MUST READS

An October 7, 2015 Consumer Affairs article reported on two developments in Alzheimer’s research, including the discovery of a new gene associated with the disease. According to the article, “At Indiana University (IU), a research team has identified an immune system gene associated with higher rates of amyloid plaque buildup in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and older adults. This plaque is believed to be a primary cause of the disease. The variant occurs in the IL1RAP gene, and researchers say it is associated with even more plaque build-up than the previously discovered APOEe4 allele gene.”

An October 6, 2015 The San Diego Union-Tribune article highlighted the importance of mental and neurological diagnosis for the elderly. According to the article, “Also, with dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, he said it may also be overlooked by doctors, family and friends. In patients with dementia, social graces often remain until very late in the illness, which can conceal the problem. As an example, he said adult children generally don’t ask parents questions that would reveal rapid forgetting, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s dementia. Instead, they often talk about past or well-known information, such as politics or sports, which is information that’s usually spared in the early stages of dementia…As the population ages, Gold said, more resources must be devoted to screening, diagnosis and treatment of the geriatric population.”

An October 6, 2015 CNN article reported that “Scientists at Ohio State University say they've figured out a way to grow the genetic equivalent of a nearly complete embryonic human brain.” According to the article, “In addition to Parkinson's disease, autism and Alzheimer's disease, they could also lead to unlocking the mysteries of schizophrenia, epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Millions of people suffer from all these disorders and diseases worldwide.”

CAREGIVING 

An October 6, 2015 Forbes article highlighted the impact of caregiving on the sandwich generation, including financial strain. According to the article, “Members of the sandwich generation are often unaware of their parents’ financial situation and assume that their parents are prepared for their “golden years.” According to the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), 65% of the elderly rely exclusively on family and friends to provide them with day-to-day assistance…There is a widespread misapprehension that major medical and long-term care expenses are covered by Medicare. In fact, Medicare provides limited coverage for dental, visual, and hearing services, and limited care for chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s. And long-term care expenses? Medicare and Medigap coverage for skilled nursing home care is extremely limited, and Medicaid generally doesn’t cover full-time long-term care until the patient’s net worth has dwindled to a few thousand dollars.”

REGIONAL

An October 6, 2015 Atlanta Constitutional Journal article reported that “Longtime state Sen. Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, will retire from the Georgia Legislature as he announced Tuesday he has been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s.”