In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, April 12, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 ormpiggott@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.
Functional Psychology for Peak Brain Performance & Cognitive Decline, April 14, noon.
www.alzfdn.org/events
Putting the Spotlight on Elder Abuse: Forgotten Victims No More, free 30-minute virtual session, April 25, 4 p.m. Sponsored by AARP Alabama. https://local.aarp.org/aarp-event/al-aarp-putting-the-spotlight-on-elder-abuse-forgotten-victims-no-more-042522-mdn3nt5ys4k.html
April Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
Alzheimer’s News:
Every Easter, 4th of July and Christmas ACA packs care baskets that volunteers deliver to some of the neediest families on our service programs. About 70% of these families have incomes less than $1,500 a month. Please consider donating $25 to help with the cost of an Easter basket. https://alzca.org/carebasket/
Can having certain medical conditions affect your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease up to 15 years later?It might, according to a large new analysis that looked at the health records of nearly 80,000 men and women living in Britain and France. Researchers focused on 123 health conditions that earlier research suggested might play a role in dementia risk. They identified 10 that were tied to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Not surprisingly, memory made the list but other conditions might surprise you:
- Depression, anxiety and high levels of stress
- Hearing loss
- Constipation
- Cervical spondylarthritis, or arthritis of the upper spine that causes stiffness and discomfort in the neck
- Unexpected weight loss
- Malaise and fatigue
- Syncope and collapse or fainting due to sudden drop in BP.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(21)00275-2/fulltext
On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its national coverage determination (NCD) for funding aducanumab (Aduhelm), the controversial Alzheimer’s drug. Medicare coverage of the drug will be limited to patients enrolled in clinical trials (like those offered at UAB). The FDA approved aducanumab using the accelerated approval pathway, a decision that sparked a great deal of controversy and led to the resignation of three members of the FDA’s advisory panel on the drug. CMS left the door open for potential coverage of future drugs where there’s enough evidence for the FDA to grant traditional, or full, approval to anti-amyloid drugs. In such cases, coverage would be pegged to participation in CMS-approved studies, such as a data collection through routine clinical practice or registries. Final CMS Aducanumab Decision Limits Coverage to Clinical Trials (medscape.com)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has enraged many Alzheimer’s advocates over its coverage of Aduhelm, the first drug approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s in 18 years. “CMS has made discrimination against Alzheimer’s patients an official policy,” according to UsAgainstAlzheimer’s chair and co-founder George Vradenburg. “In an unprecedented move, the agency formalized its plan to deny Medicare coverage to Alzheimer’s patients to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments, something it has never done with any other patient group. It’s unconscionable and reprehensible that CMS would force Alzheimer’s patients to play by a different set of rules than patients with other diseases like cancer and HIV. Medicare has an obligation to provide patient access to Alzheimer’s treatments the same way it does every other FDA-approved drug. Our work won’t stop until they do.” https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/press/its-official-cms-denies-medicare-coverage-alzheimers-patients
Once again, strawberries and spinach, along with kale and collard and mustard greens, top this year’s “Dirty Dozen” list, an annual and controversial ranking of nonorganic fruits and vegetables based on the amount of pesticides found in samples of the foods. The yearly report comes from the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving human health. Avocados and sweet corn topped the “Clean 15”. Check out both lists: Strawberries, Spinach, Kale: High on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ List (medscape.com)
BrightFocus Foundation has updated their information on the role of diet and brain health, based on the latest research. Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease | BrightFocus Foundation
Making health care decisions for someone at the end of life can be overwhelming. It can be even more difficult if you don’t have written or verbal guidance from them. If you’re making care decisions without specific guidance, one helpful tip is to reflect on whether they have ever expressed an opinion about someone else’s end-of-life treatment that you can factor into your decisions.
Making Decisions for Someone at the End of Life | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
DailyCaring offer tips for calming your loved one when they are agitated and upset. 14 Ways to Calm Dementia Screaming and Crying – DailyCaring
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