On January 17, President Obama signed a funding bill containing what the Alzheimer's Association calls “an unprecedented $122 million increase” for Alzheimer's research, education, outreach, and caregiver support.
The specifics, as outlined in the Alzheimer’s Association press release, are as follows:
• A $100 million increase for the National Institute on Aging for Alzheimer's research, which...
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Laughter & Music Can Be Better than Drugs for Dementia Patients
There is a lot of movement right now in the US and around the world to move away from drug-dependency for keeping elder dementia in check. Well, here is a three-year study from Australia, with excellent news. Taken from the Sydney Morning Herald article:
"[The] nursing home participated in a three-year study...
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Department of Public Health Survey on Health Needs for People with Disabilities
This landed in my inbox. It took about 5 minutes to fill it out. Due date is May 31. Here are the details:
Help influence health care in Massachusetts! The Health and Disability Program, part of Office of Health Equity at the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) is conducting a health...
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Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference Nov. 10
This looks like a good conference for caregivers to learn, connect, share tips, and talk to other caregivers who "get it." This is a half-day conference in Concord, NH.
Here is the registration link with more details.
Get the Right Diagnosis from a Neuropsychiatrist
We always hear the terms “dementia” or “Alzheimer’s”, but the fact is that there are many different types of dementias, each taking their own course over the lifetime, and each benefitting from different treatments.
If your loved one is confused or forgetful, etc., it is critical that you work with a neuropsychiatrist to...
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Check out the Alzheimer’s Association at the Pru on December 10!
Planning to be in town on Saturday night, December 10? Check out the Pru - it will be lit up in purple!
Here is what I received from the Alzheimer's Association:
This holiday season, The Shops at the Prudential Center and the Prudential Tower will shine a light on the Alzheimer's Association during 31 Nights of...
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Frontal Lobe: Last In, First Out
The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for impulse control, decision-making, planning out tasks, and the like. It doesn’t fully develop until we are in our 20’s. Essentially, it is the last part of our brain to mature. If you recall the questionable decisions you made in your teens...
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Research at Brandeis on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s
Researchers right in our own back yard at Brandeis University in Waltham are conducting fascinating research on the causes and prevention of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and other neurological disorders. You can watch a lecture by Professor Petsko here. He introduces some intriguing research concepts - one idea they are exploring is whether all...
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HBO’s The Alzheimer’s Project: Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?
This weekend I watched the film on grandchildren caring for grandparents with Alzheimer’s. I was floored by the patience and persistence these kids displayed.
One theme that the film highlighted with “staying in the moment.” This is something we all did as kids (remember focusing on a ladybug crawling up a blade...
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HBO’s The Alzheimer’s Project: Caregivers
This weekend I watched the film Caregivers (don’t you just love On Demand?). One theme that jumped out was the isolation that caregivers suffer. Several of the film’s stars (I think that’s a good name for them) talked about how very quietly the invitations to events and gatherings stopped. Not only does...
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