Alzheimer’s Association releases safety tips ahead of winter storm

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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.

Read the original post HERE

Why Alzheimer’s Patients Lose New Memories First

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Some loved ones may struggle to recall what they ate for lunch just an hour ago, yet they can vividly describe a childhood vacation from fifty years ago. For many families navigating an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, this is one of the most perplexing symptoms — the loss of short-term memory vs. long-term recollection.

However, this selective memory loss is not random. According to G. Peter Gliebus, M.D., chief of neurology and director of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, there is a specific biological reason why the brain’s timeline seems to unravel from the present backward.

Read all about it HERE

New UCLA AI tool targets Alzheimer’s cases often missed in early diagnosis

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Researchers at UCLA are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to help identify who’s at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists are developing an AI tool to detect those cases and reduce disparities in many communities.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and researchers say an early diagnosis is important for many reasons.

See the original article HERE

Groundbreaking study shows Alzheimer’s may be reversible in advanced stages

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Cleveland researchers achieve full cognitive recovery in mice, offering new hope for dementia patients.

Dr. Andrew Pieper, director of the Brain Health Medicines Center at University Hospitals and senior author of the study, emphasizes this represents a fundamental shift in understanding the disease. “The key takeaway is a message of hope – the effects of Alzheimer’s disease may not be inevitably permanent,” Pieper explained. “The damaged brain can, under some conditions, repair itself and regain function.”

See the full article HERE