Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama support group, Tuesday, September 24, 11- 12:30, 300 Office Park Drive, Suite 225. For a complete list of support groups, www.alzca.org.
Trussville First Baptist Church support group, Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 – 8.
McCoy Adult Day Care is hosting an Open House to honor retiring Executive Director, Judy Poole, Wednesday, September 25, 4 – 6. 730 8th Avenue West, Birmingham. RSVP to Lauren Goodman (205) 251-2178.
Break to Educate, Chilton County, M4A program for caregivers, Thursday, September 26, 10 – 1. Contact Rebecca Walden at 205-670-5770 or rwalden@M4A.org.
Alzheimer’s in Alabama: Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s annual conference, Friday, October 18, Canterbury United Methodist Church, 8:30 – 3. Conference highlights include:
- Brian LeBlanc’s was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and is living with vascular dementia. Brian realized that we seldom hear from people living with dementia and he knew he HAD to talk about it. His story, I Am Still ME!, provides a rare window into the journey of a “regular guy” from a “regular life” who is living with a progressive, disabling, degenerative brain disease.
- Jamie Tyrone learned of her 91 percent lifetime genetic risk of succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. Only two percent of the population has this genetic status which motivated her to become a research volunteer and a dedicated advocate. Her personal experience of living with this genetic status has been a feature story in the New York Times and cover story in the Washington Post. Her bookFighting For My Life—How to Thrive in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s was released by HarperCollins May, 2019.
The cost to attend is $15 or $35 for those needing CEUs. Presenting Sponsor: Medical Properties Trust. To see full conference agenda and to register: https://alzca.org/conference/
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Lunch and Learn, Tuesday, October 29, Navigating Grief, Especially During the Holidays, with Matthew Bunt, M.Ed., LPC-S, Outreach Coordinator, at The Amelia Center, Brookdale University Park, Gazebo Room, 11:30 – 1 pm. Presented by Medical Properties Trust. Lunch is free but reservations are required, mpiggott@alzca.org.
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s Walking to Remember, Saturday, November 2, inside the Riverchase Galleria, 8 am. Join with family and friends to Shine a Light on Alzheimer’s at this fun 3 mile indoor walk (or a distance that suits you). Walk in honor of memory of your loved one. Walkers raising a minimum of $50 receive a t-shirt. https://alzca.org/walking/ for more info.
Statewide Day of Prayer and Remembrance, Sunday, November 10.
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Annual Meeting and Candel Lighting Service, Thursday, November 14, Vestavia Hill Library, 6 – 7:30.
News to know:
World Alzheimer’s Day is on 21 September each year. World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) every September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia. World Alzheimer’s Month was launched in 2012. 2 out of every 3 people globally believe there is little or no understanding of dementia in their countries. The impact of World Alzheimer’s Month is growing, but the stigmatization and misinformation that surrounds dementia remains a global problem that requires global action.
A September 19, 2019 Time Magazine article by Arthur Kleinman, MD, drew from his personal experience as primary family-carer for his late wife, Joan, who had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He wrote about the humbling work of care, the rewards it can offer, and the idea of care as a ‘core human quality.’
In a September 17, 2019 Post Bulletin Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Ronald Petersen, Director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, talks about ongoing AD research.
A September 17, 2019 Medical Xpress article spotlighted new research from UT Southwestern which suggests that aerobic exercise can be used as early intervention for people at high risk for Alzheimer’s, to slow down effects of the disease. Regular exercise for one year resulted in slower brain deterioration.
Learn more about an opportunity to volunteer for a national online study with the Integrace Institute, who supports those with Alzheimer’s and dementia through research and education. This study is designed to better understand the treatment-related needs and priorities of individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. If you or someone you know is at risk for Alzheimer’s disease pathology, determined by a positive genetic test for the APOE variant e4, the Integrace Institute would like to hear from you. If you are eligible, you will receive a $25 gift card for your participation. Click here to sign the updated A-LIST consent form and learn more about this national “What Matters Most” study. Other partners include the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care program.
The US Postal Service has just posted the sales figures through August 2019: 7.3 million stamps (500 million stamps were printed) have been sold to raise $971,000 for NIH funded research: https://about.usps.com/corporate-social-responsibility/semipostals.htm. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced in June (H.R. 3113/S. 1728) to require the USPS to extend sales of the stamp beyond November 2019. There are currently 97 co-sponsors in the House and 22 in the Senate. Help advocate for the passage of these bills so the Alzheimer’s stamp will continue to honor our loved ones, raise public awareness, and provide funds to the NIH for research for better treatments, prevention, and a cure.
Caregiver Tips on Bathing with Dementia: A patient with dementia or Alzheimer’s may struggle to shower or bathe like they normally used to. These tips can help caregivers create a hygiene routine that goes more smoothly.
Antidote is conducting a survey of individuals living with cognitive disorders and their caregivers to better understand what people think of medical research and how they decide to participate (or not participate) in clinical trials. Antidote is a digital health company that helps connect people with medical research. Antidote believes it is important for patient and caregiver perspectives to be considered when researchers design clinical trials. All data will be kept confidential and will be used to help researchers understand how to better engage cognitive disorder patients and caregivers. Click below for the survey.
Patients: https://trialreach.typeform.com/to/e4hQVf
Caregivers: https://trialreach.typeform.com/to/TpCAEp
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