Prepare for the road ahead. Learn how to cope with memory loss. The Early Stage Memory Loss Program is an annual supportive group seminar series for individuals with early stage memory loss and their care partners. Sessions are led by Smith Alzheimer's Center at SIU Medicine professionals, and feature expert information and advice for both persons with memory loss and their families. At each meeting, the group meets for an educational session followed by separate support group sessions, one for persons with memory loss and one for family caregivers. Who can participate? Persons with an early

SIU's Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery strives to improve the health of people afflicted by diseases of the head and neck region through teamwork that is designed to provide optimal patient care, make new discoveries and educate health care workers. Our physicians give expert clinical care covering all aspects of the specialty. In addition, most of the faculty have completed extra training as a sub-specialist. This enables us to provide patients with comprehensive programs in hearing and balance disorders, voice and upper airway disorders, head and neck surgery, and

Strengthen muscles and improve balance through exercise and dance. The focus in Stepping Up is on fitness and fun and includes group movement to music and exercises, helping reduce fall risk in adults. Activities are designed to improve flexibility, strength, endurance and balance and are customized to each participant’s specific needs and abilities. Stepping Up is offered weekly. How can I participate? Persons with memory loss are referred to Stepping Up through the Smith Alzheimer's Center's Memory & Aging Clinic. Criteria to participate in Stepping Up: Must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s

Music & Memory Program Favorite music can stimulate deep emotional recall, even for those in the advanced stages of dementia. In nursing homes and in-home settings, personalized music has been shown to improve mood, increase physical activity and even reduce the use of antipsychotic medications. The Smith Alzheimer's Center's program provides portable music players to individuals with a memory loss diagnosis. They are filled with the individual's favorite songs, a process that is done either by an SIU team member or the individual's family or friends. To learn more about the benefits of music

Art Express helps showcase the creativity often alive and well throughout disease progression. Founded in 2012 by SIU Medicine's Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Art Express is offered in partnership with the University of Illinois at Springfield, Human Development Counseling Program (HDCP). The goal of Art Express is to give people an outlet to creatively express themselves without needing memory or verbal communication skills. Beautiful artwork is often a welcome byproduct, but is not the primary focus. Although memory is often impaired early in the course of disorders

Project Descriptions Illinois Department on Aging Project - Illinois has created a dementia-capable home and community-based service delivery system, but service gaps still exist with specific populations with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Specialized supportive services are needed to target services to the above individuals with dementia and their family caregivers within the existing dementia-capable service system. Assessing Health and Geographic Disparities in Asthma and COPD Morbidity: A GIS Approach - The Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (IL-BRFSS)

Background: Asthma is a lung disease characterized by repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. The CDC’s National Asthma Control Program looks to assist Americans who suffer from asthma by helping them attain better health and improved quality of life. The CDC’s Asthma Program sponsors states by aiding them in enhancing surveillance of asthma, training health professionals, educating those with asthma and their families, and explaining asthma to the public. In Illinois, the burden of asthma is similar to that of the country as a

Last week, Jimmy Kimmel made a tearful and heartfelt announcement. His newborn son, Billy, was born with a heart condition. We talked to Ramzi Nicolas, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, division director of pediatric and fetal cardiology, and associate chair of pediatric specialty services at SIU School of Medicine about Billy Kimmel's condition and what exactly it is.

Last week, Jimmy Kimmel made a tearful and heartfelt announcement. His newborn son, Billy, was born with a heart condition. We talked to Ramzi Nicolas, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, division director of pediatric and fetal cardiology, and associate chair of pediatric specialty services at SIU School of Medicine about Billy Kimmel's condition and what exactly it is.

Last week, Jimmy Kimmel made a tearful and heartfelt announcement. His newborn son, Billy, was born with a heart condition. We talked to Ramzi Nicolas, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, division director of pediatric and fetal cardiology, and associate chair of pediatric specialty services at SIU School of Medicine about Billy Kimmel's condition and what exactly it is.