Lunch & Learn, “My Mind is Slipping. What’s Next?”, with Miller Piggott, ACA Executive Director, Thursday, August 12, 11 – 1 pm, CT, Dawson Church. Deadline to register for lunch: August 6. Contact dmoss@dawsonchurch.org, 205-871-7324.
Webinar, August 12, noon CT, with Lynn Castelle Harper, author of On Vanishing: Mortality, Dementia & What It Means to Disappear. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America | Care Connection Webinar: Exploring Dimensions of Spirituality & Dementia (alzfdn.org)
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s Coffee Talk with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, August 3, 11 – noon CT. Call (205) 871-7970 or mpiggott@alzca.org. Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86450491838
- CJFS CARES, Mondays at 3 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- Founders Place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Tuesday’s at 10 am, contact Susan Logan, susanlogan65@gmail.com
- Pell City, (in person)-1st Tuesday of each month, 11:00 am, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Parish Hall, Cropwell. Contact Bit Thomaston, Ethomaston50@gmail.com
- West Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Caregiver Support Group, Tuesdays, contact Nikki Poe, nikki.poe@westal.org.
- CJFS CARES, Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, contact Pam Leonard, pam@cjfsbham.org.
- Leeds, (in person) 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, contact Bit Thomaston,ethomaston50@gmail.com
- United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County, 3rd Tuesday of each month 11:30-12:30, contact Valarie Lawson, vlawson@uwaaa.org
- Asbury United Methodist Church 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 1:00, contact Maggie Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org.
Alzheimer’s News:
The numbers are staggering: around the world, cases of dementia are projected to hit 153 million in 2050, up from around 57 million in 2019, new global prevalence data show. To put that in context, 153 million is equal to approximately half of the US population in 2020. Interventions targeted at modifiable risk factors for dementia represent a viable strategy to help address the anticipated trends in dementia burden. Increases in better education around the world are projected to decrease dementia prevalence by 6.2 million cases worldwide by 2050. However, anticipated trends in smoking, high body mass index, and diabetes will offset this gain, increasing global dementia cases by 6.8 million cases. ‘Staggering’ Increase in Global Dementia Cases Predicted by 2050 (medscape.com)
Alzheimer’s disease raises the risk that someone infected with the novel coronavirus will come down with severe Covid and die, according to a new report. Among those admitted to the hospital for Covid, those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia were at threefold risk of dying from the infection than their peers without dementia. Those with Alzheimer’s who were 80 or older were six times more likely to die from severe disease compared to younger people. The findings underscore the special importance of vaccination against Covid for anyone with Alzheimer’s disease as well as those who care for them. Why a Covid Vaccine Is So Important for Someone With Alzheimer’s | Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (alzinfo.org)
An expert panel has released the first recommendations on the appropriate use of aducanumab (Aduhelm), the controversial anti-amyloid drug that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June for adults with early Alzheimer’s disease. Aduhelm is a first-in-class drug where the vast majority of clinicians have no experience with it and patients and their caregivers are already asking for it and there are some really important conversations to be had ― not only about who may qualify to begin with and also about potential effectiveness and safety. The aducanumab recommendations were published online in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
A large population-based study provides further evidence that hearing loss is a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. Hearing impairment is common and increases with age. It has been estimated that approximately two thirds of adults aged 75 years or older have a hearing problem that adversely affects communication. This is really a win-win situation, as there are interventions available to improve hearing which will make a difference to day-to-day quality of life and could also reduce risk of future dementia. The study waspublished online.
Even though Lori Payne was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s when she was 56 years old, she doesn’t let that stop her from laughing and enjoying life with her family. The Payne family has come together around Lori’s diagnosis and chronicles their Alzheimer’s journey on Facebook through their group, “The Young & Forgetful.” Read more: Lori Payne: Living With Early-Onset Alzheimer’s, A Q&A With WAM (thewomensalzheimersmovement.org)
When it comes to making lifestyle choices that optimize brain health, accumulating evidence suggests that doing at least 43 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day—which amounts to 300 minutes of cardio per week—will help to prevent your white matter and gray matter from deteriorating with age and may offset cognitive decline. What Can Billy Idol Teach Us About Dancing and Brain Health? | Psychology Today
Greater air quality was associated with slower decline in both general cognitive status and episodic memory, new research shows. Whereas previous studies have linked long-term air pollution exposure to accumulation of AD-related brain plaques and increased risk of dementia, these newer studies provide some of the first evidence to suggest that actually reducing pollution is associated with lower risk of all-cause dementia. Individuals can control some factors that contribute to dementia risk, such as exercise, diet and physical activity, but it’s more difficult for them to control exposure to smog and pollution. That will require changes to policy from federal and local governments and businesses, to start addressing the need to improve air quality to help reduce risk for dementia. Reducing Air Pollution Linked to Lower Dementia Risk (medscape.com)
Drinking six or more cups of coffee a day is associated with smaller brain volume and a 53% increased risk for dementia, results of a large study suggest. With coffee intake, moderation is the key, and especially high levels of consumption may have adverse long-term effects on the brain. Full article: High coffee consumption, brain volume and risk of dementia and stroke (tandfonline.com)
Preventing dehydration is important because it can cause serious health issues and a common cause of hospitalization in people over age 65. Being properly hydrated is also needed for certain medications to work. 6 Ideas to Get Seniors to Drink More Water – DailyCaring