ACA’s Weekly Email, Februrary 7, 2025

Understanding Blood-Based Biomarkers, AFA webinar, February 11, noon CT.  Learn about what blood-based biomarkers can and cannot tell you about your health, why they matter when it comes to dementia, and the role they play in early detection, treatment, and scientific research towards a cure.  https://alzfdn.org/event/understanding-early-intervention-access-to-trials-and-blood-based-biomarkers/

Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s workshop, February 15, 10 am – noon, featuring Miller Piggott, ACA Executive Director, at the Guiding Light Church, 1800 John Rogers Drive, 35210.  For more information contact Natalie Washington at 205-807-1826.   

The Alzheimer’s Association’s is hosting a Caregiver Conference, February 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive, 35223.  Contact Billy Curtis for more information:  bmcurtis@alz.org.

The Dawn Series: Learn how to better relate to and care for your family and friends experiencing brain change caused by dementia, Wednesdays 3:00-4:00, February 12-March 19, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church.  The DAWN Method is special, intuitive, and rooted in love. Even with brain change due to dementia, people retain primary thinking skills, such as living in the present and enjoying beauty and companionship. Understanding the DAWN Method helps strengthen relationships in families and among friends. Join this 6-week book discussion with facilitators Susanna Whitsett  (Executive Director of Founders Place Respite) and Sandy Porter (Director of Congregational Care at Saint Luke’s Church). To sign up, please click here:   https://forms.gle/wQFhSdtsbvjjiTE39 or, contact Susanna (swhitsett@saint-lukes.com, 205.802.6217) or Sandy (sporter@saint-lukes.com, 205.802.6207)

Managing Difficult Dementia Behaviors Without Antipsychotic Medications, with Phronsie Owens, BS, RN, CADDCT, CDP, Coach, February 27, 2:00pm – 4:00 pm. This class provides 8 difficult dementia behaviors with interventions and rationale. Regency Retirement Village of Birmingham, 385 West Oxmoor Road, 35209, 256-441-4544.

Support Group Meetings:

• ACA’s support group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, February 11, 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 Robin Montgomery, robin.montgomery@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, 4^th 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, 3^rd 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 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway atmdunaway@asburyonline.org.
• AFTD support group,  second Tuesday of the month.  Amber Guy: 251-281-5344.
• Discovery United Methodist Church, Hoover, 2^nd 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.

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

Alzheimer’s News:

Being Patient has launched “Journey to Diagnosis”.  It’s a campaign to create a multimedia platform for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia to take the reins in sharing their stories of their earliest signs, and what came after. The folks at Being Patient believe this community’s collective insights are essential to a better understanding of brain health science, diagnosis, and care — not just for patients and caregivers, but for healthcare providers and innovators in this industry who simply can’t do their jobs well unless they actually understand a patient’s lived experience. This is an opportunity to share your journey to diagnosis or that of a loved one. Behind the stories shared so far are the foot soldiers who are changing the world’s perception of what it is like to live with dementia. We are not only learning about the earliest signs of dementia, but also how to redefine — and reclaim — what life means after a diagnosis. Being Patient was so impressed by Mark Sennet, for example, using his talent as a celebrity photographer to turn the lens on others with a diagnosis, that they produced a mini-documentary on Mark’s amazing story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIkmm2Q4d_c.  Each and every voice turns into a larger movement of dispelling the stigma of living with dementia. Share your story here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRKQvzV2TzxNkp1QzfzbS5Fa0Uo0d1TTcLbiQbKkbrHD43dw/viewform

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s A-LIST® is an online study where people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, mild cognitive impairment, and their loved ones come together to research the experience of living with this disease and caring for a loved one. Their What Matters Most Insights surveys ask about the issues we care about. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s uses anonymous survey results to make life better for our community by ensuring policymakers, researchers, health care providers, insurers, drug developers and others who serve our community understand and consider your insights and preferences.  UsAgainstAlzheimer’s “Measuring What Matters Most in Alzheimer’s Disease Next Generation: Phase 2 Study” (WMM) is now ready to include people with vascular dementia.  his important Study was developed by The Alzheimer’s Disease Patient and Caregiver Engagement (AD PACE) Initiative.  If you or your loved one have/has vascular dementia, take the Preliminary Survey to see if you qualify for the AD PACE Study.   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GENUP?uid=%5Buid_value%5D?uid=MTk1MTQwNzQwNzQzMTg=

Soprano Renée Fleming, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and actor David Hyde Pierce share more than their notable careers; they are also co-executive producers of “Facing the Wind,” a new documentary spotlighting Lewy body dementia. The film follows three couples as they face the intense challenges of this form of dementia, testing their vows of enduring love and commitment through “sickness and in health.”  Lewy body dementia impacts cognition, movement and behavior. Symptoms often include memory problems, confusion, tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and fluctuations. Lewy body dementia, the second most common form of progressive dementia, affects more than 1.4 million Americans, but is still not widely known and understood.  Watch the trailer here:https://vimeo.com/ondemand/facingthewind

Although it’s warm here in Alabama this weekend, be mindful that the dangers of wandering or getting lost can affect anyone living with dementia, and the dangers are magnified in cold, winter weather. It’s essential for family caregivers to know the risk factors and warning signs that can lead to wandering, address them, and create an emergency response plan.  Wandering happens when changes in the brain disrupt memory, reasoning, and awareness. This behavior is often linked to disorientation, confusion, or an urge to follow old routines.  Here are some reasons behind this behavior:

• Confusion about time or place: Some may think they need to “go home” or return to a former job — even if they’re already in a safe environment.
• Unmet needs: A person might wander while looking for a bathroom, food, or comfort.
• Restlessness or energy: Dementia can sometimes cause restlessness — and wandering may be a way to relieve it.
• Stress and anxiety: Crowded or unfamiliar places can make people with dementia feel overwhelmed and prompt them to leave.
• Memory recall: In some cases, wandering could be linked to a desire to recreate a memory, or complete a task that made sense in the past.

Here are 6 strategies to help keep your loved one safe:

1. Prep for winter conditions. Winter weather poses additional challenges for caregivers of people living with dementia, but a little prep can go a long way. Dressing loved ones in warm, layered clothing and sturdy footwear helps protect against the cold and reduce the risk of slipping on icy surfaces. Keeping blankets, flashlights, and other emergency supplies on hand for unexpected situations, like power outages.
2. Wandering might be a form of communication, especially if verbal skills are impaired. Watching for signs of fear, stress, or overstimulation and offering reassurance can help prevent wandering. Pay attention to nonverbal cues. Wandering often stems from unmet needs or emotions that the person may not be able to express verbally. Signs such as tugging on clothing might indicate a need to use the bathroom, while pacing could suggest anxiety or restlessness. Recognizing these cues and addressing them quickly can make a big difference.
3. Make the home a safe space. Certain items, like car keys, coats, or bags left near doors, can act as visual prompts for someone to leave unexpectedly. Keeping these items out of sight can reduce the risk. Installing door alarms, motion sensors, or smart doorbells that send alerts to a caregiver can add another layer of security. These tools can be especially useful for preventing someone from exiting unnoticed.
4. Understand your person’s patterns and triggers. Many people with dementia have specific times of day when they are more prone to wandering. Identifying these patterns and planning engaging activities during these periods can help redirect their focus. Ensuring good sleep hygiene can also reduce nighttime wandering. Keeping a log of wandering incidents—including when and where they occur—can provide valuable insights for future planning.
5. Pin down a safety plan. Being prepared can make a significant difference in an emergency. Keep important information, such as a recent, close-up photo of your person, their medical details, and a list of familiar places the person might go, readily available. Share this information with neighbors and ask them to alert you if they see your loved one outside alone. Involving the person with dementia in safety planning, when possible, helps to promote a sense of security.
6. Put community resources to use. Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama partners with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to provide Project Lifesaver that provides a bracelet that emits a radio tracking signal that first responders can use to locate the person who has wandered.   Eighty people at risk for wandering wore an ACA Project Lifesaver bracelet in 2024.  Contact ACA at 205-871-7970.  Adapted from: https://www.beingpatient.com/winter-wandering-in-dementia-prevention/

Learn about AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship. There are two ways to participate. First, AFA is recruiting volunteer readers to review and score essays submitted by college-bound high school seniors who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s. Readers will receive 10 essays and instructions for scoring. Once completed, you will return essays to the AFA team to determine who moves on to the next round. The time commitment is no more than an hour of your time (often less) and gives you insight into how dementia is affecting youth across the country. The stories are heartbreaking AND inspiring. Second, AFA is encouraging high school seniors from across the country to describe their experience with Alzheimer’s for the opportunity to be awarded $5,000.  Deadline is March 1, 2025. If you know a high school senior who would like to share their story, please share this link: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America | AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship (alzfdn.org)