Alzheimer's Foundation of America
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Study Shows Alzheimer's Deaths May Be Largely Under-Reported
 While Alzheimer's disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., a new study suggests that the brain disorder could actually rank as high as the third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago suggest that the brain disorder may have contributed to more than 500,000 deaths from Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. population over age 75 in 2010, which is five to six times higher than the 83,494 reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention based on death certificates. The researchers analyzed data of more than 2,500 people ages 65 and older who received annual testing for dementia, and probed into the death certificates of those who passed. "Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause," said Bryan D. James, Ph.D., the author of the study. |
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President Obama Issues FY15 Budget With Mostly Level Funding for Alzheimer's Disease
 President Obama recently released his fiscal year 2015 (FY15) budget, which includes similar funding levels for Alzheimer's disease research and support services as the FY14 budget.
The budget provides $30.2 billion for the National Institutes of Health, with $1.17 billion (the same as FY14) going to the National Institute on Aging, which funds the majority of Alzheimer's disease research. The Administration on Community Living, which implements Older American Act programs that support family caregivers, also received mostly level funding.
Marking one notable difference, this year's budget calls for doubling, to $200 million, funding for the BRAIN Initiative. The initiative was created last year to map the brain in an attempt to better understand neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
The budget also includes proposed cuts, including $407 billion to Medicare (to occur over a 10-year period), which would result in higher out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) will continue to urge the President and members of Congress to thoughtfully consider increased funding for Alzheimer's research and support services, and encourages stakeholders to raise the issue with their representatives.
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Join AFA in Nashville for a Night of Music and Tribute
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Michael Pearsall of Honor By August talks about the event.
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Bringing Alzheimer's disease awareness-raising to the local level, AFA and Senior Helpers Nashville on May 1, will host "For the Love of George Nashville," a benefit concert in honor of the millions of individuals who have Alzheimer's disease, and their families.
The event, which will be held at Sambuca Restaurant in Nashville, will feature musical group Honor By August, whose frontman, Michael Pearsall, recorded the above video for AFA.
It will also include a candle-lighting ceremony hosted by recording artists Jessica June Rose and Jason Henke, as well as a silent auction.
Click here for sponsorship information, and here to purchase tickets.
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News to Use
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CDC Hosts Cognition & Injury Prevention Webinar - The CDC will host a webinar, entitled "Cognition & Injury Prevention" on March 17, from 3-4 p.m. EDT. The webinar will look at existing state-based efforts to prevent injury among people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, as well as community-based programs and other initiatives aimed at injury prevention. Pre-registration is required.
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Join AFA on the Great White Way - On March 22, Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's chief executive officer, will join musician Jonatha Brooke for a Q&A and talk-back following the matinee performance of her one-woman show "My Mother Has 4 Noses." Educational materials will also be available. AFA member organizations can receive a 15 percent discount, and students, a 30 percent discount on tickets, using discount code MMH4NTIX3 during the show's run.
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News Updates
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A Blood Test to Predict Alzheimer's Disease? - Researchers at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., developed a blood test that predicted with more than 90 percent accuracy whether a healthy person would develop amnestic mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease within two to three years. The study was conducted on adults age 70 and over, and measured 10 lipids in their blood. While more study is needed before a test would be released, the researchers noted that blood-based biomarkers may be more attractive than current options for early disease detection, such as imaging, which are more invasive, time-consuming and costly. Read more...
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Forest Laboratories & Adamas Pharmaceuticals Announce New Drug Application - Forest Laboratories, Inc., and Adamas Pharmaceuticals Inc., announced that Forest has submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for a fixed-dose combination of memantine HCl extended release and donepezil HCl for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Read more...
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March 13, 2014
Volume 7 Issue 7
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 Ohio Presbyterian Retirement ServicesColumbus, Ohio
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OPRC Chefs face off for culinary gold.
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Nine pairs of culinary professionals from Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (OPRS) communities cooked up a storm on March 8, as they feverishly competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in the organization's second annual cooking challenge.
For the competition, the chefs are challenged to prepare, cook, and present a meal (entrée and side dish) that follows nutritional guidelines and costs less than $7--all in 75 minutes or less.
Chefs Stacy Chesney and Patrick Young of OPRC's
Swan Creek Retirement Village in Toledo grabbed the gold. Their winning dish was Pan-Smoked Venison Quesadilla with Fire-Roasted Corn, Sweet Red Pepper and Tomatillo Salsa with a Salvadoreña Crema Blue Cheese Sauce.
Among the competitors were the dynamic duo known as "The Killer B's," Chef Brian Lippiatt and Sous Chef Brian West of OPRS' Rockynol Retirement Community.
Leave a Lasting Mark
New York, N.Y.
Legendary New York City music venue, The Bitter End, will host a Motown-themed night of live performances on June 5, as part of its "Leave a Lasting Mark" concert series.
A variety of artists will perform the songs of The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and others.
A minimum suggested donation of $10 will be charged at the door, with the proceeds going to AFA. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the event runs from 7-9 p.m. Click here for address and directions.
September 12: "5 Boroughs Concepts in Care" Conference
New York, N.Y.
AFA's third "5 Boroughs Concepts in Care" conference will be held on September 12 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in Manhattan.
This free educational conference will include sessions for professional caregivers, family caregivers and individuals with dementia, and memory screenings, as well as an exhibit hall and hands-on activities.
For information about sponsorships or exhibiting, call 866-232-8484 or click here.
November 18: National Memory Screening Day
AFA's annual event, National Memory Screening Day, will be held on November 18. On this day, sites across the country will offer free, confidential memory screenings as well as educational materials. Click here to register as a site.
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Click here to learn the different ways you can give to AFA.
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