There is still time to support ACA’s annual Christmas Care Baskets. Join in supporting families served by Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (ACA) by sponsoring a Christmas Carebasket with a donation of $50. Baskets will be delivered to a family in need caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. East basket includes a variety of meats, prepared meals, holiday snacks, a variety of additional food items, personal care and household goods. These items are valued at $125 per basket. Special thanks to this year’s Care Basket Corporate Sponsor and our Corporate Award Winner for 2024 Christy and Allen Baynes of Lifecare Solutions. Christmas Baskets – Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama
Two ways to celebrate the season with your loved one:
- Encore at Canterbury Methodist Church is hosting their annual Christmas concert, December 17, at 1:00 pm. 350 Overbrook Road, Mountain Brook.
- Founders Place, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will offer their annual Advent Communion Service, December 20, at 11 am, in Graham Hall, with a reception to follow. All are invited and encouraged to attend. The service is designed to be accessible, inclusive and casual. 3736 Montrose Road, Mountain Brook.
If you are out looking at the holiday lights, go by 3628 Locksley Drive, Mountain Brook, 35223. Matt Crane and family have put on a fantastic light show. Every year he accepts donations and this year ACA will benefit from his light show!
Support Group Meetings:
- ACA’s support group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, December 17, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85247427423
- CJFS CARES, Mondays at 3 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- St Lukes Episcopal Church on Tuesdays at 10:15. Contact Betsy Smith (smith35213@gmail.com) or Janis Cole (janiscarole3@aol.com).
- West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesdays, contact Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.org.
- M4A’s Caregiver Support Group, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 10 – 11:30 am, Montevallo. Contact Robyn James, rjames@m4a.org.
- The Oaks on Parkwood, 4th Tuesday’s, 10:00 am, Contact: Karen Glover, karenrglover@gmail.com.
- 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
- Eastaboga, 2nd Tuesday, 6:00 pm. Contact Julie Slagle jslagle@lakesidehospice.org
- Trussville, 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm. Contact Julie Slagle jslagle@lakesidehospice.org
- M4A virtual support group, 3rd Wednesdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Contact Chalane Mims, cmims@m4a.org.
- Trinity United Methodist Church, every Thursday at 2:30 pm, contact Ernie at 205-370-0032 or email ewillis@trinitybirmimgham.com.
- Asbury United Methodist Church 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
- AFTD support group, second Tuesday of the month. Amber Guy: 251-281-5344.
- Discovery United Methodist Church, Hoover, 2nd and 4th Thursdays 10:30-noon. Peggy Harrison: pharrison@discoveryumc.org.
- St. Mark’s UMC, Vestavia Hills, Fridays at 1 pm. Contact Donna Baird: (205)717-9880.
December Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
Alzheimer’s News:
For some family caregivers, the holidays can be a joyful time when spirits are lighter. It feels good to care for loved ones and enjoy being together, celebrating with family traditions. But for many the holidays also bring added stress. Caregivers are already busy, and there’s even more to do during the holidays. AARP offers 11 tips for coping: 11 Tips for Caregivers to Deal With Holiday Stress
DailyCaring offers these gift ideas:
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s applauds the signing of the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, a historic piece of legislation that will significantly accelerate progress in Alzheimer’s research and improve care for the millions of individuals and families affected by the disease. This includes expanding access to early detection tools, improving caregiver support services, and advancing community outreach initiatives. George Vradenburg, Chair and Co-Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, issued the following statement in response to the signing of the BOLD Act into law: “The BOLD Reauthorization Act is a testament to the bipartisan commitment to address one of the most pressing health challenges facing our nation. By reauthorizing this law, Congress has ensured that public health departments will be fully equipped to apply significant interventions for prevention, early diagnosis, and improved care. We commend and remain grateful to the lawmakers who recognized the urgency of this crisis and acted swiftly in signing this law into effect. This is a win for millions of Americans who face the daily realities of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and it is a major step forward in the fight to end the disease.” BOLD Act Signed into Law to Strengthen Alzheimer’s Research and Support | UsAgainstAlzheimer’s
On December 10, Alzheimer’s Disease International hosted its inaugural End of Year Forecast: Translating the Alzheimer’s Treatment Revolution into Real World Solutions, bringing together a global audience to shed light on the groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of Alzheimer’s treatments. The event explored the most promising developments and latest insights in Alzheimer’s research and treatments. Get the latest on the future of Alzheimer’s treatments and learn how these innovations could impact you in 2025 and beyond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txm3J-mwNH8
A growing body of research explores the link between stroke risk and regular consumption of coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol. This research roundup reviews the latest findings, highlighting both promising insights and remaining uncertainties. One study found high coffee consumption (> 4 cups daily) was associated with an significantly increased risk for all strokes, while low to moderate coffee had no link to increased stroke risk. In contrast, tea consumption was associated with lower odds of all stroke. The protective effect of coffee and tea on stroke risk may be driven, in part, by flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as positive effects on vascular function. There really isn’t any convincing evidence that diet soda has much impact on human health at all. Most observational studies are mixed and likely very confounded by other diet and lifestyle factors. Evidence on alcohol use and stroke risk have been mixed over the years. For decades, the evidence was suggestive that a moderate amount of alcohol daily (one to two drinks in men and one drink in women) may be beneficial at reducing major vascular outcomes. Yet, over the past few years, some research has found no evidence of benefit with moderate alcohol intake. And the detrimental effects of excessive alcohol use are clear. Brews, Bubbles, & Booze: Stroke Risk and Favorite Drinks
A novel, quick, and low-cost dementia screening test could significantly improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in primary care settings, according to research presented at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. The test, called qBEANS — short for Quick Behavioral Exam to Advance Neuropsychological Screening — involves patients spooning raw kidney beans into small plastic cups in a specific sequence to assess motor learning, visuospatial memory, and executive function. It requires no technology or wearable sensors, making it accessible and easy to implement. Previous research has shown qBEANS to be sensitive and specific to Alzheimer’s disease pathology, as well as predictive of cognitive and functional decline, the researchers said. However, the current version of the test takes around 7 minutes to administer, which is too long for use in primary care. New Test Offers Quicker Way to Screen for Dementia
The A-LIST® Team is excited to share an important new resource from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.BrainGuide’s new speech-based cognition tool is designed to benefit even more people – especially from Latino and Black communities – who are both at heightened risk for Alzheimer’s disease AND historically underrepresented in drug trials. If you have just 12 minutes, BrainGuide’s Speech Based Assessment will help you and your loved ones better understand your risk for AD. It’s easy to use from any device and available to anyone who can understand and speak English or Spanish.
Vascular dementia is caused when certain conditions, such as stroke, damage the brain’s blood vessels and interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. This common type of dementia can lead to problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Learn more about vascular dementia from the NIA.
Chronic exposure to glyphosate — the most widely used herbicide globally — may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), new research showed. Researchers found that glyphosate exposure even at regulated levels was associated with increased neuroinflammation and accelerated AD-like pathology in mice — an effect that persisted 6 months after a recovery period when exposure was stopped. Glyphosate is the most heavily applied herbicide in the United States, with roughly 300 million pounds used annually in agricultural communities throughout the US. It is also used for weed control in parks, residential areas, and personal gardens. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that glyphosate poses no risks to human health when used as directed. But the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer disagrees, classifying the herbicide as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Common Herbicide a Player in Neurodegeneration?
There’s a name for that feeling you get after spending too long scrolling aimlessly, and Oxford University Press (OUP) has chosen it as its word for the year for 2024. “Brain rot” took the title in a vote in which more than 37,000 people participated, as well as public commentary and analysis of OUP’s language data. In a statement OUP, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, defined “brain rot” as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.” While the use of “brain rot” rose 230% this year, it actually first appeared more than a century ago. ‘Brain rot’ is Oxford’s word of the year | CNN