ACA Support Group, Tuesday, March 26, 11:00 – 12:30 pm. 300 Office Park Drive, Suite 225.
Trussville Support Group, Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Trussville First Baptist Church. For a complete list of support groups, visitwww.alzca.org.
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s Jr. Board will host a % of sales event at Rojo, Tuesday, March 26 from 5 til closing. Proceeds will benefit ACA Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program in Alzheimer’s research at UAB. 2921 Highland Avenue.
M4A is offering Law Enforcement Training, March 26. This invaluable training will help law enforcement, first responders, and social workers identify and respond to important issues facing our aging population. Register at www.m4a.org/register. See attached flyer.
M4A and the Jan Neal Law Firm, LLC are offering a community talk on legal issues. March 29, 10:30, Harpersville Senior Center. Call 334-745-2779 or 1-800-270-7635.
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s Jr. Board will host the 3rd annual Ales for Alzheimer’s event at Avondale Brewery, Saturday, March 30, 2 – 6 pm. Featuring live music by George Griffin & the Thunderbirds. Event includes a raffle and silent auction. % of beer sales benefits research. For more information contact Vance Holder at vholder@alzca.org.
The Brain Health Institute (BHI) (www.bhibrainhealth.com) will provide free, confidential memory screenings April 2 and May 7, between 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.
Home Instead Senior Care is offering a free workshop for those caring for a loved one with dementia. Friday, April 5, 9 – 11. 2059 Columbiana Road. 205-822-1915 or kcochran@homeinstead.com. See attached flyer.
The Virtual Dementia Tour is being offered at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, Friday, April 5 from 9 – 2. 1515 6th Avenue South. This is the original and ground-breaking, proven method of building a greater understanding of dementia through the use of patented sensory tools. Provided by the Community Services & Workforce Development Senior Services Division of the Jefferson County Commission. To register, Call Dedra Lewis at 205-325-5567. See attached flyer.
Casino Night, fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, Saturday, April 27, 2 – 4, at Rittenhouse, 570 Southland Drive. rwilkes@rittenhouseal.com, See attached flyer.
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Lunch & Learn, April 30, 11:30 – 1 pm, Brookdale University Park, with Rita Cowell, PhD, on “What our genes can tell us about Alzheimer’s Disease.” Rita is a Fellow and Chair of the Neuroscience Department within the Drug Discovery Division at Southern Research. She maintains an independently-funded research program, while overseeing the Neuroscience Department with the mission of discovering novel, mechanism-based approaches to treat individuals with neurodegenerative disorders. The research in the Cowell Lab focuses on neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Please rsvp to mpiggott@alzca.org. 
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Garden Art Party, Love in the Garden, Saturday, May 11, Iron City, 7 – 10. Live and silent auction. www.alzca.org.
News to know:
Celebrate spring with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama! Help deserving families on our services programs by sponsoring an Easter basket with a donation of $25. Each basket will be delivered by an ACA volunteer. To donate www.alzca.org or call 205-871-7970. See attached flyer.
Pharmaceutical companies Eisai and Biogen announced on Thursday they are halting the drug trial on one of the three experimental drugs for Alzheimer’s they had in the works. One analyst reported that the drug, aducanumab, “was the best hope for treating Alzheimer’s, ending its trials is big negative surprise”. From 1998 through 2017, only four treatments for Alzheimer’s have been approved with another 146 attempts resulting in failure. A March 22, 2019 Bloomberg News article questioned if it’s time to turn in new directions in seeking a drug to cure or treat Alzheimer’s disease. In A March 21, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s release UsA2 Chairman George Vradenburg said, “while today’s news is disappointing, we remain hopeful in the fight against this dreadful disease. Indeed, evolving scientific evidence is making clear that Alzheimer’s is no longer an inevitability of later life. Rather, a person’s overall health is emerging as a key element of long-term brain health, and we are learning that proactive preventative measures taken at every stage of one’s life can benefit their brain health later in life, delay cognitive decline, increase cognitive resilience and capacity, and minimize the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.”
CBS This Morning recently highlighted results from a national A-LIST survey: “It’s Personal: Seeking Outside Companionship.” The need for this discussion was highlighted when the husband of lifestyle expert B. Smith revealed he was in a second relationship while he cared for her. Watch the CBS This Morning video
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The key findings from this survey:
- A majority of couples report they discuss patient-related preferences, but over 60% of those surveyed say they omitted or avoided a conversation about their spouse or partner seeking outside companionship.
- When respondents were asked, “If you had Alzheimer’s or dementia, would you support or be against your spouse or partner having outside companionship/affection,” responses were divided Support (39%), Unsure (42%) Against (19%).
- Respondents were divided on the question of whether the Alzheimer’s patient being in a facility or at home would make a difference for a spouse to have another relationship. 25% said “Yes” and 25% said “Unsure,” and close to 50% said “No.”
- In a data driven world, the A-LIST is a new way to make your personal story count. The A-LIST helps researchers, regulators and policy makers understand “What Matters Most” to us. Learn more at alist4research.org
As of the end of February, 6 million Alzheimer’s stamps have been sold to raise $840,000 for NIH funded dementia research. The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp will be available through November. https://about.usps.com/corporate-social-responsibility/semipostals.htm
CJFS CARES has moved to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cahaba Heights! Check it out here:
https://www.al.com/life/2019/02/kids-keep-dementia-patients-lively.html
A respite program offering cognitive, social, and physical engagement while providing caregivers a break, CARES has a limited number of openings for new participants. Please contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org or 205-879-3438 for more information. Scholarships available.
Founders Place is a new respite ministry program for adults with memory loss opening April 30 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Hours of operation will be 10:00-2:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cognitive-enhancing activities in visual art, movement, and music offered in an atmosphere of joy and love. All are welcome! Cost is $40/day. Scholarships available. Eligibility guidelines and registration: www.saint-lukes.com,foundersplace@saint-lukes.com. 205.802.6217
Live chat webinar, “Faith’s Role in the Caregiving Journey,” from Help for Alzheimer’s Families. March 28, at noon. Live chat with author and expert Rick Hamlin. Or send in questions ahead of time to livechat@homeinstead.com.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America free webinar, “Sexuality in Long-Term Care.” April 11, at noon. The webinar will address how dementia may effect consent in nursing homes regarding issues around sexuality and its manifestations. Register here.
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