Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Radio Host #1:

Here's what people are talking about this morning on Heaven 600.

Reverend Michaels:

Heaven 600, heaven600.com, as I mentioned. We've got a guest joining us and she's going to tell us about a study over at Johns Hopkins called Memory Corps. And I'm really enjoying her name, Dr. Quincy Samus. And Doc, how are you today?

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Oh, I'm great, Reverend Michaels. How are you?

Reverend Michaels:

I am blessed. You know, of course, I chuckle when I saw the Quincy, and I was automatically going down another path until I heard your voice.

Dr. Quincy Samus:

My mother has quite a sense of humor.

Reverend Michaels:

Really? And you shared with me off air that she has said, regardless of whether I have a boy or girl, the name is going to be Quincy. What is her fondness with the name Quincy?

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Yeah, so it's a family name, actually. So my great-great-grandfather was Quince Ashburn, and so it kind of followed the family, and then I had had a great aunt who was named Quincy and I was the recipient of that.

Reverend Michaels:

That is interesting. I'm sure it's a conversation starter, but our conversation today is about this study that's going on over at Hopkins called Memory Core. Now I understand that this study is focused on supporting caregivers and folks who are living at home with memory problems. Can you tell us more about the program and how it's designed to help?

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Yes, absolutely. So many, many people are kind of facing struggles related to living with memory problems and dementia and caregivers are struggling out there. And so we have developed a program that is designed to support people living at home by providing them with companionship to really try and reduce loneliness and social isolation and provide some activities that are meaningful and fun for people. And at the same time, and support caregivers by giving them a little time off, a little respite for them.

Reverend Michaels:

That is great. That is really great. And the sensitivity to that need, we commend you. How do you see the research like this? Memory Corps study helping folks in the future if it's successful.

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Yeah, so that's exactly why we're doing the study. We want to find out if this study is something that people enjoy. We want to find out if it helps with having them have better quality of life. So we're going to measure that in in a very scientifically rigorous way. And if it's successful, what we plan to do is try and build programs like this so that these services could be accessible to people who need them, not only in Maryland and Baltimore, but also all across the country eventually. So that's kind of like our long-term vision for this kind of program.

Reverend Michaels:

Now, I understand you're looking for both caregivers as well as parents to be involved in the study, hence that's part of the reason why are you with us this morning Tell us more about how that process works.

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Yeah, sure. So, so people who are interested, so we are looking for people who are living with a diagnosis of dementia. It doesn't matter what kind of dementia. So Alzheimer's disease is one of the dementias that is most, you know, kind of familiar to people. But people who are living in their own homes and who are living with a caregiver in Maryland are potentially eligible for the study. And so we would would encourage anybody who's interested to give us a call and we have a wonderful team of people who are standing ready to find out if you're eligible. And then if you're eligible, everyone will receive free virtual companionship and personalized activities for about three months or so. And we think it's a really great study and we're getting some good feedback, but we would love anybody who's interested to give us a call and find out if this is for them.

Reverend Michaels:

You know, this is awesome. And I commend again, you guys for going down this path, but also with that in mind, are there any other resources that you can share with our listeners that you could suggest that if they need some support or for those who are caring for loved ones with dementia.

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Absolutely. So there are a number of wonderful resources out there. So one of them is the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland. And so that is association. If you search that online, you'll be able to find out all kinds of services and supports that they have. They actually have a 24/7 helpline that people can call caregivers who might have questions about different things in their caregiving you know, responsibilities and things that they're wondering about. So encourage people to connect with the Alzheimer's Association. Also, Maryland Access Point is another great resource if you are seeking information on support services for a whole range of different types of needs that people might have. So that's Maryland Access Point, if you search that. And then the Maryland Department of Aging, each county has an area agency on aging. And so they also have a number of great supports for people in your local counties that you can access if you search for Maryland agencies on aging, or, you know, area agencies on aging.

Reverend Michaels:

Yep, and of course, connecting with this particular study and your team, They can go to a website or a phone number.

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Yes, so the phone number is 410-550-6744. And again, that's 410-550-6744. And you can also find us online by searching Memory Core, and that's memory with an I, M-E-M-O-R-I at Core, and that's spelled C-O-R-P-S. So you can search us like that and we're on the web and you can fill out an online interest form and we will be in contact with you.

Reverend Michaels:

Well, listen, again, congratulations on such a sensitive and much needed effort. And I pray that the study will be successful because of the implications that are suggested on how you'll be able to further help and encourage and support caregivers. We applaud and we appreciate you. And doc, we just love your name.

Dr. Quincy Samus:

Thank you, Reverend Michaels. It's been a pleasure.

Radio Host #2:

The morning experience.

Radio Host #3:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.