ACA’s Weekly Email, October 24, 2025

Veteran’s Day Musical Tribute & Sing Along, November 6, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1:15 pm, presented by Founders Place Respite, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham.

Celebrating Happy Days, November 8!  Join us for ACA’s annual Walking to Remember event, 300 Office Park Drive. Registration begins at 9 am and the Walk gets underway at 10 am.  Bring families and friends to help raise money for ACA’s service programs.  Walkers donating a minimum of $50 receive a short sleeved t-shirt.  Walkers raising a minimum of $75 receive a long sleeved shirt.  Walkers donating a minimum of $100 receive a shirt of their choice and a special gift (while supplies last). The National Anthem will be sung by Kristie Tingle Higginbotham.  Music, food, fun and a vintage car show.  https://alzca.org/walking/

Alzheimer’s Day of Prayer and Remembrance, November 9.  Visit www.alzca.org for a copy of the prayer.

Caregiver College, November 13, 10 – 2 pm, Synergic Center, 3560 5^th Street, Northport. Presented by the Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama.  Free educational workshops, resources, lunch and door prizes.  RSVP by November 7 to Karlene Renna:  205-333-2990, ext 265.

The Challenges and Gifts of Caregiving for a Loved One Living with Dementia, November 20, 1 – 3 pm. Presented by Renée Brown Harmon, MD, author of Surfing the Waves of Alzheimer’s, and Beverly E. Thorn, PhD, author of Before I Lose My Own Mind. Together, they’ll share insights and practical guidance drawn from their personal and professional caregiving journeys.

Support Group Meetings:

1. ACA’s support group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, October 28, 11:00 – noon CT. ThereCall (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org.  Join us on zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85247427423
2. CJFS CARES, Mondays at 3 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
3. St Lukes Episcopal Church on Tuesdays at 10:15. Contact Betsy Smith (smith35213@gmail.com) or Janis Cole (janiscarole3@aol.com).
4. West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesdays, contact Robin Montgomery, robin.montgomery@westal.org.
5. M4A’s Caregiver Support Group, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 10 – 11:30 am, Montevallo.  Contact Robyn James, rjames@m4a.org.
6. The Oaks on Parkwood,4^th Tuesday’s, 10:00 am, Contact:  Karen Glover,karenrglover@gmail.com.
7. CJFS CARES, Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
8. United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County, 3^rdTuesday of each month 11:30-12:30, contact Valarie Lawson, vlawson@uwaaa.org
9. Eastaboga,2nd Tuesday, 6:00 pm. Contact Julie Slagle jslagle@lakesidehospice.org
10. Trussville,3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm. Contact Julie Slagle jslagle@lakesidehospice.org
11. Covenant Presbyterian Church, first Wednesday of the month, 10 am, church parlor,  Contact Kristian Hatley at Khatley@covpress.com.
12. M4A virtual support group, 3rd Wednesdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Contact Chalane Mims,cmims@m4a.org.
13. Asbury United Methodist Church1^stand 3^rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
14. AFTD support group,  second Tuesday of the month. Amber Guy: 251-281-5344.
15. Holy Apostles Church, Hoover, 2^ndand 4th Thursdays 10:30-noon, contact Michele Elrod: Michelerelrod@att.net.
16. St. Mark’s UMC, Vestavia Hills,Fridays at 1 pm.  Contact Donna Baird:  (205)717-9880.

Alzheimer’s News:

The Month of October Reminds Us that Residents’ Rights Apply 365 Days a Year.  Every person in long-term care deserves to live and be treated with dignity, respect and independence – every day. Residents’ Rights Month focuses on the very basic human rights that may sometimes be overlooked or withheld from those in long-term care.  This annual observance honors residents living in facilities as well as those receiving care at home or in the community.  A few of the most basic examples of residents’ rights include:

1. The right to dignity and respect. Every resident should be treated with kindness and without discrimination.
2. The right to make decisions. Residents should help shape their care, choose providers, join in care plans and decide how they want to live each day.
3. The right to speak up. Residents can share concerns with staff, facility management and others without fear of punishment.

Every county in Alabama has an Ombudsman Program through the Area Agency on Aging.  Ombudsman Program staff visit facilities, listen to residents’ concerns and work with caregivers to solve problems. Their frequent presence and availability help residents understand their rights and feel confident expressing them.  Call 1-800-age-line to learn more.  https://uwaaa.org/the-month-of-october-reminds-us-that-residents-rights-apply-365-days-a-year/?j=2477422&sfmc_sub=68624857&l=36766_HTML&u=43915917&mid=100006657&jb=2004

Emerging science suggests a strong link between inflammation and cognitive decline. A 2021 study of more than 1,000 older adults found that those who consumed more pro-inflammatory foods had a significantly greater risk of developing dementia within just three years.  Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism, but when it becomes chronic, it may quietly contribute to a host of serious diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.  An anti-inflammatory diet isn’t a rigid meal plan but rather a way of eating that focuses on whole, nutrient-rich foods while limiting processed, sugar-laden, and artificially preserved options. Studies suggest this approach may help reduce disease risk, support overall wellness, and protect brain function as we age.  Anti-inflammatory eating emphasizes foods that are rich in fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and phytonutrients:

1. Eat more: leafy greens, berries, cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, olive oil, nuts, seeds, fatty fish (like salmon), whole grains, legumes, and prebiotic-rich foods like garlic and onions.
2. Cut back on: processed meats, red meat, refined carbs, added sugars, and highly processed snacks.

https://beingpatient.com/anti-inflammatory-diet-brain-health-benefits/

Research shows that chronic loneliness can increase the risk of developing memory loss conditions like Alzheimer’s or other dementias.  Loneliness can trigger a chronic stress response that increases stress hormones and impairs the growth of neurons and their connections that are critical for learning and memory. Over time, this can accelerate brain aging. Loneliness also leads to reduced cognitive stimulation, less social engagement, fewer novel conversations and reduces exposure to mentally stimulating environments. Without these “mental workouts,” brain networks that challenge memory, language and problem solving are impacted.  From a behavioral and lifestyle perspective, lonely individuals tend to be less physically active, experience sleep disturbances, have poorer lifestyle choices and may delay medical care. They may also have a higher risk of mental health conditions such as depression, which itself is an independent risk factor for dementia.  The good news, loneliness doesn’t have to be a permanent state. It’s like a signal (such as hunger or thirst) telling us to seek connection. Use this signal as a prompt to make some changes in your life that can help you thrive.  The key to addressing your own loneliness is taking the time to discover what will work best for you. It often takes a bit of creativity to discover the right solutions. Some ideas:

1. Optimize your connection circle. Identify three to five friends who truly empower you and lift you up.  Intentionally connect with them a few times a week. Make a concerted effort to make this part of your weekly routine.
2. Keep your sense of purpose at the heart of your caregiving. Remind yourself why your role matters. Pair caregiving with social moments. For example, invite a friend or another caregiver to join you in an activity you do with the person you care for.
3. Strengthen your own daily joy rituals. Integrate small routines that elicit joy or happiness – morning coffee on the porch, play favorite music, meditate, walk your dog. These create predictable moments of comfort and satisfaction that build emotional resilience.
4. Care for your body. Don’t neglect yourself. Physical activity boosts mood and keeps you physically and functionally capable. Seek help without guilt. Make time for yourself to replenish your energy and maintain an uplifting mindset shift.

https://alzfdn.org/loneliness/

Alzheimer’s treatments are notoriously difficult to develop. One major reason: the blood-brain barrier, a natural defense system that keeps harmful substances out of the brain but also blocks many promising drugs from reaching their target. Stem cells have long intrigued scientists for their potential to regenerate or protect brain cells. These “master cells” can mature into many specialized types, raising the possibility that they could one day repair damaged tissue — including in the brain.  Now, an FDA-cleared stem cell trial for Alzheimer’s disease has advanced to Phase 2.  Stem cell research is often described as both promising and perilous. While credible, carefully monitored trials are underway, many unregulated clinics also sell expensive, unproven stem cell procedures marketed to patients with Alzheimer’s and other serious illnesses. If done right, stem cells are an opportunity to push the boundaries of neurodegenerative treatment after decades of limited progress in the field.  Being Patient explains more:  https://beingpatient.com/inside-the-first-fda-cleared-stem-cell-trial-for-alzheimers/

The Menopause-Alzheimer’s Connection: Why Timing Matters for Women’s Brain Health with Dr. Rachel Buckley (part 2).  In this UsAgainstAlzheimer’s 22 minute podcast, Dr. Rachel Buckley discusses the critical link between menopause and Alzheimer’s risk in women with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer. Dr. Buckley explains that early menopause can be associated with faster cognitive decline and higher tau levels in the brain. She emphasizes the importance of timing for hormone replacement therapy and how estrogen plays a vital role in brain health through receptors that regulate communication between brain regions and mood. https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/brainstorm/menopause-alzheimers-connection-why-timing-matters-womens-brain-health-dr-rachel-buckley