EXPANDI NG OF
UNDERSTANDING
BRAIN
As America’s population ages, the number of individuals with dementia has increased significantly, creating hardships for afflicted individuals and their caregivers. Cleveland State University faculty are investigating how we can better diagnose, manage, and treat people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury. Individuals suffering from dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) face a variety of challenges in managing and coping with their illness, including changes in cognitive or thinking abilities, communication difficulties, ability to complete daily activities, and changes in emotions and behaviors. Family members, who provide the bulk of care for many of these individuals, experience shifting roles and responsibilities and are at risk for a wide range of caregiver stress and strains, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. DR. KATHERINE JUDGE , a professor of psychology, has developed a drug-free intervention, Acquiring New Skills While Enhancing Remaining Strengths (ANSWERS), to help address these issues. The ANSWERS protocol uses a strength-based approach that focuses
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CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY @CSUresearch
HEALTH on an individual’s current and remaining cognitive abilities, effective coping skills and family supports, and emphasizes independence, dignity, and quality of life. Dr. Judge has received international recognition for her work, and her studies have been funded by the National Institute on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Veteran’s Administration, and a Faculty Research and Development award from CSU’s Office of Research. Dr. Judge and her collaborators are currently working on a Department of Defense-funded project to test the ANSWERS protocol in partnership with the Aging Brain Care Program, for veterans with traumatic brain injury or dementia and their family caregivers. Judge hopes the ANSWERS protocol will become a standard method of care for ensuring that more individuals with dementia, stroke, or TBI can maintain a higher quality of life. DR. ROBERT HURLEY , an assistant professor of psychology, focuses his research on the study of atypical dementia syndromes. Individuals with neurodegenerative diseases