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Alzheimer's Foundation of America

 

Managing Health Conditions May Reduce Alzheimer's Risk

 

Managing potentially modifiable risk factors such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes could lessen the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease and delay its onset, as well as reduce lifetime dementia costs, according to a study funded by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA).

 

The study results, published in this month's "Health Affairs," revealed that with cardiovascular diseases, for example, a five percent reduction in prevalence would decrease the risk of dementia by .4 percent and delay its onset by .5 years; and a 10 percent drop in prevalence among Baby Boomers could save an estimated $20 billion in lifetime Medicare costs for dementia, and $17 billion in Medicaid costs.

 

"While more studies are needed, our research shows that effective management of certain chronic conditions, even when initiated after the age of 65, may significantly prevent or delay the onset, and reduce the overall costs, of Alzheimer's disease," said study co-author Howard Fillit, M.D., ADDF's executive director and chief science officer.

 

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's chief executive officer, noted that the findings reinforce AFA's messaging about the importance of following a successful aging regimen, including managing chronic health conditions. "As Alzheimer's disease reaches crisis proportions," he said, "it is critical to continue investigating all areas that may reduce risk factors, bolster cognition, extend life, and reduce healthcare costs to families and society."

Study: Assisted Living Communities Remain Cost-Effective 

 

Assisted living communities continue to be one of the most cost-effective options for long-term care, according to a new study of nearly 15,000 long-term care providers nationwide by CareScout and Genworth.

 

The median annual rate for a private, one-bedroom home in an assisted living community is $42,000. In contrast, the median annual rate in a nursing home is $77,380 for a semi-private room and $87,600 for a private room, the study found.

 

In addition to long-term care facilities, the report found that the median annual rate is $45,188 for home health aides and $16,900 for adult day health care.

Join AFA for A Night to Remember in Nashville

 

Jessica June Rose -
Jessica June Rose: "I'll Remind You,"
featuring Jason Henke
Gather for a night of fun and tribute to people with Alzheimer's disease on May 1 in Nashville when AFA will host "For the Love of George," a concert and cocktail reception. The event features a concert by Honor By August.

In addition, recording artists Jessica June Rose and Jason Henke will lead a candle lighting ceremony to celebrate loved ones who have or had Alzheimer's disease. The duo will perform their heartwarming song "I'll Remind You." The song is available on iTunes, and the artists are donating 25 percent of proceeds from its sale to AFA.

 

Click here to purchase tickets to the event; click here for information on sponsorships.

Coach Pat Summitt Nominated For Congressional Gold Medal   

Coach Pat Summitt
AFA has endorsed federal legislation (H.R. 3036 and S. 1910) that would bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on Pat Summitt, coach emerita of the University of Tennessee's Lady Volunteers basketball team, and an Alzheimer's disease activist. The medal is one of the highest civilian awards in the U.S. 
 

Summit was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2011, and since, has used her celebrity to shine a spotlight on the brain disorder. 

 

Read an article about Summit written by her son, Tyler, in the Spring 2012 issue of AFA's care ADvantage magazine.

News to Use 
  • Alzheimer's Advisory Council to Hold Meeting on April 29 - The Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services, which is advising on implementation of the "National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease," will hold its next meeting on April 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in Washington, D.C. This meeting will be webcast live. Public comments and requests to attend in person should be submitted to napa@hhs.gov, with a subject line of "April 29 Meeting Attendance," by April 18.  

  • Medicare Introduces New Model for Hospice Care Coverage - Hospice programs that provide palliative care as well as providers administering curative treatments may soon be eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries are required to forgo curative care in order to receive access to palliative care services offered by hospices. Eligible hospice organizations interested in participating in the new Medicare Choices Model must submit application materials no later than June 19.

News Updates
  • Seniors Without Dementia May Have Lower Risk of Cancer Death - People aged 65 and older without dementia who experienced a faster cognitive decline in memory and thinking skills over an average of 13 years were associated with less of a risk of dying of cancer, according to a study. Read more...  

     

  • Caregiver Supports Can Help Delay Nursing Home Admissions - A recent study found that adult children of persons with dementia may be able to significantly prevent or delay residential care placement when supported with individual and family counseling, support group referral and other psychosocial support. Read more... 

  • Alzheimer's Hospitalizations and ER Visits Potentially Avoidable - A new study suggests that a substantial portion of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders were potentially avoidable during the last year of life. Read more...

    
April 10, 2014 
Volume 7 Issue 9

 

Arts & Minds

New York, N.Y.

 

Arts & Minds is offering a free program for people with early stage dementia at The Metropolitan Museum of Art that will feature inspiring conversations and multi-sensory experiences related to the collections. It encompasses five sessions led by a qualified museum educator at 2 p.m. on Thursdays in May and June.

 

Participants will be paired with volunteers, who will escort them to and from the museum and remain with them throughout the program. Open to individuals who live on the Upper East Side or Upper West Side of Manhattan, the program will provide transportation to the museum.

 

For more information or to register, contact Carolyn Halpin-Healy at Arts & Minds at 646-755-3726 or chalpinhealy@artsandminds.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donate While You Shop!

 

Donating to AFA has never been easier. Thanks to a number of merchants who are generously donating a portion of sales as part of their socially responsible programs, people can now choose to give back to AFA while shopping online with a number of retail partners, including Amazon Smile.

 

Click here for more information and to view the current list of merchants.

 

 



  

June 5Leave 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.

 

For more information call Josie Di Chiara at 866-232-8484, x112, or jdichiara@alzfdn.org

 

 

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 New York City.  

 

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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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 info@alzfdn.org or call (toll-free) 866-232-8484.