MUST READS

A January 22, 2019 Cosmos Magazine article looked at the link between frailty and dementia. According to study leader Kenneth Rockwood, “By reducing an individual’s physiological reserve, frailty could trigger the clinical expression of dementia when it might remain asymptomatic in someone who is not frail. This indicates that a ‘frail brain’ might be more susceptible to neurological problems like dementia as it is less able to cope with the pathological burden.” Also covered by Web MD, Psych Central, and others.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A January 21, 2019 Medical News Today article reported that a study from a research team at the Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences in France found that beta-amyloid, a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, impairs synapses and disables a protein called cofilin 1. The protein is crucial for the healthy functioning of dendritic spines, which receive signals from other brain cells. According to the article, “Further research into drugs that “specifically stop that phosphorylation” of cofilin 1 in brain cells could be a promising avenue for finding new Alzheimer's disease treatments.”

FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY

A January 18, 2019 The Washington Post article spotlighted Lenny White, also known as “Lenny the Mobile Barber,” who runs barbershops for men with dementia at different care facilities around the U.K. White’s old-fashioned hot towel shave-and-a-haircut includes a portable jukebox loaded with oldies and a robotic dog that barks. According to the article, “Research has shown that people with dementia respond well to stimuli such as music, especially if they are familiar songs from their youth, and to visual cues that hark to their younger days… ‘It’s very therapeutic for our dementia clients, even those with very challenging conditions.’”

DISPARITIES SPOTLIGHT

A January 16, 2019 MemoryWell article profiled Mona Negm, Founder of the American Muslim Seniors Society and formerly of AARP. Negm is helping Muslim-American seniors connect with community supports, outside of the family unit, in order to age comfortably at home. According to Negm, “We coordinate community dialogues at mosques on health and wellness issues, end-of-life care, legal issues, the basics on memory loss, and caregiving… A lot of Muslim seniors and their kids don’t know where the help is, and most seniors and caregivers won’t talk about it to strangers.  It takes time to gain trust and to be able to connect with people, but once you connect, it’s like the doors of heaven open up.”

FAITH SPOTLIGHT

A January 16, 2019 Religion News Service article and video highlighted “Spirit Alive” multi-sensory worship services for people with mid to late-stage dementia. According to the article, “Experts say retirement communities and congregations need to incorporate ways of not only caring physically for people with dementia but also helping them to continue to have a quality of life that may include a spiritual dimension… Phoebe Ministries’ own research has shown that residents with dementia involved with the Spirit Alive program are more engaged during worship and reported feeling closer to God.”

PROFILES IN COURAGE

A January 15, 2019 Alzheimer’s: The Journey blog post chronicled the experience of having AD and living alone. “On the days I struggle, on what I call my “foggy days”, I reach out to my support system, or what I call, my Support Team... They say they are “just calling” or “just stopping by” to say hello but I am still aware enough to know they are checking in to make sure I’m OK… Through all of this, we don’t stop loving and/or needing love to be returned. I believe love stays with us until the end. Although my Mother was not able to speak, she could still express love though her eyes, or through humming or La, La, La in the most beautiful, melodic voice I’ve ever heard.”