2025 Virtual Symposium - Breaking Through: Navigating the Journey of Dementia (Report)
Breaking Through: Navigating the Journey of Dementia
In 2025, National Alzheimer’s Buddies hosted its annual virtual symposium, “Breaking Through: Navigating the Journey of Dementia.” This year’s gathering brought together researchers, clinicians, caregivers, and advocates from across the globe to explore the evolving science of dementia, innovative approaches to care, and the lived experiences that shape this journey.
Co-hosted by Leo Zhang and Jillian Lee, the symposium highlighted how dementia uniquely impacts individuals, families, & communities, and further underscored the urgent need for equitable care, education, and support systems that honor dignity and diversity.
Keynote: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Building Inclusive Care
Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, Senior Director of Community Programs and Services at the Alzheimer’s Association, opened the symposium with a comprehensive overview of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Drawing from her expertise in geropsychology and her leadership in national community programs, Dr. Edgerly outlined the biology of Alzheimer’s, the hallmarks of plaques and tangles, and the trajectory from mild cognitive impairment to advanced dementia.
She emphasized the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s on women, Black and Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, LGBTQ+ older adults, and Native communities - pointing to systemic discrimination in diagnosis, treatment, and research. “About half of Black Americans experience discrimination when seeking Alzheimer’s care,” she noted, underscoring the importance of representation in clinical trials.
Dr. Edgerly highlighted risk factors that span genetics, education, environment, and lifestyle, calling attention to the landmark U.S. POINTER study, which seeks to address diverse community risk profiles. She also spotlighted recent FDA-approved treatments, including Leqembi and Kisunla, while warning of inequitable access due to cost barriers. Her closing call to action centered on representation in research and the shared goal of a world without Alzheimer’s.
Panel on Disparities in Dementia Care
Moderated by Dr. Edgerly, the Disparities Panel brought together Dr. Lyn Weinberg (Allegheny Health Network) and Dr. Chi Udeh-Momoh (Wake Forest University).
The panelists discussed systemic gaps in geriatric education, the lack of training for primary care providers, and the urgent need to integrate lifestyle interventions into dementia care.
Dr. Weinberg pointed to the scarcity of physicians trained to identify and manage dementia.
Dr. Momoh emphasized empowering patients with actionable lifestyle modifications.
Dr. Edgerly stressed simplifying conversations about dementia so they are accessible to all communities.
Together, the panel spotlighted the intersection of equity, education, and empowerment in addressing disparities.
Keynote: Tailored Care for a Brighter Future
Dr. Tia Powell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, delivered a deeply resonant session on person-centered dementia care.
Framing her talk around the question “How can we help people with dementia?” Dr. Powell combined clinical, ethical, and policy perspectives. As chair of the National Academy of Medicine’s dementia research priorities committee, she outlined future directions: life-course approaches to brain health, precision medicine, and multi-domain prevention strategies such as the SMAART trial.
Beyond science, Dr. Powell explored sensitive ethical challenges:
Finances - urging families to safeguard against exploitation before decline sets in.
Sexuality - challenging cultural taboos and gender biases around intimacy in aging.
Firearms - highlighting the public health risk of gun ownership among older adults with dementia.
Her remarks reinforced that dignity, values, and choice must remain central to dementia care.
Lived Experience & Community Voices Panel
The final panel featured Dr. Powell alongside advocates and leaders: Bert Brodsky (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America), Kriti Khalsa (Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation), Katherine Lawrence and Esther Pearl (Alzheimer’s Association, CT).
Brodsky reflected on his mother’s diagnosis and introduced AFA’s “model apartment” as a practical tool to support caregivers.
Lawrence emphasized hospital-based training to prevent delirium and improve dementia care transitions.
Pearl shared her husband’s diagnosis at age 56, advocating for clearer communication, follow-up care, and wider use of 24/7 helplines.
Khalsa introduced the “Four Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention”: diet, exercise, stress management, and spiritual fitness.
Together, the panelists highlighted that advancing dementia care is not only about science, but also about preserving dignity, fostering community, and ensuring families never face the journey alone.
Closing Reflections
This year’s symposium reaffirmed that the fight against Alzheimer’s requires both scientific innovation and human compassion. From cutting-edge clinical research to grassroots prevention strategies, each session underscored the importance of equity, dignity, and inclusion in dementia care.
We are deeply grateful to our speakers, panelists, organizers, and the hundreds of attendees who joined us for this important conversation. By breaking through barriers in science, in care, and in stigma, we take another step toward a brighter future for all those navigating the journey of dementia.