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COVID-19 overshadowed much of the news around dementia related discoveries and advances in 2020. However, some important research and development did occur including important advancements in the early detection, control, and even in the treatment of dementia. Below is a brief summary of the pages (and pages and pages) of dementia news for 2020. Research News Medications Aducanumab While there are no medications to prevent or cure dementia yet, several new drugs are showing some promise results, including one called Aducanumab. It is now under FDA review (after some initial doubt re: its efficacy). The makers of Aducanumab provided additional evidence in 2020 that the drug can delay the onset of dementia by reducing aggregated amyloid beta – a protein that normally plays an essential role in memory loss later in life. If approved, Aducanumab will be the first therapy shown to slow dementia-related cognitive decline. Besides ongoing doubts about its efficacy, the therapy is also very pricey (about $50,000 per year per patient, not including imaging and other medical costs to monitor its effects) and its impact to Medicare funding. Early detection initiatives The PET scan is the gold-standard for detecting tau tangles, which are a pre-symptomatic predictor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  The tau proteins – are typically found in brain cells– is associated with multiple brain diseases. Researchers are developing faster, less expensive, and more widely-available alternative methods to detecting tau using blood or cerebrospinal fluid sampling and analysis. The newer methods can result in earlier disease detection which is important for patient care and treatment decision. Via blood and plasma-based biomarkers Several new blood-based biomarkers are in various stages of testing. These blood-based biomarkers are more accurate than previous technologies for early [...]

December - National Handwashing Awareness Month Nine months ago, many of us suddenly started standing over the sink with our hands full of suds singing a couple of rounds of the song Happy Birthday as we scrubbed.  National Handwashing Week has never found such notoriety! Little did most of us know that it takes place each year during the first full week of December. With record numbers of new Coronavirus cases and deaths spiking across the U.S., it’s more important than ever to recognize the critical role hand washing and learning to keep your hands away from your face play in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. Let’s take a quick quiz to see what you already know (many months into a pandemic!) about hand washing hygiene. Handwashing Pop Quiz Which of the following (according to the CDC and the latest research) is the most effective way to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and other communicable diseases? Observing social distancing (at least six feet, no touching, cover coughs and sneezes). Washing your hands with soap and water frequently and correctly, following CDC guidelines. Using hand sanitizer frequently and correctly, following CDC guidelines. Answer: 2 Approximately ____ % of communicable diseases are believed to be transmitted by human hands? 25% 50% 80% 95% Answer: 3 The U.S. is currently experiencing which of the following that can be mitigated by regular hand washing? A novel influenza virus pandemic. A national measles outbreak. A novel coronavirus pandemic. All of the above. Answer: 3 Scrub is one of the 5 steps in proper hand washing. To be most effect you should scrub your hands for at least ___ seconds. 10 20 30 40 Answer: 2 The [...]

For the 2020 holidays, the CDC says it’s best to stay home and celebrate on your own or with the people you already live with. Hospital beds are more full now than they were in March and there aren’t enough nurses and technicians to operate the ventilators we have, so to avoid a third wave, we should all comply, especially if we have or live with someone who is at risk for developing complications from the virus. We have to be careful to avoid the third surge overwhelming our hospital system. So . . . What do we do instead? For Everybody This year, ideally, we celebrate in person only with people we already live with day-to-day. If you want to prepare a traditional meal, go ahead! But consider maybe just a turkey breast, or switch to baked chicken or start a new tradition for your family! Consider hosting or attending a virtual dinner. Watch your favorite sports (college basketball starts Thanksgiving week!). Watch the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving, and Disney Christmas parade (both of which have changed formats and made other changes to keep people safe during COVID). Watch your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas movies from home. Instead of braving the unprotected crowds of Black Friday in person, shop Black Friday online to avoid the crowds and COVID exposure. See the sidebar for more ideas. For households or other groups with family members with dementia . . . It’s a curious year. Many of the aspects of celebrating the holidays that normally make people with dementia uncomfortable (large gatherings, conversations with strangers, being left alone in a crowd) are missing! Some advice still applies this year, though: Talk to family and friends (whether they’ll [...]

You are likely reading this article because you have a loved one who seems to be hallucinating. Before we get into possible connections between dementia and hallucination, you are encouraged to take this short quiz to find out how much you already know about it. 1. Which of the following is NOT a known possible cause of hallucinations? 1. Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders 2. Mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia) 3. Grief or emotional trauma 4. Excessive exercise 5. Common cold 6. Certain medications 7. Drug or alcohol abuse and recovery 8. COVID 19 The answer is... 5. Common Cold 2. Hallucinations associated with dementia may involve which of the following senses? 1. Sight 2. Sound 3. Taste 4. Smell 5. Touch 6. All the above. The answer is... 6. All of the above. 3. True or False. Explaining that what the person is experiencing is not real and that they should not be afraid is a helpful coping strategy for people suffering from delusions because of dementia. The answer is... False. Caregivers recommend that you validate the persons feelings and experiences without expressing doubt about whether they are true. 4. Hallucinations associated with dementia that begin early after diagnosis are thought to be caused by _____________. 1. Lewy body formations in the brain. 2. Medications used in treatment 3. Delusions caused by dementia-related anxiety (DRA) The answer is . . . 1. Lewy body formations in the brain. 5. True or False. All dementia patients experience hallucinations. The answer is . . . False. Though it’s common for people with dementia to experience hallucinations, not all do. Facts about hallucinations Some of those answers may have surprised you. Some of them may have confused you. [...]

Eating Green Leafy Foods Might Help You Find Your Keys The older we get the more, it seems, we notice slight changes in our memory and our ability to think fast. Our food consumption is an important part of our brain-health and something we can have control over. Food isn’t the end all for diseases like Alzheimer’s but it can certainly contribute to typical brain-health. In this article, we will learn about foods that help our brains and hurt them, and though science doesn’t have all the answers about the connection research indicates certain foods can in fact improve our brain-health. Diet and Memory Loss The Mediterranean Diet and the Dash Diet, replace foods known to be detrimental to brain health with foods known to improve memory or thought to delay the onset or reduce the likelihood of dementia. They also appear to help alleviate a number of other health issues from high blood pressure to diabetes. When these two diets are combined it is considered a MIND diet. While there is a clear association between improving your diet and reduced memory loss and other symptoms of dementia, adopting dietary changes is currently seen as the fourth or fifth most effective prevention strategy. Of course, the best prevention strategy is to adopt as many aspects of all of the prevention strategies as possible, including adopting good sleep habits (sleep hygiene), increasing physical activity (even just a daily 30 minute walk appears to help), reducing cholesterol and blood pressure levels, participating in cognitive exercise and brain training, and finally, adopting a brain-healthy diet. What happens in your brain . . . No one knows precisely how the connection between diet and memory loss works, but researchers [...]

Dementia is often thought of a side effect or complication of Parkinson’s Disease. Medical journals often list it that way, and coding guidelines even list it as a subcode under Parkinsonism. But according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and other sources, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia is actually its own disease, one of 11 types of dementia. So, while they share some underlying causes, Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia are considered separate diseases and have no symptoms in common. A Lewy Body Dementia Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) along with Alzheimer’s Disease (DLB) are the two types of Lewy Body Dementias. Lewy bodies, discovered by the German-born Jewish American neurologist Frederic Lewy, cause abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein in to the brain cells. These protein deposits change brain chemistry and can have a characteristic effect on thinking, movement, behavior, and mood issues associated with PDD and DLB. So, What’s the Difference? Symptoms Looking at the early symptoms of PD and PDD side-by-side make it clear that they are two different diseases: Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms • Tremor • Small Handwriting • Loss of Smell • Trouble Sleeping • Trouble Moving or Walking • Constipation • A Soft or Low Voice • Masked Face • Dizziness or Fainting • Stooping or Hunching Over Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Symptoms • Changes in memory, concentration and judgment • Trouble interpreting visual information • Muffled speech • Visual hallucinations • Delusions, especially paranoid ideas • Depression • Irritability and anxiety • Sleep disturbances Diagnoses Both Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia are diagnosed based on a doctor’s observation of symptoms. Since Parkinson’s Disease Dementia develops as part of Parkinson’s disease, some patients may have a combination of the symptoms associated with both [...]

What is a Power of Attorney (and Why do I need one?) A Power of Attorney is a legal document, usually conferred under state laws in the U.S., that allows one person to grant another person the legal right to act on their behalf. The person who signs the Power of Attorney is the “Principal.” The POA grants legal authority to another person (the “Agent” or “Attorney-in-Fact”) to make legally-binding decisions on behalf of the Principal about business, property, medical, finance, and other personal affairs, even if the Principal is not competent or physically able to make decisions. Now you know the definition and you understand why it’s such an important document to have. What often matters most with a Power of Attorney is choosing the right “agent” for you. It’s a big decision. You want it to be someone you trust with your personal health and welfare. Someone who is going to make decisions for you if you aren’t capable of making them yourself. Choose a trusted family member or friend – a proven, trustworthy person – and let them know that they are your “agent.” What kinds of POAs are available? General, Special, Durable, Non-durable, Springing The original term for the legal document was a “Durable Power of Attorney.” They were intended to provide a permanent and “relatively simple, inexpensive, alternative to court supervision of guardianship . . . upon the incapacity of the principal.”1 Since then (about 1979) variations of the POA have been developed based on specific circumstances and needs of the Principal. Durable POA - In line with the original intent of the document, a “Durable” Power of Attorney goes into effect on signing (some states also require witnesses and [...]

How to Honor Your Loved One During World Alzheimer’s Month Every September, countries around the world band together to observe World Alzheimer’s Month. This annual campaign, which began in 2012, is specifically for the purpose of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as fighting the stigma associated with diseases. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in 10 people aged 65 and older (10%) has Alzheimer's dementia. That means almost everyone has been affected by this disease in some shape or fashion. Whether you have a loved one who has passed on from the disease, or they are currently traveling their dementia journey, there are many ways you can honor him or her during the month of September. Here are a few ideas.   Raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. September is the perfect month to use your social media profiles and other circles of influence to help others become better informed about Alzheimer’s disease. Sharing signs to watch for and urging the importance of an early diagnosis can help others who may have loved ones they’re worried about. Many people are uninformed about the basics of the disease, and shedding light using credible resources can help clarify and chase away the stigma and fear associated with this disease. You may also consider organizing an educational event. Consider holding a lunch and learn at your work (it can even be virtual), or talk to your local library about using one of their public meeting rooms. If you’re a member of a club or organization, see about bringing in a speaker or two.   Spread the word at work. Many people choose to wear purple on September 21 in honor of World Alzheimer’s Day [...]

Falling is not normal.  Not even for those of us who are aging.  However, if it happens once, it’s more likely to happen again.  And it clearly happens to the aging population too often. According to the National Council on Aging falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans.  1 in 4 older adults falls each year…including caregivers. So, in honor of Fall Prevention Month let’s take a refresher course on how to stay on our feet.   Lesson #1: Balance and gait. For seniors who push out of a chair with their arms or struggle to step up onto a curb, those are a couple of early signs of weak leg muscles and a major cause for falls.  Sure, as we age most of us lose some flexibility and balance – mainly because we are sitting around way too much. Muscle strength in their legs can be improved with minimal exercise each day. Start slowly by having them sit in place (I know, I just mentioned we do it too much, but hang with me), and ask them to march while they sit.  As their caregiver, you can do it too. When you feel like their thighs and stomach muscles are getting stronger, have them try standing tall while holding onto a sturdy chair back or countertop and march with that support. Maybe turn on a favorite old march to get the memory going.  As they build strength, ask them to pull those knees even higher.  Aim for 20 marching steps a day. From there, try suggesting side leg lifts, going from toes then back to heels, and balancing on one leg.  Of course, using an exercise belt can [...]