Urge Congress to Support Proposed Alzheimer's Funding Increases
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The 114th Congress has introduced several initiatives to help persons living with dementia and their family caregivers. AFA urges its community to contact their representatives and ask them to support the following:
S. Res. 73 - Introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, this resolution calls for making the fight against Alzheimer's disease a national priority and increasing the funding for Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by doubling appropriations in fiscal year (FY) 2016 to more than $1 billion. Please contact your Senators and encourage them to sign on as a cosponsor of S. Res. 73.
Letter to House Appropriators on NIH Funding - Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.), members of the Congressional Alzheimer's Disease Task Force, are circulating a letter in the House of Representatives calling for a $200 million increase in Alzheimer's disease research appropriations at NIH.The deadline for signatures is Tuesday, March 17.
Letter to House Appropriators on funding for the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program - Reps. Waters, Smith and Garamendi are also circulating a letter to their House colleagues urging $2 million for the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program. This is a small, cost-effective program that provides grants to non-profit organizations to establish and operate initiatives to identify, locate and protect people with Alzheimer's disease who wander away from home. Deadline for signatures is close of business on Tuesday, March 17.
Contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-225-3121. Don't know who to contact? Click here.
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News to Use
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Phone-Based Support Group For Husbands of Women with Dementia
 On March 25, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) will introduce a telephone-based support group specifically for husbands of women with dementia. Participants will learn communication techniques as well as tips and strategies for keeping one's spouse active and engaged; managing caregiver stress; and navigating health care and supportive systems. This group will be a learning forum for members, but will also serve as a safe and secure space for members to vent feelings and share experiences that accompany the intensity of the caregiving role. The group will meet Wednesdays, from March 25 through April 29, from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. EDT. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, call 866-232-8484 or e-mail.
CMU BrainHub
The human brain is responsible for so much, yet so little is known about how it works. Twenty years ago, the Dana Foundation established Brain Awareness Week (March 16-22) to highlight the importance of brain research and how progress will impact everything from mental and behavioral disorders to debilitating diseases and education.
As the birthplace of artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has been a leader in the study of brain and behavior for more than 50 years. Building on its strengths in biology, computer science, psychology, statistics and engineering, CMU recently launched BrainHub, a global initiative that focuses on how the structure and activity of the brain give rise to complex behaviors. Click here to learn more.
New Documentary Shines Spotlight on Frontotemporal Dementia
"Looks Like Laury, Sounds Like Laury," is a new documentary produced by Pamela Hogan and Connie Shulman. For one year, the team followed Laury Sacks, who began to experience symptoms of frontotemporal dementia at the age of 46. The film illustrates the impact this progressive disease has her and her loved ones. It is currently airing as part of the "America ReFramed" series on WORLD, and will be streaming online through April 9.
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News Update
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A Healthy Heart May Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
 A new study reinforces the notion that good cardiac health could help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Study participants with decreased heart function, as measured by cardiac index, were two to three times more likely to develop significant memory loss during the study follow-up period.
Cardiac index represents the amount of blood that leaves the heart and is pumped through the body. A person's body size is taken into consideration when calculating the index value. A low cardiac index value means there is less blood leaving the heart.
During the study period, 32 participants developed dementia, including 26 cases of Alzheimer's disease. Compared to normal cardiac index, individuals with clinically low cardiac index had a higher relative risk of dementia. Read more.
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Board of Trustees Spotlight
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Luisa Echevarria
Luisa Echevarria is director, community empowerment, local media, for Univision, where she has worked since 1991. She is responsible for public service announcement campaigns for both Univision and Unimas and has won two local Emmy awards for her campaigns.
Echevarria joined AFA's board in 2011.
"Working closely with the Latino community in Chicago, I realize the great need for information regarding this disease for our viewers," said Echevarria, whose mother and grandmother both battled the disease. "Many Latinos develop symptoms of early onset Alzheimer's, which was the case with my grandmother."
She is often approached by viewers who have learned of her connection to the disease.
"I know that the programs supported by AFA make an impact on the quality of life of persons living with Alzheimer's disease and that of their loved ones," she continued.
Born in Cuba, Echevarria moved to suburban Chicago in 1961 and currently resides in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood with her husband.
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Upcoming Events
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AFA Day at Hofstra University
On April 15, students at Hofstra University will take part in a day of Alzheimer's education as AFA's Raise Your Voice For Care college tour comes to campus.
Activities include an introduction to Alzheimer's disease, a concert performance by the band Honor By August and a dementia care professionals panel, as well as an introduction to music therapy.
Students and faculty will also have an opportunity to take the Virtual Dementia Tour and experience some of the challenges people with dementia face every day.
For more information,call 866-232-8484 or e-mail.
Concepts In Care Educational Conference
AFA's annual Concepts in Care Educational Conference will take place Friday, May 15, at the New York Hilton.
As always, the conference is free to attend and will feature three separate "tracks" of study: one for family caregivers, one for professional caregivers and one for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses.
For more information, or to sponsor or exhibit at the conference, please contact Josie DiChiara at 866-232-8282 or by e-mail.
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