June 30, 2014

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

Florida editorial underscores the need to improve long-term care support for seniors, Patrick Kennedy and Husseini Manji argue for increased funding for brain research, and a new book, The Upside of Aging, examines aging issues including Alzheimer's (read more). 

Must Reads

  • A June 29, 2014 Ocala Star Banner (FL) editorial underscored Florida's need to improve support for senior citizens including long-term care options. According to the editorial, "At the same time, however, a new report by AARP and other organizations shows that Florida is falling short of its reputation as an attractive place for retirees by failing to provide enough resources for our seniors’ long-term care.The study, which ranked Florida 43rd out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, examined five “dimensions” of long-term care: affordability and access, choice of setting, quality of life and quality of care, support for caregivers and effective transitions. In three of the categories — choice of setting, quality of life and care, and support for caregivers — Florida scored in the bottom quartile in the nation.That is unacceptable for a state that has the largest senior population, percentage-wise, at 17 percent."
  • A June 28, 2014 USA Today opinion piece by former Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) and Husseini Manji argued for increased investment in brain research. According to the authors, "That's why the BRAIN Initiative is so critical. For one, the price tag pales in comparison to what mental illness costs America and the world each year. They are the world's most expensive group of diseases. They have a greater negative impact on the world economy than HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer, in part because they rob people of their ability to function during their most productive years. In 2010, mental illness cost the world about $2.5 trillion. By 2030, the World Economic Forum estimates the cost will exceed $16 trillion." Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., was a chief sponsor of the 2008 Mental Health Parity Act. Husseini Manji is head of neuroscience research at Janssen Research & Development, LLC.
Research, science, and technology 
  • A June 28, 2014 USA Today book review highlighted the Upside of Aging, a new book that brings together 16 "big-picture thinkers" to examine "the question of how we can make a difference in this life stage to benefit not only the individual, but also society as a whole." According to the book, "Here are some highlights from the book…Baroness Sally Greengross, member, U.K. House of Lords; chief executive, U.K. International Longevity Center: What the world needs is a new path of ageing that stresses good health and ongoing productivity. This goal must build upon three pillars that are particular but not unique to the United Kingdom: preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease; creating age-friendly environments; and eliminating ageism from the workplace and all other aspects of society."
  • A June 27, 2014 Forbes article reported on the need for new funding models for the bio industry to tackle difficult diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer. According to the article, "Yeah, that’s definitely an area of interest, and some of it was touched on today, so why don’t I focus on two key areas that are affecting the biggest population that we’re going to have to deal with, which are the Baby Boomers. And if we think about 80 million people, there are about 52 million today who are in that category, and the two, or probably three, four biggest things that are affecting that age group are cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes… On the Alzheimer’s side, we are in dire need of something that’s going to help aging and health of the human brain. I know it’s the right place to be when Art Levinson decides that he’s not retired and Google funds him for this company called Calico. And I chatted with him very recently and said, “So come on, like we’re not going to stop the aging process.” Of course we’re not yet, although at some point we may be able to if we want to. So be careful what we wish for. But we can address diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer."