USA2 SPOTLIGHT

Join UsA2 Founding Board Member Meryl Comer and Joan M. Griffin, PhD of Mayo Clinic for Alzheimer's Speaks Radio. LIVE Tuesday Feb 5, 2019 at 2pm (EST). Host Lori La Bey leads a discussion about the A-LIST research initiative of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. 

Listen to “The Forgetting” twice-monthly podcast, co-hosted by UsA2 advocate, journalist and author Greg O’Brien, and author and Alzheimer’s expert David Shenk. The show highlights their friendship, and documents O’Brien’s own Alzheimer’s journey as his symptoms progress.  

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

A February 4, 2019 The University of Manchester article reported that a study of the differences between healthy brains and brains with Alzheimer’s disease, funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK, produced the largest dataset to-date of its type. The 24,024 data points were produced from donations to the New Zealand Brain Bank and is available for free here. “This database provides a huge opportunity for dementia researchers around the world to progress and to follow-up new areas of biology and develop new treatments… It’s very exciting to be able to make these data public so scientists can access and use this vital information,” said Dr. Richard Unwin. Also covered by Open Access Government. 

HUMAN INTEREST

A January 31, 2019 The Inquirer column by Jenice Armstrong looked to the recent Washington Post story about B. Smith and Dan Gasby, and the subsequent fallout. The renowned former supermodel and restaurateur, Smith, has Alzheimer’s and Dan, her husband of 26 years, cares for her with his daughter and girlfriend. According to the column, ““When we got the diagnosis, she said, ‘Whatever you do, make sure you live your life,’" he [Gasby] continued. “People getting upset about this, they have no right to get upset about this, because my wife wanted me to do that, that’s the kind of person she was and the kind of person I am.” Gasby also pointed out, “This is going to be the new normal, because people are living longer and they are going to have more disease that’s brain-related, and somebody’s got to take care of them.””

CAREGIVING CORNER

A February 3, 2019 The Advocate Alzheimer’s Q&A looked at the potential benefits of yoga and meditation, “mindfulness-based stress reduction,” for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies found that caregiver-practitioners experienced lower levels of depression, improved cognitive functioning, stress reduction and less mood disturbance, as well as heightened compassion for themselves and others, and more patience and gentleness. According to the article, “Meditation and yoga result in more resilience and balance for caregivers as well as bolstering joy that can sustain them through difficult moments.”   

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

The Newsroom coffee shop in Yakima (WA) hosts an Alzheimer’s Café, every third Thursday of the month. The Café provides a venue for people with dementia and their loved ones to socialize with others in the community and to educate themselves about dementia.