Alzheimer's Foundation of America e-Newsletter
April 13, 2012
 Volume 5 Issue 8

New Report Highlights Urgency of Worldwide Dementia Crisis         

  Depression and Alzheimer's Disease   

Somewhere in the world, a person develops dementia approximately every four seconds, amounting to an estimated 7.7 million new cases of dementia each year, according to a new report released this week by the World Health Organization and Alzheimer's Disease International.

   The report calls for "immediate action" by all stakeholders at international, national, regional and local levels to: promote a dementia-friendly society globally; make dementia a national public health and social care priority worldwide; improve professional and public attitudes and understanding of dementia; invest in health and social systems to improve care and services for people with dementia and their caregivers; and increase the priority given to dementia in the public health research agenda.

     With 35.6 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2010, the report estimates that the costs of dementia are (U.S.) $604 billion per year. It notes that "the costs are increasing even more quickly than the prevalence" of the disease.  

New care ADvantage Magazine Features Legendary Basketball Coach Pat Summitt     

  Care ADvantage Spring 2012   

The son of legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt speaks out about his mother's diagnosis with young-onset Alzheimer's disease in the spring issue of care ADvantage, a quarterly magazine published by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).

   In discussing how his mom is faring on and off the court, Tyler Summitt, an aspiring coach himself, said his mom is giving the disease "the fight of its life."

   "My mom is using this diagnosis to show people... that it is not something to be ashamed of. As she continues to live life to its fullest, she inspires others to do the same," he wrote.

   The latest care ADvantage also explores the controversial use of antipsychotic drugs to treat behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and presents alternative, non-pharmacological options; and how therapeutic clowning can improve quality of life. Sign up for a free subscription, visit www.afacareadvantage.org.

 

Sam's Club to Offer Free Brain Health Screenings on April 14    

Pharmacy  

Sam's Club will be providing free memory screenings and other brain health screenings at its in-store pharmacies nationwide on April 14 in order to "help communities get smart about brain health."

    AFA has provided Sam's Club with memory screening tools and educational materials as part of AFA's Community Memory Screenings Program, a year-round initiative in which local sites provide free, confidential screenings as a first step toward diagnosis. The screening results do not represent a diagnosis, but can indicate whether a person should pursue further evaluation.

     The screenings at Sam's Club locations are available to club members and the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brain health event also includes blood pressure, glucose and body mass screenings.

    To find a local screening site, click here.  

FDA Approves New Diagnostic Tool for Alzheimer's Disease  

Brain  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week approved Amyvid, a radioactive diagnostic agent used during PET brain imaging to detect amyloid plaques in individuals with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaques are hallmark characteristics found in people with the brain disorder. 

   The FDA granted approval after Eli Lilly & Company and Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lilly, achieved positive results from three clinical studies that examined images from healthy adults and individuals with a range of cognitive disorders.

   Researchers found that a negative Amyvid scan indicated that no amyloid plaques were present, reducing the likelihood that the individual's cognitive impairment was due to Alzheimer's disease; a positive Amyvid scan indicated the presence of moderate to frequent amyloid plaques, which may indicate Alzheimer's disease or another neurological condition.

    Use of the agent does not establish a diagnosis, but is a complement to other diagnostic tools.

 

Celebrities David Cassidy and Joy Bauer to Present at AFA's Free Conference

5 Boroughs Logo  

As government leaders increasingly acknowledge the need for greater education about Alzheimer's disease, AFA will provide an understanding of the disease and practical strategies to handle daily challenges at a free, care-focused conference on May 18 in New York City.

    The all-day "Five Boroughs Concepts in Care Conference" at the Crowne Plaza Hotel-Times Square will include separate sessions specifically for people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, family caregivers and healthcare professionals.

    Featured speakers are award-winning entertainer and multi-platinum recording artist David Cassidy who will share "A Son's Story" as the keynote luncheon speaker; and Joy Bauer, nutrition and health expert for the "Today" show, who will discuss smart lifestyle choices for brain health.

   Also on the agenda is Teepa Snow, a renowned dementia care expert who will present strategies to address behavioral, communication and safety issues. 

   The conference will also include a candle lighting ceremony, exhibit hall, display of the AFA Quilt to Remember, free memory screenings, the Virtual Dementia Tour, and free respite care for individuals with dementia who need supervision while family members attend the conference.

   Avanir Pharmaceuticals is the presenting sponsor of the professional track, and Forest Laboratories, Inc. is a sponsor of the family caregiver track.  For a complete agenda, click here.  For more information or to register, call 866-AFA-8484. 

 

News to Use:
  • Tune into a free Webinar entitled "Dementia Care: Keys to Effective Communication" that features renowned dementia care expert Teepa Snow on April 17 at 2 p.m. (ET). The Webinar is presented by AFA and Senior Helpers, in collaboration with the American Society on Aging. Healthcare professionals can earn free CEUs. Pre-registration is required.
  • Take some time to volunteer from April 15 to 21 as part of National Volunteer Week. AFA is encouraging people of all ages to volunteer and help individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and their caregivers and families. For example, assist at a care facility, hold an awareness-raising event, or provide a few hours of respite to a caregiver. In addition, teens can also give back by setting up AFA Teens chapters in their communities. "Even the smallest action can make a tremendous difference," emphasized Eric J. Hall, AFA's president and CEO.
  • Check out "A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's Disease" published by Assisted Living Today, which features collective advice about dementia and memory care from 20 memory care experts, including AFA's president and CEO.
 News Update
  • New Gene Connected to Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease...

    Researchers have linked gene mutations on SORL1 to the young-onset form of Alzheimer's disease, which affects people under age 65. According to the researchers, two of the mutations resulted in an increase in the production of beta-amyloid peptide, a hallmark protein found in people with Alzheimer's disease.

    Read More... 
  • Reducing Iron Levels May Protect Brain From Alzheimer's Disease...According to a recent study involving rabbits, researchers found that a drug called deferiprone worked to reduce the presence of iron in blood plasma and lowered levels of beta amyloid and tau proteins, both hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, to normal levels. Read More... 
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If you have a question or concern that you would like to discuss with a social worker, please write [email protected] or call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484.

 

� 2012 Alzheimer's Foundation of America
In This Issue
New Report Highlights Urgency of Worldwide Dementia Crisis
New care ADvantage Magazine Features Legendary Basketball Coach Pat Summitt
Sam's Club to Offer Free Brain Health Screenings on April 14
FDA Approves New Diagnostic Tool for Alzheimer's Disease
Celebrities David Cassidy and Joy Bauer to Present at AFA's Free Conference
News to Use
The Latest in Alzheimer's News
Alzheimer's Poetry Project Recognized for 'Community Engagement'

The Alzheimer's Poetry Project, a long-time AFA member organization headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, was recently named winner of the MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in America Leadership Award.

   The Alzheimer's Poetry Project won the prestigious award in the category of community engagement for its training of artists, family members, healthcare workers and teachers in the creation and performance of poetry to facilitate the creativity of people living with dementia.

     Gary Glazner, a poet who founded the local organization in New Mexico in 2004, was among the winners who presented at the American Society on Aging's annual conference last week.

New York Quilt Shop to Display Heartfelt Panel from AFA's 'Quilt to Remember'

A heartfelt quilt square crafted for the AFA Quilt to Remember will be featured at The City Quilter in Midtown Manhattan now through April 17.

   The City Quilter, a long-time haven for local quilters, is located at 133 West 25 Street--just a few blocks from AFA's headquarters in Chelsea.

   The featured quilt was created by four quilters from Appleton, WI and conveys a powerful message: The center features a patchwork windmill with the saying, "Blowing down the windmills of the mind."

   AFA hopes the display will touch the hearts of local quilters and shoppers regardless of whether or not Alzheimer's disease has touched their own families, and that its emotional voice will encourage them to contribute a panel to the AFA Quilt to Remember.        

   The AFA Quilt to Remember is the nation's first large-scale quilt that pays tribute to people who had or have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, their caregivers or healthcare professionals.

 

National Advisory Panel to Discuss Draft Alzheimer's Plan on April 17

The next meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services that is advising on the development of the nation's historic Alzheimer's plan will be held on April 17 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C.

   An HHS representative will present an overview of its "Draft National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease." The council will discuss the draft plan, and, as appropriate, vote upon recommendations to the Secretary of HHS. The meeting will include an open public session.

   The advisory council is composed of federal and non-federal experts, including AFA's president and CEO, Eric J. Hall. AFA last month submitted its recommendations to the draft plan and called on the government to "reach higher and farther." Recommendations in AFA's  "The Time to Act Is Now" report included a new benefit for Medicare beneficiaries for diagnosis and care planning, as well as a tax break for family caregivers.

 

 

AFA recently announced the formation of a Legacy Society, which offers special recognition to individuals who have included AFA in their wills or estate plans. Information about AFA's new Legacy Society is available at

www.alzfdn.org or by contacting AFA at 866.232.8484 


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