June 13, 2017

Today’s Top Alzheimer’s News

USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A June 13, 2017 Chicago Sun Times article spotlighted “Surviving Grace,” the quasi-autobiographical play written by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Co-Founder, Trish Vrandenburg, about her mother’s bout with Alzheimer’s disease. Loni Anderson, Chicago native, Marilu Henner, NPR alum, Diane Rehm, retired WGN-Channel 9 anchor, Robert Jordan and “Da Coach” himself, Mike Ditka, will portray various characters.

A June 5, 2017 A Place For Mom Senior Living Blog post honors Meryl Comer and Kim Campbell as two of the ten top heroes in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a fitting time to honor individuals who have committed their lives to advocacy and research.

MUST READS

A June 13, 2017 Alzheimer’s News Today article reported on breakthroughs which led to new guidelines for diagnosing Lewy body dementia. DLB is the third most prevalent kind of dementia after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. “There is now a consensus amongst experts on DLB that certain symptoms, specifically REM sleep behavior disorder, and tests results, formal sleep study, and brain and cardiac imaging, are highly predictive for the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain,” said Jim Leverenz, Lewy Body Dementia Association’s Scientific Advisory Council Chair.

A June 12, 2017 Science Daily article spotlighted a study in the journal Alzheimer and Dementia using metabolomics, compounds that are created through various chemical reactions in the body, which identified new circulating compounds associated with the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The findings point to new biological pathways that could serve as biomarkers for the risk of AD. 

A June 11, 2017 Salon article focused on a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology which finds that black and Latino patients with neurological ailments, including Alzheimer’s dementia, are likely to receive less adequate care than white patients. The discrepancy in treatment impacts diagnosis, specialist care, treatment and recovery.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

According to a June 12, 2017 Journal of Accountancy article, CPA’s are preparing more financial plans for clients who are cognitively impaired. The article provides practical tips for working with clients who still have capacity. According to estate planner Marve Ann Alaimo, during the first and second (and perhaps even the third) stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia, clients may still be able to give instructions to their financial planners, as dementia often affects short-term memory first, but much of the planning process relies on long-term memory, which tends to stay intact longer. 

POLITICAL INSIGHTS

A June 12, 2017 Nasdaq GlobeNewswire article highlighted the Patient Choice and Quality Care Act of 2017, introduced by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), which would increase information and expand services for patients and families facing life-limiting illness. According to Sen. Mark Warner, “One of my biggest regrets is not making a plan with my mother—who suffered for 11 years with Alzheimer’s, nine of those years she couldn’t speak—for her care in anticipation of her suffering a debilitating disease. Having early conversations on this very difficult topic can help families like mine so that patients can have their wishes known and their voices heard.”