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.

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/.

Senior Living Residences, www.seniorlivingresidences.com,  recently received a Recognition Award from  the Boston University School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center (BU ADC), www.bu.edu/alzresearch. The Award was presented to SLR for its contribution to Alzheimer’s disease research and community outreach, including the research and education initiatives of the  BU ADC. The BU ADC is one of the 31 National Institute on Aging funded Alzheimer’s Disease Centers nationwide.

Dr. Robert Stern, Associate Professor of  Neurology and Co-Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical and Research Program at BU ADC, presented the award, saying that he viewed, “SLR as one of the most innovative and expert senior living and Alzheimer’s care organizations in the country.” SLR’s innovative focus on Alzheimer’s care is research-based. Affiliations with nationally recognized academic programs such as the BU ADC inform the cutting edge programs that residents receive.

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.

With the unofficial start of summer, many of us begin to look at our calendars to plan vacations or time away from home. Many caregivers have concerns about vacationing and traveling with their family member with Alzheimer’s disease. Yet vacations and leisure time can be about relaxation and enjoyment, for both the caregiver and the person living with Alzheimer’s disease. Read more…

Senior Living Residences is proud to partner with HBO’s Alzheimer’s Project Coalition in an ambitious grassroots public education campaign to shine a spotlight on Alzheimer’s disease. In an effort to inform the public, spur discussion, and excite individuals to participate in a search for the cure, many of our communities will be airing HBO’s groundbreaking four-part documentary series, The Alzheimer’s Project, for local audiences. Read more…

The arrival of spring in New England is cause for celebration, notably referred to as “spring fever.” In nearby neighborhoods, people are ready and anxious to be outside, to soak up the anticipated sunshine and warmth of the new season.

People with Alzheimer’s disease also sense the change in season and share “spring fever,” which is often accompanied by an eagerness to be outdoors. After a long winter, a springtime walk and more time outdoors can be a welcome change in routine for people with Alzheimer’s disease as well as their caregivers. However, caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease need to focus on safety and be aware of the potential for wandering. Read more…

Across New England, sap lines on maple trees begin their run producing maple syrup. Songbirds such as the chickadee begin whistling, “hey, sweetie!” from the backyard feeders at our communities As the snow recedes and springtime beckons, many of us recognize a change in spirit and improved outlook. Interestingly enough, recent research indicates that having a positive outlook may decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. Read more…

The number of individuals being identified with early stage Alzheimer’s disease has grown in recent years. For the individual with the disease as well as for family members, the period of time surrounding a diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming.

Professionals in the field of Alzheimer’s disease care are responding to this population growth by developing new educational and support programs for people living with the disease. Many of these programs focus on strategies to cope with memory loss, treatment and research options, diagnostic disclosure, and planning for the future. Strong components of the programs also include the opportunity to share information and insights with others with a similar diagnosis. Read more…