Florida Gulf Coast Chapter

 

Pasco Update 

December 2013

In This Issue
Thank You!
Support Groups
Number of Gene Variants Linked to Alzheimer's Disease Doubles
The Genetics of Alzheimer's
Help Identify Risk Genes
Care for the Caregiver: How Heavy is This Glass of Water?
Calendar
All programs are free to attend unless otherwise specified.
  

December 11, (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Caregiver Seminars: Understanding Dementia Care with Teepa Snow, (for family and professional caregivers)

  • Seminar 1 Helping Throughout the Journey of Dementia: Understanding progression and how to provide the right care and support at the right time for best interactions and outcomes.
  • Seminar 2 Providing Service and Support Throughout the Progression of Dementia: Learn how to modify communication and interaction skills, control the environment, and support and guide others for better outcomes and care for people living with dementia.

St John the Devine Episcopal Church, 1015 Del Webb Blvd East, Sun City Center.

To register Call 813-677-1400 or visit

www.seniorhelpers.com/UDC-Seminar-Series

 

December 12, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Caregiver Seminars: Understanding Dementia Care with Teepa Snow, (for family and professional caregivers)

  • Seminar 1: Helping Throughout the Journey of Dementia: Understanding progression and how to provide the right care and support at the right time for best interactions and outcomes.
  • Seminar 2: Providing Service and Support Throughout the Progression of Dementia: Learn how to modify communication and interaction skills, control the environment, and support and guide others for better outcomes and care for people living with dementia.

Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, Families Ministries Building, 4730 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland. Registration required. Family caregivers sign up hereProfessionals sign up here. CEUS for professionals. FREE respite, pre-registration required. Please call 863-686-7333 with any questions.

 

December 17, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.- Caregiver Education: Handling Holidays at Valencia Hills Health & Rehab, 1350 Sleepy Hill Rd, Lakeland.  Don't let the holidays overwhelm you. Learn to manage the holidays to fit you and your loved ones new routine. This personation covers tips and tricks to minimize stress during holidays and family gatherings. RSVP for seating and refreshment purposes: Phone: 863-292-9210 / Email: [email protected]

 

December 21, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. - Caregiver Education: When Grandma is Not Grandma Anymore at Cypress Lakes, 10000 US 98 North, Lakeland, To attend RSVP to Gwen Snook for gate pass ((863) 859-2136). Support Group to follow (11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). This presentation offers insight into the behavioral challenges that can arise in people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. It offers communication strategies and tips on how to manage difficult behaviors.

Thank You!
Lori Sims, Vice President Development
Alzheimer's Association- Florida Gulf Coast Chapter

Thank you to all Walkers, Families, Caregivers, Advocates and Friends who joined this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's!

Each of the 11 Walks was an immensely bonding experience that brought together thousands of people who raised funds for the Alzheimer's Association. We, at the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, recognize that each gift represents a real person, with a unique story of hope, inspiration, and dedication.

We are most appreciative of those who shared their stories during the Promise Garden ceremony. Thanks to the community Walk chairs and the committees for their unwavering commitment.

Please visit our website, www.alz.org/flgulfcoast and click on Walk to End Alzheimer's and Walker News
to see the results of each Walk, along with special photos of those who participated. Also, for more in depth photographic coverage, visit our Facebook page
Support Groups

Chapter affiliated support groups are for family members, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer's disease. Meetings are open to everyone and free of charge. Support group facilitators have received training as required by Chapter and National Alzheimer's Association standards. For program information and to verify meeting dates, times, and locations, please use the telephone contacts listed below. For other questions or for respite care information so you can attend a group, call your local office or 1- 800-272-3900.

 

Message Boards: The Alzheimer's Association message boards and chat rooms are your online communication forum. Our message boards have over 9,000 registered members from around the United States, and many more people who simply browse the stories and information that is offered 24 hours a day. Join the Alzheimer's Association online community.

  

Dade City
Edwinola Retirement Community
14235 Edwinola Way
2nd Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Melissa Cone
(352) 567-6500

Land O' Lakes
Harvester Methodist Church
2432 Collier Parkway
1st Monday @ 10:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Phyllis Bross
(813) 996-1361

New Port Richey
HPH Hospice
6807 Rowan Road
3rd Tuesday @ 2:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Nancy Buckheister
(727) 863-7971

First Baptist Church of
New Port Richey
6800 Trouble Creek Road
2nd Thursday @ 1:00 pm
Facilitator: Lois Peterman
(727)849-4210

Port Richey
*The Cottages of Port Richey
5905 Pine Hill Road
2nd Thursday @ 2:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Victoria Hudgins
(727) 845-0527
 

Quick Links
  
Like us on Facebook
Number of Gene Variants Linked to Alzheimer's Disease Doubles
gene Scientists have discovered eleven new genes that may be tied to the late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease, a new study shows. Eleven gene variants had previously been linked to late-onset Alzheimer's, including the APOE-e4 gene that appeared to have the strongest impact on risk.

 

The study, a meta-analysis, International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project, finding these results, was published online by Nature Genetics. 
  
The International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project (IGAP) is a collaboration formed to discover and map the genes that contribute to Alzheimer's. The formation of IGAP in 2011 was supported by the Alzheimer's Association and the Fondation Plan Alzheimer.

 

This collaborative effort, spanning universities from both Europe and the United States, combines the knowledge, staff, and resources of four groups that conduct research on Alzheimer's disease genetics.

 

They identified as many new Alzheimer's-related genes in this one study as have been found in the last 15 years combined. The findings expand the scope of our understanding of Alzheimer's to new areas, including the immune system, where a genetic overlap was identified with other neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.  This is extremely important work in taking our ability to detect and treat Alzheimer's disease to the next level. Identification of genes that contribute to Alzheimer's risk and influence the progression of disease may:

  • Help lead us to the cause of the disease.
  • Identify proteins and other new targets for drug development.
  • Provide genetic methods for determining which people are at greatest risk for Alzheimer's when preventative measures become available.

More details on the research findings

  • Pooling resources through IGAP, the collaborative team collected 74,076 patients and controls from 15 countries.
  • The researchers found genes that confirmed known biological pathways of Alzheimer's disease, including the role of the amyloid (SORL1, CASS4) and tau (CASS4, FERMT2).
  • Additional genes related to cell migration (PTK2B), lipid transport, and endocytosis (SORL1) were also confirmed.
  • Newly discovered genes involved in the immune response and inflammation (HLA-DRB5/DRB1, INPP5D, MEF2C).
  • New hypotheses emerged related to hippocampal synaptic function (MEF2C, PTK2B), the cytoskeleton and axonal transport (CELF1, NME8, CASS4), as well as myeloid and microglial cell functions (INPP5D).
  • The researchers say that one of the more significant new genetic associations was found in the HLA-DRB5 - DRB1 region, which plays a role in the immune system and inflammatory response. This region has also been associated with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that the diseases where abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain may involve a common mechanism.

Learn more

The Genetics of Alzheimer's

The Genetics of Alzheimer's, 2010

Help Identify Risk Genes
In 2003, the Alzheimer's Association partnered with the National Institute on Aging to begin recruiting participants for the National Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Study, a federal initiative to collect and bank blood samples from families with several members who developed Alzheimer's disease late in life. The goal is to identify additional Alzheimer's risk genes. The study continues to seek participants.
Caregiver Jewels
Emily Reese, Program Specialist, AAFGCC

Caregiver Jewels is a column featuring tips from family and professional caregivers throughout our 17 county service area. These "golden nuggets" represent caregiving strategies and tricks of the trade.

For the column to be a success we need your input! It may be a "golden nugget" you say to get your loved one to attend a program or an activity to redirect their attention. Whether your tip is a diamond, emerald or ruby - all are valuable! So, please share the wealth! Send your tip to [email protected] or contact your

local office. 

 

December Tip

How Heavy is This Glass of Water?

 

A Young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, "half empty or half full?"

 

She fooled them all ... "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.

 

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

glass of water_Photo courtesy photos-public-domain.com
Photo courtesy photos-public-domain.com

 

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all of the time, sooner or later, as the burden feels increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

 

As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better for each time we've practiced.

 

So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... Pick them up tomorrow.

 

(Jill Andrew, Alzheimer's Association support group facilitator at Superior Residence, heard this story during a training. The author is unknown.)

  

Note: The information in this column is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 

If you have questions, concerns or just wish to talk to someone please feel free to contact us. 

Sincerely,
  

Peggy Macaluso
Program Specialist & Director of Client Advocacy
[email protected]
 

Kim Schaub, Program Specialist

[email protected]


 Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
14010 Roosevelt Boulevard Suite 709
Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: (727) 578-2558
Facsimile: (727) 578-2286

Website: www.alz.org/flgulfcoast

Alzheimer's Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
Chapter Headquarters, 14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 709, Clearwater, FL 33762 Telephone: 727.578.2558

National Headquarters-Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601

Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit  501(c)(3) organization � 2010 Alzheimer's Association. All rights reserved. 

24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900