ACA’s Weekly Email February 17, 2023

Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the actor’s family said in a statement released today. “Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” the family said. “We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”   Inform yourself about FTD and AFTD’s work to address it.

 The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas kick off their Brain Health Week 2023 on Monday, February 20.  BrainHealth Week is a five-day, interactive event to inspire healthy-brain habits that can easily become part of our daily routines. Each day focuses on a theme, such as mental clarity, connectedness, and emotional balance.  To participate in BrainHealth Week, text the word BRAIN to 888-844-8991.  You will receive a daily text throughout the week of February 20 with a new habit to try out, the science behind it, and how it can help improve brain health. This is a great chance to learn more about how we maintain brain health and reduce the risk of developing dementia.

 Being Patient’s recently hosted an “Ask Me Anything” chat with Positive Approach to Care founder and dementia care expert Teepa Snow.  As an Occupational Therapist with over 40 years of clinical and academic experience, Snow’s mission is to shed a positive light on dementia. That’s why she founded the GEMS State Model for understanding the progression of dementia.  Her company, Positive Approach to Care (PAC), provides online and in-person education and products to support those living with brain change. Watch the interview here: Live “Ask Me Anything” with Teepa Snow, dementia caregiver expert extraordinaire.

DailyCaring found an excellent stress reduction tool called Virtual Hope Box. It’s a free smartphone app that’s been proven to work.Virtual Hope Box helps you manage caregiver stress by breaking the cycle of negative thoughts and putting effective coping tools at your fingertips.  It’s specifically built to discourage hopelessness, a feeling that often plagues caregivers.  The app has relaxation exercises, inspirational quotes, photos and videos that uplift you, coping cards, and quick games for distraction. The app was originally created by clinical psychologists working for the U.S. Military.  Today, many people use the app is used to cope with a variety of challenging situations. https://dailycaring.com/manage-caregiver-stress-with-a-useful-smartphone-app/?utm_source=DailyCaring&utm_campaign=3434db3ea3-DC_Email_2023-02-16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_57c250b62e-3434db3ea3-123515277

Drinking one or two cocktails a day may protect against dementia, while having three or more could increase risk, new research suggests.  Investigators assessed dementia risk using changes in alcohol consumption over a 2-year period in nearly four million people in Korea. After about 7 years, dementia was 21% less likely in mild drinkers and 17% less likely in moderate drinkers. Heavy drinking was linked to an 8% increased risk.  Other studies of the relationship between alcohol and dementia have yielded mixed results, and this study does little to clear those murky waters. Nor do the results mean that drinking is recommended, the investigators note. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/988054

Getting an older adult to bathe is a struggle for many family caregivers.  At a minimum, bathing once or twice a week helps most seniors avoid skin breakdown and infections.  Showering or bathing in the tub are the easiest and most thorough ways to clean the body.  But if your older adult absolutely refuses or has limited mobility, a sponge bath will do just as well.  Using warm washcloths to wipe armpits, groin, genitals, feet, and any skin folds also helps minimize body odor in between full baths.  DailyCaring offers tips to minimize bath time struggles:  https://dailycaring.com/senior-bathing-whats-really-necessary/

Watch Alzheimer’s Disease International’s first fireside chat.  The 30-minute conversation between ADI CEO Paola Barbarino and Dr Alireza Atri, Chair of ADI’s Medical and Scientific Panel touches on:  monoclonal antibodies; vaccines and non-communicable diseases; the role of supplements and vitamins; Oligomanate, the algae-derived drug; and the importance of non-pharmacological interventions. YouTube channel.

Did you know that the health of your brain and your heart are connected? By keeping your heart healthy, you also lower your risk for brain problems such as stroke and dementia. Heart disease, stroke, and vascular dementia are preventable. Take these steps to reduce your risk:  control your blood pressure; eat healthy foods and limit alcohol; get diabetes under control; don’t smoke; stay active. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/brain_health.htm

About one third of older adults have some form of vision problems or loss by age 65, and nearly 50% of people older than 75 have disabling hearing loss. The decline or loss of smell can also significantly affect quality of life. Many older adults consider sensory decline to be something that they must learn to live with, yet there are treatment options available.  Scientists are studying whether the risk of cognitive problems can be reduced when these conditions are treated — with glasses, eye surgery, hearing aids, or other health care approaches. Learn what NIA-funded scientists are learning about sensory decline and dementia risk.