ACA Walk Kick Off , 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/.
Shoot for a Cure, 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/.
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)
Free virtual Dementia Family Conference, September 24, from Due West UMC, will feature local experts: Lynda Everman, Don Wendorf, Ellen and Danny Potts.
https://www.lovingthroughdementia.org/2022dementiafamilyconference.html
August/September Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, August 30, 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:
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise awareness around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia. This year’s campaign will highlight the importance of community support for families facing the challenges of dementia. https://www.alzint.org/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month/
Veterans with Parkinson’s deserve the very best health care after their service to our country, where many were put at risk of disease when exposed to dangerous chemicals and traumatic brain injury. Right now, Congress is considering whether to add $12 million in new funding for specialized care centers for veterans with Parkinson’s throughout the country. Ask Congress to give the Veterans Health Administration the funding they need to ensure veterans with Parkinson’s have access to care. Ask Congress to Support Veterans Living with Parkinson’s | Parkinson’s Disease (michaeljfox.org)
Urge your members of Congress to build upon the past decade of progress by updating and expanding the work of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) which is set to expire in 2025. This legislation and the work of so many dedicated advocates have paved the way for our nation to address Alzheimer’s disease. The NAPA Reauthorization Act is a critical piece of legislation that seeks to continue this effort. Adding your name takes only a couple of minutes but can have a huge and positive impact on the 6.5 million Americans living with dementia and their 11 million unpaid caregivers: https://p2a.co/ZvqFmar
Listen to episode 23 of BrainStorm, with Meryl Comer as she speaks with Dr. Glenda Wrenn Gordon, President of Mindoula Clinical Services, about the critical role technology and telehealth can play in the early detection of dementia and support of caregivers. Glenda Wrenn Gordon, MD, MSHP – The Power of Telehealth | UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (usagainstalzheimers.org)
Older adults with atrial cardiopathy, even before symptoms develop, may have up to 35% higher risk for dementia, new research suggests. Atrial cardiopathy, characterized by abnormal size and function of the left atrium, has been associated with an increased risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation, and because both stroke and AF are associated with an increased dementia risk, the authors write, it was important to investigate whether atrial cardiopathy is linked to dementia. Atrial Cardiopathy Linked to 35% Higher Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
Watching TV may increase your risk of dementia, while using a computer may lower it, new research suggests. The relationship to dementia with these activities remained strong no matter how much physical activity a person did. Both watching TV and using a computer have been linked to increased risk of chronic disease and mortality, while exercise and physical activity have shown benefit in reducing cognitive decline, structural brain atrophy, and dementia risk in older adults. The study authors said they wanted to try to understand the effects of watching TV and using computers on dementia risk, because people in the United States and Europe have been engaging in both of these activities more often. They concluded that it’s not the sitting part of sedentary behavior that potentially has the effect on dementia but what people are doing while sitting. Watching TV, Using Computer Have Opposite Ties to Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
An artificial intelligence model can detect Parkinson’s disease, assess its severity, and track its progression using nocturnal breathing signals, new research suggests. In a large dataset study, the model accurately detected persons with PD from those without the disease with both high sensitivity and specificity. It also recognized persons with PD before they had received an actual diagnosis. The results highlight the model’s potential as a digital PD biomarker. AI Uses Nocturnal Breathing Patterns to Detect Parkinson’s (medscape.com)
In a letter to the editor published in Science responding to the journal’s recent article on the apparent manipulation of data in a 2006 study of amyloid-β, two respected Alzheimer’s researchers state that the piece “overstates and distorts the effect of this paper on the Alzheimer’s field” and “does not threaten the ‘reigning theory’ of Alzheimer’s pathobiology, known as the ‘amyloid hypothesis’. https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/blog/letter-leading-alz-researchers-journal-overstates-and-distorts-influence-flawed-2016-study
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. STAR Lab Flyer
Researchers at UAB are conducting a studying the effects of a live online acceptance and commitment program (ACT) in family caregivers. Participants who complete the study are given $150 compensation. See attached flyer. Contact Lauren Edwards: laurenme@uab.edu or 205-996-1488.
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