A spokesperson for the chapter says sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can create hazardous conditions for seniors, including those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Tips for keeping loved ones safe this winter:

• Be prepared. Winter storms can be dangerous for anyone. Check weather conditions regularly and have contingency plans in place. If a snowstorm is on the horizon, consider rescheduling appointments that are not urgent. Tackle to-do lists in one trip to avoid making multiple trips out of the house.

• Bundle up. Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by covering exposed skin. A good option to consider is wearing several layers of lightweight clothing for easy movement.
• Prevent slips. Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, so assume all surfaces are slick. Assist the person living with dementia by wearing sturdy shoes and walking slowly when outside. Keep sidewalks and driveways clear, use handrails or walk arm-in-arm. Consider acquiring a state-issued Handicapped placard to enable closer access to buildings.
• Prevent wandering. Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. If a family member wanders, start by searching the immediate vicinity inside and outside the home. In winter weather, a missing vulnerable adult is an emergency, so don’t hesitate to call 911 and alert responders that the individual has Alzheimer’s. Consider installing a doorbell camera or other outdoor monitoring device.
• Make daylight last. Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Turn on indoor lights earlier or install timers, open curtains during daylight hours, and consider installing motion detector lights to help illuminate walkways around the home.

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What if Alzheimer’s didn’t just erase memories — but also broke the brain’s sense of time? A team of American scientists has discovered that the disease throws off the brain’s internal clock, disrupting the rhythm of the cells responsible for clearing toxic amyloid plaques.

Read all about this new study HERE

In October, Caring—an organization supporting caregivers of people with dementia—released its rankings of the most dementia-friendly states. Such reports are issued occasionally by various entities, and each uses its own definition of “dementia friendliness.” Caring’s rankings measure dementia’s prevalence within a state’s aging population, how many Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths occurred in the past five years, and how many memory care units a state has to place end-stage Alzheimer’s disease patients. In other words, the rankings capture the burden of disease and the availability of late-stage care—not the policies that determine whether people with dementia can access early detection, new treatments, or community services. As such, the rankings raise a bigger question: Is this definition of “dementia-friendliness” in step with the world we now live in?

Read it all HERE

Recent research published in Nature Neuroscience provides a detailed cellular map of how physical activity remodels the brain to combat Alzheimer’s disease. By analyzing the genetic activity of individual brain cells, scientists have identified specific molecular pathways that exercise activates to protect memory centers. These findings offer a blueprint for developing future medications that could mimic the neurological benefits of a workout.

Read more HERE