Sharik Sherwan, a researcher and longtime caregiver speaking for the Alzheimer’s Association at a Mountainland Association of Governments conference at Brigham Young University, described the emotional and practical burdens of caring for people with dementia and outlined resources and recent advances that may help early diagnosis.

Sherwan, who described having provided 21 years of hands‑on care for a partner, said caregiving can be “backbreaking, financially draining, physically draining, emotionally draining,” and urged families to seek respite when possible. “Don’t let society and our loved ones guilt you into feeling good about yourself as caregivers,” she told the audience, offering journaling, storytelling and local support groups as coping strategies.

The presentation emphasized early detection and a newly available clinical blood test. “As recently as May 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this test,” Sherwan said. She described the assay as a plasma test that measures a ratio involving phosphorylated tau (p‑tau217) and beta‑amyloid 1‑42 using what she identified as the “Lumipals G1200 system,” and reported laboratory thresholds from the vendor report she shared: results at or above 0.0073 (reported as the ratio) were described as consistent with a positive result, and values at or below 0.0037 as consistent with a negative result. Sherwan said the test was being offered by major clinical labs in Utah, including LabCorp locations in Salt Lake City, Provo and St. George.

Sherwan cautioned that the test is an additional diagnostic tool, not a cure. “As of today, there is no cure for it, but there are already measures in place to reduce the impact of symptoms and signs,” she said, listing both medication‑based and non‑drug therapies that clinicians can use to manage symptoms.

She also reviewed recent research on lifestyle interventions. Summarizing the POINTER study, Sherwan said two cohorts received the same four interventions—physical exercise, health monitoring, nutrition and cognitive training—but participants in the organized, coached program showed stronger responses than those following the program on their own.

The Alzheimer’s Association resources Sherwan cited include a 24/7 helpline, local in‑person and online support groups (she named Salt Lake, Provo and St. George), printed handouts available at the event booth, the association’s education pages on alz.org, a TrialMatch service to connect volunteers with studies, and an app she referred to as “ALC Journey.” She encouraged participation in community events such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and local support activities such as organized exercise groups.

Sherwan highlighted disparities in risk and care: she said Native American and Black communities face higher incidence or more severe outcomes and that community resources must be expanded to avoid leaving “one patient, one caregiver left behind.” She closed by thanking MAG, Brigham Young University for hosting, Alzheimer’s Association staff Raven Albertson and Holly Jeffries, and her partner Edward Rossini.

The presentation was informational; no policy decisions or votes were taken at the session. Attendees were directed to the Alzheimer’s Association website and the conference vendor area for printed materials and follow‑up questions.