Most Americans Predict Alzheimer’s Cure in Their Lifetimes

Fifty-four percent of Americans believe researchers will find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetimes, according to a recent CBS News report, which also examines the latest clinical trials underway and Medicare costs associated with treating individuals with Alzheimer’s.

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Caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease triples the average Medicare expenditure per [...]

iPod Therapy Connects Residents
and Caregivers

Donated iPods provide residents in the Bronx, New York, with customized playlists – part of a life-enhancing music therapy program that is also helping caregivers connect with residents. ALFA Update reports on this next week.
A video report by The Wall Street Journal documents how residents with advanced dementia are benefiting from the music therapy program [...]

When Alzheimer’s Affects a Marriage

The latest issue of ALFA Update features a video report by The Wall Street Journal that looks at the challenges spouses of individuals with Alzheimer’s must face, particularly as they try to cope with loneliness.
Alicia Mundy, reporter for The Journal, comments on various interviews the newspaper has conducted with psychologists, members of the clergy, and family members [...]

President Proclaims November Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November has been proclaimed National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month by President Obama, who calls for a renewed commitment to research and treatment. Yesterday’s ALFA Update reported on the president’s official proclamation, which notes that research conducted and supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Veterans Health Administration has shed light on the early effects [...]

Needed Now: Silver Alert Support

Posted by: Maribeth Bersani – ALFA Senior VP/Public Policy
Earlier this year Congressman Lloyd Doggett from Texas introduced the Silver Alert bill – it passed the House but not the Senate. The original Senate sponsor, Mel Martinez, recently resigned so we need a new champion in the Senate and we need this person quickly.
Currently, 5 million [...]

Expanding Service Spectrum

Largely driven by the demands of an aging population—an increasing number of senior living communities offer services for residents with Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairments. It’s a strategy that’s meeting a consumer need and expanding the spectrum of typical senior living services. But those providers who have sucessfully expanded their scope of services say there’s a lot [...]

Should ethnicity factor into Alzheimer’s care?

Resident-focused care is a top priority for caregivers – in assisted living as well as memory care – and many providers have shared their stories about “cultural care.” So how big a role should this play in the care of residents with Alzheimer’s? A researcher and assistant professor at the University of California-Davis says it [...]

Even more proof that seniors thrive in assisted living communities

Senior living executives, frontline caregivers, nurses, and executive directors nationwide have heart-warming and inspiring stories about residents who are thriving in their communities. Once-depressed residents become active participants in community activities. Residents with mobility challenges become regular exercisers on the community fitness trail. And as the number of seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s continues to rise, so [...]