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Loretto and Clarity Clinical Research Raise Awareness about Memory Issues at State Fair

Gabrielle Caracciolo
/
WAER News

Attending large events such as the New York State Fair can be a challenge to test one’s memory to navigate through the new midway versus the more familiar areas.  Loretto is reaching out to people on Senior Day to give fairgoers an opportunity to sign-up for memory health assessments with Clarity Clinical Research and to increase community awareness.  Clarity Research Specialist Lisa Sonneborn says efforts to increase education are helping New York’s memory care to stand out.

“When communities get involved and come together the way that we’re trying to do at Loretto, those are the things that actually will bring awareness, education and better treatment to folks.  So, I think just that alone is saying something about what’s happening in this area in Central New York, and that we are standing-up and saying this is important to us as communities, as service providers and just as Central New Yorkers.

Loretto offers a variety of services for families and patients.  However, Spokesperson Julie Sheedy says much of the community is not aware about the options to deal with memory loss.

“This is a growing problem that we see from families that come to us everyday  and trying to understand what to do, what’s available.  They’re often in crisis because they’re seeing the decline and they don’t know what services are available, so they’ll come to us.”

Treatments cannot yet cure or prevent memory loss.  However, Sonneborne with Clarity Clinical Research says memory assessments are critical in identifying and treating the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s in their earliest stages.

Credit Gabrielle Caracciolo
L-R: Loretto's Julie Sheedy and Clarity Clinical Research Specialist Lisa Sonneborn.

“We do encourage everybody, if you have concerns, come in whenever you’d like.  If not, you can always talk to your doctor and say, you know, when do you think is the right time.  But, definitely when you start getting into your late 50’s, early 60’s, make an appointment.  It doesn’t cost anything, it’s less than an hour out of your life and you have a test that could potentially be really helpful down the road.”

 She adds that’s because it provides researchers and doctors with a baseline to refer to.  Sonneborn says the number of people living in the U-S with Alzheimer’s is currently 5 million cases over the next 30 years.  The number of cases is expected to more than triple by 2050.  More information about memory care services can be found by clicking here.  Memory testing options can be found by clicking here.

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.