USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A May 29, 2019 UsAgainstAlzheimer’s blog post by Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD and Mark J. Yaffe, MD highlighted new survey results from UsA2’s A-LISTcohort, representing the voice of the patient and caregiver community. The survey focused on the relationship between physicians and caregivers. According to the blog, “…Caregivers also reported that only 10% of doctors asked how respondents themselves were coping. Nor did the nearly two-thirds of doctors who knew the respondents were caregivers provide advice about how they might manage their situations better.” “Just once in my more than twenty years of caring for my husband with early-onset Alzheimer’s did a physician ever inquire about my health or how I was coping, even though research clearly supports that the caregiver is the second, but often invisible, patient,” said AD advocate and caregiver Meryl Comer.

MUST LISTEN

A May 29, 2019 WUWM NPR 89.7 “Lake Effect” radio segment interviewed Chuck Stetson of Healthcare Impact Foundation about treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Stetson references the recently released WHO Alzheimer’s Risk Reduction Guidelines, which recommend lowering AD risk by modifying lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. According to Stetson, “We need to be much more attentive and willing to work with people that are having cognitive problems. We have to be a little bit more sympathetic and show them how much we care.”

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A May 29, 2019 WTOP article encouraged people to consider enrolling in the “Generation Program” clinical trial at Howard University (five to eight years), to test the effectiveness of a drug to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The study is recruiting those between 60 to 75, without a memory impairment diagnosis, but with a family history of AD. “We need people to participate in these clinical trials. It is not possible for clinician scientists to do this all by themselves. They need the cooperation of the community, and collectively working together we can make progress on conquering this devastating disease,” said Dr. Thomas Obisesan of Howard University Hospital.

DEMENTIA AND THE ARTS

A May 29, 2019 WTMJ-TV 4 Milwaukee broadcast segment spotlighted the “Amazing Grace” Chorus, comprised of people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, who come together to find community and music. The group sings jazz, contemporary gospel and great American classics.According to Stephanie Houston of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, “This is an opportunity to bring that individual back into the community and be able to be stimulated in a very creative way. It helps with mood. It helps with language, and because we are doing a lot of interacting action, so mobility as well.”

PATIENT AND CAREGIVER VOICES

A May 29, 2019 New York Post article spotlighted two people dealing with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease who feel a sense of urgency to live life to the fullest. “NYPD Blue” co-creator David Milch has continued to work, currently in the midst of penning a memoir. According to former Oracle techie and marathoner Chris Hannafan, “I believe that running helps blood to circulate through the brain quicker. Running all the time makes me feel better.”