Alzheimer's of Central Alabama

Serving people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and professionals in central Alabama through education, caregiver services and research grants.

ACA’s Weekly Email December 15, 2023

Join ACA for a Support Group Christmas Reunion Celebration on Tuesday, December 19, from 12:30 – 2, after our regular zoom meeting.  Please plan to come by the ACA office (300 Office Park Drive, Suite 225, 35223) for some holiday cheer!

Support Group Meetings:

 

January Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/

Alzheimer’s News:

Specific Personality Traits May Influence Dementia Risk.  People who are extroverted and conscientious and have a positive outlook may be at lower dementia risk, whereas those who score highly for neuroticism and have a negative outlook may be at increased risk, new research suggests.    Researchers looked at eight longitudinal studies with 44,531 adults, who were followed for up to 21 years.  They examined the link between the “big five” personality traits (conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness) and subjective well-being (positive and negative affect and life satisfaction) and clinical symptoms of dementia (cognitive test performance) and neuropathology at autopsy. High neuroticism, negative affect, and low conscientiousness were risk factors for dementia, whereas conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect were protective. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/specific-personality-traits-may-influence-dementia-risk-2023a1000uyu?ecd=wnl_dne1_231212_MSCPEDIT_etid6149042&uac=407526BK&impID=6149042

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s provided this summary of 2023 Alzheimer’s accomplishments. 

  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug that, for the first time ever, slows the progression of Alzheimer’s;
  • UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and our dedicated supporters and advocates helped get Medicare, for the first time ever, to cover that drug;
  • The FDA also approved, for the first time ever, a drug that helps with agitation in people at more advanced stages;
  • Medicare removed its long-standing policy limiting coverage for PET scans to just one in a person’s lifetime. As a crucial tool in early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease, expanding PET scan coverage is another win for people living with Alzheimer’s;
  • Federal funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health increased by $226 million, bringing annual federal research funding to more than $3.7 billion.

Final results of the pivotal twin phase 3 studies of gantenerumab in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) confirm that the investigational antiamyloid agent lowered amyloid plaque burden but did not slow clinical decline in patients with early AD.  In a statement the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), said there is a growing consensus that optimal Alzheimer’s treatment strategies will require an arsenal of drugs that target the broader underlying biology of the disease in addition to clearing amyloid plaques. Today’s drug pipeline is incredibly promising, where around 75% of drugs in development are targeting novel pathways based on the biology of aging including inflammation, metabolic disturbances, vascular disease, and more.  Like with cancer, the goal is to develop multiple drugs that can be used in combination with one another for a precision-medicine approach based on each patient’s individual biomarker profile, ultimately stopping Alzheimer’s in its tracks.  We now have the capabilities to conduct more rigorous, biomarker-powered trials, allowing us to measure the effectiveness of the next generation of drugs and bring them to market more efficiently than ever for the millions of patients and their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s.  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/998715?src=FYE#vp_2

Read AFTD’s 2023 Impact Report, titled Every FTD Story Counts, for more persons diagnosed, care partners, volunteers, researchers, and healthcare professionals – showing that every story counts as they seek to improve the journey for the next family.  https://www.theaftd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Impact-Report-2023-Web.pdf?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2023+Impact+Report&utm_term=Every+FTD+Story+Counts&utm_id=75557&skey=0033A00002BUyQfQAL&content=%%_emailcontent%%

A new falls decision rule could help emergency department (ED) physicians understand which older adults need CT imaging to identify intracranial bleeding after a fall, a study suggests.  The falls decision rule states that there is no need for a head CT scan if the patient did not hit his or her head, the patient can recall the events of the fall, there is no new neurological deficit on examination, and the patient requires no additional help for any activities of daily living, including housework, driving, and finances.  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/when-do-older-adults-need-ct-ed-after-fall-2023a1000u77?src=FYE

The largest study to date of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in young athletes shows that 41% had the neurodegenerative disease, caused by repetitive head impacts (RHIs).  Analysis of brain tissue from athletes who were exposed to RHIs and died before the age of 30 revealed neuropathological evidence of shrinkage of the brain and microscopic changes that indicate a breach of the blood–brain barrier.  Nearly all of those with CTE had a mild form of the disease and 71% played only at the amateur level in youth, high school, or college sports. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995923?ecd=mkm_ret_231209_mscpmrk_neuro_tbi_etid6136626&uac=407526BK&impID=6136626#vp_2

What comes to mind when you think of the holiday season? For most, the holidays are a time of warmth, harmony, and togetherness for friends and family. However, they can also be a source of stress for caregivers who are worried about their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. If you are a caregiver having mixed feelings towards the upcoming holiday season, Alzheimer’s Orange Co. offers 9 tips to ensure a wonderful and meaningful experience for both you and your loved one:

  • Let them help: Celebrate the holidays that are important to you, while including the person with Alzheimer’s as much as possible. Involve them in simple preparation tasks, or have them observe you to familiarize them with upcoming festivities – not only does this prepare them for the celebrations, but can give them the pleasure of helping, anticipating, and reminiscing.
  • Enjoy What You Love: If there are events or activities that you wish to attend but your loved one cannot, try to find a way to go yourself. It is always crucial that caregivers be able to have a break and enjoy time to themselves – if needed, ask a friend or family member to watch over the person with Alzheimer’s while you are away.
  • Set Boundaries with Guests: Encourage your friends and family to visit, but remember to set your own limits and communicate them clearly. You may feel obligated to keep participating in festivities despite feeling tired, or if the person with Alzheimer’s needs your attention. Remember that you do not have to live up to the expectations of your friends and relatives – you are in a place of responsibility to both yourself and the person with Alzheimer’s, and should only do as much as you are capable of.
  • Use Props or Distractions: Prepare quiet distractions to use such as a family photo album or a favorite food, in case the person with Alzheimer’s becomes overstimulated or upset.
  • Stay with a Routine: Keep the memory-impaired person’s routine as close to normal as possible to prevent confusion or overstimulation.
  • Be Mindful of Overstimulating Situations: Avoid situations that may confuse or frustrate the person with Alzheimer’s, such as crowds, changes in routine, and unfamiliarplaces. Many public settings can get overcrowded during the holiday season, and it is important to be mindful of spaces with excessive noise and stimulation – even in private gatherings, it is best to limit the number of friends and family you have in one place.
  • Prepare Your Guests:  Explain what Alzheimer’s disease is and does to an afflicted person, that a visit with the person with Alzheimer’s may be difficult, and give examples of unusual behaviors that are a result of the disease and not of intention. Also emphasize that even if the person with Alzheimer’s does not remember names and information, it is the joy of having company and the meaningfulness of the moment that matters more.
  • Prepare Your Loved One: Try to help prepare the person with Alzheimer’s for festivities and meeting new people. You can do this by showing the person photos of the guests a week prior to the event, or even arranging a phone call that will give your guests an idea of what to expect and the person with Alzheimer’s the opportunity to become familiar.
  • Get Rest: The last tip to help you during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season -is to make sure to find time for adequate rest! Holidays are a time of celebration, but they are also a time of rest and recovery. Balance your activities and the needs of both you and your loved one to have fun, but also maintain your energy.

Give the gift of Alzheimer’s artwork this holiday season.  ACA’s 2024 calendar, Caregiver Voices, is available for $15.  Packs of 6 notecards featuring original artwork are available for $12. (Prices include shipping).  Visit alzca.org/calendars – to order your holiday gifts today.

Holiday Resources from DailyCaring: 

Being Patient offers 9 Good Gift Ideas for People With Alzheimer’s or Dementia:  https://www.beingpatient.com/holiday-gifts-dementia/?utm_source=Being+Patient+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2cce4631d2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_06_03_59_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_95b92454c1-2cce4631d2-109213217

Relish offers a wide range of Alzheimer’s and dementia products that bring joy and engagement to people at any stage of their dementia journey. They are great for the elderly too. https://relish-life.com/us/all-dementia-products?utm_source=Newsletter%20Subscribers%20US&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gift%20guide%20for%20Christmas%20US&_kx=oUeL1bsu20J6yN7A0NQfXfgi6blalbbb7wdj5dwW6wc%3D.Uv5g2d

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