Crimson Community Café, Saturday, September 14, UPerk, 405 20th Avenue, Tuscaloosa. Bring your loved one with dementia for a cup of coffee and fellowship. crimsoncummunitycafe@gmail.com.
In case you missed it: On Sunday, September 15, CBS’s 60 Minutes will re-air “The Cruelest Disease You’ve Never Heard Of…”, the segment on FTD that was originally featured in May. In his story, reporter Bill Whitaker interviews several people living with FTD and their care partners. 6 PM.
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
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Lunch and Learn, Tuesday, October 29. Grief and Coping with the Holidays with Matthew Bunt. Bunt serves as the Education Coordinator for The Amelia Center and has worked with Alabama Youth Homes as a counselor and volunteered with Mustard Seed Society and Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch facilitating and assisting with Equine Assisted Psychotherapy groups. Details to follow.
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. www.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:
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
A September 12, 2019 The Wooded Path blog post by Tuscaloosa neurologist Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN, shared lessons learned about being a good care partner for someone with dementia, originally compiled for a webinar for the Dementia Alliance International. Potts advises, “Laughter is essential. It is the great equalizer. But listening rivals laughter as the best medicine. Listening requires use of all senses, not just hearing.” And, “Empathy is the game changer in creating a culture of compassion in dementia care. Empathy increases when persons allow themselves to have meaningful relationships with those living with dementia. It is especially important to facilitate this process in young people.” Dr. Potts will be Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s guest speaker at our Annual Meeting and Candle Lighting Service, November 14.
According to a September 9, 2019 People Magazine article, Dr. Oz’s mom has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. “Alzheimer’s is like a snake in the grass,” said Oz. “You don’t see it. You only see the effects of it suddenly. And if there’s a wind blowing the grass, you don’t even notice the grass moving strangely. It sneaks up on you… The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves. Everyone in my family probably could’ve figured this out, myself included. But my wishful thinking was that it was just mom being a little bit older, she’s stressed out, my dad was ill. And so we lost our truth.” Also covered by Today, and ABC News.
Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) shared interviews with 3 experts about creating a more dementia-friendly world. Lenny Shallcross, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel, and Dr. Daniel Potts offer advice in their areas of expertise: dementia friendly policy & health, being inclusive of those with dementia, and how best to include dementia friendly worship:
Lenny Shallcross, executive director of the World Dementia Council, a founding member of Dementia Friends discusses the need for us all to work towards a more dementia-friendly world. [READ MORE]
At an unprecedented gathering of top Alzheimer’s experts this summer, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel gave a touching yet powerful address about her own personal struggles with the disease. She also laid out valuable tips on how to better treat people with dementia. [WATCH THE VIDEO HERE]
What happens when your memory goes but you want to remember your God? Neurologist and author Daniel Potts discusses the importance of advocating for dementia-friendly worship by reflecting on his father’s struggles to maintain his faith while battling Alzheimer’s. [READ MORE]
A September 8, 2019 The Advocate Alzheimer’s Q&A asked about the link between hearing loss and dementia. A recent study found that a new diagnosis of hearing loss between ages 45 to 65 more than doubles the chance of developing dementia in the next 12 years. Hearing protection, screening and hearing aids may help to reduce cognitive decline. According to the article, “Hearing loss affects the way people communicate and connect with one another and can greatly affect overall health in older adults, including their emotional well-being, social isolation and cognition.”
A September 11, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s release highlighted the new ResearchersAgainstAlzheimer’s report, “Non-Pharmacological Therapies in Alzheimer’s disease: A Systematic Review.” The report focuses on opportunities for exploration within the non-pharmacological AD interventions pipeline, and contains case studies and commentary on ongoing non-pharmacological trials. Read the full report here.
Click to learn more about end-of-life care decisions for people with dementia including understanding dementia progression. From the National Institute on Again.
Cleaning out you closet can benefit seniors! Donation drop-off is easier than ever at the NEW Goodwill drive-thru donation center at 5113 Oporto Madrid Blvd, between Montclair Rd and Montevallo Rd. CJFS clients receive shopping credit for every donation you make in their name, and you never have to get out of your car! Notify the Goodwill staff that you are dropping off for CJFS and they will do the rest. Open 7 days a week, Mon-Sat 7a-7p and on Sun 9a-5pm. For more information contact Jennifer Nemet, 205-278-7118 or jennifer@cjfsbham.org.
Falls and Home Safety in Alzheimer’s Disease free webinar, September 12. Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. To learn more and to register, click here
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