Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists believe this risk is due to blood vessel problems as well as tissue damage from fluctuating blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Major depression has also been noted as a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

A recent study has found that major depression more than doubles the risk factor for dementia in adults living with diabetes. The study article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine noted that depression is common among people with diabetes and advised clinicians to add appropriate screening and treatment measures. Additionally, the study noted the need for exercise as well as weight and blood sugar control to protect people with diabetes from developing cognitive deficits.

It is not known how diabetes and depression interact to result in the increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Noting, the link between exercise, diet, and brain health, Senior Living Residences offers an exercise program in all of its communities as well as an innovative nutrition program.

A recent policy change to the Social Security Administration (SSA) will greatly benefit individuals living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, marked by symptoms and diagnosis of the disease before the age of sixty-five.
This month, SSA added the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease to its list of eligible diseases in its Compassionate Allowances Initiative. The addition of the early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis enables individuals with the disease to become eligible for SSDI, Social Security Disability Income and receive payments more quickly. Before the addition of the diagnosis, individuals were often denied benefits and endured a long appeal process.

Family members who are dealing with early-onset dementia often face major issues that are not associated with diagnosis at a later age, such as a loss of job due to declining cognitive abilities. For some individuals living with the early-onset type of this disease, SSDI is their main source of income. This change to the SSA will ease the application process for eligible individuals, diagnosed with the early onset form of Alzheimer’s disease and unable to continue with their work.

Whenever I do a family or professional training , I ask the audience members to consider what remains when someone is living with Alzheimer’s disease, as compared to the many losses the individual is experiencing.

This past week I spent some time with residents in the Compass Memory Support at the BayView Assisted Living, a community owned by Senior Living Residences. One of the residents had some difficulty walking into the dining room at lunchtime. The associates quickly offered her assistance and she rested in a chair for a few minutes before continuing in to have her meal.

Another resident, who had watched the scene closely, approached the staff and offered his services. Once he was assured that everything was fine, he went in to have his own lunch.

I spoke to Jennifer Hoadley, the Program Director, about the resident who had approached to offer help, commenting on his composure, true concern, and fast action. She said, “he is a former Boston firefighter and is always right there when anyone needs assistance.” Although he is now living with Alzheimer’s disease, his lifelong call to the service and safety of others remains, unchanged by his disease.

The early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include decreased judgment, lack of initiative, challenges in solving problems, difficulty completing tasks, and withdrawal from social activities.

Residents at Senior Living Residences' Standish Village organized a fundraiser to benefit Haiti Relief.

I have a different picture of Alzheimer’s for you today, shared with me by Brooke Patterson, Memory Support Neighborhood (MSN) Program Director at Standish Village, a community owned and managed by Senior Living Residences.

Most days Brooke begins her day by encouraging the residents, living on the MSN, to come to her daily activity program. The day after the earthquake in Haiti, she came into the community and asked the residents to do just that. The residents all looked at her and asked, “What are we going to do?” She smiled and replied, “Something fun,” the response she offers on most days. The residents looked at her and said “Don’t you know what is going on in the world? We shouldn’t be having fun, we need to do something to help!”

More residents of Standish Village who are organizing a food and water drive to benefit haiti Relief efforts

Hearing about the tragic earthquake that occurred in Haiti, the residents were driven to action to offer compassionate assistance to those in need like many of us across the globe. Responding to the crisis, they have organized a community-wide food and water drive to donate to the Haitian Relief efforts.

The resident-directed drive was organized by individuals who are actively engaged, directed in their purpose, and proud of their compassionate efforts. Each one is living with Alzheimer’s disease.

www.nature.com/.../n1s/full/jcbfm2009170a.html

As with Alzheimer’s disease, there is no simple way to reach a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Individuals who notice symptoms associated with MCI, including forgetting appointments and details of recent events or conversations as well as frequently repeating conversations and information, should speak to their physician.

During the diagnostic process, one can expect to be asked a number of questions about noted changes, history of symptoms and a family health history. In addition, the physician may ask to speak with a family member or close friend, to ask about observation of symptoms.

From there, a number of tests will be conducted to eliminate other potential causes for memory loss including: a complete physical exam, blood tests, an evaluation for depression or other mental illness, brain imaging, and a neuropsychological assessment.

The process is very involved, but once completed offers a clear picture of what is causing memory changes. It is important to note that not all memory change is caused by Alzheimer’s disease. At times, memory loss may be caused by an acute condition that can be treated. Also, as researchers learn more and more about memory loss, recognition of the earliest changes in cognition will lead to the most effective treatment.

A recent study from the University of Central Florida (UCF), provides new information about the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, where preventative treatment is possible.

Among scientists and many lay people, it is well known that beta-amyloid is a destructive force to nerve cells in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Beta-amyloid builds up in the brain, clumping in neurons and forming damaging deposits knows as plaque. This plaque is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the disease process, the beta-amyloid damages and eventually kills neurons, brain cells. Many research studies have focused on the damaged nerve cells in trying to understand this process towards seeking a possible prevention and treatment.

In this new study, researchers from UCF looked at smaller amounts of beta-amyloid and its effect on healthy nerve cells. The scientists found that this more moderate exposure to the beta-amyloid has an effect on the cells, preventing the normal transfer of electronic signals in the brain.

The discovery is important in that it provides evidence that changes are occurring in the brain well before there are any noted changes to memory or behavior, that is, symptoms of the disease. This information may be valuable in the quest for a treatment that works in the earliest stages of the disease, suitable for an individual with the mild cognitive impairment.

More research is needed to fully understand the role of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease as well as potential treatments.

Have you ever heard the term Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)?

More and more, I see this term used for the general public: to describe newsworthy findings of studies about memory and aging, in educational materials from leading organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, and from neurologists caring for people experiencing memory loss.

MCI refers to the stage between the cognitive decline associated with normal aging and the more serious changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, marked by progressive loss of memory and day to day functional abilities.

Researchers and scientist are particularly interested in studying people with MCI as they may be seeing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at its earliest stage. People with MCI are an important part of research studies seeking information about biomarkers, risk factors, and prevention of AD.

Senior Living Residences, www.seniorlivingresidences, is currently implementing a number of cognitive health initiatives to help people living with the memory changes associated with MCI and the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Visit this blog again for information on the diagnosis, treatment, and services available for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Today, I heard an interesting interview with Judith Fox, a professional photographer.  Her husband has Alzheimer’s and she has been documenting his disease process in photographs and recently published a book, I Still Do.

Her photos and voice speak to remaining love despite the losses associated with Alzheimer’s disease. You can listen to the interview here, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120568216&ft=1&f=13, see the photos here, www.judithfox.com , and read her blog here, http://judithfox.wordpress.com/.

Close to 3000 researchers and scientists convened in Vienna, Austria for the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) this month. The meetings, workshops, and presentation highlighted the latest research results in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and focused on new diagnostic tools, prevention methods and treatment options.

Sponsored by National Alzheimer’s Association, the conference brings together the best and brightest in the field. For a full listing of news releases and research findings announced this year, go to www.alz.org/icad.

Noting the expected increase in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has recently increased the frequency of the meeting from every other year, to an annual meeting. Currently, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. If a preventative treatment or a cure is not found by 2050, that number is expected to exceed 15 million creating a massive public health crisis.

While people with Alzheimer’s disease, their family members, and friend wait for answers about this disease, the change to an annual meeting is timely giving researches and scientists more time for collaboration as they try to understand Alzheimer’s disease, its prevention, treatment and ultimate cure.

Today, there are many different resources for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their family members. Individuals who want to learn about Alzheimer’s disease can participate in community education programs, join a support group, choose from a variety of books, or join a social network of people in a similar situation.

Another excellent tool to use for research on Alzheimer’s disease is the internet. There is a broad amount of information available about living with Alzheimer’s, caregiving, the stages of the disease, the latest research towards treatment and more. There are a number of websites that I visit when looking for information about Alzheimer’s disease. They include:
• National Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org
• Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center: www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
• Clinical Trials, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
• Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association: www.massalfa.org

This Alzheimer’s blog is another resource for learning about Alzheimer’s disease, including the latest information on research, treatment and care. One of the most difficult aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is that just as you have learned about a specific part of the disease, something changes and the illness progresses. Knowing about and utilizing available resources is an important part of planning through the course of the disease. Please check back here, www.alzcareblog.com, often for more information.