Center Postpones All Research Visits & Activities 3/16 – 5/1 due to COVID-19

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March 16, 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) threat continues to grow. In an effort to proactively protect our research participants and their families, we are postponing all research appointments at our Ann Arbor and Detroit locations, community events, support groups, and wellness programming through May 1, 2020. This is a rapidly developing situation, and our leadership will reassess during the week of April 27 for any commitments beyond May 1, 2020.

This specifically impacts the following activities:

  • Research visits scheduled between March 16 – May 1, 2020 for the University of Michigan Memory & Aging Project (UM-MAP) are cancelled. This includes both Ann Arbor and Detroit locations.
  • MRI and PET scans scheduled between March 16 – May 1, 2020 are cancelled.
  • “Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented?” community lecture by Dr. Scott Roberts on March 25, 2020 at the Ann Arbor District Library is cancelled.
  • “Connecting Through Art: Exploring Art Initiatives for People Living with Memory Loss” community lecture by Dr. Anne Mondro on April 30, 2020 at the Ann Arbor District Library is cancelled.
  • Lewy body dementia support groups in Lansing and West Bloomfield on March 26, 2020 and all April support groups are cancelled.
  • Monthly and weekly Wellness Initiative programs including Monthly Mindfulness Meditation, Catching Your Breath, and Mindfulness-based Dementia Care in April will take place virtually. Details to follow.

All research participants in the University of Michigan Memory & Aging Project with appointments scheduled between March 16 and May 1, 2020 will receive a call and letter from our staff regarding their cancellation. If you are in another Center-supported study (e.g. ARMADA, ELECTRA, STIM, etc.) you will receive a call directly from that study’s staff regarding any appointment changes. If you have an appointment in May or June, your appointment will remain on the calendar until we make a decision for future dates during the week of April 27. All appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible once we know more about the outlook of the virus.

If you registered for our community lecture or attend the Lewy body dementia support groups listed above, our staff will contact you by phone or email regarding the cancellations.

If you are registered for one of our Wellness Initiative programs in April, our staff will contact you directly regarding details to transition these groups virtually.

In the meantime, we encourage you to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by following the University of Michigan’s recommendations to practice every day health safety and prevention:

  • People who are sick should stay home unless seeking medical care
  • Practice social distancing when in public which means staying at least 3 feet away from people who are sick
  • Cover your cough and sneezes
  • Clean your hands often, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. (If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer)
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects

We continue to thank you for your commitment to our research, and we will be in touch with future developments and details. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 734-936-8803.

The University of Michigan provides updated information on the COVID-19 virus here.