Pat Summitt’s Public Fight Spurs Research Support

Pat Summitt’s fight against Alzheimer’s disease continues, and it has even gained momentum since her death.

Summitt, the longtime Tennessee women’s basketball coach, made sure of that through her efforts the last five years. As soon as she announced her diagnosis in 2011, Summitt vowed to take an active role in leading the battle against the disease that would eventually kill her.

Joan Cronan, the former Tennessee women’s athletic director, recalled Summitt’s determination: “She looked me directly in the eye, and she said, ‘Joan, I thought I was going to be remembered for winning basketball games, but I hope I’m remembered for making a difference in this disease.’”

How Caregivers Can Turn Stress Into Strength

Barry J. Jacobs knows something about caregiving. Not only does he regularly work with caregivers as a clinical psychologist, he also cared for his mother after she became ill with dementia and osteoarthritis.

“I didn’t enjoy it,” he admits. “But on balance, I’m glad to have done it. I think I did the right thing, and I got my mother into a much better place, living with a level of comfort that she didn’t have otherwise.”

The End of Caregiving

I sat down today and figured out that I was a caregiver of older loved-ones for varying amounts of time and intensity for much of the past 30 years. It started with my dad who died in 1987 at age 83. He had a major stroke about six months earlier and was totally incapacitated - no speech, swallowing, walking - nothing. His mind was still working because he tried to spell out words to express his needs and feelings. “How are you feeling, dad?” I would ask. “D......., E....., A....., D.....,” he responded. It was agonizing to watch. My mom who was 79 at the time was still healthy and able to bear most of the responsibility for watching over him in the nursing home. She didn’t want to drive across town every day so she hired a driver, Bernie, who took her back and forth, and who provided consistent friendship and kindness.

Health Buzz: Estrogen Patch Could Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

Could an estrogen patch cut Alzheimer's risk among newly postmenopausal women?

According to new findings from researchers at the Mayo Clinic, it could be. The team used data from the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study, which looked at healthy and younger women's reaction to menopausal hormone therapy, to explore the therapy's effects five to 36 months after menopause, when estrogen loss is swift.

They found that women who wore estrogen patches had fewer deposits of beta-amyloid, the plaque found in brains damaged by Alzheimer's disease, according to findings published this month in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's Gene May Show Effects in Childhood

A gene related to Alzheimer's disease may start to show effects on brain structure and mental sharpness as early as preschool, a new study suggests.

Researchers have long known that a gene called APOE is related to the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. People who carry a variant of the gene known as e4 have a higher-than-average risk.

The new study confirms what smaller studies have hinted: The gene's effects may be apparent even in early childhood.

Some Suggested Responsibilities of Persons with #Dementia to Their #Caregivers

A mind model (aka mind map) on a very important topic in the care of persons with dementia for caregivers and PWD.

Much is written about the responsibilities of caregivers to those family members and others for whom they provide support, care, quality of life, and safety.

Let’s flip the issue over.

I make these suggestions from the viewpoint of a psychologist/healthcare professional who has lived well with dementia for many years. These are general guidelines and do not apply to everyone or possibly to you. But if you can, do think about these suggestions for at least a little time.

11 Small Things That Would Make A Big Difference To Caregivers

Family caregivers are the front line soldiers in the war to prevent our loved ones from dying along the side of the proverbial road. With nursing home costs and conditions making them places we most want to avoid, the value of family caregiving has been placed at about $500 billion a year by the Rand Corp.

Alzheimer's research would get $1.26 billion under House bill

The federal government would receive $1.26 billion for Alzheimer's research under a U.S. House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee funding bill put forth this week for fiscal year 2017. The amount is a $350 million increase over the current funding level.

The proposed Alzheimer's funding is part of the $33.3 billion budgeted in the bill for the National Institutes of Health, an amount that is $1.25 billion more than the level enacted for fiscal year 2016 and $2.25 billion above President Barack Obama's discretionary budget request.

AARP Film Features Caregiving Stories of Asian Americans

In June, AARP hosted the premiere screening for Caregiving: The Circle of Love at the University of San Francisco. The 14-minute documentary tells the powerful and inspiring stories of three Chinese American caregivers.

MSNBC anchor Richard Lui’s segment, “Coming Home,” explains how he flies from New York to San Francisco every weekend to help care for his father, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Elizabeth Chun’s segment, “Sandwiched Caregiver,” is about her efforts to care for her mother and her grandchildren. And former AARP historian Lily Liu shares how she aspires to be the “Dragon Daughter” for her ailing mother. Even the filmmaker, Toan Lam, is a former caregiver for family members.

Few Young Doctors Are Training To Care For U.S. Elderly

At Edgewood Summit retirement community in Charleston, W.Va., 93-year-old Mary Mullens is waxing eloquent about her geriatrician, Dr. Todd Goldberg.

"He's sure got a lot to do," she says, "and does it so well."

West Virginia has the third oldest population in the nation, right behind Maine and Florida. But Goldberg is one of only 36 geriatricians in the state.

"With the growing elderly population across America and West Virginia, obviously we need healthcare providers," says Goldberg.

Senior Relocation Transition Training Program (CRTS) Expanded to Include New Resources for Service Providers and Seniors

The CRTS certification has been a mainstay credential in the industry for a decade. Now the program of training service providers is being enhanced with new services for providers and the seniors they help. Providers will now have access to a value-added website that will make some parts of their work easier. Service summaries, planning tools and business management tools can be accessed through the main site. Additionally, seniors will have the ability to locate a service provider in their areas.

CRTS providers have earned a national certification that prepares them to better help seniors transition to smaller and/or more appropriate homes. In order to become certified, candidates must meet eligibility requirements and pass a standardized certification examination. CRTS providers come from many walks of life. They may be experienced as estate sales professionals, professional organizers, healthcare providers, real estate professionals, medical professionals or caregivers.

The (not-so-hidden) costs of caregiving

Family caregiving is a huge topic nowadays. With over 75 million “baby boomers” poised to become the largest generation in American history to require such caregiving, how can it not be? Already, family members — people like you and me — provide $642 billion worth of unpaid care for our spouses, parents, and relatives each year. But what is the price we pay in terms of our personal well-being, physical and otherwise?

While caregiving has been shown to have benefits — it helps to build character, enrich one’s soul, and even ward off cognitive decline —its burdens can be just as significant, if not more so, as demonstrated by a new study published in a recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.