2018: Disappointing for Alzheimer's Research but Hope for a Better 2019!

It seemed like 2018 was going to be a breakthrough year for Alzheimer's research but unfortunately it was not.

However, ideas for 2019 include new therapies on the assumption that Alzheimer's is related to a brain drainage issue. Also, new plans are underway for Alzheimer's vaccines.

Read the article here: 

https://pharmaphorum.com/views-and-analysis/2018-review-alzheimers-research-oncology/

 

 

 

100 Years - Veterans Day - November 11, 1918 - 2018

            Mom was 7 years old when World War I, or as she called it, the Great War, ended. An armistice was scheduled for the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918.

             The boys in her Chicago public school made paper hats so they could represent soldiers. The girls took white strips of cloth from an old bed sheet and used tincture of iodine to draw a red cross on each one. When they tied the cloth across their foreheads they looked like nurses.    

            All the children paraded around the flagpole in the playground that morning of November 11, 1918. 

            That's how that first armistice was celebrated by ordinary people. Armistice Day was celebrated from 1919 to 1954, when the name changed to Veterans Day.

 

 

 

Caregiver Stress OR Distress?

Caregiving can be rewarding but it often causes caregiver stress. Some stress may be inevitable, but if the stress is severe it becomes distress. And this distress can lead to illness. 

CaregiverStress.com has resources to help caregivers -- here is a link to their test that measures stress/distress levels: https://www.caregiverstress.com/stress-management/family-caregiver-stress/stress-assessment/

 

Detecting Alzheimer's with Eye Exam & Water "You Can Eat"

 

Alzheimer's may be predicted during an eye exam. A recent study at the Washington University School of Medicine suggests examing the retina could help screen patients for Alzheimer's disease.

See the Science Daily article here:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180823140921.htm?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter 

 

A young man invented “water you can eat” to help dementia patients like his grandma stay hydrated. Some patients have difficulty swallowing water and others forget to drink; this invention can help.

See the Alzheimers Site article here:

https://blog.thealzheimerssite.com/jelly-drops/

 

Caregiving

A Grandparent's Decline Can be Frightening to a Child

I had a terrible cold on the 4th of July when I was 6. I had to miss the celebration, but I wasn't too sad because Dad promised I could use my sparklers when I was well.  

A few days later, completely over my cold, I visited Grandma and my two aunts. Grandma spent most of her time in bed and my aunts took care of her.  

I excitedly announced I was going to use my sparklers that night!

My Grandma called to my aunts, asking if it was the 4th of July. I was stunned. Adults were supposed to know everything. For Grandma to WONDER if it was a holiday was unthinkable!

I didn't tell anyone that I was scared by what Grandma said. And no one noticed that I was no longer excited about my sparkers….

As an adult I wrote the story of Johnny, a little boy who thinks his grandmother doesn't love him anymore because she is acting strangely. Mommy explains about Grandma's illness in a way that comforts Johnny.

I hope the book, Special Secret Hearts: A Child's Introduction to Dementia, will help parents cope with their children's fears about aging family members.

Special Secret Hearts is part of a 2 in 1 book illustrated by children for children.

You can read an excerpt here: http://wwwhttp://booklocker.com/6401

See my books on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/KhvXA8

 

UK Tests New Drug for Alzheimer's

The United Kingdom is beginning a human study of a treatment that may reverse Alzheimer's. The drug, ORY-2001, which was successfully tested on mice, repairs certain DNA.
 

You can read more about the trial here:

https://www.medindia.net/news/first-human-trials-of-alzheimers-drug-179790-1.htm

 

ALZHEIMER'S: THE LONGEST DAY

 

 

The Alzheimer's Association reminds us that June 21, 2018 is the longest day of the year. It's also the day that volunteers work (and play) to raise money to help people with Alzheimer's.

Now is the time to get organized to participate.

In previous years, participants have danced, hiked, performed music, bowled, played bridge, quilted, gardened, golfed, and so much more!

More information about activities is here: http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=10935&pg=informational&sid=24696

If you're not sure what to do, here is a form to request a coach to help you decide:

https://act.alz.org/site/SSurvey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=51334

 

Elder Abuse: Isolation

 

Elder abuse can take many forms. "Isolating elderly persons from their friends and family" is one type of abuse.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/caregiving/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/elder-abuse

The adult children of Mickey Rooney, Casey Kasem, and Glen Campbell accused their caregivers of isolating them. They recently testified in Michigan and Maryland in support of visitation rights legislation.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-visitation-bill-20180227-story.html
 
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/02/13/elder-visitation-legislation-michigan/110376440/

 http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2018/02/28/parents-visitation-bill-maryland/

Washington's Birthday

In Honor of Lincoln's Birthday

Songs Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Young and the Restless Addresses Alzheimer's Disease

Thanks to everyone at the Young & the Restless for depicting Alzheimer's disease so realistically and with such great compassion.

Mal Young. the Executive Producer and Head Writer of Y&R recently introduced a major storyline about Alzheimer's, the disease that took his mother's life.

An interview with Mr. Young is here: http://blog.alz.org/how-alzheimers-ended-up-on-the-young-and-the-restless/

Marla Adams is the Y&R actress in the role of a wealthy businesswoman diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  An interview with Ms. Adams is here: https://www.inquisitr.com/4712221/young-and-the-restless-spoilers-marla-adams-previews-whats-ahead-for-dina-and-reveals-her-fate-on-yr/

William J. Bell, the Emmy winning screenwriter and co-creator of Y&R died at age 78 in 2005 of complications from Alzheimer's.