USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A November 10, 2017 KSDK NBC video segment and article spotlighted LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's Network Advocate Daisy Duarte. At age 41, Daisy cares for her mom with Alzheimer's disease, and tested positive for the gene herself. According to Duarte, “Seventy-five percent of my family has either died or has Alzheimer’s. And I wasn't going to be another number without doing something about it.” She has been part of a study at Washington University for the last three years.
 

A November 1, 2017 USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging post focused on the growing burden of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States with a new infographic for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. AD disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minority groups. The infographic is based on data from the USC and UsAgainstAlzheimer's Report, "New Numbers Behind the Crisis.” 

MUST READS

A November 10, 2017 Sky News article and video segments explored use of "Internet of Things" technology by people with dementia. Sensors and trackers are placed around the home or worn so that clinicians can monitor health and safety remotely in case someone has wandered too far from home, had a fall, is becoming unwell or is not following their usual patterns of behavior.

A November 10, 2017 Nogales International article put the spotlight on unpaid family caregivers. The Family Caregiver Support Program in Santa Cruz County, Arizona helps unpaid caregivers prevent burnout and manage emotional stress that can lead to physical ailments. It provides information and referrals, and will hold workshops and a support group. Another county resource is a monthly Spanish-language Alzheimer’s support group in Nogales.

A November 10, 2017 The San Diego Union-Tribune video segment and article reported on a new way to detect the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. A biomarker associated with brain inflammation is believed to be a trigger. According to Michael Plopper, MD of Sharp Behavioral Health Services, “This finding may create a biomarker for detecting Alzheimer’s disease before the brain has been damaged by the disease process… These findings may lead to very early detection and also potentially new treatments."