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 17, 2021

Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!  Happy New Year!!

ACA’s weekly Dementia Community Calendar will resume January 7.

Webinar with Rita Jablonski, Monday, December 20, 10 am CT.  Rita Jablonski PhD, CRNP, FGSA, FAAN is an internationally-renowned researcher focused on improving the lives of older adults, especially those with dementia who reside in nursing homes. Click here to register. The goals of the webinar:
Identify ways to reduce anxious behavior; learn how to adapt holiday activities;
Develop an all-purpose script for dealing with criticism from well-meaning family and friends.

Alabama Lifespan Respite webinars:  https://alabamarespite.org/

  • Men as Caregivers, December 18, 10 CT
  • Managing Depression During the Holidays, December 20, 6 CT
  • Break:  Breathe in.  Relax.  Enjoy life.  Appreciate All.  Know rest is vital,          December 21, 10 CT
  • The Working Caregiver, December 27th, 6 CT

In-person and zoom Support Groups:

Alzheimer’s News:

We all know that holidays can be a stressful time of the year for those with memory loss. However, holidays can also be a time of enrichment, memories, and enjoyment given the right opportunities. Winter-Bulletin-2021-Making-Holidays-Fun-Final (mcusercontent.com)

Local author and Alzheimer’s advocate, Reneee Harmon, MD, offers 3 blogposts about holiday coping:

The many years, careers and dollars spent in pursuit of a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia finally led on 7 June 2021 to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Biogen’s anti-Aβ monoclonal antibody aducanumab (Aduhelm). Yet this landmark moment has not been a cause of universal celebration. Rather, it has unleashed a storm of controversy in the scientific and lay press, with people on both sides of the argument certain that they are correct.  Aducanumab and the Certainty of Evidence (medscape.com)

Last month, Medicare announced one of the largest increases ever in its “Part B” monthly premium for outpatient care, nearly $22, from $148.50 currently to $170.10 starting in January.  The agency attributed roughly half the hike, about $11 a month, to the need for a contingency fund to cover Aduhelm, a new $56,000 Alzheimer’s drug from Biogen whose benefits have been widely questioned. For most Medicare enrollees, the premium is deducted from their Social Security checks. Medicare urged to flex its power and slash back premium hike | Modern Healthcare

The UK’s leading dementia research charity has released a joint action plan on understanding, promoting, and protecting brain health in English football (soccer) put forward by the Football Association.  The FA plan will seek to:  conduct research to better understand the reasons former professional soccer players have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases; increase both awareness and education; and support current players and those with disorders such as Alzheimer’s.  Alzheimer’s Research UK Welcomes Pro Soccer Plan for Brain Health (alzheimersnewstoday.com)

What kinds of exercise should individuals with Alzheimer’s disease be doing?  The Best Exercise for People with Alzheimer’s Disease | BrightFocus Foundation

Given that housework involves physical activity and is an indicator of the ability to live independently, researchers explored whether doing household chores might contribute to healthy aging and boost physical and mental capacity among older adults.  Researchers found housework is linked to sharper memory, attention span, and better leg strength, and by extension, greater protection against falls in older adults.  Housework linked to sharper memory and better falls protection in older adults (medicalxpress.com)

AFTD continues to make important steps toward achieving their mission of improving quality of life for those with FTD. The Fall 2021 issue of AFTD News highlights recent efforts to better inform the community about FTD genetics and educate federal regulators about this disease.  AFTD’s Voice of the Patient reportsummarizes and analyzes the perspectives of those who participated in the AFTD-hosted Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting. Also check out the new FTD Genetics section of their website.

Read geriatrician, Mark Williams, MD, thoughts on sundowning.   “My sundowning observations on the airplane made me realize that we all sundown — it’s just that most of us can compensate for it.”  We All Sundown, Don’t We? (medscape.com)

Great Holiday gift giving guides for seniors from 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 

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