ADEAR Center: Federal Alzheimer's Information Hub

ADEAR Center: Your Federal Source for Alzheimer's Information

The ADEAR Center (Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center) is the National Institute on Aging's comprehensive information hub for Alzheimer's disease. It's one of the most reliable and evidence-based sources of dementia information available.

What Is ADEAR?

ADEAR is a free information service of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They provide:

• Evidence-based information about Alzheimer's and related dementias
• Clinical trial information
• Research updates
• Care and support resources
• Healthcare professional training materials

Contact:

• Phone: 800-438-4380 (toll-free)
• Email: adear@nia.nih.gov
• Website: nia.nih.gov/about/adear
• Online chat: Available through their website

Why ADEAR Is Trustworthy

• Federal source: Run by the National Institute on Aging (NIH)
• Evidence-based: All information reviewed by experts
• Current: Updated regularly with latest research
• Free: No cost for resources or information
• Unbiased: No commercial interests; educational mission only
• Comprehensive: Covers all aspects of Alzheimer's and dementia

Key Services

Information and Publications

ADEAR publishes:

• "Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet" — Overview of the disease
• "What Is Dementia?" — Explanation of different dementia types
• "Stages of Alzheimer's" — What to expect throughout disease progression
• "Caregiver Guide" — Practical caregiving information
• "Planning for the Future" — Legal and financial planning
• "Medications for Alzheimer's" — Information about treatment options
• "Research Advances" — Latest clinical discoveries

All publications are free to download or order.

Clinical Trial Information

ADEAR maintains a searchable database of Alzheimer's clinical trials. If interested in research participation:

1. Visit nia.nih.gov/research
2. Search by location, type of trial, stage of disease
3. Review trial details and contact researchers
4. Ask your doctor about suitability for your situation

Clinical trials test new treatments and help advance research while sometimes providing access to experimental therapies.

Research Updates

ADEAR publishes:

• "NIA Alzheimer's and Dementia Research" newsletter — Latest findings
• Research summaries — Plain-language explanations of complex studies
• Scientific publications — For healthcare providers and researchers

Professional Training

For healthcare providers:

• Education modules on dementia diagnosis and care
• Information for primary care doctors
• Training for specialists

Topics Covered by ADEAR

Understanding the Disease

• What is Alzheimer's disease?
• How does it develop and progress?
• What causes Alzheimer's?
• How is it diagnosed?
• What are different types of dementia?
• How does Alzheimer's affect the brain?

Care and Support

• Communicating with someone with Alzheimer's
• Managing behavior changes
• Bathing and grooming assistance
• Nutrition and eating challenges
• Sleep disturbances
• Reducing caregiver stress
• Finding services and support

Medical and Healthcare

• Medications for Alzheimer's (what's available, how they work, side effects)
• Treatments in development
• Managing other health conditions alongside dementia
• End-of-life care planning
• When to see a specialist

Planning and Legal

• Power of attorney
• Healthcare directives
• Advance care planning
• Financial planning
• Insurance and benefits

Brain Health and Prevention

• Risk factors for Alzheimer's
• Healthy aging strategies
• Cognitive training
• Physical activity benefits
• Nutrition and brain health
• Social engagement

How to Use ADEAR

By Phone

Call 800-438-4380 and:

• Ask questions about Alzheimer's
• Request publications
• Inquire about clinical trials
• Get referrals to local resources

Staff are knowledgeable and patient; no question is too basic.

Online

1. Visit nia.nih.gov/about/adear
2. Browse topics by category
3. Download publications (free)
4. Search for clinical trials
5. Sign up for email newsletters
6. Use the online chat feature

Email

Email adear@nia.nih.gov with:

• Specific questions
• Requests for publications
• Suggestions or feedback

Responses typically come within a few business days.

Sample Questions to Ask

• "My mother was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Where do I start?"
• "What are the stages of Alzheimer's? How long does each stage last?"
• "What medications are available? Should my father try them?"
• "How do I talk to my parent about financial planning?"
• "Are there any clinical trials my spouse could participate in?"
• "How do I know if I'm at risk for Alzheimer's?"
• "What should I do if I notice cognitive changes in myself?"

Key Resources

Most Popular Publications

1. "Alzheimer's Disease: Causes and Risk Factors" — What we know and don't know about prevention
2. "What Is Dementia?" — Distinguishing Alzheimer's from other conditions
3. "Caregiver Guide: Behavior Changes" — Practical strategies for managing difficult behaviors
4. "What Is the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease?" — What to expect and when
5. "Medications for Memory, Cognition, and Dementia-Related Behaviors" — Treatment options explained

Online Tools

• Clinical Trial Finder: Search trials by location and type
• Cognitive Training Tools: Evidence-based brain games and activities
• Brain Health Assessment: Self-assessment of risk factors

ADEAR vs. Other Sources

ADEAR is:

• Government-funded, not commercial
• Evidence-based and peer-reviewed
• Updated regularly with research
• Free of bias or advertising
• Comprehensive and authoritative

Other sources may be:

• Commercial (selling products or services)
• Anecdotal (based on individual stories, not research)
• Outdated
• Limited in scope
• Biased toward particular treatments

ADEAR is your most reliable source for science-based information.

When to Contact ADEAR

• You've received an Alzheimer's diagnosis and need information
• You're concerned about cognitive changes in yourself or a loved one
• You want to participate in research
• You need caregiver support strategies
• You have questions about medications or treatments
• You're planning for the future

Don't hesitate to call; they're there to help.

CareGrade and ADEAR

While CareGrade helps you evaluate and choose senior living communities, ADEAR provides the medical and educational foundation for understanding Alzheimer's disease. Using both together gives you comprehensive support.