Happy 4th of July from Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama! Remember to wear your mask and stay 6 feet away from anyone who has not been residing in the same house with you. Learn ways to have a safe and happy holiday with your loved one:
- https://www.alzheimers.net/tips-on-celebrating-the-fourth-of-july-with-a-loved-one-with-dementia/
- https://www.alzu.org/blog/2017/07/03/tips-for-fun-and-safe-activities-for-seniors-on-the-4th-of-july/
ACA’s Coffee Talk with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, July 7, 11 – noon CST. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88250086658
ACA Webinar, “Navigating Healthcare During Uncertain Times”, with Christy Baynes, MSHA, MBA, CMC- President & Aging Life Care Specialist, Thursday, July 9, 1:00 pm CST. CEUs are available for nurses and social workers. Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0OYaIJPNS06YNj-4jlozKw
ACA Webinar, “Alzheimer’s Disease Research Update – 2020”, with David Geldmacher, MD, Professor and Warren Family Endowed Chair in Neurology, UAB, Wednesday, July 15, 2:00 pm CST.
All previous ACA Webinars can be accessed here:
https://alzca.org/educational-materials/
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (ACA) is providing emergency assistance continence care. ACA will provide 2 cases of continence products (with gloves and wipes if available), shipped to your home if you have a need for a loved one with dementia who requires continence care. Apply online at https://alzca.org/continence/ or call (205) 871-7970
Learn more about LifeBio! Record your life story or your family member’s story. LifeBio helps people ask the right questions to bring out the best memories and stories with the ultimate goal of creating a lasting and priceless legacy. Visit https://alzca.org/lifebio/. Read more about what seniors what to talk about:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-do-older-people-want-talk-beth-sanders/?published=t
Calendar:
UAB and M4A are hosting a special FREE zoom webinar event to share information on a new Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) research project by UAB, Tuesday, July 7, 10 am CST. Dr. Han (Ph.D., OTR/L), an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at UAB, is conducting research on “Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy for family caregivers of people with dementia,”. Therapy sessions will be delivered online by a trained coach who is a licensed professional mental health counselor. Compensation of $100 will be provided for participating in the research.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xUpJWqp1R-Czz7F5dEhztA
or plan to attend on Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/M4A.AL/.
Call M4A at (205) 670-5770.
Advance Directive and Telemedicine Webinar, July 7th at noon, CST. Learn about the benefits of using telemedicine as well as creating life care plans with advance directives to make sure your wishes are known and followed. https://alzfdn.org/event/webinar-advanced-directives-tele-medicine-new-normal/
Memory Screening being offered digitally by AFA every Monday and Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm CT starting July 8th. Screenings will be conducted one-on-one through secure videoconference in real-time. Make an appointment by calling AFA at 866-232-8484.
The NIA 2020 Dementia Care, Caregiving, and Services summit virtual meeting series will offer three online sessions July 10, July 21, and August 13. Visit the summit website to view the agenda, register, and learn more about how to connect during the series.
Zoom Support Groups available online:
- West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesday, June 16, 2 – 3:30 pm. Contact Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.org.
- CJFS CARES, Mondays at 1:30 pm and Thursdays at 7:30 pm. To get the Zoom link, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- Lakeside Hospice, 1st Tuesday of each month, 2:00 pm, and 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm, contact Bit Thomaston,bthomaston@lakesidehospice.org
- Founders Place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Tuesday’s at 10 am, contact Susan Logan, susanlogan65@gmail.com
- Briar Glen, Monday’s at noon, contact Ramsi Wilkes, ramsi.wilkes@jeaseniorliving.com
Alzheimer’s News:
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s has just release summary results from their fourth A-LIST® survey which shows the continued disproportionate and concerning effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic on the Alzheimer’s community, including those in nursing homes and other long-term care communities and caregivers of people living at home. Top takeaways from the June Survey:
- 82% of caregivers reported having one or more stress symptoms typically found in people experiencing severe stress, such as sleep problems (41%); difficulty concentrating (36%); vigilance/being ‘super alert’ (33%); trouble experiencing positive feelings (31%); loss of interest in activities (31%) and irritable/angry behavior (25%).
- Nearly one in three (31%) of caregivers say physical or mental health changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation have affected their ability to care for their loved one – a six-point increase since May
- 28% of caregivers say they need – but cannot get access to – support groups; 18% need and cannot get access to home health aides.
- 71% of caregivers were unsure what would happen to their loved one if the caregiver became sick with COVID-19
Social restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic can be especially hard for people who can’t visit loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease who are in nursing homes. A US News & World Report story highlights steps that families can take to stay connected until in-person visits resume.
Families with loved ones in long-term care facilities are frustrated that visiting continues to be forbidden in most facilities. One family member called the separation, “benevolent incarceration.” On May 18, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued ambiguous guidance that effectively left the decision of allowing visitors up to states and facilities. The predictable result: chaotic and inconsistent rules and practices. Read more from, Forbes, June 18, The Painful Choice to Reopen Long-Term Care Facilities To Visitors In The Time Of Covid-19
The Rural Monitor, June 17, 2020 discussed The Most Costly Chronic Medical Condition in America: Experts Talk About the Rural Aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, including safety issues like driving, medication use, and firearm security.
“Dementia is preventable through lifestyle. Start now,” by Max Lugavere, whose Mother had early onset Alzheimer’s. Watch this TEDxVeniceBeach talk about diet and lifestyle. “Genetics loads the gun. Our habits pull the trigger”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0WCb23KPEw&feature=emb_rel_end
Why Experts Believe What Lies in the Gut is the Reason Alzheimer’s Disease Affects More Women Than Men: As with seemingly everything else in health these days, it all comes down to the microbiome. READ MORE
Higher levels of education may help preserve memory in the face of accumulating age-related brain pathology — An NIA-funded study using data from a large, racially and ethnically diverse sample of older adults supports the hypothesis that more education predicts better memory later in life through better cognitive reserve.
African Americans are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease at higher rates than Whites. Adjustment for comorbidities and healthcare utilization does not substantially explain differences. Read more from Psychology Today, June 17,Racial Disparities, African Americans, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
If you are planning to travel this summer, the Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group (DFAWG) has created a list of travel tips covering all aspects of air travel from booking to arrival, and compiled a list of tools and resources that travelers may find to be helpful.
Alabama’s participation in the 2020 Census lags far behind other states. Our rural growth, Congressional representation, federal funding, and economic development are at stake. Low participation in the Census could have a negative impact on Alabama’s future. There are only 10 questions and it takes about 5 minutes to complete. Participate in the 2020 Census today at https://www.2020census.gov/.