IFM | Brain Health and Chronic Conditions: Lifelong Connections

IFM | Brain Health and Chronic Conditions: Lifelong Connections

From Inside Family Medicine by American Academy of Family Physicians

March 27, 2026 · 10 min · Season 1

About this episode

Dr. Ariel Cole discusses the role of family physicians in cognitive aging and dementia care.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine , we hear from Dr. Ariel Cole, a family and geriatric medicine physician and fellowship/residency leader at AdventHealth Orlando, about the family physician's role in cognitive aging , Alzheimer's disease and related dementias . Dr. Cole describes her experience caring for patients across the cognitive decline spectrum and emphasizes prevention. The conversation covers barriers like time and system awareness, strategies for sensitive discussions about shame and independence, and leveraging community resources such as Area Agencies on Aging, Meals on Wheels, caregiver supports, adult day programs, the Alzheimer's Association, and referrals to neurology or geriatrics. Topics By Timestamp 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:47 Dr . Cole 's Background 01:15 Prevention and Risk Factors 02:58 Screening Tools in Primary Care 03:50 Barriers and Team Based Care 04:58 Talking About Cognitive Decline 06:13 Community Resources and Referrals 07:34 Assessing Home Support Needs 08:27 Key Takeaways for Clinicians 09:21 Wrap Up and Resources 09:50 Disclaimers and Copyright Additional Resources Brain Health: Clinical Guidance and Practice Resources | AAFP…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Ariel Cole

Topics covered

  • cognitive aging
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • dementias
  • prevention
  • community resources
  • caregiver support

Keywords

  • brain health
  • chronic conditions
  • cognitive decline
  • screening tools
  • team based care
  • community resources

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AdventHealth Orlando, Alzheimer's Association, Area Agencies on Aging, Meals on Wheels, AAFP

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