Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Research Center Director Elizabeth Fauth presents at Blue Plate Research on Sept. 28 at Gallivan Hall in in Salt Lake City. (Photo: Utah State University)
From the time it was created in recent years, the primary focus of Utah State University’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center (ADRC) was innovative research on Alzheimer’s disease.
The center is housed within USU’s Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.
Celebrating its first anniversary recently, ADRC is supported by $850,000 of state funding as it studies the disease from a variety of approaches.
Last week Beth Fauth, ADRC director, spoke at the latest USU Blue Plate research presentation hosted at Gallivan Hall in downtown Salt Lake City.
Attending were health care workers, educators, researchers and government officials.
The relationship between Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers is the primary focus of her research. She said it is predominately family members who are providing the care.
“There’s a myth that puts our old people in nursing homes in America,” Fauth said. “That is absolutely untrue. The vast majority of care is being done by family members. They’re doing it alone. They’re doing it without any other sources of support.”
She is researching interventions to provide a support system for Alzheimer’s caregivers.
USU’s Office of Research hosts Blue Plate Research events which are sponsored by Regency Blue Cross Blue Shield Utah.