Shoot for a Cure rescheduled for Friday, September 16, noon! ACA Board President, Doug DeMedicis, is hosting the event at the Red Door Gym in Trussville. Doug will attempt to make 25 free throw shots. Family and supporters can make a donation or pledge per shot made in memory of Doug’s sister, Dale Evans. This will be the 9th annual Shoot for a Cure and the event has raised over $60,000. Doug recently made 95 out of 100 shots – 70 of them consecutive! https://alzca.org/.
The Walk Kick Off will be Thursday, September 1, 4:30 – 6, in the ACA parking lot, 300 Office Park Drive. We’re going retro and bringing back, Peace, Love, Walk as our theme for Walking to Remember, set for November 5. If you’d like to learn more about the Walk or if you plan to participate as a team leader join us for Carlisle’s BBQ and a fun time! Walk Team Leaders t-shirts will be available. Contact Vance Holder, vholder@alzca.org or https://alzca.org/.
August Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
19th Annual Alzheimer’s Professional & Family Caregiver Conference, August 26, Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/19th-annual-alzheimers-professional-family-caregiver-conference-tickets-381131543707
Webinar August 31, 11 – noon CT. The Global-US BrainTrust dialogue will convene Alzheimer’s experts and advocates to examine some of the key issues in Alzheimer’s disease. Experts will share insights on the importance of early diagnosis, and the power of music as it pertains to brain health. Global-US Brain Trust Quarterly Dialogue: Trending Issues in Alzheimer’s Prevention (google.com)
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, August 23, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 ormpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86450491838
- 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 Betsy Smith, Smith35213@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.
Alzheimer’s News:
Dementia caregivers needed for research study! A research lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is conducting a study to learn more about the health and well-being of dementia caregivers. See attached flyer. Contact: starlab@uab.eduat 205-538-0427.
Rural caregivers needed for a zoom meeting with folks making a PBS documentary about living with neurocognitive disorders. PBS is very interested in learning more about rural caregivers in Alabama. They aren’t recording the film yet, but are gathering info. The film will be released nationwide on PBS when it is complete. Contact Nicole Ruggiano:nruggiano@ua.edu or 205-348-4654.
Engaging in physical, cognitive, and social activities can all help lower risk for dementia, new research suggests. Results from a large meta-analysis showed cognitive activities, such as reading, participating in handicrafts, and playing games or a musical instrument, appeared to have the greatest effect. It was associated with a 23% reduced risk for dementia. Engaging in physical activities, including walking, dancing, running, swimming, and cycling, was associated with a decreased dementia risk of 17%; social activities, such as visiting with others, attending a social club or a class, and participating in volunteer work, was associated with a decreased risk of 7%. Can Walking, Reading, Crafting Curb Dementia Risk? (medscape.com)
Dietary supplements are a $40 billion dollar industry, but the marketing claims made by these products, which are not regulated the Food and Drug Administration, making this medical empire more of a “wild west.” The industry also employs celebrity spokespersons like Neuriva Plus commercials feature Big Bang Theory star and Jeopardy co-host Mayim Bialik. Despite big claims by these supplements’ makers and by their celebrity spokespersons, credible, peer-reviewed studies have shown that, generally, dietary supplements don’t have meaningful physical or cognitive health benefits for otherwise healthy people. In fact, some studies have shown that they may cause harm due to undeclared, dangerous or illegal ingredients. Being Patient looks at the latest supplement, mucuna, sometimes called “dopamine bean” or “dopa mucuna.” Dopamine Bean: Do Dopa Mucuna Supplements Work? – Being Patient
The Lancet Commission found hearing loss is the number one modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s. As soon as mid-October people dealing with hearing loss will be able to buy hearing aids without a doctor’s prescription. The White House announced that the FDA will move forward with plans to make hearing aids available over the counter in pharmacies, other retail locations, and online. Hearing Aids Available in October Without a Prescription (medscape.com)
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection may activate dormant herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), leading to neuroinflammation and accumulation of Alzheimer disease (AD)–related proteins in the brain, new research suggests. The results suggest one pathway to Alzheimer’s disease, caused by a VZV infection which creates inflammatory triggers that awaken HSV in the brain. Mechanistic Link Between Herpes Virus, Alzheimer’s Revealed? (medscape.com)
Microglia act as the brain’s immune system. Ordinary immune cells can’t cross the blood-brain barrier, so it’s the task of healthy microglia to clear out waste and toxins, keeping neurons functioning at their best. When microglia start losing their way, the result can be brain inflammation and damage to neurons and the networks they form. New research looks at how to shift damaged brain cells from a diseased state into a healthy one thus presenting a potential new path to treating Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Could the Brain’s Cleaning Crew Mop Up Alzheimer’s? | Technology Networks
The Conversation Project is a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. They’ve created an excellent free Conversation Starter Kit specifically for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Having a guide makes these extra-challenging conversations a little bit easier.
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