Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center: Support for Studies on Prevention, Progression, and Caregiving | Beth Fauth

Dementia is a very common and very serious condition affecting millions of Americans. Despite its prevalence, there are many things we don’t know about dementia and how to treat it.

Dr. Beth Fauth, the director of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center (ADRC) at Utah State, presented on her research and the impacts of the center. Hosted at Gallivan Hall in downtown Salt Lake City, the Sept. 28 event welcomed an audience of health care workers, researchers, educators, government officials and other interested residents.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s rates are on the rise in Utah, as well as globally. With an increase in dementia rates comes an increase in caregiver roles and responsibilities. Caregivers of people with dementia are typically family members, and they typically take on a heavy amount of responsibility by themselves. A key focus of research at the ADRC is on how interventions can reduce feelings of stress among dementia caregivers.

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center is a new institution that is supported by $850,000 of ongoing funding from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Their mission is to conduct research on dementia through a variety of lenses and use that research to improve supportive services and create a dementia-competent workforce throughout the state. 

Blue Plate Research is hosted by the Utah State University Office of Research and sponsored by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah. The series promotes health and wellbeing research and connects researchers, educators, and legislators.