Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama support group, Tuesday, July 9, 11- 12:30, 300 Office Park Drive, Suite 225. For a complete list of support groups, www.alzca.org.
The Brain Health Institute (BHI) (www.bhibrainhealth.com) will provide a free, confidential memory screening July 2, from 12:30 – 2:00. Screenings last 10 minutes and consist of a series of questions and tasks designed to gauge memory, thinking, and language skills. Results will not yield a diagnosis and/or replace consultation with qualified health care provider but can provide guidance for further evaluation and treatment. 3125 Independence Drive, Suite 114 in Homewood. Call 205-757-8947 for an appointment.
Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers, 90 minute, 9 week course offered by the West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Centerville, AL. Starts July 11, at 2. 205-333-2990 or nikki.poe@westal.org.
Live Life in Full Bloom, Ombudsman Seminar, July 16, 9 – 3:30, at the Costal Alabama Community College in Thomasville. Miller Piggott, ACA executive director will speak on caregiving and dementia.
Caregiver Conference, Wednesday, July 17, 9:30 – 1:30, United Way of Central Alabama Auditorium, 3600 8th Avenue South, Birmingham. This is a United Way of Central Alabama Area Agency on Aging event. Call 205-458-3330 or 1-800-age-line.
Join Mike Oliver for the 3rd annual Mike Madness, July 20th at the UAB Recreation Center, and help raise money for Lewy body dementia. Mike Oliver is opinion columnist who covers health and life issues and his battle with Lewy body dementia for AL.com and on his blog www.myvinylcountdown.com. Lewy Body is the second leading cause of dementia behind Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more www.mikemadness.org.
A Break to Educate, July 25, 10 – 1, Northside Medical – Training Room, Pell City. An M4A event for caregivers, 205-670-5770. See attached flyer.
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Lunch & Learn, Tuesday, July 30, 11:30 – 1 pm, Somerby, St.Vincent’s 119,Your Life, Your Legacy with Marvin A. Chandler. Chandler will be offering advice and guidance on making final arrangements. He is retired from the US Army as a LTC after 23 years of service. He is a Family Service Counselor with Ridout’s Valley Chapel and a funeral director. He has been with Dignity Memorial for nine years. See attached flyer. Lunch is free, but reservations are required, mpiggott@alzca.org.
Glow for a Cure, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s Night Golf Tournament, Friday, August 2, presented by the Jr. Board. See attached flyer.
News to know:
Have a safe happy 4th of July! Our Dementia Community Calendar will resume July 12. Click here for some dementia friendly ideas for celebrating the 4th of July: https://www.alzu.org/blog/2017/07/03/tips-for-fun-and-safe-activities-for-seniors-on-the-4th-of-july/
68 people made a donation to celebrate Independence Day with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama! Deserving families caring for an Alzheimer’s patient will receive a July 4th Picnic Basket including hotdogs, porkchops and all the fixings! Thank you to all who participated!!
Lynda Everman and DonWendorf have just published 2 important books on faith, ministry and ways to best support those living with dementia and their families. Because faith sustains many on their dementia journey it is important that faith leaders adapt their ministries to be open, welcoming, and accessible. Stolen Memories: An Alzheimer’s Stole Ministry & Tallit Initiative and Dementia-Friendly Worship: A Multifaith Handbook for Chaplains, Clergy and Faith Communities are must-reads for any faith leader looking to make their ministry more accommodating of and open to those affected by dementia. Get your copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Dementia-Friendly-Worship-Multifaith-Chaplains-Communities/dp/1785926659/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dementia+worship&qid=1561744662&s=gateway&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Memories-Alzheimers-Ministry-Initiative/dp/1532683332/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=lynda+everman&qid=1561744789&s=books&sr=1-2
A June 25, 2019 Medical Express article reported that researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham developed a medication that appears to successfully inhibit the LIMK1 enzyme (serine/threonine kinase), providing a level of protection for dendritic spines, the connections between neurons in the brain. “In a healthy brain, LIMK1 appears to regulate the size and density of dendritic spines. In dementia, the enzyme is overactive, leading to damage to the spines. In this study, we were able to provide a protective effect to the dendritic spines by means of an experimental drug that inhibited activity of LIMK1… Another important aspect of this sort of target is that it could lead to an intervention before loss of cognitive function has begun. It could provide a protective effect to prevent damage or loss of dendritic spines,” said Jeremy Herskowitz, PhD.
In a June 27, 2019 NBC News “Know Your Value” video segment, Mika Brzezinski interviewed Alzheimer’s disease advocate Maria Shriver in honor of ‘brain awareness month.’ Shriver stressed the importance of person-to-person connection, putting down technology and carving out self-care/alone time, in addition to exercise and a healthy diet to help foster a healthy brain and lifestyle. She outlined the importance of addressing cognitive health by getting a cognitive baseline, and cognitive testing. She challenged corporate America to address the changing needs of the new American family, where employees (both men and women) need time for caregiving for their kids and parents, in addition to self-care.
Click to listen to a UAB School of Public Health Population Plug-In Podcast interview with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, executive director, Miller Piggott.
https://anchor.fm/uabsoph/episodes/Alzheimers-and-Brain-Disease-e4c61u
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