Rita Jablonski, PhD, CRNP, is offering a free VIRTUAL dementia education and support session: Monday, September 5, 2022 at 6 pm central. Click here to register and join.
Shoot for a Cure, Friday, September 16, noon. ACA Board President, Doug DeMedicis, is hosting the event at the Red Door Gym in Trussville. Doug will attempt 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. Doug recently made 95 out of 100 shots – 70 of them consecutive! https://alzca.org/.
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)
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
September Webinars from Alabama Lifespan Respite: https://alabamarespite.org/events2/
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s group with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, September 6, 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@bellsouth.net.
- 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:
A researcher from the Netherlands posed this question to people living with Parkinson’s, “We all wish the disease was gone. But knowing a cure does not yet exist, have you found a silver lining?” He was surprised to find that 82% reported they had indeed found a silver lining while living with Parkinson’s. One eloquently noted, “I have learned the real value of life in all its beauty and complexity. … I have learned patience and how to accept the loss of the illusion that I can control all situations. But the most important lesson I have learned is the grace of gratitude for life itself and all I have been given” New Perspectives on Life, Health and Parkinson’s – Being Patient
The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) convened a diverse panel of experts to examine the latest evidence on how music influences brain health. The experts have concluded that listening and making music holds significant potential to support brain health as people age. The GCBH has adopted 10 recommendations for individuals to incorporate music into their lives to promote mental well-being, increase social connection, and stimulate thinking skills. Music on Our Minds: The Rich Potential of Music to Promote Brain Health and Mental Well Being (aarp.org)
New data suggests regular stretching, balance, and range-of-motion exercises may be as beneficial as aerobic exercises in slowing down mild cognitive decline. There are several risk factors associated with MCI and the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease that stretching may help alleviate, including: sedentary lifestyle; stress and anxiety; poor blood flow and circulation. Though stretching may not elevate the heart rate, it does require a person to use their brains. Stretching and range of motion exercises force you to focus on your body and to create mind-muscle connections to achieve proper form. The amount of concentration involved in stretching and balance-related activities may stimulate the areas of the brain responsible for thinking and memory, thereby slowing cognitive decline. Stretching May Help Slow Cognitive Decline as Well as Aerobic Exercise (healthline.com)
In 2012, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a landmark $100 million project, the first-ever Alzheimer disease prevention trial, that would test an antiamyloid monoclonal antibody called crenezumab in members of a Colombian extended family. However, a decade later the NIA and trial collaborators issued press releases announcing disappointing news: compared with placebo, crenezumab did not demonstrate a statistically significant clinical benefit in people with the Paisa mutation after 5 to 8 years of treatment. The family from Medellin, Colombia who inherit a copy of the Paisa mutation develop mild cognitive impairment by 44 years of age, on average, and Alzheimer disease 5 years after that. Typically, they die within a few years after their 59th birthday. Much Anticipated Alzheimer Disease Prevention Trial Finds No Clinical Benefit From Drug Targeting Amyloid; Highlights Need to Consider Other Approaches | Dementia and Cognitive Impairment | JAMA | JAMA Network
Findings from a UK-based study suggest that simple lifestyle changes may be beneficial in preventing dementia. For 11 years, researchers followed more than 500,000 adults who self-reported their physical and mental activities. Researchers found that certain physical and mental activities were associated with a lower risk of dementia. People who exercised frequently had a 35 percent lower risk of dementia; people who frequently performed household chores had a 21 percent lower risk; and people who had daily interactions with family and friends had a 15 percent lower risk. These findings present preliminary indicators that there are behaviors within our power to reduce the risk or delay onset of dementia; however, more research is needed to establish a clear causal relationship. These Simple Tasks Can Cut Your Risk Of Dementia, Study Finds | HuffPost Life
For expecting moms, temporary pregnancy-related conditions high blood pressure or diabetes can leave a mark on blood vessels in the brain. New research links these conditions to a higher risk of developing vascular dementia 15 or more years later. Pregnant? Watch for High Blood Pressure—Here’s Why – Being Patient
Abnormal cholesterol and glucose (or blood sugar) levels as early as age 35 may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk later in life. The finding suggests that people with normal cholesterol and glucose measurements in early through middle adulthood may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s as older adults. Midlife cholesterol and blood sugar levels may be risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
Depression, dementia and mental impairment are often associated with a deficiency of B vitamins. The good news is that B vitamins are among the easiest to work into your diet because foods that are rich in one B vitamin often contain many, if not all, of the B vitamins when consumed as whole foods. Learn more about the 8 different B vitamins and the 6 vitamin B-rich foods to incorporate into your diet. Harvard nutritionist: The No. 1 vitamin to keep your brain ‘young and healthy’—and foods to eat every day (cnbc.com)
Listen to a podcast with, Dale Atkins, on Caregiver Stress. The author of “The Kindness Advantage”, talks with BrainStorm host Meryl Comer about how to manage stress with family, particularly in the Alzheimer’s community. In this episode of BrainStorm, Dr. Adkins gives advice on reading your own stress cues and strategies for difficult moments with family members. “Be a good listener, keep as healthy as possible and ‘park the past’ to find balance in your life.”
Dementia caregivers needed for research study! A research lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is conducting a study to learn more about the health and well-being of dementia caregivers. See attached flyer. Contact: starlab@uab.edu at 205-538-0427.
Researchers at UAB are conducting a studying the effects of a live online acceptance and commitment program (ACT) in family caregivers. Participants who complete the study are given $150 compensation. See attached flyer. Contact Lauren Edwards: laurenme@uab.edu or 205-996-1488.
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