March 27, 2009

NEW YORK—Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) and the Fondation Mederic Alzheimer today presented the first global award for psychosocial research in Alzheimer's and dementia to Mary Mittelman, Dr.P.H., of NYU Langone Medical Center. The award is in recognition of the best evidence-based intervention for patients with dementia and their caregivers through the NYU Caregiver Intervention program.

Dr. Mittelman's research focuses on the importance of psychosocial and social intervention, which includes improving dementia caregiving skills, mobilizing the support of family networks, and caregiver counseling, as part of a comprehensive medical care approach.  A unique facet of the NYU program is individualized counseling for caregivers and their family members, taking into account that each patient and caregiver has differing needs. Dr. Mittelman's multi-component intervention extended the patient's stay at home 18 months longer than those receiving usual care in the control group.

Dr. Mittelman has been evaluating psychosocial interventions for family members of patients with Alzheimer's for more than two decades.  She is director of the Psychosocial Research and Support Program at the Center of Excellence for Brain Aging and Dementia at NYU Langone and is a research professor in the Department of Psychiatry there. She also leads the Education and Psychosocial Cores of the NYU Langone Alzheimer's Disease Center.  She received her D.P.H. in psychiatric epidemiology and an M.S. in biostatistics from the Columbia University School of Public Health.  In conjunction with her colleagues, Dr. Mittelman has authored several books for caregivers and professionals, including Counseling the Alzheimer's Caregiver, A Resource for Healthcare Professionals, which details the NYU Caregiver Intervention program. She is a resident of Manhattan.

For a press release on the Alzheimer's Disease International award, please visit: http://www.adi2009.org/00015press.htm

Contact:
Lorinda Klein
Communications and Public Affairs
NYU Langone Medical Center
(212) 404-3533
(917) 693-4846
lorindaannklein@nyumc.org

About NYU Langone Medical Center
Located in the heart of New York City, NYU Langone Medical Center is a premier center for health care, biomedical research, and medical education.  For over 167 years, NYU physicians and researchers have contributed to the practice and science of medicine.  Today the Medical Center consists of NYU School of Medicine; Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, the first and largest facility of its kind; NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, a leader in musculoskeletal care; and such nationally recognized programs as the NYU Cancer Institute, the NYU Child Study Center, and the NYU Cardiac and Vascular Institute.