Virtual Summit on Care, Services, and Supports
The National Institute on Aging is hosting a free, virtual Summit March 20th – 22nd from 11am – 4pm EST each day. The Summit will review research progress, highlight innovative and promising research, and identify remaining unmet research needs with input from the research community, persons living with dementia and their care partners, and other stakeholders. Register for this Summit HERE.
We are looking forward to attending the event! Learn how Recruitment Partners is supporting ADRD research and care partners HERE.
Diversity and Dementia
Tune in 4/5 at 1-2:15pm ET for Minority Health & Health Disparities in Neuroscience Webinar Series promoting Inclusion of Sexual & Gender Minority (LGBTQIA+) Populations in Alzheimer’s Disease & Aging Research.The webinar will discuss the current state of science on AD and related risk factors, as well as highlight best practices for conducting AD and aging research and collecting data. This webinar will also discuss how to support diverse early-career scholars to launch their careers in this field. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), University of Nevada-Las Vegas UNLV School of Public Health, and Melissa Gerald are hosting the event.
Learn more HERE.
Hope to see you there! Register HERE.
Memory Changes? Live Alone? Join the Living Alone with Dementia Project
Individuals who live alone and are experiencing memory loss are invited to share their experiences. Towson University Researcher, Dr. Laura Girling is conducting confidential interviews with people who live alone and have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss. Feedback provided in these interviews could help improve supports and structures that allow persons with memory loss to remain independent for as long as possible. Participation involves a single interview in the location of the participants’ choosing within Maryland or within driving distance of Maryland. Learn more here.
Bruce Willis FTD Diagnosis and Dementia Caregivers
Last month, the family of Bruce Willis announced the very sad news that he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Millions of American families have loved ones living with a form of dementia and millions care for people like him. It is important to recognize the huge contributions of family caregivers and the ways they can be supported. Caregivers have the tremendous responsibility of caring for their loved one, managing symptoms, navigating the healthcare system, finding resources and taking care of themselves. Although rewarding in many ways, caregiving can cause financial, physical, emotional, and mental stress. Learn more HERE.
FTD symptoms usually include memory loss, behavioral and language changes, issues with balance and movement, and in some cases hallucinations. Primary progressive aphasia occurs as cells in the frontal lobes of the brain get damaged and die. Aphasia affects a person’s ability to speak, write, or form words. Eventually, aphasia progresses to affect a person’s memory and other cognitive functions. Primary progressive aphasia is one of the rarest types of frontotemporal dementia.
What’s Happening in the Alzheimer’s Field?
Risk Science and Warning Signs Campaigns are Everywhere
From Malaysia, the Alzheimer’s Disease International member Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia met with the Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia to hand over 2,000+ dementia warning signs and risk factors posters. ADFM hopes that this collaborative effort with the Ministry of Health will improve the public’s knowledge about dementia and promote early diagnosis, gender and culturally appropriate responses, and respect for the autonomy and well-being of people living with dementia. To download versions of the warning signs and risk factors posters, visit HERE and HERE.