Measuring brain plaques may yield clues to Alzheimer’s risk

http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=669532

A large amount of beta amyloid plaques in the brain may trigger more significant memory loss in healthy older people than the APOE ?4 allele, the genetic risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. Researchers said the findings show that plaque-related brain decline may occur while people maintain normal memory and thinking, and that brain changes can be detected and measured while older people are still healthy.
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http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

What an exciting time for NPDA!

It’s a time of celebration as 2012 marks the 10th Anniversary of the National Private Duty Association’s founding as the premier organization representing private duty agencies and the entire private duty home care industry. At our recent Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. we revisited our success over the past 10 years and toasted to our future. Please take a look at our 10th Anniversary Video highlighting our history: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzFWbV5tq4g&feature=plcp

It’s a time of recognition as we thank Sheila McMackin, board president and founder of NPDA, for having the vision and courage to create a voice for the private duty industry. We must also recognize the leadership and service of the current and former members of the NPDA Board of Directors. Finally, we must recognize our members. From our charter members whose initial support helped form the NPDA to our current members whose ongoing support and participation allow us to provide the education and advocacy efforts needed to represent our industry.

It’s a time of transition as we prepare to rebrand and become the Home Care Association of America. We recently made this announcement and the change will take effect in 2013. This name change is important as we better define the association, member agencies and industry we represent and use the association to communicate and educate consumers and lawmakers.

I hope you’ll agree this time of celebration, recognition and transition is exciting. It allows us the opportunity to acknowledge our accomplishments in our first 10 years and prepares us well as we begin our next 10 years and beyond.

http://www.alz.org/dm/nadam/nadam_wristband1_rollout.htm

My wife of 41 years, Joan, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease last year at the age of 62. Even though her mother had Alzheimer’s, the diagnosis was shocking. Like most people, we thought Alzheimer’s only affected the elderly.

Without a doubt, we’ve been on an emotional roller coaster ride. I thank God for the wonderful services of the Alzheimer’s Association. They have several programs that have helped us plan for the future, which is especially important for families dealing with younger-onset diagnosis.

Through it all, my wife is my inspiration. Long before her diagnosis, Joan was a passionate advocate for people with Alzheimer’s. Now that she can’t work, advocacy is her new career. And as her caregiver, my career has changed too. I travel less for work than I used to, because I want to spend as much time with Joan as possible. Every single minute is important.

I watched my father-in-law try to do everything for his wife during her illness, and he ruined his health – it was just too much for one person. I’ve decided that my best approach is to stay as healthy as possible and to seek support services when we need them.

If I could give advice to anyone facing a similar situation, I would say get all the support you can get. Love your spouse. Ask for help. Give to the Alzheimer’s Association. They are fighting to make a difference and provide services to caregivers and families like mine.

On behalf of my wife and family, thank you for your generosity.

Al Uronis, care partner and Alzheimer’s advocate
Hudson, Ohi

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

An attorney prosecutes her toughest foe: Alzheimer’s

After being diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, Seattle attorney Myriam Marquez has dedicated her life to spreading awareness and finding a cure for the disease. Among her many activities fighting Alzheimer’s, Marquez is an Alzheimer’s Association Early-Stage Advisor.
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Learn more about living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s >>

http://crosscut.com/2012/10/03/health-medicine/110768/alzheimers-disease-prevention-cause-treatment-cdc/

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

Three drugs selected for DIAN TU clinical trial

Scientists at the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network Trials Unit (DIAN TU) have selected three drugs to be evaluated in the first phase of this innovative international clinical trial. The drugs each target beta amyloid — the main ingredient in the brain plaques found in people with Alzheimer’s — in a different way. The Alzheimer’s Association provided $4.2 million in funding for DIAN to build the essential infrastructure for its Trials Unit.
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http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/24400.aspx

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php