USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A February 16, 2017 California Healthline article reported that the number of Alzheimer’s cases in the U.S. is growing rapidly across the entire population. According to a report by the University of Southern California’s Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging and the LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s network, the increase is particularly striking among Latinos, who are at least 50% more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop AD. This is in part because they live longer and are more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions that put them at greater risk for the disease such as diabetes, obesity, inflammation and other health problems. Compounding the challenge, the elderly Latino population is growing three times faster and assuming that no cure is found, the number of Latinos living with Alzheimer’s will jump more than eightfold to 3.5 million by 2060, the study predicts. At the same time, Latinos are underrepresented in clinical trials. Also reported on by: Telemundo; La Opinión; KPCC (89.3); Radio Bilingue.

MUST READS

A February 15, 2017 Boston Globe article reported that Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug, aducanumab, may now be the best hope for AD patients after the recent failures of both Merck and Eli Lilly’s AD trials. Biogen’s CEO, Michel Vounatsos, said finding an effective Alzheimer’s treatment is the company’s “number one challenge and opportunity.” They have had some early success with aducanumab and are now enrolling patients in a more advanced trial.

DISPARITIES SPOTLIGHT

A February 14, 2017 AARP blog post gave props to caregivers for their selfless acts of compassion, in this “season of love.” Recognizing what a big job caregiving is, Felicia D. Brown (the blog author), applauded Dan Gasby, caregiver and husband of B. Smith, the restaurateur and lifestyle maven, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s. In particular, African Americans face unique challenges as caregivers. Research shows they devote 34% of their income, are more likely to spend over 21 hours per week providing care, sometimes have to leave the workforce to provide full time care, and have a significant financial burden on households that have lower average incomes. Register for the "Make Your Mess Your Message" webinar, Monday, February 27, 7–8pm (EST), to learn how Dan found patience and purpose as a family caregiver. He will answer questions live.

FAITH PERSPECTIVES

A February 15, 2017 Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) article reported on a book for Jewish people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “L’Chaim: Pictures to Evoke Memories of a Jewish Life,” by Eliezer Sobel, is a series of independent pictures and captions which require no memory to read and follow, allowing those with memory-loss to enjoy and engage with each image on its own terms. There are more than 20,000 books for caregivers, but next-to-nothing for the patients themselves. “There’s such a richness to Jewish content and imagery and history and culture,” said Sobel. “There are so many Jewish people in Jewish nursing homes, and Jewish families with loved ones who have dementia.” He published his first book for adults with dementia in 2012, “Blue Sky, White Clouds: A Book for Memory-Challenged Adults.”

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Join Dementia Action Alliance’s “Re-Imagine Life with Dementia” conference and technology showcase, June 25-27, in Atlanta, Georgia. Register Now.