DISPARITIES SPOTLIGHT

A January 6, 2020 Chicago Tribune article focused on the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on Asian Americans. Oanh Meyer is the primary caregiver for her 84 year-old mom, who has AD. An assistant adjunct professor at the University of California, Davis, she published a research paper on the caregiving experiences of Vietnamese Americans, and a second on a culturally competent program designed specifically to address their AD-caregiving needs. According to the article, “Through her research and her experience as a caregiver, Meyer found that many Vietnamese elders lack knowledge about Alzheimer's and wait a long time before seeking help or diagnosis… In many cases, there are multiple caregivers taking care of one family member, and conflicts can arise when they don't agree on what to do.”

A January 6, 2020 U.S. News article looked at the link between environment and the risk of brain shrinkage, in particular the hippocampus, which is linked to cognitive decline and dementia. A new report from the University of Wisconsin analyzed the effects of “neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage,” including poverty, education and income, among other factors. They found a “robust association” linked to lower hippocampal volume. According to the researchers, “The reported findings fit into a growing body of evidence on the unique negative health effects of neighborhood-level disadvantage and suggest that residential location may be a risk marker for brain volume loss during aging.”

ALZ TECH

A January 6, 2020 KTAR News article spotlighted doctors in Arizona who are using AI to create personalized health management plans for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The RestoreU METHOD collects patient data including medical history, demographics and lifestyle information. According to 2018 figures, Arizona is projected to have one of the fastest growth rates of AD in the country, 43% by 2025.

CAREGIVING CORNER

A January 2, 2020 Syracuse.com article and video shared the story of Dan Camp, whose elderly parents are caring for him after his diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 60. According to the article, “…Most of the support groups for caretakers are people Dan’s age; the sick people are the parents. And the programs for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia are full of elderly people. Dan is funny and friendly and never minds chatting. But there are a lot of Lawrence Welk people. He’s a Dead Head. So Dan’s family has worked to build their own program for him as memory and function erode.” “People have many different ways of coping. Mine is with my faith,” said Camp.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

A January 6, 2020 New Hampshire Union Leader article announced that new state legislation sets training requirements and standards of care for facility and program workers caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. According to the article, “Granite Staters will now be able to feel confident that the professionals caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia receive proper training. These requirements bring New Hampshire up to speed with nearly every other state in the nation, and I applaud the courageous and determined families who have been advocating for these commonsense measures for years,” said Heather Carroll of the New Hampshire Alzheimer’s Association.