USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) post called attention to the crucial need for sustainable marketplace solutions to augment the substantial support provided by family caregivers. The “Paving the Path for Family-Centered Design: A National Report on Family Caregiver Roles in Medical Product Development” paper looks at how family caregivers can help shape biomedical research and development, regulatory decision-making and healthcare delivery. The paper was developed by NAC in partnership with Leader’s Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD). UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is a LEAD co-convener.

ICYMI

A June 27, 2019 The New York Times article highlighted the growing trend of “aging together,” where “kids,” in their 60s and 70s, are spending their retirement years caring for aging parents who are living well into their 90s. Late-in-life caregivers, typically women, may suffer from their own health concerns which can be exacerbated by the stress, physical strain and isolation of caregiving. And it can drain resources. According to the article, “An accountant will calculate tax breaks for home care and other services. Local senior programs could offer guidance on free and reduced-cost programs, including counseling for burned-out caregivers.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

A July 7, 2019 The Advocate Alzheimer’s Q&A asked about how caregivers can overcome resentment. According to the article, “While the caregiver copes with all the new responsibilities and tasks, over time he or she becomes drained of energy and joy. Resentment rears its ugly head. When this happen, it is a signal for the caregiver to step back and reassess the caregiving situation and to try to incorporate more balance into his or her life. The caregiver should set aside some time to renew and re-energize, to take deep breaths, to have a cup of tea, soak in a hot bath or do whatever he or she can to acknowledge the feelings and then set them free.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A July 8, 2019 Yahoo! Finance article spotlighted growing evidence and research, presented at the 11th international HHV-6 conference in Quebec City, exploring the link between Alzheimer’s disease and microbiological agents, specifically the human herpesvirus 6. According to the article, “Another featured speaker was Dr. Robert Moir (Harvard), who presented the reasoning and evidence for his concept that the amyloid found in Alzheimer's brains is not “trash”, but an important product of innate immunity which can entrap harmful viruses and other microorganisms... Dr. “Mack” Mackiewicz, from NIH's National Institute on Aging, reminded the audience of researchers that investigating microbial participation in Alzheimer's disease has now been elevated to a “high-priority topic”…”

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

In a July 8, 2019 Go Local Prov News article, Dr. Ed Iannuccilli urged people to enroll in clinical trials to further Alzheimer’s disease research, in particular through Butler Hospital Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry, with a goal of 2,020 participants by 2020. Dr. Iannuccilli spoke with Dr. Steven Salloway of Butler Hospital, “The earlier we go, the more effective we’re going to be at either preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s. We need volunteers. We need you folks out there to find out more. It’s a very exciting time, and I think we’re in the right place to really make progress.”