Jeffrey Buchanan, Professor of Psychology

Profile

Dr. Buchanan's specialty is in geropsychology with an emphasis on families and patients dealing with Alzheimer's disease. His interest in aging began as a child after spending a great deal of time with elderly relatives. His interest in aging grew in his undergraduate years through working in an assisted living facility. Professor Buchanan received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He attended Minnesota State, Mankato for his Master's and received his PhD from the University of Nevada at Reno. He comes to MSU from the VA Hospital in the Twin Cities where he was working in the memory disorder clinic. While there he was conducting staff education, direct care assistance and developing restraint free interventions for behavior problems in persons with dementia. Within the field of geropsychology he has done work with individuals sufferuing from post-traumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, and depression. Dr. Buchanan has conducted research on and implemented programs for reducing stress in the caregivers of those with dementia. His extensive clinical work is being utilized in his courses as he emphasizes both research methods and clinical practice in his teaching so that students can come away with an idea of the possibilities in this expanding and important field. During his time at MSU he has continued his work and research with elders in the community.