In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, April 5, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86450491838
- Pell City group, February 22, at 6:30. Going forward this group will meet on the first Thursdays of the month at 6:30; and the third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30. Contact Bit Thomaston, ethomason50@gmail.com
- CJFS CARES, Mondays at 3 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- Founders Place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Tuesday’s at 10 am, contact Susan Logan, susanlogan65@gmail.com
- West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesdays, contact Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.org.
- The Oaks on Parkwood, 4th Tuesday’s, 10:00 am, Contact: Karen Glover, karenrglover@bellsouth.net.
- CJFS CARES, Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County, 3rd Tuesday of each month 11:30-12:30, contact Valarie Lawson, vlawson@uwaaa.org
- M4A, 2nd Thursday’s, noon – 1 pm. Contact Crystal Whitehead, cwhitehead@m4a.org
- M4A, 3rd Wednesday’s 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Contact Crystal Whitehead, cwhitehead@m4a.org
- Asbury United Methodist Church1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
The AFTD 2022 Education Conference, April 8, livestreamed, 8 – 4. AFTD 2022 Education Conference | Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org)
Functional Psychology for Peak Brain Performance& Cognitive Decline, April 14, noon.
Putting the Spotlight on Elder Abuse: Forgotten Victims No More, free 30-minute virtual session, April 25, 4 p.m. Sponsored by AARP Alabama.
April Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
Alzheimer’s News:
Happy April Fool’s Day. Michael Merzenich, PhD, unpacks the brain chemistry behind being fooled. Turns out surprises keep you on your toes and engage the brain in ways that generate new neural connections and learning. Surprises also stimulate the brain chemistry that keeps your brain cells and systems healthy — regardless of whether the surprise is one that brings you joy or one that creates challenges. Naturally, I hope any surprises in your life — and on the special day of April Fools’ — will be delightful ones! April Fools: Our Brains Are the True Tricksters (medscape.com)
Actor, Bruce Willis has stepped away from acting after a diagnosis of aphasia — a form of cognitive impairment sometimes caused by frontotemporal dementia. “To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” his family wrote. “As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.” Aphasia can be caused by damage to the brain through stroke or other conditions. A progressive form of aphasia is recognized as a rare subtype of frontotemporal dementia, which affects an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 in the United States. Does Bruce Willis Have Dementia? – Being Patient
Even a moderate amount of ambient light during nighttime sleep can harm cardiovascular function and increase insulin resistance the following morning. This can increase risk for heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Obesity was highest in participants who reported sleeping with a television or light on in the bedroom, suggesting that light in the bedroom during nighttime sleep may negatively influence metabolic regulation. In addition to sleep, nutrition and exercise, light exposure during the daytime is an important factor for health, but during the night the study shows that even modest intensity of light can impair measures of heart and endocrine health which impacts brain health. Light exposure during sleep can have a negative impact on health | Integrative Practitioner
Listen to a podcast with Max Lugavere, a filmmaker, health and science journalist and the author of the New York Times best-seller Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life. What to Eat for Optimal Brain Health – Empowering Neurologist (drperlmutter.com)
Most adults in the U.S., as well as many doctors, have difficulty distinguishing between the early stages of Alzheimer’s and cognitive changes due to normal aging. Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is characterized by subtle changes in thinking and memory that do not substantially interfere with day-to-day life, but are nonetheless noticeable to the person and those around them. MCI is estimated to affect about 12% to 18% of adults over age 60, and is distinct from the forgetfulness or confusion that can accompany normal aging. Some people with MCI may find their symptoms resolve with time, but more than 1 in 10 MCI patients progress to develop full-blown dementia every year, and about 1 in 3 people with MCI develop dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease within five years of first experiencing MCI symptoms. Tying Cognitive Problems to Alzheimer’s Difficult for Adults, Doctors in US (alzheimersnewstoday.com)
There is growing consensus that the epidemic of non-communicable chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson and Alzheimer disease and colon cancer are largely driven by chronic systemic immune activation. The epidemic has gradually unfolded during the past 75 years with accelerating industrialization affecting food production and processing, and dramatically changing lifestyles. The Synergistic Health Benefits of High Fiber and Fermented Foods – Emeran Mayer, MD
Women who use a lot of antibiotics in midlife may be more likely to have cognitive decline later. There may be a link between the gut microbiome and cognitive decline. Compared with non-antibiotic users, women who reported taking antibiotics for at least 2 months in midlife (mean age of 54.7) had lower mean cognitive scores 7 years later. These data provide a better understanding of potential complications of antibiotics throughout life, as well as generate hypotheses about the role of the gut microbiome in cognition. Antibiotic Use Midlife May Lead to Cognitive Decline in Women (healthline.com)
The more fit you are, the less likely you may be to develop Alzheimer’s disease — with those who are the most fit having a 33% lower risk for dementia than the least fit. Researchers followed 649,605 veterans (average age 61) for nearly a decade. Compared with the least-fit group, those slightly more fit had a 13% lower risk for Alzheimer’s; the middle group was 20% less likely to develop the disease; the next higher group was 26% less likely; with the odds reaching a 33% lower risk for those in the most-fit group. The most-fit are 33 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, report says – The Washington Post
Older adults taking psychotropic medication before contracting COVID-19 are at increased risk dementia in the year following the illness. Results from a large study of more than 1700 patients who had been hospitalized with COVID showed a greater than twofold increased risk for post-COVID dementia in those taking antipsychotics and mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants — medications often used to treat schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and seizures. Psychotropic Med Use Tied to ‘Striking’ Post-COVID Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
The Humans of Dementia Storytelling and Photography Contest, led by Hilarity for Charity and partners, is accepting submissions until April 30, 2022. Written and photo submissions should feature individuals currently living with or who have passed away from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, an annual report released by the Alzheimer’s Association, reveals the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia on individuals, care partners, government entities and the nation’s health care system. The accompanying special report, More Than Normal Aging: Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), examines the challenges surrounding understanding and diagnosing mild cognitive impairment
Support ACA by using AmazonSmile! Designate Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. smile.amazon.com