While Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will not hold any site-based programming at its facility until further notice, the center will continue to offer virtual education, support and therapeutic programs. All programs are designed for family and professional caregivers, featuring topics of interest to those who care for individuals with ALS, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. Complementing excellent patient care, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is focused on providing supportive services and programs to caregivers and family members, maximizing their knowledge, skills and capacity to provide care.
By leveraging technology, participants will be able to join classes through the computer, tablet or smartphone. Participants can simply reach out to the contact for each program of interest and will receive customized instructions on how to join the group session. For additional information contact Verla Niebuhr at 702.483.6055 or niebuhv@ccf.org or Visit the patient and family services program calendar at ClevelandClinic.org/NevadaEvents.
Special Events
- Parkinson Care & The COVID-19 Pandemic
Saturday Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
A free full-day live and interactive online PD symposium. Morning Plenary: PD priorities in 2021, risks, programs, mental health and much, much more from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and two afternoon breakout sessions, Session 1: Remote Care Options in a Pandemic or Session 2: Complementary and Alternative Therapies in PD. Those interested in attending can register here. Registration is required.
Lynne Ruffin-Smith e-Library for Remote Access
The Lynne Ruffin-Smith Library offers an e-Library selection of resources. People in rural and remote areas of Nevada, as well as those who can’t visit the library at the Clinic, can now access e-Books from their computer, phone, tablet or iPad®. To check out materials from the e-Library register as a library patron and obtain a patron number (library card number) by visiting the library Mondays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or call 702.483.6033. Remote access can be gained by visiting keepmemoryalive.org/library. Contact the Library, louruvolibrary@ccf.org, for additional information.
- e-Library Book of the Month: Love & Forgetting – A Husband and Wife’s Journey through Dementia, By Julie Macfie Sobol and Ken Sobol
In the Community:
- Improv for Care
Thursday, Feb. 25, Mar. 4, Mar. 11, Mar. 18, Mar. 25 & Apr. 1, from 4 – 6 p.m.
A workshop designed to improve your confidence as a caregiver. In our fun, interactive, virtual environment, experience new methods for caring for your loved one and facing the challenges caregiving brings. Contact Ruth for online access and additional information at almenr2@ccf.org or call 702.483.6054. Registration is required.
- Dementia Conversations with Nancy & Kat
Fridays from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
A place to talk openly and honestly about living well with dementia. Register here.
Therapeutic Services:
- Group Music Therapy for Individuals with Hearing Loss
Monday – Friday from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
This group combines music and therapeutic techniques for each individual while also fostering friendships. Music therapy has many benefits for patients and caregivers impacted by memory or movement disorders, including providing opportunities for memory recall, decreasing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, increasing language and communication skills, aiding in regulating movement coordination and improving social interactions and emotional connections with family and caregivers. Contact Becky for online access and information at wellmar@ccf.org or 702.701.7895.
- Yoga for MS
Wednesdays & Fridays from 1 – 2 p.m.; Option to join the support group from 12:30 – 1 p.m.
Yoga helps patients be intuitive with their body and understand the challenges and changes they are going through. With this program, our goal is to provide a safe space for patients, and their loved ones, to participate in physical activity and experience the many benefits that come from practicing yoga. Contact Sandy for online access and information at ChapmaS6@ccf.org or 702.778.7000.
- Rhythmic Reminiscence
Thursdays from 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Rhythmic Reminiscence is a music and movement program specially designed for individuals with memory loss. Join our physical and music therapists on Zoom while we get moving, engage socially, and have some fun! Pre-approval is required for this program. Contact Becky for online access and information at wellmar@ccf.org or 702.701.7895.
- Yoga for Parkinson’s
Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m.
Yoga helps patients be intuitive with their body and understand the challenges and changes they are going through. With this program, our goal is to provide a safe space for patients, and their loved ones, to participate in physical activity and experience the many benefits that come from practicing yoga. Contact Ruth for online access and information at almenr2@ccf.org or 702.778.7000.
Engagement Arts:
- Conversations to Remember
Monday, Feb. 8 & Feb. 22 from 10:30– 11:45 a.m.
Telling stories through art is fun and can foster creative thinking and stimulate distant memories in individuals experiencing memory loss. Let art pieces drive conversations toward new discovery, personal history and that of fellow companions. Contact LouRuvoSocialServ@ccf.org for online access or call Verla at 702.271.9563.
- The Learning Arts
Eclectic excursions via videoconferencing with museums across North America. No reservations needed. Contact Verla, 702.778.6702, niebuhv@ccf.org for additional information.
- Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. – noon: Double Victory: African Americans in WW2 – The National WW2 Museum
- Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. – noon: Tracing the Life of Frederick Douglas – Maryland Center for History and Culture
- Mind in Design – An ONLINE Art Making Class for Everyone!
Monday, Mar. 1 from 10:30 a.m. – noon OR 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Friends and Families can come together virtually to tap their creative spirit, unwind and de-stress in a fun, friendly and interactive art session. An Art Kit will be provided to all participants. Advance registration is required. Those interested in attending can register at louruvosocialserv@ccf.org or call 702.271.9563.
Support Group Schedule:
FOR CARE PARTNERS ONLY
- Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD) and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)
Wednesday, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
This group is held for adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with frontotemporal disorders and primary progressive aphasia. Contact Ruth for online access and additional information at almenr2@ccf.org or call 702.483.6054.
- Caring For Persons with Memory Loss – Peer-Led Group
Wednesday, Feb. 10 and Feb. 24, from 1 – 2 p.m.
This group is held for adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with memory loss, facilitated by Dr. Carriere, PhD. Contact Dr. Carriere for online access and additional information at lrcbhhealthpsych@ccf.org or call 702.778.6702.
- Dementia with Lewy Body (DLB)
Wednesday, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
This group is held for adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with dementia with Lewy body. Contact Ruth for online access and additional information at almenr2@ccf.org or call 702.483.6054.
FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CARE PARTNERS
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Monday, Feb. 8 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
This is a support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) care partners, facilitated by Ruth Almén, LCSW. Contact Ruth for online access and additional information at almenr2@ccf.org or call 702.483.6054.
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
This group is held for early-stage individuals and adult family members who provide care and/or support for loved ones with Parkinson’s disease. Contact Michelle for online access and additional information at pesterm@ccf.org or call 702.483.6006.
- Huntington’s Disease (HD)
Thursday, Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 from noon – 1 p.m.
This group is held for gene positive individuals (asymptomatic and early stage) and adult family members. Contact Michelle for online access and additional information at pesterm@ccf.org or call 702.483.6006.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Mondays from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
This group is held for individuals diagnosed with MS and their care partners. Contact Sandy for online access and additional information at chapmas6@ccf.org or call 702.778.7000.
In Honor of Barbara “Spicy Lady” Edmonds – Lunch & Learn Educational Series
Wednesdays from noon – 1 p.m.
Enjoy Lunch & Learn live, complete with open chat box conversations where you can raise your hand electronically and ask questions. Live or past recordings can be viewed at www.CCLunchLearn.com.
- Feb. 3: Navigating the Dementia Journey – Creating Your Own Roadmap – Susan Hirsch, MSW, LSW, Cleveland Clinic
Navigating the Dementia Journey is an insightful tool created as part of Nevada’s Dementia Friendly mission. Learn about this resource designed to help you create your personal road map of services and programs that can offer support over the course of dementia. An electronic version can be viewed here.
- Feb. 10: Cardiovascular Disease Prevention – Krystal Coffman, DNP, ACNP-BC, BSN, United Health Services, Inc.
Join us for a brief overview of Heart Attack and Stroke with an in-depth discussion of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. We will also discuss heart disease correlation to dementia and talk about ways to reduce your risk.
- Feb. 17: Age-Related Hearing Loss & Dementia Risk – Christina Wong, PhD, Cleveland Clinic
Learn about the latest research linking age-related hearing loss to risk of dementia in later life. Potential underlying and casual mechanisms that may explain this relationship will be discussed.
- Feb. 24: Getting to Know the Parkinson’s Foundation and Benefits to Participation – Robin Rhea, Development Manager for the Parkinson’s Foundation Southwest Chapter
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. Learn more about this dynamic global Parkinson’s community and how they have identified Cleveland Clinic as a Parkinson’s Center of Excellence.
Actively Recruiting Clinical Trials and Research Studies:
- DELIVER-MS
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is now recruiting eligible participants for the DELIVER-MS study. The purpose of the global, multi-center study, led by Cleveland Clinic, is to compare the benefits and risks of two common treatment approaches for multiple sclerosis to determine which is the better course. Men and women ages 18 to 60 who have been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, are early in their disease course, and have not yet started a disease modifying therapy will be eligible to participate. Additionally, interested participants must be able to show evidence of new MRI lesions or have had relapses over the past 12 months, be able to walk independently or with assistance, and be eligible and willing to follow up at Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health during the course of the study.
Those interested in enrolling should contact Nicolette Harmon at 702.701.7972.
- TANGO Study
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is now recruiting eligible participants for the TANGO study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of BIIB092 in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or with mild AD. Men and women ages 50 – 80, who have been diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Those interested in enrolling are encouraged to call the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at 855.568.7886 or email brainhealth@ccf.org.