http://alzillinoisjuniorboard.org/

February can be a tough month. Winter has often worn out its welcome but spring is still a ways in the distance. On Friday, February 22, however, you can treat yourself to A Night to Remember. Hosted by the Greater Illinois Chapter Junior Board, the fundraiser will include appetizers, desserts and an open bar at Zella, 1983 North Clybourn Ave., Chicago. A Night to Remember will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 until Thursday, February 21 and $60 at the door.

Get your tickets now >>

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http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/february2013/care_doctors.asp

The Alzheimer’s Association® recently released guidance to help health care providers detect cognitive impairment as part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
Prior to this publication, there has been no comprehensive guidance on how to assess for cognitive impairment in the primary care setting. The recommendations include tools for patients and family members as well as an emphasis on vital patient history, self-reported concerns and clinician observations.

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The Alzheimer’s Association® recently released guidance to help health care providers detect cognitive impairment as part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
Prior to this publication, there has been no comprehensive guidance on how to assess for cognitive impairment in the primary care setting. The recommendations include tools for patients and family members as well as an emphasis on vital patient history, self-reported concerns and clinician observations.
Detecting possible cognitive impairment is the first step in determining whether or not further evaluation is needed. In developing the recommendations, the Alzheimer’s Association convened a group of experts to survey the current literature and build consensus around an effective, practical and easy process. For more information on the recommendations, click here.
“We understand that by assessing and documenting cognitive status on an annual basis during
the Annual Wellness Visit, clinicians can more easily monitor gradual cognitive decline in a
patient over time,” said Bill Thies, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief medical scientific officer.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, among the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease, as many as half have not been diagnosed. Without initial detection, these individuals would not be diagnosed which would deprive them of available treatments and services as well as the opportunity to make financial and care plans.
“Widespread use of the steps identified by the Alzheimer’s Association Medicare Detection of Cognitive Impairment Workgroup could make significant inroads in reducing the prevalence of missed or delayed dementia diagnosis by either establishing a baseline for cognitive surveillance
or a trigger for further diagnostic evaluation,” Thies added.
In addition to the range of tools identified, the recommendations offer suggested questions to include in the required Health Risk Assessments that patients must provide for the visit. The recommendations include tools that are available in multiple languages and are unaffected by
levels of education or different cultural backgrounds.
While the Workgroup emphasizes in its recommendations “no one tool is recognized as the best brief assessment to determine if a full dementia evaluation is needed,” several tools were found most suited for assessing cognitive impairment at no cost to the health care provider during the visit.
These include the Mini-Cog™, the Memory Impairment Screen (MIS), and the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG). Positive attributes of these tests are that they were relatively free of education, race or cultural bias and take five minutes or less to administer – a very
favorable aspect given the often limited time primary care physicians have per patient. Recognized tools suited for those close to the patient such as spouses, family members or friends were the AD8, the Short Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (short IQCODE), and the Informant GPCOG.
The Alzheimer’s Association looks forward to working with physician organizations and
government agencies as it works to share these recommendations.

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http://www.alz.org/illinois/in_my_community_walk.asp

Join us as we reclaim the future for the millions of Americans affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Registration for the 2013 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is now open!
When you walk, you’re part of the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds to advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research. You’re part of something bigger than yourself — a movement — a chance to make a difference in the lives of people facing Alzheimer’s. Whether you’re walking for your friends or family, a caregiver or person living with the disease, or to stop rising health care costs and fight the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death, we all have a reason to walk.
And a huge thank you to our 2012 Champions Club members, each of whom raised more than $500 for this critically important cause.

Learn more >>

• Choose a Walk Near You
• Volunteer
• Photos
• Tell us Why You Walk
• Walk Champions
• Walk Fundraising Events

The End of Alzheimer’s Disease Starts Here

Join the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™ and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for 210,000 Illinois residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Since 1989, we’ve mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now, we ask you to register for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

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https://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/application/2013/

The Alzheimer’s Association® Greater Illinois Chapter is seeking talented and dynamic individuals to join our Board of Directors. The Greater Illinois Chapter’s Board of Directors is an elite group of recognized leaders in Illinois dedicated to ending Alzheimer’s disease. Illinois is poised to see a 14% increase in the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. We need a passionate and capable Board of Directors to ensure the Chapter’s ability to meet the needs of those we serve every day.

Click here to fill out the application >>

Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter
Seeks Candidates for the Board of Directors

The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, one of the largest of the Association’s chapters in the country, seeks candidates to fill five volunteer positions on its Board of Directors. These positions are for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2013. The Board of Directors is responsible for setting Chapter strategic implementation plans in accordance with the Association nationwide strategic plan and overseeing a multi-million dollar Chapter budget that supports programs and services for over 210,000 people in Illinois with Alzheimer’s disease, as
well as the hundreds of thousands of family, friends, and professionals who are caring for them.
The Board governs on behalf of those affected by Alzheimer’s and our donors and assures appropriate organizational performance, which includes fulfilling the mission for the organization, determining the Chapter’s future direction in compliance with national policies, and ensuring the Chapter’s fiscal health.
Board candidates must have a strong commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association mission, objectives, values and strategic direction. They should be generalists who have a blend of knowledge, skills and relevant experiences in such areas as finance, law, business administration, public policy, fund raising, communications, and volunteerism. Board members must be willing to reach out to their personal contacts with the goal of securing significant monetary and other forms of support for the work of the Chapter and the Association. Board members must reside in the territory served by the Greater Illinois Chapter.
We are specifically seeking individuals with professional experience in the following disciplines: audit, accounting, investment management, and compensation and benefits.
The Greater Illinois Chapter’s Governance & Nominating Committee is inviting individuals who meet the qualifications to apply from February 1 to May 1, 2013. All candidates will be evaluated by the Committee and the selected finalists will be interviewed in May or early June, 2013. The final slate will be presented to the Board for election at its June meeting.
Included in this application are details of the position as well as application instructions and timelines. Candidates may apply online at www.alzheimers-illinois.org/application, may download
a print version of the application linked above, contact the Office of the President at 547-933-2413 or email cmarsden@alz.org. Please share these materials with someone you feel may be both interested and appropriate for consideration.

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http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/enewsletter/february2013/rock_n_roll_ad.asp

Avrum Krause is nothing if not a veteran of the Chicago theater scene.
The driving force and co-founder of The Time of Your Life Players, a Chicago-based troupe of actors 55 and older, Krause has been performing on various Chicago stages since 1984.

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Avrum Krause is nothing if not a veteran of the Chicago theater scene.
The driving force and co-founder of The Time of Your Life Players, a Chicago-based troupe of actors 55 and older, Krause has been performing on various Chicago stages since 1984.
At the end of the month, he will open the curtain on the second run of “Rock ‘n’ Roll AD,” which chronicles the life of a musician named Roy, who is seeking to get his band back together for one last tour when he discovers he’s been diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The first run took place last fall.
The show will open at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 27 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. It will continue at 2 p.m. every Wednesday, with the exception of March 6, as well as 2 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through Friday, March 29.
“We’ve never re-opened a show before — this is unique,” said Krause, who wrote, directs and produces the musical performance. “I just think the subject matter was so important, it needed a second run.”
Comprised of about 25 people who volunteer their time and talents, The Time of Your Life Players is the only senior theatre group that performs its own music. “Rock ‘n’ Roll AD” will feature 12 original pieces.
“We think it’s inspirational for people to see seniors do this kind of thing in the community,”
Krause said. “Our societal value is in the very fact that (the theater group) exists.”
And following every show is the opportunity for audiences to engage in group discussions. At the conclusion of “Rock ‘n’ Roll AD” showings, representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association® Greater Illinois Chapter will speak and answer questions.
“The post-show discussion will give the audience the chance to ask any questions they may have about the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and related disorders, the diagnostic process, treatments and resources,” said Melanie Chavin, Vice President of Program Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll AD” is the ninth original musical presented by The Time of Your Life Players. It features music by Michael Evans and lyrics by Lauren Krause. Musicians, singers, and actors 55 and older interested in joining The Time of Your Life Players are asked to call 773.248.5249 or email akrause@rcn.com.
Tickets are $16 for individuals. The group rate is $11. For more information, call 773.327.5252 or
go to stage773.com.

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