How to Help Aging Parents with their Pets

Beloved pets are part of the family, so what happens when your loved ones can no longer care for them due to aging? There are options available to help you and your elderly family member make a decision that is … Read More

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Local ABAM Events in June

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month — an opportunity to join the global conversation about the brain, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Everyone who has a brain is at risk to develop Alzheimer’s. When people think about staying fit, they generally think from the neck down. But the health of your brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do: thinking, feeling, remembering, working, and playing – even sleeping. There are lifestyle habits that you can adopt to maintain or potentially improve your health as you age. These habits, spanning four categories — physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement — can help keep your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline.

Drop in Body Temperature Linked to Dementia

It is normal for people to experience a drop in body temperature with age, but a new study has found that drops in temperature can lead to more than just a chill. A study from Canada found that by increasing body temperature, they could slow the production of beta-amyloid and improve the memory in mice. […]

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Watch: The How To’s on Pain Management

Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk has over twenty years of experience in providing medical care to the elderly. She is board-certified in Internal medicine, Geriatric medicine and Palliative care medicine. Dr. Landsverk is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also currently the Medical Director at Silverado Senior Living in Belmont and has been a Hospice Medical Director. As a geriatrician, she collaborates with local physicians to address the needs of vulnerable elders to alleviate pain, agitation and discomfort through geriatric and palliative care techniques. Dr. Landsverk is a graduate of Stanford University and trained at Cambridge Hospital, Harvard University.

Crowdfunding for Alzheimer’s

As the Alzheimer’s epidemic looms, funding for research to fight the disease remains hard to come by. The lack of research funds has lead some researchers to turn to alternative means to fund their work, including using crowdfunding sites. Learn more about how researchers are using crowdfunding sites and why some researchers caution against it. […]

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Creating a Playlist for Mom: 30 Songs of Yesteryear

Creating a playlist for Mom or Dad is a great way to bring back old memories and show them you care. Music allows older adults to reminisce as they listen to songs of yesteryear. If your parent has cognitive impairment … Read More

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Save a Life: How to Become CPR Certified

Becoming CPR certified can be quick, easy to learn and affordable if you know your options. You never know when someone may need CPR, having the know-how to resuscitate someone in need is a pretty cool feeling. Did you know … Read More

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How Can Pets Benefit Alzheimer’s Patients?

No matter how unpredictable the day has been, I can count on one absolute constant in my life.  When I walk in the door, my sweet Yorkie will greet me as if we’ve been apart for months instead of hours! Bad or good days, rain, or shine, my little buddy will be beside himself with […]

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Watch: Managing Personal Care for Persons with Dementia

Helping a person with dementia maintain his or her appearance can promote positive self-esteem. As the disease progresses beyond the early stages, choosing and putting on clothes can be frustrating for the person with dementia. They may not remember how to dress or may be overwhelmed with the choices or the task itself. A person with dementia may also forget how to comb hair, clip fingernails or shave. He or she may forget what the purpose is for items like nail clippers or a comb. In this video, Heather Gray, MA, Family Support Coordinator with the Alzheimer's Association provides helpful tips for managing personal care.

Imitating Could Help Those with Dementia Relearn Actions

A recent study evaluated the effects of mimicry on people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and found that imitating may be just as helpful to seniors living with Alzheimer’s as it is for babies and toddlers learning to speak. Learn more about this study and its potential effects on future treatment methods. How Imitating Could Help Those […]

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Maintaining Independence As You Age

Independence, what does it mean to you? If you were to ask a child, a teenager, an adult and a senior citizen they will all most likely give you very different answers to what independence looks like through their eyes. … Read More

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What is Vascular Dementia?

Vascular dementia is fairly common, ranking number two after dementia caused by Alzheimer’s Disease.  Vascular dementia occurs when the brain is deprived of enough blood carrying the oxygen and nutrients it needs. The lack of blood causes brain damage which … Read More

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Watch: Dr. Michael Mason Answers Common Caregiver Questions

Dr. Michael Mason, MD, TPMG with Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center spoke at the Alzheimer's Association "Understanding Memory Loss" education conference in Fairfield last month. He answered common caregiver questions related to current treatments options and diet efficacy in fighting Alzheimer's disease.

Early Alzheimer’s Could Be Caused by Haywire Immune System

Many Alzheimer’s drug trials target toxic beta amyloid plaques commonly found in the brains of people with the disease. A recent study eyed a new target – a healthy immune system gone haywire in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Learn more about the role of the immune system in early Alzheimer’s, and how it’s failure […]

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How Dementia’s Financial Costs Take a Toll on Families

It’s no secret that Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia bring emotional hardship to families and loved ones. But, the Alzheimer’s Association – who surveyed 3,500 contributors of care – found that dementia’s financial costs also take a toll on families, bringing an insufferable financial burden to many family members. Take a closer look at the findings […]

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Wheelchair Exercises for Seniors

Older seniors can benefit both mentally and physically from weekly exercise, especially those who are wheelchair bound.  Having limited mobility does not need to stop you from reaching your fitness goals. While many fitness routines for seniors utilize balls, bands and … Read More

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Make the Most of Your Time with a Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Don Mesibov, author of “Appreciating Mom through the Lens of Alzheimer’s,” shares the experience he and his family had with Alzheimer’s disease, and discusses how he turned the time into an opportunity to celebrate, grow and learn from life. Learn more about how to make the most of your time with a loved one with Alzheimer’s, […]

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Watch: Recent Developments in Alzheimer’s Disease by Yaisa Andrews – Zwilling, Ph.D.

In this video, Yaisa Andrews-Zwilling, M.Sc. Ph.D. speaks about recent developments in Alzheimer's disease research, drugs and prevention.

How Recovering Long Term Memories May Be Possible

A study from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) has produced evidence that contradicts the common belief that memories are stored at the synapses of brain cells. Their findings suggest that recovering long term memories from Alzheimer’s disease or an event such as a concussion may be possible. Learn more about this study and what […]

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Bay Area Volunteer Shares Experience and Caregiving Insights

I decided to volunteer after I did my first Walk to End Alzheimer’s last October. I was so uplifted. I felt such a sense of camaraderie. These were people who shared my experiences and had a common goal. I absolutely wanted to be more involved with these people and this cause. I signed up to volunteer right after the walk! I have not regretted one single moment – I have had the opportunity to attend a regional training event and the various committee meetings and I have never felt so welcome. The staff at the Alzheimer’s Association and the other volunteers have been amazing. I first learned about the Walk through Live Oak. I was on their team last year and this year I have formed a team at work – Team Synopsys - in hopes of garnering even more donations and exposure for the big event.

Alzheimer’s Could Be Prevented by Maple Syrup, Researchers Say

A recent study has found that Alzheimer’s could be prevented by a compound in maple syrup, finding that the product stopped the folding of two toxic proteins associated with the disease. Other researchers are cautioning against using maple syrup to boost brain health, due to is extremely high sugar content Learn more about the study and […]

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Caring for Aging Parents: You’re Not Alone

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Transitioning an aging parent can be difficult, but know that you are not alone. The number of available options such as in-home caregiving and senior care facilities continue to expand as our nation becomes increasingly aware of the rising number … Read More

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Without a Cure, Alzheimer’s Could Bankrupt Medicare

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While Alzheimer’s research has come so far in a few short years, there is still a long way to go. With studies focused on finding potential disease prevention methods and discovering new links to Alzheimer’s, researchers are hopeful that a treatment is on the horizon. Yet, the disease remains to be a leading cause of death with […]

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How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents

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Being a caregiver is a change that can be difficult for both you and your loved one, that can become even more challenging while working with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Jacqueline Marcell, author of “Elder Rage,” offers tips on how to survive caring for aging parents during this time. Caring for Aging Parents with Alzheimer’s For eleven years I […]

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Brain Grown in Lab Used to Advance Alzheimer’s Research

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Two scientists have developed a human brain generated from skin cells that may be used to make great advances in neuroscience research. Learn more about the development of the brain and what it means for the future of Alzheimer’s disease.  Creating a Brain to Advance Alzheimer’s Research A miniature brain the size of a pencil eraser […]

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Video Games for Brain Health

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While the effectiveness of brain fitness games is heavily debated among researchers, one neuroscientist may have invented a video game with real staying power and results. His game, on its journey through FDA approval, uses multitasking to improve overall brain function and he hopes that, pending FDA approval, the game could be used to help people […]

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Reasons to Smile with Dementia

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Fine artist Kathryn Harrison completed a series of artworks related to caregiving and dementia, in response to her personal experience with her mother’s disease. Learn more from Kathryn about her experience with the disease and her reasons to smile with dementia. Reasons to Smile with Dementia My mom was diagnosed with early-onset dementia shortly after my second […]

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“I REMEMBER” by Alexis Janosik

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Alexis Janosik, age 14, wrote a poem about her grandfather, Mariano Cordoba, who she called “Ito” – short for “Abuelito”. Mariano was a professional Flamenco guitar player and music had been his life since...

Sharing Art Allows Medical Students to Connect to Dementia

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After noticing that many of her peers were having a hard time relating to patients who had dementia, medical student Hannah Roberts decided to see if she could help break down the barrier. Partnering with her professor and organizing a trip to a local art museum showed changed attitudes and comfort levels among medical students. Learn more […]

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Can Moderate Drinking Prevent Alzheimer’s?

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As researchers look for a way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, studies are pointing towards the importance of diet and lifestyle choices in brain health. Two studies show that moderate alcohol consumption (meaning one to two drinks per day) may be beneficial for the brain. Learn more about two studies supporting moderate drinking […]

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