USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A May 3, 2018 Psychology Today article by author and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Board member Greg O’Brien addressed such issues as bad decision-making, memory loss, rage and sundowning in his personal journey with Alzheimer’s disease. After driving himself to a speech in Wellesley at a Sisters of Charity event, and after a group prayer for his wellbeing, “…Two friendly but imposing nuns about the size and stature of pro linebackers approached me. "Gregory," they said. "Not so fast. We need to have a come to Jesus talk: YOU’RE NOT DRIVING!” Upon learning of my bad judgment, the nuns had conferenced with what seemed like the urgency of a Vatican Council. I was told that one of the nuns would drive my car back to the Cape, with me strapped in the passenger seat, and another nun would follow, God bless them. “We want to do this,” they said. “And besides, if something happened to you on the way, the world would say our prayers don’t work.” The verdict had was delivered.”

Join the Women’s Health Empowerment Summit 2018 on May 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. Policymakers, thought leaders and fellow women's health champions will identify strategic opportunities in the current legislative landscape and align mobilization and advocacy efforts to advance women's health equity. You will learn about the Coalition for Women's Health Equity's efforts to eradicate disparities and discrimination in women's health, including prevention, research, access and treatment. WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s is a summit co-sponsor.

MUST WATCH

Watch “If I Can’t Recall Your Name” from UAB Media Studies by Ben Allen, Wendy Chen, and Callie Cox. The video shows a portrait of life with Alzheimer’s and dementia from caregivers, patients and the people at the CARES respite program.

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

A May 3, 2018 EurekAlert! release reported on a pilot study testing low-cost body-worn sensors to assess walking to detect early Alzheimer’s disease and monitor progression. Changes in walking characteristics can be an early warning sign of dementia. According to professor Lynn Rochester of Newcastle University, "How someone walks is not routinely used in clinical trials because the tools needed are typically restricted to specialised labs and one-off testing, missing subtle fluctuations in symptoms. Wearable sensors at home and in the clinic have the potential to change dementia research. The ability to assess gait and walking behaviours in all aspects of life is a major step forwards in data collection.” Also covered by Science Daily.

ALZ TECH

A May 4, 2018 Web MD article looked at the experimental automated "DRESS" system, which could someday enable patients to dress themselves, a potentially daunting task for people with dementia. The system uses video cameras, tablets, motion sensors and barcodes. “…For patients this is a task that they used to be able to do in five minutes, and that they typically did and want to do in private, in isolation. And for caregivers it's often one of the most frustrating activities, and one that they often spend an hour or more a day helping out with. So what we're doing now is just the beginning of a process -- a process that will have many steps -- towards determining the best way to try to help out with this," said study author Winslow Burleson. Also covered by Being Patient and UPI. 

EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Join guests from the scientific, philanthropic, private and public sectors for An Evening of BrightFocus on June 6, 2018 in Washingotn, DC. The gathering will celebrate promising science and bold advocacy to end Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Join the conversation at #MindSightCure.  

Read the “Report to the National Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services” from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.