National Plan to Address Racism & Care Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease Care: 2022 Update

The update addresses disparities in Alzheimer’s care as well. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the chance of developing dementia is not equal among Americans. Black and Latino Americans are more likely to develop the condition, as are people with risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes or depression.

Dementia Effects on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Dementia is more than just memory loss. Learn about parts of the brain affected by Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, why such declines happen, and approaches to managing personal care that could be helpful in a long-term care or home setting.

What older adults do while they sit affects dementia risk, study indicates

Researchers at USC explored the link between sedentary behavior and risk of dementia, finds that type of activity matters when it comes to brain aging Adults aged 60 and older who sit for long periods watching TV or other such passive, sedentary behaviors may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a newContinue reading “What older adults do while they sit affects dementia risk, study indicates”

Sleep & Dementia

It’s no secret that sleep is important, and most Americans don’t get enough of it. So, how can healthcare and wellness professionals work with patients and clients to prioritize sleep and stick to a long-term plan? Learn about the association between sleep and dementia, effective screening tools and strategies to optimize quality sleep. The AmericanContinue reading “Sleep & Dementia”

A New Dawn in Alzheimer’s Disease Management: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

Take advantage of dementia training on recent advances in diagnosis and treatment offered free this spring. This training is a CME/AAFP, ABIM, MOC Activity. Participants will need to register individually in order to complete the post-test and evaluation to receive credit

Tips for spending holidays with those with dementia

After experiencing much of the last two years distancing from loved ones, most of us will be ready to return to (albeit modified) holiday traditions and special gathering with families and friends. Even in the best of times, holiday gatherings can bring stress, disappointment, sadness — and due to the COVID-19 pandemic — heightened riskContinue reading “Tips for spending holidays with those with dementia”

Common Drug May Have Potential for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

A commonly available oral diuretic pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration may be a potential candidate for people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Nestor Galvez, a neurologist with the Cleveland Clinic Weston, said the research included prior studies on animals along with the use of artificial intelligence. The combination helpedContinue reading “Common Drug May Have Potential for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease”

Researchers Identify Proteins That Predict Future Dementia, Alzheimer’s Risk Large study of plasma proteins and dementia illuminates the biology of dementia and may help lead to treatments. The development of dementia, often from Alzheimer’s disease, late in life is associated with abnormal blood levels of dozens of proteins up to five years earlier, according to a newContinue reading

Scientists identify 13 genetic variants & proteins in those with Alzheimer’s disease

By Adam Chapman Dementia research aims to shed light on the risk factors that contribute to brain decline in a bid to forestall it. In a major breakthrough, researchers have identified 13 genetic variants that contribute to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of dementia. A second study showed development ofContinue reading “Scientists identify 13 genetic variants & proteins in those with Alzheimer’s disease”

The neurocognitive impact of long COVID

In July scientists presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference research on links between COVID-19 and longer-term cognitive issues, including biological signs of Alzheimer’s disease. “The brain is one of the regions where virus likes to hide,” said Mukesh Kumar, the lead study author and a researcher at Georgia State University. “Our thinking that [COVID-19 is] moreContinue reading “The neurocognitive impact of long COVID”

Research looks for possible COVID tie to later Alzheimer’s

Researchers are trying to unravel why some COVID-19 survivors suffer “brain fog” and other problems, with new findings suggesting some worrisome overlaps with Alzheimer’s By Lauran Neergaard, AP Medical Writer July 29, 2021, 3:49 PM Researchers are trying to unravel why some COVID-19 survivors suffer “brain fog” and other problems that can last for months,Continue reading “Research looks for possible COVID tie to later Alzheimer’s”

Dementia Training Waivers Expire with The End of NH’s State of Emergency

Dear Administrators, The New Hampshire State of Emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-04 ended at midnight on June 11, 2021. With the ending of the State of Emergency, the Dementia Training waivers granted by the department will expire. Please refer to your specific waiver letter for the date. Many waivers granted under the authority of the Executive OrderContinue reading “Dementia Training Waivers Expire with The End of NH’s State of Emergency”

Racial Disparities in Dementia Care Continue to Disproportionately Effect Racial and Ethnic Minorities

Stigma, misunderstanding, and weak linkages to our nation’s healthcare system has led to significant disparities in Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis rates, access to treatment, quality care, clinical research and trial participation rates among Latinos and African Americans, according to a recent study published study.

Let’s Talk Sex & Dementia

Sexual behavior, needs and desires may change in persons with dementia. Their partner’s may change as well. To process these changes, the couple might need advice. Talking about dementia, sex and intimacy can help. Our Affiliate member, The Arbors of Bedford, is hosting webinars on sexuality and dementia. Join Jane Fleishman, PhD, MEd, MS, CSE forContinue reading “Let’s Talk Sex & Dementia”

Reading List for Care Givers

Learning about dementia makes care giving easier Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a tough challenge. Plus, many of the most effective care and communication techniques aren’t easily figured out and might even go against our intuition. Not knowing these helpful techniques can cause added frustration and stress for both you and yourContinue reading “Reading List for Care Givers”

Dementia Care: Enhancing Mobility and Reducing Fall Risks

REDUCING RISK OF FALLS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA People with dementia are four to five times more likely to fall than older people who do not have cognitive impairment. People with dementia fall more often than cognitively healthy older adults, but their risk factors are not well understood.  Teepa Snow has created a one-hour programContinue reading “Dementia Care: Enhancing Mobility and Reducing Fall Risks”

Dementia & ADL’s: Creative Care Technique’s for Caregivers

The folks at Byram are offering a webinar for Case Managers on Creative Care Techniques for managing Dementia and ADLs. This one-hour program has been approved by PACE, the Commission for Case Manager Certification. Thanks to funding from Prevail, the protective hygiene authority, this educational opportunity is being offered free to a larger audience. AllContinue reading “Dementia & ADL’s: Creative Care Technique’s for Caregivers”

Insights on Alzheimer’s From the Long-running Nun Study

by Alia Hoyt originally posted Oct 3, 2019 Speaking an extra language or two is more than just a cool party trick. It turns out that multilingualism may have a protective effect against dementia, according to data from a recent study out of The University of Waterloo in Canada. It was published in the JournalContinue reading “Insights on Alzheimer’s From the Long-running Nun Study”

Looking Ahead: Year Two

You likely already know that NH RSA 151:50 for Continuing Education requires at least 6 hours of initial continuing education for all covered administrative staff and direct service staff, but maybe you didn’t know that our member agencies complied with this regulation by training over 13,000 staff members with the Alliance’s online Dementia Training programContinue reading “Looking Ahead: Year Two”

Holiday Connections with Dementia

During the holidays families want to connect with their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, but being in the midst of a global pandemic has not made that easy! In this quick video below, Polly and Rachel, of Positive Approach to Care explore ways to connect with someone by phone who is inContinue reading “Holiday Connections with Dementia”

Dementia Training Year One in Review

Continued dementia care training is important for employees and for the clients they serve, nevertheless, meeting the requirements of the 2020 NH law could have been financially and operationally challenging for our member agencies. The Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance, with partner affiliate member C&V Senior Care, developed dementia education as a freeContinue reading “Dementia Training Year One in Review”

Music & Memories; The Power of Music on the Brain

If toward the end of your life your mind was fading away, would your favorite songs help bring your memories back? The Australian Broadcasting Company takes you inside an extraordinary program which is revealing how a personalized playlists can re-awaken the brains of people with advanced dementia and even allow people with severe Parkinson’s toContinue reading “Music & Memories; The Power of Music on the Brain”

Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Hits Close to Home

Alzheimer’s disease effects more adults than you might think. Recently June Gallup, RN, at Cornerstone VNA and Hospice in Rochester New Hampshire shared with us her brother’s journey with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This week the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts and New Hampshire Chapter posted a 6-minute film documenting their experience with the disease. Early-onset Alzheimer’sContinue reading “Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Hits Close to Home”

Link Between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease Explored

Alzheimer’s disease affects those with Down Syndrome at a far higher rate than the general population. People with Down syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, which carries the APP gene. This gene produces a specific protein called amyloid precursor protein (APP). Too much APP protein leads to a buildup of proteinContinue reading “Link Between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease Explored”

The Forgetting

Twice-monthly National Public Radio’s affiliate, WCAI, produces a half-hour podcast show dedicated to dementia and Alzheimer’s issues facing Americans. The show, called The Forgetting, is co-hosted by two well-respected Alzheimer’s experts: David Shenk author of The Forgetting: Alzheimer’s, Portrait of an Epidemic and Greg O’Brien, author of On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s. O’BrienContinue reading “The Forgetting”

Swallowing Difficulties & Dementia

The presence of watering eyes, runny nose and sneezing is frequently discussed when determining predictors of aspiration. Research gathered by Debra Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, indicates they are autonomic reflexive responsive to irritants to the eyes or nose and should NOT be considered reliable predictors of aspiration. Watering eyes and a runny nose occur dueContinue reading “Swallowing Difficulties & Dementia”

Dementia Podcast Available on Spotify

Dementia specific education comes in many forms. Click below to start this 30 minute podcast from the Mayo Clinic. Participants earn .5 CEU or 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. For AMA PRA credit, follow the link to the Mayo Clinic registration page. This pod cast is specifically designed by the Mayo Clinic for physicianContinue reading “Dementia Podcast Available on Spotify”

Dementia and COVID Webinar this Thursday!

Ideas to Support Dementia Caregivers in the Global Pandemic May 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EST The current COVID-19 outbreak presents unique challenges for people living with dementia and their caregivers. This webinar will focus on potential issues COVID-19 may have on people living with dementia. The webinar will provide an opportunity for caregivers toContinue reading “Dementia and COVID Webinar this Thursday!”

Dementia Program Hits Its Stride

#MilestoneMoment! Today the 3,000th quiz was submitted for our online dementia training program, nhdementiatraining.org. This free, multi-part, online training program provides dementia care education for employees and helps our agency members comply with the new state Dementia Care Training guidelines. Contact your education director or supervisor for password information, http://www.nhdementiatraining.org. Thank you for participating!