Living Well Blog » Alzheimer’s

Historic Moment: National Alzheimer’s Plan Released

Doris Bersing — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:25:07 +0000

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today unveiled the first-ever “National Plan To Address Alzheimer’s Disease,” as mandated by the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA). The comprehensive plan calls for the prevention and effective treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by 2025 and lays out strategies related to awareness and education, clinical care standards, long-term care and supportive services for family caregivers, and up-to-date training of healthcare professionals.

In a statement issued immediately after the release of the national plan, Eric J. Hall, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), commended the plan for providing “solid stepping stones toward substantial change. It offers the prospect of transforming the way our nation and the world view Alzheimer’s disease, altering the trajectory of this tragic disease, and changing lives forever. It substantiates the plight of millions of Americans and validates the concerns of generations to come. For the first time, we are making progress toward defeating this public health crisis.”

Read the full statement

Alzheimer’s Association honors legendary coach Pat Summit at the National Alzheimer’s Dinner

Doris Bersing — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:48:38 +0000

Alzheimer's Association

At a star-studded National Alzheimer’s Dinner attended by celebrities, prominent politicians and Alzheimer’s advocates in Washington, D.C., the Alzheimer’s Association presented University of Tennessee Head Coach Emeritus Pat Summit and her son, Tyler Summit, with the Alzheimer’s Association Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award.

A leader in the Alzheimer’s movement and the former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, whose father Sargent Shriver passed away from Alzheimer’s, presented the award, which recognizes an individual, organization or company whose actions have promoted greater understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and its effects on diagnosed individuals, families and caregivers.

How Music Brings Elders with Dementia Back to Life

Doris Bersing — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 01:25:23 +0000

Research has shown memory to be affected by many different factors. One of these factors is music, which has been found to stimulate parts of the brain. Many studies have demonstrated that music enhances the memory of Alzheimer`s and dementia patients. Music has also been found to reduce stress, aid relaxation and alleviate depression. Look at how an old man comes to life just using an i-pod!

See the video

Keeping Your Brain Healthy: Preventing Alzheimer’s

Doris Bersing — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:57:34 +0000

See Dr. Gary Small’s interview on the Today Show about keeping your brain healthy: preventing Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Small is director of the UCLA Longevity Center at the University’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior and professor of psychiatry at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. Named one of the world’s leading innovators in science and technology by Scientific American, he appears frequently on Today, Good Morning America, PBS, and CNN. Watch the interview

Signs of Alzheimer’s may become evident during the holidays

Doris Bersing — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:33:14 +0000

Holidays such as Thanksgiving are a time when family and friends come together to spend time together and to share memories. However, the holiday season is also a time that can raise questions about whether aging family members are experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to know what is normal aging and what isn’t. The Alzheimer’s association emphasizes the difference between normal aging and early signs of Alzheimer’s. Read more.

Alzheimer’s Behavior Management: Tips for Managing Common Symptoms and Problems

Doris Bersing — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:03:45 +0000

Problem behavior is often a way the Alzheimer’s patient tries to communicate with others. As a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, it can be extremely worrying and upsetting to experience the behavior problems associated with mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Patients may exhibit a wide variety of behavioral problems that can threaten their own or other people’s safety, including wandering, aggressiveness, hallucinations, or sleeping and eating. Learn some tips.

Alzheimer’s: Early detection, risk factors are crucial

Doris Bersing — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:43:43 +0000

In an article for CNN, on July 25, 2011, Elizabeth Landau states “…With more than 5 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, a number that’s expected to rise to 16 million by 2050, the pressure is on to find better methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention… The research that came out of the Alzheimer’s Association 2011 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, which took place in Paris last week, reflects a growing emphasis on early detection. Research suggests the best targets for exploring treatments are patients who do not have full-blown Alzheimer’s disease, but experience mild symptoms. Scientists have identified biological indicators called biomarkers that seem to be associated with Alzheimer’s, although they are not perfect predictors…”

Larry King Special Looks into Alzheimer’s Disease

Doris Bersing — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:54:33 +0000

Alzheimer's Association E News April 27, 2011

Alzheimer’s Association E News, April 27, 2011

Hosted by Larry King, “Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic,” airing Sunday, May 1, at 8 p.m. EDT, will discuss Alzheimer’s disease, who gets it and why, and the race to find effective treatments and a possible cure. King, in his first CNN special since ending his long-running interview show, will be joined by California’s former First Lady and Alzheimer’s activist Maria Shriver, Alzheimer’s Association Champions actor Seth Rogen and football star Terrell Owens and others touched by the disease. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will also explain how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain.

Alzheimer’s in California: A 2-part package (with video) on Alzheimer’s in California

Doris Bersing — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:04:08 +0000

By Paul Kleyman (Director Ethnic Elders Newsbeat/New America Media)

ALZHEIMER’S SERIES PART 1 — “California Budget Cuts at Odds With State’s New Alzheimer’s Plan,” New America Media, News Report, Paul Kleyman, Posted: Mar 28, 2011
Some 1.1 million Californians serving as caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s face severe cuts in state assistance, even as the number of people with the disease is expected to explode. Read more

PART 2 — Latino Family Joins Forces in Alzheimer’s Care to Make Memories,” New America Media, Video, Story: Paul Kleyman // Video: Josue Rojas, Posted: Apr 11, 2011.
The Garcias, like many Latino families, initially hid their “Papa’s” Alzheimer’s, but they eventually got educated and stopped fearing the unknown. See the video.

From Norman McNamara: Alzheimer’s from inside!

Doris Bersing — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:26:39 +0000

Watch what Norm says about being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s He is now 53 yrs. old and he has every intention of beating it. His videos and interview try to help us understand what its like being an Alzheimer’s sufferer and how it feels to be diagnosed with such an awful disease.

This is another video he had made about his BBC radio interview: