Alzheimer's of Central Alabama

Serving people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and professionals in central Alabama through education, caregiver services and research grants.

Weekly Community Calendar November 20, 2020

Calendar:

If you missed ACA’s Jr. Board event, Toasting Research, you can watch it here.  Learn from our rising stars, ACA’s Pre Doctoral Scholars, Ashleigh Irwin and Nolwazi Gcwensa.  ACA webinars with local dementia experts are archived at

https://youtu.be/QQxTKRXS57Q

Support ACA’s virtual auction starting December 4, Wrapping Up 2020.  Details to follow!

ACA’s 2021 calendar of Alzheimer’s Art is available for purchase.  The calendars are $10 and make wonderful holiday gifts. See the details at www.alzca.org/calendar/

Move for Your Memories T-shirts available.  Receive a short-sleeved shirt with your $50 donation or a long-sleeved shirt for a $75 donation, while supplies last and can be mailed to you.  https://alzca.org/walking/

Community Calendar:

November Zoom Meetings with Alabama Lifespan Respite, https://alabamarespite.org/

  • Emotional Side of Caregiving, Saturday, November 21, 10 –     noon CT
  • Managing Family Feuds, Friday, November 30, 10:00 am CT

Right At Home In-Home Care upcoming webinars: 

·    Dementia with difficult behaviors, November 25th 9:00 https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1380489&tp_key=ef097e4fb6

Zoom Support Groups available online:

Alzheimer’s News:

Many people were captivated by the viral video that took the internet by storm last week of a woman named Marta C. González Saldaña, a former prima ballerina living with Alzheimer’s disease. Before her passing last year, Maria was filmed listening to Tschaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and was able to mimic the arm movements she once danced. Although there are some unanswered questions about Maria’s professional career, there is no denying music recall inexplicably survives an Alzheimer’s brain.

Deborah Kan, of On Being, says “music is an interesting area of research when it comes to neurodegeneration. Why can someone gradually forget who their loved ones are but remember a song that they haven’t listened to in decades? As scientists delve into this question, there is increasing evidence that music promotes greater connections in the brain’s vast networks. If we can figure out why, it may just unlock the mystery of why certain memories live on — and that could be a key to finding a cure to Alzheimer’s disease.”

Our friends at Encore, a respite ministry at Canterbury United Methodist Church shared a 6 minute video to help the weary remain grateful.   https://youtu.be/cpkEvBtyL7M

The WAM team (Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement) asked some experts to put together a list of games and activities you can do virtually to stay socially connected and keep your brain engaged, even if it’s from miles away. Check out their guide here.  Then read more from the Founder and Executive Director of UC San Francisco’s Neuroscape, Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD, about how games improve our brains HERE.

As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement shares a video  of powerful, personal stories that will capture your heart.  WATCH HERE

Scientists increasingly recognize the importance of good hearing for brain health. In terms of modifiable risk factors for developing dementia, poor hearing has more of an impact than smoking, high blood pressure and lack of exercise. One analysis found that preventing or treating hearing loss in middle age has the potential to cut the likelihood of developing dementia years down the road by almost 10 percent.  https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/prevention/good-ear-care-may-be-good-for-your-brain/?awt_a=2MTD&awt_l=PbANV&awt_m=I.qCplyurNclTD

The West Alabama Area Agency on Aging offer these tips for bathing and grooming:

Check out the resources available from Teepa Snow and Positive Approach to Care:  https://teepasnow.com/services/online-learning/online-dementia-journal/november-2020-online-dementia-journal/?mc_cid=1f55968e81&mc_eid=a9ed45b7c9

Watch a local news report about caring for a loved one in a nursing home from afar over the holidays.

https://www.wvtm13.com/article/families-feel-the-heartbreak-of-nursing-home-restrictions-during-the-holidays/34724265

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company focused on developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases has just completed Phase II trials of their trial Alzheimer’s drug.  The PEGASUS trial design and broad inclusion criteria will allow the researchers to assess whether AMX0035 can prevent neurodegeneration in people with Alzheimer’s via MR imaging and fluid biomarkers. See more at https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/amylyx-pharmaceuticals-announces-last-patient-completes-final-study-visit-in-pegasus-trial-of-amx0035-in-alzheimer-s-disease/

According to the NIA, nothing has to be done immediately after a person’s death. Take the time you need.  Remember that everyone grieves differently and there is no right way to grieve.  See their advice:  what to do after the death of a loved one.

Joy for All Companion Pets are robotic cats or dogs that can bring companionship, fun and laughter.  The pets are available for purchase at CVS or through Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (aca@alzca.org) or through Dementia Friendly Alabama abbey.rogers@adss.alabama.gov.

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