explores strategies for effectively communicating a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia to patients and their care partners.

jamanetwork.com