Alzheimer's Foundation of America |
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Study Confirms Alzheimer's Disease as Sixth Leading Cause of Death
Alzheimer's disease continues to be the sixth leading cause of death
 in the United States, according to a study released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study also showed that the age-adjusted death rate from Alzheimer's disease skyrocketed 39 percent from 2000 to 2010. This is particularly significant since deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke - other leading causes of death in the nation - all declined during the same period.
Age, race and gender are all factors that can impact the risk of dying from Alzheimer's disease, according to the study.
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Making the Most of Doctors' Visits
If you've ever left a doctor's office thinking, "I wish I had asked..." or "Should I be concerned about...?" you are not alone. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your time with a healthcare professional:
- Bring a list of questions - any and all - to the visit.
- Keep a running list of any changes in your loved one's symptoms or health complaints and be sure to bring it to the appointment.
- Discuss any concerns about the prescribed treatment plan, including any related to carrying out the instructions.
- Inquire whether the clinician will be communicating with other health professionals treating your loved one.
Click here for more tips on effectively communicating with clinicians.
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News to Use
- Follow the LEAD: The Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition recently unveiled a Twitter feed (@LEAD_Coalition) that will carry news of interest to the Alzheimer's community.
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With the recent government sequestration and other cuts taking a chunk out of much-needed funding for medical research, more than 100 organizations from across the spectrum of health issues - including Alzheimer's disease - will gather on April 8 in Washington, D.C. to advocate for continued funding.
- Care Connection Teleconference: Care Connection, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) free monthly teleconference for caregivers, will feature Amie Dorney, a certified therapeutic-recreation specialist at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA, on April 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET). She will discuss recreational activities to engage people in various stages of Alzheimer's disease. Healthcare professionals can earn continuing education credit toward renewal in Dementia Care Professionals of America, AFA's training division. To dial in, call 877-232-2992 and enter guest identification number: 271004#.
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News Updates
- Treating Depression May Help Slow Loss of Independence in People with Alzheimer's Disease... A new study from Columbia University Medical Center has found that depression in individuals with Alzheimer's disease is linked to decreased ability to perform the routine activities associated with independent living. The study suggests that mental health treatment could help slow the loss of independence. Read more...
- Cold Sores Linked to Decreased Cognition... Herpesviridae viral infections, a family of viruses that causes cold sores and other infections, may contribute to lower cognitive abilities, according to a study published in Neurology. Researchers found that physical activity significantly lowered the link between an "infectious burden index" and intellectual decline.
- Can Tastes of the Mediterranean Help Reduce Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease?... According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, the benefits of the Mediterranean diet may extend beyond heart health. A recent analysis of more than 1.5 million adults who followed a Mediterranean diet, which typically includes olive oil, fruits, vegetables, pasta and rice, found a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer, as well as heart disease.
- Parkinson's Disease Drug May Help Decision-Making Process in Older Adults... New research indicates that a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease may help reverse impaired decision-making abilities resulting from changes in brain activity in people 70 years of age and older. Read more...
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March 28, 2013
Volume 6 Issue 7
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"The Memory Show," a new Off Broadway musical about a mother and daughter grappling with Alzheimer's disease, will go the extra mile to raise awareness of the disease at its evening performance on May 2.
The Transport Group Theatre Company will donate a portion of the proceeds from the performance to benefit AFA, and will host a talkback featuring Carol Steinberg, AFA's acting CEO, and the show's writers, who both experienced Alzheimer's disease in their families. The musical runs from April 16 to May 18 at the Duke in New York. Click here for ticket information.
 June 26, 2013
Mark your calendar for AFA's second annual
"5 Boroughs Concepts in Care Conference"
in New York City. This free daylong educational conference will have separate sessions for family and professional caregivers, and individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, and will provide valuable tools to better understand the disease and handle daily challenges in both the home and long-term care settings. Other activities include memory screenings, a display of the AFA Quilt to Remember
and the Virtual Dementia Tour™. For more information and to register, call
866-232-8484.
Sign the
Stop Alzheimer's Petition
Speak out now against Alzheimer's disease. Together we can become a chorus of voices echoing through the halls of Washington, DC, speaking for those who are in the shadows.
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The Legacy SocietyAFA's Legacy Society offers special recognition to individuals who have included AFA in their wills or estate plans.
Support AFA Monthly
Donors can now make recurring monthly donations to AFA, which will be automatically deducted from your credit card each month. You may cancel at any time. |
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