ACA Calendar:
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s MOVE for Your Memories Drive By Celebration is tomorrow, November 7, from 10 – noon. The outdoor socially distanced celebration is in ACA’s parking lot: 300 Office Park Drive.
Come for the FUN, food, entertainment, music, balloon hats, surprise ACA swag! Stay in your car or stroll our .3 mile parking lot(with your mask on). Either way it’ll be fun to get out of the house.
Receive a short-sleeved shirt with your $50 donation or a long-sleeved shirt for a $75 donation. All t-shirts are 100% cotton, Comfort Colors, available while supplies last. https://alzca.org/walking/
Sunday, November 8, marks the Day of Prayer for Alzheimer’s. The Prayer is attached. We encourage you to share the prayer with friends, family, and your place of worship.
Join ACA’s Jr. Board for Toasting Research: A virtual Educational Happy Hour Monday, November 16, from 5:30 – 6:30 CT. Please consider a minimum $10 donation to support local research or join as a Patron Sponsor, with a minimum donation of $100 and receive a bottle of Jarman Chardonnay or Pinot Noir delivered to your home (in designated zip codes, while supplies last). https://alzca.org/toast/. The hour long virtual event will be moderated by David Standaert, Chair of the UAB department of Neurology & Nick Beckham, ACA’s Jr. Board President, featuring ACA’s Pre-Doctoral Scholars in Alzheimer’s Research at UAB: Ashleigh Irwin and Nolwazi Gcwensa. Holman Ranch owners, Tom and Susan Lowder have contributed Jarman Wine, named after his late wife who died of Alzheimer’s disease. A percentage of the sales of these two premium varietals supports the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. For more information and details on Jarman wine. Click here. See attached flyer.
Community Calendar:
Forget Memory Loss: People with Dementia Can Make New Memories, webinar hosted by the Respite Ministry at FUMC, featuring Dr. Steven Sabat, Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University, Tuesday, November 10, 11:00 CT, via YouTube. His latest book is Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: What Everyone Needs to Know.
https://respitewebinar.eventbrite.com/
AFTD Educational Webinar: Living the Grief of FTD – The Winding Paths of Loss, Love, and Resilience, Thursday, November 12, 1:30 – 3 CT. to secure your spot today!
November Zoom Meetings with Alabama Lifespan Respite, https://alabamarespite.org/
· The Resentful and Reluctant Caregiver, Tuesday, November 17, 1:30 CT
· Family Dynamics & Changing Roles, Thursday, November 19, 3:00 CT
· Emotional Side of Caregiving, Saturday, November 21, 10 – noon CT
· Managing Family Feuds, Friday, November 30, 10:00 am CT
Zoom Support Groups available online:
· ACA’s Coffee Talk with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, November 10, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88250086658
· CJFS CARES, Mondays at 1:30 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
· Founders Place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Tuesday’s at 10 am, contact Susan Logan, susanlogan65@gmail.com
· Pell City, 1st Tuesday of each month, 2:00 pm, contact Bit Thomaston, Ethomaston50@gmail.com
· West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesdays, contact Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.org.
· Leeds, 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm, contact Bit Thomaston, ethomaston50@gmail.com
· Asbury United Methodist Church every other Wednesday at 11:30, contact Maggie Dunaway atmdunaway@asburyonline.org.
· CJFS CARES, Thursdays, 7:30 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
Alzheimer’s News:
According to The New York Times, a federal panel will decide today whether to recommend FDA approval of the controversial but potentially promising Alzheimer’s drug, aducanumab. The drug does not stop or reverse dementia, but some evidence suggests it can slow the progression of memory and thinking problems in people with mild or early symptoms of cognitive decline, giving them a little extra time before they develop Alzheimer’s. It would be the first medication to do so by attacking the core biology of Alzheimer’s disease. If ultimately approved, the drug would be the first new Alzheimer’s treatment in nearly two decades.
A nationwide study revealed an unexpected reversal of trends: The American ‘Baby Boomer’ generation scored lower in large-scale cognitive testing than members of older generations. The cognitive health of adults aged 50 or older has traditionally improved from one generation to another. American Baby Boomers mark the first reversal in that trend: The generation born between 1948 and 1959 are showing unexpectedly lower cognitive function in their 60s and early 70s than their predecessors. Read about the research >>
At the National Alzheimer’s Summit, experts stressed that it is possible for people to reduce their risk of developing dementia by making certain lifestyle changes. Scientists found 12 risk factors throughout life, from obesity and excessive alcohol consumption to smoking and physical inactivity, could potentially delay or prevent two in five dementia cases worldwide. See the panel’s recommendations on reducing dementia risk >>
According to Kiran Rajneesh, MBBS, a neurologist at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, hydration is a key component of brain health. Not drinking enough H20 can contribute to feeling tired and sluggish, READ MORE
A new study found social connections improve your brain health. The researchers found participants who reported greater levels of social engagement had more robust gray matter in regions of the brain relevant in dementia. READ MORE
Read more about the work and inspiration of ACA friends and local advocates, Lynda Everman and Don Wendorf. https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/blog/supporting-families-living-dementia
While the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare multiple infrastructure issues that have long plagued LTC, such as inadequate staffing and limited infection control resources, it also has highlighted the critical role of NHs and ALFs within the healthcare continuum. Learn more from geriatrician Paul Katz in Might the COVID-19 Pandemic Lead to Better Practices in Long Term Care?
“Luckily, the issue of caregiving is nearly as bipartisan and is as noncontroversial as apple pie,” according to C. Grace Whiting, JD, the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving. As many families look ahead toward major holidays, policymakers have started to think through what caregiving support might look like. Will COVID-19 Change How We Care for Caregivers?.