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Alzheimer's Foundation of America

New Legislation Seeks to Fortify Services for Older Americans

The Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization of 2014 (H.R. 3850), was introduced earlier this month in the House by Reps. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) to reauthorize and fund grants for nutrition and supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention/health promotion services, elder rights programs, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program through FY'18. The OAA reauthorization effort is also underway in the Senate (S. 1562), introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).

 

In addition, on January 15, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) reintroduced the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S.1932), (H.R. 3890), which seeks to improve care coordination for beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. It also encourages use of technology, such as telehealth, to enable healthcare providers to service rural and frontier areas.

Alzheimer's Foundation Awards $100,000+ in Family Respite Care Grants

As an increasing number of families bear the financial, physical and emotional toll of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) recently awarded more than $100,000 in grants to community organizations nationwide to give family caregivers a much-needed break.

 

AFA awarded grants of $5,000 each to 21 nonprofit community organizations in 13 states so that they, in turn, can give respite care scholarships to new or existing clients in financial need. Click here to read more about grant recipients, and click here for more information on AFA's grant programs.

Last Call for 'Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness' College Scholarship Competition

College-bound students interested in AFA's 7th annual "Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness" scholarship have just two more weeks to enter the competition!

 

To apply, students must write a 1,200 to 1,500 word essay that gives thoughtful consideration to the impact Alzheimer's disease has on his/her life and what the teen has learned about himself, his family and/or his community through coping with the disease.

 

AFA will award scholarships totaling $12,000, including $5,000 to the grand prize winner. The application deadline is February 15, 2014. For full details, click here
News to Use
  • Register Now for AFA's Latest Support Groups - There is still time to register for AFA's new support groups, which kick off later this month. The first, a Skype-based support group, is specifically geared toward teenagers who have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. The group will take place Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. EST, February 18-April 8. The second is a telephone-based grief and transition support group for widows and widowers whose spouses had Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. It begins February 24, and runs subsequent Mondays through April 28, from 3-4 p.m. EST. For more information and to register, call 866-232-8484 or email [email protected].  
News Updates
  • Specific Protein May Play Role in Alzheimer's Disease-Related Memory Loss - Researchers have linked a protein, Neuroligin-1 (NLGN1), known to be involved in memory formation, to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease as well. Using animals, researchers found that the molecule disrupts the nerve cell network in the brain responsible for making memories. Read more...   
  • DDT Exposure Linked to Alzheimer's Disease - A new study has found that participants with Alzheimer's disease had nearly four times the amount of DDE, a substance caused by the breakdown of the pesticide DDT, in their bloodstream compared to a non-dementia control group. Further, those participants with high DDE levels who also have the ApoE4 risk gene had more severe cognitive impairment. The United States banned DDT more than 40 years ago. Read more... 

  • Older Women With Both High Estrogen Levels and Diabetes May Face Much Higher Dementia Risk - A combination of high estrogen levels and diabetes in older women may result in a 14 times greater risk of dementia, according to a new study. Researchers found that the risk of dementia more than doubled for women who had high estrogen levels, without diabetes, after accounting for other dementia risk factors.  Read more...

  • New Molecule May Protect Brain From High Blood Sugar Effects - Researchers have created a molecule that could potentially lower the higher risk of developing dementia among people with diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels. When applied in diabetic rats, one of the molecules, TXM-CB3, significantly reduced the inflammatory activity of damaging enzymes, and reduced the death of brain cells. Read more... 
    
January 30, 2014 
Volume 7 Issue 4

Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area

Baton Rouge, La.  

 

Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area is hosting its 21st Annual Education Conference on Alzheimer's Disease: "Discovering Gems in Alzheimer's Disease" in Baton Rouge, La. on March 18. Renowned dementia expert Teepa Snow will deliver the keynote address.

 

For more information, click here.  

  

Country House,
Wilmington, Del.

Country House, an Acts Retirement Life Community, in Wilmington, Del. recently raised more than $800 for AFA during AFA's National Commemorative Candle Lighting Weekend of Prayer.

 

Leading up to its candle-lighting ceremony, which included a concert, the community "sold" paper bag luminaries for a donation of $1 each and lined its �-mile long driveway with the beautifully-lit bags.   

 

Everyone was invited outside to see the display and the community's chaplain said a few words in honor of people with Alzheimer's disease and in memory of those who have passed.

 

May 1: "For the Love of George" Cocktail Party & Concert

Nashville, Tenn.

  

Join AFA at Sambuca in Nashville, Tenn. for a night of awareness and tribute in honor of the millions of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers. The event includes an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and a performance by the band, Honor By August.  

  

For information about sponsorships, call 866-232-8484 or click here. To purchase tickets, click here

  
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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.
 
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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Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Our mission is to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families through member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life. 
 Visit us at www.alzfdn.org or call us toll-free at 866-232-8484.

If you have a question or concern that you would like to discuss with a social worker, write [email protected] or call (toll-free) 866-232-8484.