ElderAuthority.com

Elderly Care Statistics for Alzheimer’s Disease

On March 19th, 2013,  the Alzheimer’s Association came out with its latest facts and figures.  The elderly care statistics are appalling.  Here are the key points:
A Leading Cause of Death
Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.

It is the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.
It is the only cause of death in the top ten in America without a way to prevent it, cure it, or slow its progression.
Deaths from Alzheimer’s… More

Alzheimer’s Care Providers Needed in Prisons

Over a year ago I wrote Alzheimer’s Behind Bars, an article about the rise of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in prisons.  Since that time I have had several requests for information on this topic.  There are some daunting statistics, but also some reasons for optimism.
Dementia in Prison
Dementia, a large category of which Alzheimer’s disease is a subset, makes a person paranoid or confused.  Alzheimer’s disease afflicts about 5.4 million Americans.… More

2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s: T-Shirts Talk

On Saturday, September 22, caregivers who care for those who have Alzheimer’s, people who have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s, those who have Alzheimer’s disease, and those who advocate for a cure became a unified army during Dallas’ 2012 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  The T-shirts told the story better than I ever can.
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       … More

Alzheimers.gov “…for the people helping people with Alz”

The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) was signed into law in 2011. This law requires the development of a national plan to accelerate research toward treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s, and to improve care, services, and support to people with Alzheimer’s, families and caregivers.
On May 15, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services released the first-ever U.S. National Alzheimer’s Plan. The Plan has five major goals:

Prevent… More

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION ADVOCACY FORUM (D.C.)

 
ALZHEIMER’S CAN’T WAIT!
In April I joined a record number of Alzheimer’s advocates from all 50 states in Washington D.C. to advocate in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  On the final day of the Forum we met with more than 440 congressional offices to deliver our message:
“Alzheimer’s Can’t Wait!”
The event received local and national media coverage. Thousands of people have taken action by calling Congress… More

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION GREEN-FIELD LIBRARY

GREEN-FIELD LIBRARY
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Green-Field Library now offers a fabulous online resource that includes 5,000 books, journals, videos and CDs.  In addition, expert librarians  can guide you to the right resources through e-mail, Live Chat, telephone, and mail.
The library produces comprehensive resource lists on frequently requested topics, a selection of the best Web sites related to Alzheimer’s disease, and a video guide.… More

THE 4TH QUARTER: SPORTS, HEALTH CARE, SENIORS

LIFE LESSONS FROM GREAT COACHES
As almost everyone who was involved in organized sports while growing up will admit, coaches create lasting impressions upon their athletes.  These impressions linger decades after the last game or match has ended.  Often the lessons and admonishments they drill into us gain new meaning as we mature and pass through different stages of our lives–long after the schemes of X’s and O’s drawn on locker room blackboards have left our… More

HOW CAN WE HELP FIGHT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

ASK DR. BILL THIES
The Senior Medical Officer from the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Bill Thies, was in Dallas this week from the Chicago home office. I got to spend some time with him at two different functions where he made comments and took questions. What he said about one question asked of him is something I couldn’t wait to share.
A woman thoughtfully asked the doctor, “What can we do to assist in the fight against Alzheimer’s?”
THREE THINGS WE CAN ALL DO
Dr. Thies… More

A SCARY CHART ABOUT ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

Research is society’s best hope in finding a solution to Alzheimer’s (Alzheimers) disease.  Currently the 6th leading cause of death in America and the only one in the top 10 without prevention, a treatment to slow its progression, or a cure; a scientific solution is needed to limit this growing epidemic.
Although far from only being an “old person’s disease”, our chances of getting Alzheimers exponentially increase with age.  Currently, one in eight 65-year… More

WHAT IS THE ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION?

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1979
In 1979, after meeting with the National Institute on Aging, a concerned individual named Jerome Stone and several other interested individuals formed an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.  Its goal was to coordinate efforts to serve individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, and to assist research for a solution to Alzheimers.  Mr. Stone became the first president of the Association.
As… More