SeniorBridge in the News

(NEW YORK CITY, NY) April 7, 2008

Lecture Presented by SeniorBridge and Hosted by New York University Medical Center Department of Geriatrics to Take Place on Thursday Evening, April 24

Peter J. Whitehouse, M.D., PhD., an internationally-known neurologist, expert on brain aging and author of the new book “The Myth of Alzheimer’s” (St. Martin’s Press, Jan 2008) will deliver a talk to New York-area medical professionals on his leading edge research, as well as his innovative and hopeful approach to the various dementia-related conditions that have come to be known as Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Whitehouse, Professor of Neurology at the University Memory and Aging Center, Case Western Reserve University, serves on the Professional Advisory Board of event sponsor SeniorBridge. The lecture will take place on Thursday, April 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue (at 32nd Street), Alumni Hall B. Call Tamara Thompson at 212-994-6141 for reservations or email her at tthompson@seniorbridge.com as seating is limited. (Ed: www.themythofalzheimers.com www.seniorbridge.com)

The lecture is being presented by the New York offices of SeniorBridge, a specialized organization that serves seniors and their families, managing complex, chronic care in the home and other settings. The New York University Medical Center Department of Geriatrics is hosting the event, which will include a book signing.

“SeniorBridge is pleased to present Dr. Whitehouse to the New York medical community as part of our commitment to be in the forefront of issues of critical importance to the elderly with complex, chronic conditions,” said SeniorBridge CEO Eric C. Rackow, M.D., who served as president of NYU Hospitals Center prior to joining the company last year. “Dr. Whitehouse is leading the way to a new understanding of brain aging in all of us so that we can better help those who develop more severe levels of dementia, while focusing efforts in the newer realm of prevention.”

“The Myth of Alzheimer’s” tells the fascinating story of how a single “peculiar” medical case observed by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906 became known as a full-blown disease that has grown into a $100 billion a year marketing and research juggernaut, with more than 25 million people diagnosed worldwide.

The book challenges the conventional wisdoms and assumptions about Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It offers a better understanding of AD -- what Alzheimer’s is and isn’t and who stands to gain from the Alzheimer’s label. Dr. Whitehouse tells how to resist the AD diagnosis, maintain brain function and enhance the quality of life as we age, deriving meaning rather than dread from the aging process.

“When we and SeniorBridge hosted Dr. Whitehouse at our hospital recently, I recognized that he was giving voice to thoughts and observations that I, and likely many of my colleagues, have had for quite some time,” said Dr. Murray Todd, director of the Memory Disorder Center at the North Broward Medical Center Neurological Institute in Pompano, Florida. “It is more helpful to our patients and their caregivers for us to learn to better engage and integrate individuals with memory disorders into daily life, rather than hoping for a ‘cure’ for what is the normal aging process for many people.”

About Peter J. Whitehouse, MD, PhD

Dr. Whitehouse, one of the best known Alzheimer’s experts in the world, specializes in neurology with an interest in geriatrics and cognitive science and a focus on dementia. He is the founder of the University Alzheimer Center (now the University Memory and Aging Center) at Case Western University. His most recent work includes ethics, integrative health care, and quality of life. He serves on the Alzheimer’s Study Group headed by former Senator Bob Kerrey and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. With his wife, Dr. Whitehouse founded The Intergenerational School in Cleveland, Ohio, a not-for-profit charter school dedicated to life-long learning for people of all ages (www.tisonline.org.)

About SeniorBridge

SeniorBridge, founded in 2000 and with offices throughout the United States, is a provider of care at home for clients who have complex chronic health conditions. The company’s unique approach addresses the total well-being of clients and their families through a comprehensive program that includes assessment, planning, service coordination, advocacy and direct care by a multidisciplinary team led by a geriatric care manager. The full range of services is personalized according to the level of need and preference. The SeniorBridge program is especially beneficial for patients with complex problems, including chronic, multiple medical illnesses and memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease; patients who require close oversight and management of care.

SeniorBridge is a knowledge-based professional organization that benefits from the support of its advisory board of internationally-known experts on geriatric issues.

SeniorBridge has its corporate headquarters at 845 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022. Among its 15 locations, five are located in the New York metropolitan area including Great Neck, Manhattan, Queens and White Plains in New York and West Orange in New Jersey. For further information visit www.seniorbridge.com. For event reservations call Tamara Thompson at 212-994-6141 or email her at tthompson@seniorbridge.com.