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 May 26, 2023

ACA presents an Alzheimer’s Disease Update with Marissa Natelson Love, MD, June 5, 6:30 pm, Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.  Dr. Natelson is an Associate Professor of Neurology, Co-Director Research Education Core of the UAB Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Director for the UCNS-accredited Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship, Associate Clerkship Director, and Lead Mentor in the SOM Learning Communities Program.  She has 10 years of experience in clinical care and research programs for people with dementia and related disorders. Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease including asymptomatic Alzheimer’s and atypical presentations, and about the new anti-amyloid therapy medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease.  Free to the public, reservations preferred.  https://alzca.org/june52023/

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

Alzheimer’s News:

Nearly nine in ten voters favor (87% favor, 77% strongly favor) requiring Medicare to cover the cost of FDA-approved drugs that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new poll conducted by Lake Research Partners and Public Opinion Strategies. Almost two-thirds of those polled (63%) are concerned that they, a friend, or a family member could develop Alzheimer’s disease.   In April 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it would refuse to cover an entire class of FDA-approved therapies for early Alzheimer’s except for treatments provided through a very narrowly constructed clinical study. CMS’s decision effectively cut off access for the vast majority of beneficiaries living with early Alzheimer’s except those wealthy seniors who could choose to pay entirely out-of-pocket.  This new polling data shows that voters vehemently disagree with CMS’s policy — and want Congress and President Biden to ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries have access to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drugs. https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/press/new-poll-huge-majorities-want-medicare-cover-cost-alzheimers-drugs

The Forward with Dementia website seeks to change the narrative of ‘there is nothing that can be done’ to one that reinforces the strengths people living with dementia have.  The website was created by an international consortium of people living with dementia, care partners, clinicians, and researchers from five countries to challenge negative stereotypes about living with dementia. The website’s resources are aimed to educate and motivate people living with dementia and their care partners to lead fulfilling lives with dementia.  Forward with Dementia is the result of an international research project, COGNISANCE, funded by the European Union’s Joint Program on Neurodegenerative Disease Research aimed at tackling the global challenge of neurodegenerative disease, including dementia. The five consortium countries are Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Poland and the UK. National health and medical funding bodies in each country funded this work. Explore the website to learn how to make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia and those who provide support.

Encore Side by Side Community Chorus performed The Best of Broadway, May 16.  The Chorus is part of Canterbury United Methodist Church’s ministry for people living with dementia.  You can watch the video here:  https://vimeo.com/canterburyumc/sbsbobc?share=copy.  Learn more about Encore’s respite ministry here:  https://www.encorerespite.org/contact/

The following questionnaire, known as the Zarit Burden Interview, was first developed in the 1980s to help caregivers and mental health professionals evaluate caregiver stress and burnout. While professional psychologists and therapists use this tool to assess clients who are providing care for loved ones, family caregivers who are concerned about their own welfare can use this quick quiz to receive a reliable and objective calculation of the level of strain they are experiencing.  The questionnaire was recently shared by Canterbury’s Valerie Boyd, in her weekly email. caregiver_burden_assessment.pdf (mcusercontent.com)

When, if ever in the eternal dementia care merry-go-round of staff shortages, budget limitations, regulatory approvals, mandates, or penalties, will we focus on the people we are supposed to be serving and helping those on the front lines through actual training and education to optimize their ability to share space, time, care tasks, and life without turning first to medications.  Teepa Snow offers her opinion and waves a red flag on the FDA’s approval of Rexulti to treat agitation in Alzheimer disease.  STOP Treating Behaviors with Restraining Medications – Positive Approach to Care (teepasnow.com)

The NIA offers activities you can do at home with a person with Alzheimer’s.

Read the newly released action plan from Alzheimer’s Disease International ADI), From Plan to Impact VI.   The report gives an urgent call for the World Health Organization (WHO) to extend the Global Action Plan to 2029 and gives a country-by-country breakdown of where countries are in the development and implementation of a national plan.  From Plan to Impact VI | Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) (alzint.org)

Neurologist Gregory Jicha at the University of Kentucky explains the role of cholesterol in brain health and shares insights into how certain cholesterol meds could be key to preventing dementia.  An Alzheimer’s Expert on Cholesterol, Statins, and Brain Health | Being Patient

Father’s Day is June 18!  This huge list of the best gifts for senior men covers 11 different categories and more than 50 specific gift ideas.  50+ Father’s Day Gifts for Seniors: Things He’ll Actually Use – DailyCaring

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