Cleveland Clinic Brings Brain Health Day To Mesquite

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

It was Brain Health Day in Mesquite on Saturday, July 30. The Cleveland Clinic, Lou Ruvo Center; in conjunction with the Eureka Resort Community Initiative Board; held the first brain health outreach program for rural areas in Nevada. The event was made possible through Grant funds from Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC).

The morning session, with breakfast was dedicated as a medical education conference for primary care providers, therapists, social workers, and other practitioners who care for individuals with dementia in strategies and evaluating patients with cognitive decline.

The Cleveland Clinic, Lou Ruvo Center in Las Vegas, speakers were Dr. Dyland Wint, MD in Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of Education and Clinical Operations for Brain Health center in Las Vegas.

Other speakers from the center were Lucille Carriere, PhD, Activity Director; Justin Miller, PhD Neuropsychologist; Aaron Rittler, MD, Neuropsychiatrist; and Samantha John, PhD, Geriatric Neuropsychologist.

The afternoon session was open to all of the public. Eighty-six people had signed up for the luncheon program and breakout sessions which followed.

The Rotary Club of Mesquite members helped provided staffing for the event and UNLV staff conducted the physical evaluations for the therapy outcome measures.
“The Nevada ADRC Grant allows us to conduct research brain health studies in rural towns of Nevada for four years, after that time we can re-apply,” explained Dr. Carriere. “We are here to get enrollees for the study program. One does not need to have any dementia issues at this time to enroll.”

Attendees Nancy Smercani and Susan Orsbern said they were there because of their age. They had an interest in this important topic.

For the attendees it was a fun engaging afternoon. The panel of doctors told about their work and took questions which resulted in plenty of jokes and laughter as well as educational moments.

Then the breakout sessions began. Attendees could take a gait and balance screening, a memory screening, talk to staff about enrolling in the research program and participate in brain health tips and exercises.

Mesquite Recreation center staff were there to let everyone know of the programs and classes offered locally to keep residents healthy.

Local yoga instructor Donna Schorr, who teaches classes at the Mesquite Recreation Center, had volunteers and audience members doing yoga poses from the stage. There was a lot of oohing and owing. But there was also great participation.
“It was a fun and informative event,” said Eureka Resorts Community Initiative Director Gerri Chasko. “Many thanks to the Cleveland Clinic Group for bringing this event to Mesquite!”

ADRC Event Coordinator Kat Hartley was pleased with the event. “We hope that after this event and learning about your brain health, you will find something in your lifestyle you will want to change or modify to help keep yourself healthy,” she told the crowd.

Those who are over the age of 55 and interested in helping Nevada ADRC with its Brain Health Study, may get more information calling Kat Hartley at 702-756-4933.

To participate, one must have at least eight years of education, be able to identify and secure a study partner (someone who knows you well can attend clinic visits with you) and be fluent in English.