“Dementia 101: Just the Facts, M’am”, with local arthor and physician, Renne Harmon, February 7 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Homewood, Alabama. Presentation from 11:30-1:00, with lunch to follow. For more information and to register: https://www.covpres.com/calendar/5052h5j3e0egemzsrrkqth7ajbsyu7
Support Group Meetings:
- ACA’s support group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, January 30, 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 Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.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
- Leeds, 1st Tuesday, 6:30 pm. Contact Julie Slagle jslagle@lakesidehospice.org
- Pell City, 2nd Tuesday, 2:30 pm. Contact Julie Slagle, jslagle@lakesidehospice.org
- M4A virtual support group, 3rd Wednesday’s 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Contact Chalane Mims, cmims@m4a.org.
- Asbury United Methodist Church 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
- The Church at Chelsea Park, Wilsonville 1st Thursday of the month. Contact Brooklyn White, brooklyn@parkinsonalabama.org
- AFTD support group, second Tuesday of the month. Amber Guy: 251-281-5344.
- Discovery United Methodist Church, Hoover, the first and third Thursday of each month. Peggy Harrison: pharrison@discoveryumc.org.
- St. Mark’s UMC, Vestavia Hills, Fridays at 1 pm. Contact Donna Baird: (205)717-9880.
January/February Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
Alzheimer’s News:
Testing a person’s blood for a type of protein called phosphorylated tau, or p-tau, could be used to screen for Alzheimer’s disease with “high accuracy,” even before symptoms begin to show, a new study suggests. The study involved testing blood for a key biomarker of Alzheimer’s called p-tau217, which increases at the same time as other damaging proteins — beta amyloid and tau — build up in the brains of people with the disease. Currently, to identify the buildup of beta amyloid and tau in the brain, patients undergo a brain scan or spinal tap, which often can be inaccessible and costly. Last year, the first blood test for assessing beta amyloid protein was made available for consumer purchase in the United States, called AD-Detect, to help people with mild cognitive impairment identify their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Some researchers have raised doubts about the science behind the test. Quest Diagnostics, the company behind the test, has stressed that it is not meant to diagnose Alzheimer’s, but says it helps assess a person’s risk of developing the disease. The test used in the new study, called the ALZpath pTau217 assay, is a commercially available tool developed by the company ALZpath, which estimates the price of the test could be between $200 and $500. A robust and accurate blood-based biomarker would enable a more comprehensive assessment of cognitive impairment in settings where advanced testing is limited. Use of a blood biomarker is intended to enhance an early and precise AD diagnosis, leading to improved patient management and, ultimately, timely access to disease-modifying therapies. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/22/health/alzheimers-blood-test-screening-study/index.html
Older men and women who live alone but have a pet had fewer memory problems than their solitary peers, according to a new report. The findings add to growing evidence that having a cat, dog or other animal companion is good for the brain and may help to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study, from researchers in China, looked at 7,945 men and women aged 50 and older who were living in Britain. Their average age was 66. About 27 percent lived alone, and just over a third had pets. They also underwent regular tests of thinking and memory skills. The researchers found that among those who lived alone, having a pet was associated with less decline in verbal memory, verbal cognition and verbal fluency. Having a pet did not produce similar benefits for older people who lived with a spouse or others. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/prevention/live-alone-a-pet-may-be-good-for-your-memory/
Intake of protein, especially from plants, in middle age is associated with higher odds of healthy aging and positive mental and physical health status in older women, a recent analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) data suggests. The study is said to be the first to examine the long-term impact of midlife protein consumption on later health status. If you want a snack during the day, eat a handful of nuts instead of potato chips. And eating several meals a week featuring beans, peas, lentils, tofu, whole grains, or seeds is an easy way to boost dietary plant protein, which comes with health-promoting soluble and insoluble fiber as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols and other phytochemicals. https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/adequate-protein-intake-midlife-tied-healthy-aging-2024a10001jf?240125&src=FYE&ecd=WNL_recnlnew1_broad_US_perso_etid6265066&uac=460695PZ&impID=6265066
Only one in 10 people who need hearing aids use them, which may be putting their brain health and overall health in jeopardy. In terms of modifiable risk factors for developing dementia, poor hearing has more of an impact than smoking, high blood pressure and lack of exercise. Two new studies underscore just how important good hearing can be for brain health. One study followed 573,088 adults aged 50 and older living in Denmark. None had Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia at the start of the study. Over the next nine years or so, more than 23,000 developed some form of dementia. The researchers found that overall, people with hearing loss had a 7 percent higher risk of developing dementia than their peers with normal hearing. The risk was particularly high in those with severe hearing loss, which increased dementia risk by 20 percent. But wearing a hearing aid significantly reduced the risk of dementia, according to the results. People who used hearing aids had a 6 percent increased risk of developing dementia, which was far lower than the 20 percent risk for those with untreated severe hearing loss. The findings suggest that wearing a hearing aid can prevent or delay the development of dementia. In the second study, from the University of Southern California, researchers followed almost 10,000 adults for around 10 years. The researchers found that adults with hearing loss who regularly used hearing aids had a 24 percent lower risk of mortality than those who never wore them. These results are exciting because they suggest that hearing aids may play a protective role in people’s health and prevent early death. So if you are finding yourself having trouble hearing others, schedule a hearing exam. The good news is that quality over-the-counter hearing aids are fast becoming more affordable and available, including models that can be worn by people with Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/prevention/good-hearing-is-critical-for-brain-and-body/
A lack of sun exposure during the winter months may be linked to lower vitamin D levels and reduced serotonin activity. AL.com sat down with Dr. Megan Hays to discuss seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Hays, an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine, discusses the differences between SAD and the “winter blues.” Read more to learn about what differentiates the two. https://www.al.com/life/2023/12/seasonal-affective-disorder-is-more-than-winter-blues.html
More than a third of people with dementia don’t realize they have it. Professor of Clinical Nursing Kate Irving at Dublin City University explains what to do if you are worried your friend or loved one is showing early signs of Alzheimer’s or a similar cognitive condition. https://www.beingpatient.com/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-your-partner-has-dementia/?utm_source=Being+Patient+Newsletter&utm_campaign=593666d5b9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_06_03_59_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_95b92454c1-593666d5b9-109213217
NIH debunks these common Alzheimer’s myths: Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same thing. I will develop Alzheimer’s if my parent has it. Supplements are available online to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s. I’m not a scientist, so I can’t do anything to help fight Alzheimer’s. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/12-myths-about-alzheimers-disease?utm_source=nia-eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alzgov-20240123
A big challenge and source of stress in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is the uncertainty. Nobody can predict what will happen with your older adult’s cognitive ability, behavior, or preferences or when these changes will happen. But understanding the 3 stages of dementia – early, middle, and late – gives a sense of what to expect and can be used as guidelines to plan for the future. DailyCaring explains the 3 dementia stages, common symptoms in each stage, and why your older adult’s symptoms don’t always fit into these stages. https://dailycaring.com/3-stages-of-dementia-what-to-expect/?utm_source=DailyCaring&utm_campaign=e453396977-dc_email_2024-01-22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_57c250b62e-e453396977-123515277
The UAB School of Nursing is recruiting caregivers to participate in a new study: CuRB-IT: Coaching Dementia Caregivers to Master Care-Resistant Behavior. The research study that provides one-to-one coaching sessions to caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia to help them reduce or manage care refusals, like refusing to bathe or take medications. To participate in the research, you must live with and provide unpaid care for a family member with dementia. Caregivers must meet the following criteria:
- Participant must be at least 18 years old
- Family member living with dementia must be 60 years or older
- Participant provides unpaid care to a family member living with dementia
- Participant experiences Care-Resistant Behavior such as: the family member refusing to bathe, take medications, change clothes, get out of bed, eat, or use the toilet.
Email CuRBIT@uab.edu.
AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship provides educational funding to college-bound high school seniors who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Applicants are asked to write an essay (1,500 word maximum) or submit a video no more than 4 minutes long, describing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness on themselves, their families or their communities, and what they have learned from it. The grand prize winner receives $5,000, with additional prizes awarded for runners-up! More than $428,000 in college scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception. Entries due April 1, 2024. https://alzfdn.org/young-leaders-of-afa/alzheimers-awareness-scholarship/