Shoot for a Cure today, at noon, at the Red Gym in Trussville. ACA Board President, Doug DeMedicis, is hosting an hoping to make 25 free throw shots. Family and supporters can make a donation or pledge per shot made in memory of Doug’s sister, Dale Evans. This will be the 9th annual Shoot for a Cure and the event has raised over $60,000.https://alzca.org/.
Alzheimer’s Update: An Educational Seminar, Monday, September 19, 6:00 pm CT, presented by Miller Piggott, Vestavia Hills Library in The Woods, 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills. Call Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (205) 871-7970 for more info or email mpiggott@alzca.org
M4A Caregiver Stress-Busting Program, Tuesdays, September 20 – October 25, 10 – noon, respite care will be provided. 4804 Hwy 25, Montevallo, 205-670-5770. See attached flyer.
Understanding the Path of Those Who Wander, September 20, 10 – noon CT, sponsored by Central Alabama Aging’s P.A.N.D.A. Project (Providing Alzheimer’s N’ Dementia Assistance) Alzheimer’s Foundation of America | (alzfdn.org)
Wednesday, September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. The day will be marked with the launch of The World Alzheimer Report 2022. This year’s report is suitably titled ‘Life after diagnosis: Navigating treatment, care and support‘. Hear from the report’s authors and leading experts on the medical, emotional, practical, cultural and societal considerations that require navigation, direction and improvement. Webinar begins at 7:00 am CT: Webinar Registration – Zoom
Benjamine Rose Institute webinar: Understanding Pre-Death Grief of Families Caring for Individuals with Dementia, September 21, 11 – noon CT, Webinar Registration – Zoom
M4A Break to Educate Family Caregivers, September 23, 9 – noon, 4804 Hwy 25, Montevallo, 205-670-5770. See attached flyer.
Free virtual Dementia Family Conference, September 24, from Due West UMC, will feature local experts: Lynda Everman, Don Wendorf, Ellen and Danny Potts.
https://www.lovingthroughdementia.org/2022dementiafamilyconference.html
Hidden Realities” is a video and virtual reality presentation hosted by Founders Place, a respite program for adults with memory loss, in conjunction with Birmingham-Southern College and Embodied Labs. Using video and virtual reality simulations, “Hidden Realities” will give insights into what it feels like to experience diminished vision, hearing, motor skills and cognition caused by dementia. Free, but reservations required. Sunday, September 25, 2:30-4:00, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham. Contact Susanna Whitsett at foundersplace@saint-lukes.com or 205.802.6218, “Hidden Realities”: A dementia simulation presentation sponsored by Founders Place (google.com)
September Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, September 20, 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 Betsy Smith, Smith35213@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@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
- M4A, 2nd Thursday’s, noon – 1 pm. Contact Crystal Whitehead, cwhitehead@m4a.org
- M4A, 3rd Wednesday’s 2:00 – 3:00 pm. Contact Crystal Whitehead, cwhitehead@m4a.org
- Asbury United Methodist Church 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
Alzheimer’s News:
Findings from a new study show daily multivitamin use is linked to a significantly slower rate of age-related cognitive decline. The large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trial examined the effects of cocoa extract and multivitamins on global cognition. The trial’s primary focus was on cocoa extract, which earlier studies suggest may preserve cognitive function. Analyzing the effect of multivitamins was a secondary outcome. Showing vitamins, but not cocoa, was beneficial is the exact opposite of what researchers expected. Vitamins or Cocoa: Which Preserves Cognition? (medscape.com)
In this episode of BrainStorm, Meryl Comer speaks with Ayesha Z. Sherzai, MD, MAS, Vascular Neurologist, Research Scientist and Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD, MPH, MAS, Behavioral Neurologist / Neuroscientist. This dynamic, married duo lead the largest clinical and observational study on Alzheimer’s Disease. Their book “The Alzheimer’s Solution” shows the brain-food connection and discusses how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s with a healthy diet. Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai – Nutrition and Alzheimer’s | UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (usagainstalzheimers.org)
A quick and easily administered test that measures visual perception can accurately distinguish mild to moderate dementia associated with Lewy body disease (LBD) from dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), new research suggests. The two dementias are similar and many patients with LBD also have AD. However, those with LBD can respond differently to many common dementia medications, underscoring the importance of diagnosis, researchers note. Visual Perception Test Distinguishes AD From Lewy Body Dementia (medscape.com)
Poor periodontal health and tooth loss may increase the risk for cognitive decline and dementia, new research suggests. Results from a review of 47 studies showed that having periodontitis, tooth loss, deep periodontal pockets, or alveolar bone loss was associated with a 23% higher risk for cognitive decline and a 21% higher risk for dementia. In addition, tooth loss alone independently increased the risk for cognitive decline and dementia by 23% and 13%, respectively. However, the overall quality of the evidence was low, the researchers note. Poor Oral Health May Raise Cognitive Decline, Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
Brush up on your dementia skills! There are a lot of really great and informative videos on www.teepasnow.com.
When you spend prolong periods engaging in mentally taxing activities, potentially a toxic by-product called glutamate builds up in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. The prefrontal cortex helps control decisions, and choices can be altered when glutamate begins interfering with thought processes, shifting decisions toward easy actions that require no effort as mental fatigue sets in. The prefrontal cortex seems especially susceptible to glutamate accumulation after a mentally tough workday and mental fatigue sets in, prohibiting one from staying continuously focused on a task and diverting one’s attention to something less taxing. Evidence suggests that glutamate is eliminated from synapses during sleep, so you should avoid making important decisions when you are tired. There’s Good Reason Why Hard Thinking Makes You Tired (medscape.com)
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) for 20 minutes over 4 consecutive days can improve both short- and long-term memory for at least 1 month in older adults, new research suggests. The study included 150 adults aged 65-88 years, most of whom had typical memory loss or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Electrical currents were delivered through electrodes embedded in a cap worn by participants. The effects were “moderate to large and the overwhelming majority of participants, 85% to 90%, experienced the memory benefit.” The results were published online.
September is Healthy Aging Month. AFA offers 10 tips. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America | September is Healthy Aging Month: Follow These 10 Steps to Promote Healthy Aging and Good Brain Health (alzfdn.org)
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