Introducing AFA Care Quarterly
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With the Spring 2015 issue, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA)  reintroduced its quarterly magazine for caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. The new AFA Care Quarterly continues to provide educational articles; information on the latest research and scientific studies; inspirational, creative submissions; and Q&As aimed at helping family and professional caregivers navigate the joys and challenges that come with their role.
Feature articles include a Q&A with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, an introduction to palliative care and its benefits, and a touching, personal account of what it's like to be "married, yet widowed," as a spouse of someone with Alzheimer's disease.
Click here to read or subscribe to AFA Care Quarterly.
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Senate Aging Committee Holds Hearing on Status of National Alzheimer's Plan
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The United States Senate Special Committee on Aging recently held a hearing, entitled:
The Fight Against Alzheimer's Disease: Are We on Track to a Treatment by 2025?"
Witnesses included former model and restaurateur, B. Smith who has early onset Alzheimer's disease and her husband and caregiver, Dan Gasby. In emotional testimony presented with his wife at his side, Gasby noted that while the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is higher in the African American community, "African Americans are typically diagnosed in the later stages of the disease where they are more physically and cognitively impaired."
He called on Congress to do more, and noted the great disparity between what the federal government spends on Alzheimer's disease versus other disease states, noting, "we have barely scratched the surface of Alzheimer's."
Other panelists discussed the implementation of the national plan, the current state of Alzheimer's disease research and the impact of the disease on family caregivers.
In a statement released prior to the hearing, Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. AFA's president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, called on Congress "to do its part to ensure sufficient resources are appropriated if we are going to achieve the lofty, but attainable goal of making real progress in eradicating this devastating brain disorder and developing a cure or meaningful treatment by 2025."
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News to Use
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New Support Group: Transitioning a Loved One to a Nursing Home
 On May 6, AFA will kick off a new, telephone-based support group for family members of people recently transitioned to a skilled nursing facility. The group, led by one of AFA's licensed social workers, will help family members navigate the emotions (e.g., sadness, confusion, guilt) and learn how to be better advocates for their loved ones.
The seven week session will take place Wednesdays through from 3:30-4:30 p.m. EDT. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to inquire about registering, please e-mail Heather Saposnick or call 866-232-8484.
Call for Submissions: Eldercare Workforce Alliance Older Americans Month Tribute
AFA is an active member of the national Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA), composed of 31 national organizations representing consumers, families, direct care workers, and health care professionals from a wide range of disciplines.
May is Older Americans Month and this year's theme is honoring the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in July 1965. Since that time, the Act has provided a nationwide aging services network and funding that helps older adults live with dignity in the communities of their choice for as long as possible. Older Americans Month offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access the home- and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities.
EWA is looking for stories from caregivers about resources and services provided by the Older Americans Act. Have you ever used or help an older adult access on of the following?
- home-delivered and congregate meals,
- caregiver support,
- community-based assistance,
- preventive health services, or
- elder abuse prevention
Arts & Minds Celebrates Five Years at the Studio Museum
 AFA member organization, Arts & Minds, recently celebrated five years at The Studio Museum in Harlem, N.Y. with an exhibition at Word Up Community Bookshop, a non-profit, volunteer-run bookstore and art space in nearby Washington Heights, N.Y.
The group brings adults with memory disorders and their caregivers together in new experiences of art. Participants enjoy a discussion of current exhibitions during a guided tour and art-making workshop. Through gallery discussions and hands-on art activities, Arts & Minds opens a window to creativity and well-being.
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News Update:
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Arts, Crafts and Social Activities May Boost Brain Function in Older Age
A new study indicates that adults who participate arts and crafts activities and who socialize during middle and old age may retain cognitive abilities longer.
The study involved 256 people with an average age of 87 who were free of memory and thinking problems at the start of the study. The participants reported their involvement in activities including: painting, drawing, woodworking, quilting, going to the theater, movies or concerts, book clubs, Bible study and travel, and computer activities such as using the Internet and computer games.
After an average of four years, 121 people developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants who engaged in arts in both middle and old age were 73 percent less likely to develop MCI than those who did not report engaging in artistic activities. Those who crafted in middle and old age were 45 percent less likely to develop MCI and people who socialized in middle and old age were 55 percent less likely to develop MCI compared to those who did not engage in similar activities. Computer use in later life was associated with a 53 percent reduced risk of MCI. Read more.
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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 in past years, the conference will feature separate workshops for family and professional caregivers, as well as recreational therapies and on-site respite care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
For more information, call 866-232-8484 or e-mail.
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Member Spotlight
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Alliance Homecare
New York, N.Y.
Alliance Homecare is a New York-based agency that provides comprehensive care services to people in New York City, Long Island and Rockland and Westchester Counties. Founded in 2009 by Gregory Solometo and his two childhood friends, registered nurses Michele Teter and Diane Sirakovsky, the company is committed to providing unparalleled care to its clients and their loved ones.
The inspiration for Alliance Homecare arose from Solometo's experience caring for his grandmother who had Alzheimer's disease. In fact, the company's guiding hiring principle is The Grandma Rule(SM), meaning that every prospective employee is evaluated based on one simple question: "Would I hire this person to care for my own grandparent?" If the answer is "yes," then the candidate is invited to join the Alliance Homecare team.
The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, tailored to a variety of care scenarios, including daily life activities, companionship, complex medical skilled nursing, post surgical recover, medication pour assistance, palliative and respite care, and a customized program geared toward Alzheimer's and dementia. In addition, Alliance employees are specifically trained in dementia care.
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Solometo (center) with his grandparents, Raymond and Val Cerny
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Board of Trustees Spotlight
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Bert E. Brodsky
Bert E. Brodsky is the chairman of AFA's Board of Trustees. In the Spring 2015 issue of AFA Care Quarterly, he shares his personal experience with Alzheimer's disease and how it led to the founding of AFA.
"My mother lived with Alzheimer's disease from 1980 until 1992. At that time, no one understood the disease; no one knew how to deal with it. I found I would get frustrated and even angry when my mom would ask, "When are you coming to visit?" after I'd just left or ask the same question I'd answered only minutes before.
It took years for me to realize the scope of what was happening and how to deal with it. There was nowhere to turn with questions, no resources for support and very little regard for how the disease affects not just the individual, but his or her family as well.
After my mother's passing, I wanted to get involved-to help educate and support families living with this disease. I wanted to give them what my family didn't have-tools and strategies for coping with their loved ones' condition. I wanted to help them understand what is happening to their loved ones-to ask them to try to put themselves in their loved ones' shoes-and to respond with patience and compassion."
Mr. Brodsky has led AFA's board for more many years and also sits on the board of the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation, a subsidiary of AFA.
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