Karen L Fingerman Ph.D.

About

Karen Fingerman, Ph.D., is the Wilson Professor of Human Ecology at The University of Texas at Austin, Director of the Texas Institute on Dementia, Aging & Longevity (TIDAL), and Co-Director of the UT Austin Center on Aging and Population Sciences. She has published more than 200 papers on aging, examining how close relationships, everyday social ties, and dementia caregiving shape emotional, physical, and cognitive health. Her work has been widely featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Atlantic, and the American Psychological Association Monitor, bringing aging science to broad public attention.

Recent Posts

Frontotemporal Dementia: Language and Behavior Gone Awry

Frontotemporal dementia causes striking shifts in behavior, emotion, and communication—making loved ones seem like different people. Understanding why can guide better care.

Why Lewy Body Dementia Is Often Overlooked or Misdiagnosed

Lewy body dementia is the second-most-common dementia, but it is underrecognized. Recognizing its distinct symptoms can help people get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Living a Good Life and Preventing Dementia

Exciting new research has identified a combination of lifestyle changes that may help prevent dementia and even reverse some cognitive declines.

This Is Not Your Mother’s Alzheimer’s Disease

People often worry they will get Alzheimer’s disease if their parents did. But engaging in a healthy lifestyle can outweigh the impact of genetics for Alzheimer’s disease.

Why Some People Seem Immune to Dementia

Some people are immune to dementia, even if their brain is deteriorating. Cognitive reserve is the secret boost that builds across a lifetime to prevent symptoms of dementia.

Gathering for Good: Holiday Socializing Keeps You Sharp

Holiday celebrations often mean that healthy habits go out the door. But one joy of the season—spending time with other people—actually has brain benefits.

An Answer to the Question: Do I Have Alzheimer’s?

You forgot where you put your keys again and you’re worried you may have dementia. This is what you need to know to understand why you probably don’t.

How Ties on the Fringe Can Help Beat Loneliness

Fringe-ships are the easy-bake alternative to friendships.

The Digital Generation Gap

A health crisis can quickly turn into an information crisis for older people.