September's Lunch & Learn

We launch our 2025-26 program year with “Women, Aging, and Dementia”, with guest speakers Judith Sugar, Ph.D. and Jennifer Carson, Ph.D.  Whether dealing with aging relatives, or thinking about what might lie ahead for us as we age, the idea of losing the ability to think, remember, and function is terrifying.  Our speakers have a reassuring message – nothing is inevitable.  But as our aging population grows, how we diagnose, treat, care for and accommodate people’s medical and mental health needs is critical.

Judith Sugar, associate professor emerita at the UNR School of Public Health, is the author of Introduction to Aging: A Positive, Interdisciplinary Approach, reflecting a new paradigm for aging, an introductory textbook that explores the critical implications of aging for the daily lives of older adults.

Jennifer Carson is a Clinical Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) Program at the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Public Health. She leads multiple efforts to enhance dementia care, support, and well-being. With extensive firsthand experience as both a family and professional care partner, Jennifer’s work centers human rights, dignity, and connection.