Support Group Meetings:
- ACA’s support group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, January 21, 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, 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 atmdunaway@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.
January Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
Alzheimer’s News:
The number of US adults who will develop dementia each year is projected to increase from approximately 514,000 in 2020 to about 1 million in 2060, new research shows. In addition, the lifetime risk of developing dementia after age 55 is estimated at 42%. The research showed that the relative growth in dementia cases is particularly pronounced for Black adults. These new findings researchers say, “highlight the urgent need for policies that enhance healthy aging, with a focus on health equity.” The aging of the population means that the increased burden of cognitive decline and dementia, particularly among the oldest age group, is going to be significant, and we need to be prepared for it. The often-cited Framingham Heart Study estimates that 11%-14% of men and 19%-23% of women will develop dementia during their lifetime. But, the researchers noted, these estimates were based on a predominantly White, relatively affluent, and well educated cohort, as well as limited means of determining dementia cases. In contrast, this new study is based on a more diverse cohort and used more rigorous methodology. At age 55, researchers estimated the lifetime risk for dementia (up to age 95) to be 42%. The cumulative incidence of dementia remained relatively low between 55 and 75 years of age (3.9%) but rose significantly beyond that. The lifetime risk for dementia was higher in women (48%) vs men (35%) and in Black individuals (44%) vs White individuals (41%). Additionally, Black individuals experienced an earlier median age of dementia onset (79 years) compared with White individuals (82 years). https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/us-dementia-cases-projected-double-within-40-years-2025a10000qn?ecd=wnl_dne2_250114_MSCPEDIT_etid7161232&uac=407526BK&impID=7161232
New evidence–based clinical practice guidelines from the Alzheimer’s Association provide updated recommendations on evaluating individuals suspected of having Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related neurodegenerative disorders. We have entered a new era of improved and emerging biologically-based diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD) that are rapidly impacting evaluation and care paradigms in every clinical setting: primary care, specialty care, and dementia subspecialty care. The integration of biomarkers—following appropriate use guidelines—into a person-centered assessment of each person’s risk profile for various types of dementia (taking into account both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors), symptoms, and signs will add critical value to the diagnostic formulation and care plan for persons in whom there is a clinical concern for AD or an ADRD. The new Diagnostic Evaluation, Testing, Counseling, and Disclosure of suspected Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (DETeCD-ADRD) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) summarizes the process of diagnostic evaluation and disclosure for persons suspected of potentially having cognitive-behavioral impairment due to AD or ADRD, which includes Lewy body disease (LBD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), and a host of other diseases and conditions that may cause or substantially contribute to cognitive-behavioral impairment. This is the first update since 2001 for specialists and the first guideline for primary care physicians. Executive summaries of the guidelines were published in three articles online on December 23 in a special issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.14483. The guidelines provide recommendations for practicing clinicians on the process from start to finish.
A workgroup, jointly convened by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, has revised appropriate use criteria (AUC) for amyloid PET imaging and developed AUC for tau PET imaging. The updated amyloid/tau appropriate use criteria will help ensure these tracers are used in a cost-effective manner and the scan results will be used appropriately to add value to the diagnosis and management of dementia. Overall, the strongest evidence for the use of PET imaging includes assessment and prognosis for people with mild cognitive impairment; assessment of people with dementia when the cause is not clearly known; and determining eligibility for treatment with new disease-modifying therapies, and monitoring response to these treatments, https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/updated-alzheimers-guidelines-chart-full-diagnostic-journey-2025a10000y1?ecd=wnl_dne3_250117_MSCPEDIT_etid7168148&uac=407526BK&impID=7168148
Communication can be difficult for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It may not be possible to stop certain behaviors, but it’s possible to learn how to handle these challenging behaviors and be more prepared when they happen. Watch this 7 minute video from the NIA to learn new strategies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkcSyae_nU
Researchers at Cornell University developed VR headsets for mice. The headsets allow researchers to observe brain activity as the mice navigate obstacles and potential threats and is providing information helpful in the fight against Alzheimer’s. https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/15/health/video/mouse-vr-headset-alzheimers-research-ldn-digvid
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)