Alzheimer's Foundation of America |
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New care ADvantage Magazine Offers Tips on How to Raise Alzheimer's Disease Awareness this Election Year
As we come off the heels of 4th of July celebrations and election year activities ramp up, now is the perfect time to talk to politicians about the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and let them know about the recently-released "National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease." Mandated under the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), the historic plan requires funding and action in order for its strategies to be properly and effectively implemented.
The plan sets out the laudable goal of preventing or effectively treating Alzheimer's disease by 2025, and tangible action steps toward facilitating important research, disseminating best clinical care practices and providing access to necessary long-term support services, especially for people with young onset Alzheimer's disease, the developmentally disabled and other high risk groups The strategies offer the prospect of altering the trajectory of this tragic disease and changing lives forever.
A list of talking points to help you engage candidates in conversation and spread the message of "NAPA Now!" are featured in the summer issue of care ADvantage, a quarterly publication published by Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).
The latest care ADvantage also explores what goes on in a clinical trial, and what you should know first if you are considering participating in one. Currently, more than 175 clinical trials related to Alzheimer's disease, including those involving more than 90 drugs, are underway. Thousands of people affected by this disease have participated in a clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease, playing an important role in the fight to defeat the brain disorder. Sign up for a free subscription, visit www.afacareadvantage.org.
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Age Plays Key Role in Willingness to Undergo Dementia Screenings in Primary Care
A new study among adults 65 and older has found that willingness to be screened for dementia varies more by age - not gender, race or income. In the study, researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine asked more than 500 people visiting their primary care physicians to fill out a questionnaire to determine their perceptions about memory screenings, and their willingness to be evaluated for dementia.
While the results showed that 90 percent of the group surveyed was willing to undergo a screening, those in their 70s had a higher rate of refusal to be screened when compared with those in their 60s or 80 and older; adults age 65 to 69 were the most willing to be screened. As well, those who agreed strongly to statements in the survey about the benefits of knowing about dementia earlier were more likely to accept a memory screening.
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News to Use
- The Joint Commission released a new episode in their animated Speak Up™ video series on patient rights, "Speak Up: Know Your Rights." The new video provides information that will help people make better decisions regarding treatment and care at the hospital.
- The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, July 24 at 3 p.m. ET on evidence-based health programming for seniors. The session will discuss what programs are available, why they're important, how to find the right one for your organization, and how to measure success.
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News Updates
- Exercise may be key in the fight against Alzheimer's disease...A new study comparing the effects of a controlled diet and exercise in mice with Alzheimer's disease reveals that exercise may be more beneficial in combating the brain disorder. Researchers found that exercise was more effective than diet control in reducing the formation of beta amyloid, a defining characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, as well as restoring memory loss induced by a high-fat diet in these mice. Read more...
- Scientists Identify Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Blood Test... Certain proteins have been discovered as potential biomarkers which could help researchers develop a test to identify people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers discovered that a group of proteins known as apolipoproteins, which transport cholesterol in the blood, were abnormal in people with mild cognitive impairment when compared with those with normal cognition. The abnormal levels of the proteins - including clusterin or Apo J which has previously been implicated in Alzheimer's disease - found in the blood of the individuals with MCI in the study tended to predict who showed a decline in mental function over two years. Read more...
- Infections in Early Life May Increase Alzheimer's Risk... Investigating how changes in the immune system would impact the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice, scientists have found that infections may contribute to the development of the disease. A new study reports that mice exposed to an infection before birth had elevated levels of inflammation in the brain and displayed memory problems in old age. Also, if the mice were exposed to the infection again in adulthood, the changes grew more apparent, and displayed signs similar to Alzheimer's disease, including significant changes in beta amyloid and tau - hallmark proteins of the disease. Read more...
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July 5, 2012
Volume 5 Issue 14
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November 9-11, 2012
November 13, 2012
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The Legacy Society
AFA's Legacy Society offers special recognition to individuals who have included AFA in their wills or estate plans.
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