USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A July 31, 2020 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s release spotlighted UsA2’s latest A-LIST COVID-19 survey, which found that coronavirus closures and restrictions appear to be having a detrimental effect on people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Two-thirds of the AD caregivers surveyed (in this survey number five) reported a decline in their loved ones’ memory or behaviors, with nearly a quarter labeling it ‘significant.’ July marked the third month in a row where at least a quarter of caregivers reported stress was affecting their abaility to render care. According to the release, ““I do not feel I am giving my loved one the positive attitude all the time,” a caregiver said. “Sometimes I let things go longer than I should because I feel drained.” The July survey found that 30 percent of caregivers said they needed more access to outside support groups – but were unable to get it. In addition, 17 percent of caregivers have been unable to get the home health aide support they need.”

A July 30, 2020 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s release praised the The Lancet Commission’s new research findings that around 40 percent of dementia cases worldwide could be delayed or even prevented by managing 12 modifiable risk factors. UsA2 called for a national Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention goal and a plan to achieve it. According to the release, “More than 100 public health, consumer, aging and advocacy organizations and leaders recently called for the adoption of a national, measurable, time-bound impact prevention goal for Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The groups seek a national commitment to reducing dementia similar to past efforts to reduce heart disease and other health challenges. “It is time to replace despair and disappointment with determination and hope; it is time to show there are steps that our nation can take to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, delay onset, and promote brain health,” these organizations said in a joint statement earlier this month.”

(ICYMI) A July 17, 2020 Blue Avocado article spoke with the Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s Founder Nihal Satyadev about his work getting young people involved in Alzheimer’s disease, its myriad societal implications and the current needs of our elders. According to the interview, “I do not want to be working in this nonprofit in 20 years. My leadership is best reflected by my relentless interest in driving forward systemic change. The more aspects of the nonprofit that can be incorporated in national policy in perpetuity, the better. Alzheimer’s should be a thing of the past by 2040, and long-term care should be a hassle-less experience with innovative government funded solutions. In 2040, I will be 45, and I want my kids to think of Alzheimer’s like they would have of smallpox: a disease of the past.”