Chicken Soup for the Soul: Navigating Eldercare and Dementia is available at the ACA office, Little Professor or on Amazon. There are 101 individual short, true stories–some touching, some funny. Local physician and author, Renee Harmon, contributed a story.
AFTD Volunteer Ron Jackson for a Virtual Meet & Greet for those living in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Connect via Zoom with others in your area whose lives are affected by FTD. Saturday, June 26, noon – 1:30 CT. view the event flyer
Being Patient Webinar: The Link Between Energy Deficiency in the Brain and Alzheimer’s. Learn about the potential link between Alzheimer’s and deficits in the brain’s sources of fuel, and whether the impaired functioning of our metabolism could play a key role in the disease. Reserve your seat: Monday, June 28th at 02:00 PM PT / 05:00 PM ET >>
Must Have Legal Document as You Age, Lunch and Learn at Dawson, July 15, 11:30 – 12:30, with Lynn Campisis, P.C. See attached flyer. Reservations required, Contact Debbie Moss, 205-871-7324 or dmoss@dawsonchurch.org.
In-person and zoom Support Groups:
- ACA’s Coffee Talk with Miller & Vance, Tuesday, June 29, 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 FDA published an opinion piece (The Washington Post) that acknowledges the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm’s, did not qualify for standard FDA approval. Instead, the drug was approved using the FDA’s accelerated approval process. Aduhelm is the first treatment approved by the FDA intended to slow cognitive decline from Alzheimer’s disease, as the Alzheimer’s drugs the FDA previously cleared are aimed at alleviating symptoms rather than slowing the disease’s progression. The drug’s approval sparked an intense debate in the pharmaceutical and medical communities, with critics saying there was not enough evidence of clinical benefits to warrant an approval. FDA directors explain why Aduhelm was approved despite little evidence of clinical benefits (beckershospitalreview.com)
The lack of progress in developing an effective drug, or a combination of drugs, for Alzheimer’s that will treat the disease once it arises suggests that we’ve been looking at this problem in the wrong way. Instead, effective therapies may require systemic approaches based on the principles of science-driven wellness. Read the Op-Ed: Second Opinion: The key to treating Alzheimer’s disease may not be a drug – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
Poor vision and loss of hearing can indirectly affect the brain and, over the long term, increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report. Diminishment of both senses curtails mobility and social interactions, which can lead to isolation and lack of social interactions and increase feelings of loneliness and depression, all of which are known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Why Vision and Hearing Checks Are So Important As We Age | Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (alzinfo.org)
Changes to the brain can begin 10 to 20 years before signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment appear. A recently published op-ed from the Milken Institute’s Center for the Future of Aging emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis in alleviating some of the challenges of a family’s care journey. The op-ed also features the Center for the Future of Aging’s report about building dementia workforce capacity in discussing the impact of dementia stigma, modifiable risk factors and the importance of early detection and diagnosis.
As our population ages and the numbers of those living with dementia increases, how can architects and designers integrate the needs of all within the environments we create—especially churches? Universal Design aims to provide inclusivity for those of all ages, sizes, abilities, and disabilities. The conditions that help support those with dementia—a calm, coherent, orienting, welcoming, and gently stimulating environment—may just be good for all of us. In the absence of a cure, design can help keep those with dementia more active, involved, and of value. 5 Considerations in Building a Dementia-Friendly Church – Church Production Magazine
Research suggests that music may be of benefit to older adults with cognitive impairment. Dementia: Making music may improve thinking and memory (medicalnewstoday.com)
A catchy song that replays in your mind is called an earworm, and those pesky tunes can be difficult to stop. But a song stuck in your head can play a crucial role in strengthening your memory, researchers have found. That Song Stuck in Your Head Is Good for Your Memory (medscape.com)
The largest study of its kind has unveiled new insights into how genes are regulated in dementia, including discovering 84 new genes linked to the disease. Largescale brain epigenetics study provides new insights into dementia — ScienceDaily
In honor of Brain Health Awareness Month, Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement is excited to present The Women’s Brain Health Project. Their new 7-part video series is a comprehensive look at a woman’s life–not through the development of her reproductive organs, but through the powerful and mysterious dance taking place in her brain. It’s riveting, accessible, fun, and based on the hard science and research of many of the WAM Scientific Council members and advisors.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free daily virtual activities and therapeutic programming for care partners and older adults. www.alzfdn.org.