Alzheimer's Foundation of America |
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2013 Monthly Alzheimer's Disease Webinar Series Kicks Off
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) today kicked off their 2013 monthly Webinar series focusing on Alzheimer's disease, with an eye on improving coordination of federal resources to assist diagnosed individuals and their family caregivers, and raising awareness of the availability of research participation opportunities.
Today's webinar included updates on the "National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease;" advances in early detection of Alzheimer's disease, such as PET amyloid imaging; discussion about the health risks associated with providing care for a family member with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia; and how to find and register for trials.
The next webinar will focus on people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and dementia, and takes place on June 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ET). For more information, click here.
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Disasters: Don't Delay, Prepare Today
As the summer storm season kicks off, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) announced that its next monthly "Care Connection" educational teleconference for caregivers of people with dementia will focus on "Coping in the Face of Disasters." The hour-long session will take place June 13, beginning at 1 p.m. (ET).
The featured speaker will be Janelle Christensen, Ph.D., M.P.H., a former grants administrator at Alzheimer's Community Care, Palm Beach, Fla, which had received an AFA grant in 2011 for disaster-preparedness kits for families caring for people with dementia. Christensen will discuss the importance of adapting disaster plans to the various stages of dementia, strategies to deal with scenarios such as a person's refusal to evacuate, tips for managing stress-induced behaviors, and what to pack in the all-important "go" kit.
"This is such an important topic, particularly in the wake of last week's deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma. Our hearts go out to all the victims of this recent tragedy," said Carol Steinberg, AFA's acting CEO.
To join the conference, call (toll-free) 877-232-2992, and enter guest identification number 271004#.
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Adult Day Services Benefit Both Caregivers and Attendees
 Family caregivers had lower exposure to care-related stressors and more positive experiences on days when their loved ones with dementia attended adult day programs, according to a study that appears in the current issue of The Gerontologist.
Further, researchers at Penn State University found that these "time-outs" helped to lower anger and reduce the impact of non-care-related stressors, which may help to reduce the effects of
chronic stress over time.
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News to Use
A 43-panel section of AFA's Quilt to Remember, an extraordinary work of art that marks a moving tribute to people living with dementia and their families will be on display at Lasell College in Newton, Mass., on May 29. The exhibit is in conjunction with the Boston leg of a nationwide educational tour for family and professional caregivers, "Understanding Dementia Care," co-sponsored by AFA and Senior Helpers, one of the nation's largest in-home care agencies. For more information and to register for these sessions, visit www.teepasnowtour.org. |
News Updates
- Something to "B"-lieve In - According to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, people with mild cognitive impairment who took a high-dose regimen of B12, B6 and folic acid experienced significantly reduced atrophy in the areas of the brain most seriously affected by Alzheimer's disease. In addition, volunteers who took the B vitamins performed better on cognitive tests. Read more...
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Can Skin Cancer Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk? - Research findings indicate that this may be the case. A study found that the elderly participants who had skin cancer-other than the most aggressive form, melanoma-prior to the study's onset or who were diagnosed with it during the observation period were nearly 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than people who did not have skin cancer. Read more...
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Possible Link Between Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer's Disease Preliminary research has found that thinner participants with disrupted breathing during sleep-sleep apnea-were more likely to exhibit biological warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, including decreased use of glucose in the brain. Obese participants with breathing problems, though more likely to have sleep apnea, did not seem to have as great a risk of Alzheimer's disease as those who were not overweight. And those who were just slightly overweight seemed to have a lower risk of the disease. Read more...
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May 23, 2013
Volume 6 Issue 11
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 Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales Employees and residents of the Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales on the Outer Banks of N.C. last month participated in the company's annual "Charity Queen" event-with one of the contestants donating his win to AFA. The event features all the categories of a traditional beauty pageant, with one unique twist - the participants are all men, impersonating women, in the name of their charity of choice. James Skinner, an employee of Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales, selected AFA in memory of his grandmother, who passed away from Alzheimer's disease, and in honor of his mother, who is currently living with Alzheimer's disease. His performance resulted in a gift to AFA of more than $2,300.
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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