USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A December 6, 2018 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s blog post by UsA2 Advocate Lynda Everman wrote eloquently about ending the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease. “One of the most devastating side effects of these diseases is that it tends to isolate the person living with dementia, along with their caregivers. This only serves to increase the terrible loneliness they often feel. When we try to bypass the awkward, embarrassing, challenging, painful, confusing moments we exacerbate the side effects and miss the opportunity for an intimate time of supporting, empathizing, and sharing of emotions that we all need. We may even leave them more lonely and isolated than they already are,” wrote Everman.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to a December 6, 2018 EurekAlert! release, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are developing a blood test to accurately diagnose or predict Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear by detecting tau. According to the release, “Larger groups of participants will need to be studied and the authors are also interested in studying patients over time to determine how tau levels in blood may change as the disease progresses and what those numbers may look like before the onset of symptoms. “We've made our data and the tools needed to perform our test widely available because we want other research groups to put this to test," said [corresponding author Dominic] Walsh."

FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY

A December 6, 2018 WNYT NBC Channel 13 broadcast video showed fourth-graders in Albany who are making kindness placemats for people with Alzheimer’s disease as part of their “Kind Kids Club” activities. According to one student, “They’re gonna have wonderful placemats and they’re gonna look at it and say, ‘Wow, they really care about us.’” The after school club facilitates the children doing kind acts around their school and community.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

A December 7, 2018 South China Morning Post article spotlighted the story of Shen Deli, a Beijing taxi driver who takes his wife to work with him every day. She has Alzheimer’s disease and is happiest when she is with him. Despite some negative ratings on ride-share apps, one user left the following review, “I think this is a really safe taxi, because it carries the driver’s most cherished one.” 

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

A December 6, 2018 KPBS article focused on the new San Diego County-led Alzheimer’s Response Team, which is stepping in to assist emergency officials and law enforcement officers in dealing with calls about people with dementia in crisis. The Team has been extremely effective since its inception in June and may expand to other regions, beyond East County. “We’re able to provide support services, advocacy and put resources in place to assure the family member who’s going through this dementia crisis, we’re able to then give them hope," said social worker Lashaunda Gaines.

CAREGIVING CORNER

A December 5, 2018 SELF Magazine article gathered advice from six Alzheimer’s caregivers about keeping loved ones active and engaged. According to the article, “Experiment until you find methods of engagement that resonate the most. It may take some trial and error to figure out what works for your loved one. “For example, jigsaw puzzles are on many lists of stimulating activities,” Leslie K., whose husband, Tom, has Alzheimer’s, tells SELF. But Tom was never that interested in jigsaw puzzles. However, he’s always loved to read. “Frequent visits to the library have been an activity that hits several of his hot buttons,” Leslie says.