June 15, 2016

Today's Top Alzheimer's News

MUST READS

A June 15, 2016 The Hill opinion piece by  Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr and Kathleen Quinn underscored the need to protect seniors from financial exploitation. According to the authors, “In today’s world, it’s not just the threat of exploitation that raises concerns. It’s also the emerging health issue of increased incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s. As our brains age, studies show that seniors are more prone to risk taking behaviors. Pair that with longer life expectancies and the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s that diminish cognitive abilities, and seniors are not only more vulnerable to scams, but also to impairment of judgment that could result in riskier behavior…Financial advisors are increasingly finding themselves confronting potential senior financial fraud or cognitive issues with their clients. However, tackling this issue must be done in collaboration, which is why the industry continues to work with key agencies like Adult Protective Services, lawmakers, regulators and partners such as FINRA and NASAA. Together we continue to develop policies and practices that move us toward our shared goal of protecting the investments of aging Americans.” Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. is the president and CEO of SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association). Kathleen Quinn is the Executive Director of NAPSA (National Adult Protective Services Association). 

Must WatchA June 14, 2016 Mashable post highlighted a video featuring six individuals recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s answering the question: What would you never want to forget? While each person answered differently, there was one common theme throughout: family. 

A June 14, 2016 Vox.com article by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) highlighted Medicare’s broken system for the chronically ill. According to Sen. Wyden, “Another problem is the type of care that people with chronic illness have access to. Take a grandmother dealing with arthritis and the early onset of Alzheimer's. Perhaps she’s a cancer survivor, too. Instead of being driven to her doctor every two weeks, let that physician provide her care where she wants to be — at home — rather than in an unfamiliar and antiseptic hospital. Expanding an exciting pilot program, Independence at Home, will allow her to receive care in the comfort of her own home. Early results from this pilot show it saving Medicare $3,000 per beneficiary.”

A June 14, 2016 The Cap Times article reported that “A legislative task force is recommending several measures to bolster Wisconsin's Alzheimer's and dementia care system.” According to the article, “The Speaker's Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia released its findings and recommendations in a report on Tuesday. Recommendations include addressing a shortage of elder care health care providers, funding research for cures and earlier diagnosis tools, examining the state's guardianship laws, improving responses to dementia crisis issues and educating youth about the disease.”

A June 14, 2016 USC News article reported that “USC researchers announced Tuesday they will test a promising drug aimed at preventing or delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.” According to the article, “The international study, jointly managed by the USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) and Janssen Research & Development, will test Janssen’s BACE inhibitors in people who are currently showing no symptoms.The investigational drug aims to block an enzyme involved in the generation of the amyloid peptide, a toxic molecule believed to play an essential role in causing Alzheimer’s.”


UPCOMING EVENTS AND RELEVANT WEBINARS  

June 21 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST - The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)​ and UsAgainstAlzheimer's​ invite you to a Congressional briefing ​next Tuesday in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, ​R​oom SD-430​. T​he focus of the briefing is on: shifting Alzheimer’s disease research from ​a ​researcher-driven to patient-centered ​focus ​​to help accelerate ​the ​development of effective treatments, improve quality of care, and support family caregivers. The  briefing  is ​presented ​by PCORI ​with UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, a partner​ with Mayo Clinic, UCSF/Brain Health Registry, and the University of Florida in ​the first ever Alzheimer's and Dementia Patient and Caregiver Powered Research Network. The briefing's aim is to: raise awareness of caregivers’ needs, highlight​ PCORI’s research and provide health care professionals and advocates an opportunity to discuss where additional research is needed.

June 28th, 12:00pm EST - 1PM EST - Alzheimer's and Dementia PPRN: Opportunities for Collaborations in PCORnet | Join WebEx meeting here (Meeting number: 733 558 176 | Meeting password: 1234) Join by phone: 1-855-244-8681 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada) 1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada) Access code: 733 558 176