Alabama Respite Webinars, register at alabamarespite.org:
· Stages of Caregiving Part 2, Oct. 11, 10 pm
· Stages of Caregiving Part 3, Oct. 19, 1 pm
Webinar, You and Your Brain: A Conversation About Menopause, October 18th. Experts take a frank look at this often confusing and misunderstood transition in a woman’s life. Register for free
8th Annual “Shoot for a Cure”, benefitting ACA, Friday, October 22, noon, in the Red Gym, Trussville. ACA’s Board President, Doug DeMedicis, will attempt to make 25 free throws in memory of his sister, Dale Evans, who had early on-set Alzheimer’s. The event has raisedover $50,000!
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s Coffee Talk with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, October 12, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86450491838
- CJFS CARES, Mondays at 3 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, (in person)-1st Tuesday of each month, 11:00 am, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Parish Hall, Cropwell. Contact Bit Thomaston, Ethomaston50@gmail.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@bellsouth.net.
- CJFS CARES, Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- Leeds, (in person) 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, contact Bit Thomaston,ethomaston50@gmail.com
- United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County, 3rd Tuesday of each month 11:30-12:30, contact Valarie Lawson, vlawson@uwaaa.org
- Asbury United Methodist Church 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
Alzheimer’s News:
Lady Gaga was thrilled that Tony Bennett recognized her during the pair’s final performance together at Radio City Music Hall in August, according to a 60 Minutes interview on CBS. The 95-year-old singer has been battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2016. Both Bennett’s family and Lady Gaga shared details of his battle with the disease. Lady Gaga revealed that during the first few weeks the two had spent time together since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bennett referred to her as “sweetheart,” and she was unsure if he knew who she was. But when she walked on stage during their final show together, it was heartwarming to see he recognized the singer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNrvXw9juNs
Within the Down syndrome population, 95% of people have a full extra copy of chromosome 21. This chromosome contains a gene that is responsible for making the beta-amyloid protein that clumps together to form amyloid plaques in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. This means that for people with Down syndrome, who make too much of this protein their entire lives, almost all will develop Alzheimer’s disease pathological changes in their brains after 40 years of age. Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of death for a person with Down syndrome. However, although people with Down syndrome may have Alzheimer’s disease changes in their brains (not only include plaques but also tangles), changes in learning and memory, signaling dementia, may not happen until over 10-15 years later. And these is a subset of people with Down syndrome who do not develop dementia even in their 60’s, despite having the necessary changes in their brain. A Q&A With Dr. Elizabeth Head On Her Latest Research (thewomensalzheimersmovement.org)
Despite failure after failure in clinical trials, scientists are making progress toward developing investigational treatments for Alzheimer’s. To date, none of the Alzheimer’s drugs available on the market can halt the progression of Alzheimer’s or cure it, but some can be helpful in treating its symptoms, improving quality of life for a person living with the disease. Here’s a look at the medications currently out there, and a peek ahead at a few of those that are currently in human trials. What You Need to Know About FDA-Approved Alzheimer’s Drugs – Being Patient
While research has shown that poor cardiovascular health can damage blood flow to the brain increasing the risk for dementia, a new study led by UC San Francisco indicates that poor mental health may also take its toll on cognition. The research adds to a body of evidence that links depression with dementia, but while most studies have pointed to its association in later life, the UCSF study shows that depression in early adulthood may lead to lower cognition 10 years later and to cognitive decline in old age. Happiness in early adulthood may protect against dementia: Depressive symptoms increase risk for cognitive impairment — ScienceDaily
Women who have taken hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms will be relieved by findings from a large British case-control study reporting no overall increased risk of dementia as long as exposure is not long term. No Increase in Dementia With Menopausal HRT (medscape.com)
According to MIT and Harvard-trained brain researcher Elizabeth Ricker, Smarter Tomorrow, the journey to optimal brain health is not a paved road but a ladder: Imagine the very best version of your brain is waiting for you on the other side of a tall fence and the only way to grasp it is by climbing over to the other side. The question becomes: How do you hurl yourself over this fence? “The answer is you climb one rung of the ladder at a time,” Listen to her podcast: mindbodygreen podcast.
Apathy, which is common among patients with AD, is associated with increased risk for mortality, financial burden, and caregiver burden. No treatment has been proven effective for apathy in this population. New research suggests methylphenidate is safe and effective for treating apathy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The findings were published online September 27 in JAMA Neurology.
Fan of TikTok? Check out @MomOfMyMom where Jacquelyn Revere, has a robust following for her videos of caring for her mom, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 59. Jacquelyn brings humor and empathy to caregiving, enlightening us by sharing her daily routine, or stepping into her mom’s world by allowing her mom to call her mom. Mom of My Mom: Mother-Daughter TikTok Duo Shares Alzheimer’s Journey With the World – Being Patient
Common prescription and over-the-counter medications called anticholinergics have side effects that can worsen existing Alzheimer’s or dementia. This type of drug can even cause dementia-like symptoms in people without cognitive impairment. Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that’s used for learning, memory, and muscle functions. You can think of neurotransmitters as messengers that carry instructions within the brain and from the brain to the rest of the body. You might be surprised to know that anticholinergic medications include seemingly harmless over-the-counter medications like antihistamines (like Benadryl) and sleep aids (like Tylenol PM). To learn which prescription and over-the-counter drugs have anticholinergic effects, check out this helpful list from ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine.
October is Residents’ Rights Month, honoring residents living in all long-term care facilities and consumers receiving services in their home or community. It is a time for celebration and recognition offering an opportunity for every facility to focus on the dignity, respect, and value of each individual resident. The theme, “Reclaiming My Rights, My Home, My Life,” focuses on raising awareness of residents’ rights while also underscoring the need for dignity and self-determination for all residents.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — treatment in which patients are given pure oxygen — prevented the biological processes responsible for the development of Alzheimer’s in a mouse model, a study found. Moreover, in a group of older people with memory loss, such oxygen therapy enhanced blood flow in the brain and improved overall cognitive abilities and memory, the study showed. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Prevents Alzheimer’s Processes in Mice (alzheimersnewstoday.com)
Support ACA by using AmazonSmile! Designate Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. smile.amazon.com