September 21st is world Alzheimer’s Day
35 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer’s and
related dementias. This number is growing rapidly. Join us and other
organizations and people around the world to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s
and its impact on our families and communities.
Official Summary of the National
Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA)
Senator Evan Bayh
and Representative Edward Markey (S. 3036/H.R. 4689)
2/24/2010-
Introduced.National Alzheimer's Project Act – (NAPA)
Establishes in the
Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the
Office of the
National Alzheimer's Project to:
(1)
accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt, or reverse
the course of Alzheimer's;
(2) create and maintain
an integrated national plan to overcome Alzheimer's;
(3) help to coordinate
the health care and treatment of citizens with Alzheimer's;
(4) ensure the inclusion
of ethnic and racial populations that are at higher risk for Alzheimer's or that
are least likely to receive care in clinical, research, and service efforts with
the purpose of decreasing health disparities;
(5) coordinate with
international bodies to integrate and inform the fight against Alzheimer's
globally; and
(6) provide information
and coordination of Alzheimer's research and services across all federal
agencies. Sets forth the duties of the Director of the Office, including to use
discretionary authority to evaluate all federal programs concerning Alzheimer's.
Establishes in the Office an Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research and
Treatment.
Contact your congressman to encourage passage of this bill.
Fluid test could reveal Alzheimer's
A Press Association release regarding an Alzheimer's marker in fluid drawn
from the spine can reveal early signs of the disease in healthy adults years
before any symptoms appear, new research suggests.
The spinal tap test was 90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer's in patients
already diagnosed with the disease.
But it also produced positive readings in 72% of people with mild mental
impairment, and 36% of apparently normal individuals showing no signs of
dementia.
The test relies on three protein "biomarkers" linked to Alzheimer's in
cerebrospinal fluid.
Scientists found that people with different levels of mental impairment had
different amounts of the proteins.
The researchers analysed data from 114 older adults whose brain functioning
was normal, 200 who had mild levels of mental impairment, and 102 who had
confirmed Alzheimer's disease.
Their findings were published in the journal Archives of Neurology.
The authors, led by Dr Geert De Meyer, from Ghent University in Belgium,
wrote: "The initiation of the Alzheimer's disease pathogenic process is
typically unobserved and has been thought to precede the first symptoms by 10
years or more. Therefore, demonstrating that Alzheimer's disease biomarkers are
true indicators of the pathogenic process at an early stage is a major
challenge."
The results were confirmed by post-mortem studies of dead patients who had
suffered from Alzheimer's, and following up patients who developed the disease
over five years.
Finding the Alzheimer's signature in more than a third of "normal"
individuals indicated the disease was detectable earlier than was previously
thought possible, said the researchers.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, at the
moment, this could be an early warning of what is to come as life expectancy
gets longer due to other medical advances.
ASSISTED
LIVING FACILITIES
Recent statistical numbers show assisted living facilities at a national median
monthly rate of $3,185.00. A 12 percent increase over 2009 and a 5 year growth
rate of 6.7 percent.
Other rates are currently:
Most elderly
underestimate their own safe
driving abilities.
YOU SHOULD KNOW…………..
You can receive unemployment benefits and Social Security
at the same time in 45 states. However, the states of Illinois, Louisiana,
South Dakota, Utah and Virginia reduce your unemployment compensation by 50
percent of what you receive in Social Security retirement funds thereby
eliminating most if not all of your unemployment benefits. For example, if your
Social Security benefit is $200 a week then $100 a week is subtracted from your
weekly unemployment insurance check.
Remarks by the President
at Signing of Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act
State Dining Room
1:29 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everyone. Danny Akaka, aloha. (Laughter.)
Since the 9/11 attacks more than eight years ago, the United States has been a
nation at war. In this time, millions of Americans have worn the uniform. More
than a million have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many have risked their
lives. Many have given their lives. All are the very embodiment of service and
patriotism. And as a grateful nation, humbled by their service, we can never
honor these American heroes or their families enough.
Along with their loved ones, we give thanks every time our men and women in
uniform return home. But we’re forever mindful that our obligations to our
troops don’t end on the battlefield. Just as we have a responsibility to train
and equip them when we send them into harm’s way, we have a responsibility to
take care of them when they come home.
As Michelle and Dr. Biden have reminded us in all their visits to military
bases and communities, our obligations must include a national commitment to
inspiring military families —- the spouses and children who sacrifice as well.
We have a responsibility to veterans like Ted Wade, who joins us here today
with his wonderful wife Sarah. We are so proud of both of them. Six years ago,
Sergeant Wade was serving in the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq when his Humvee
was struck by an IED, an improvised explosive device. He lost much of his right
arm and suffered multiple injuries, including severe traumatic brain injury. He
was in a coma for more than two months, and doctors said it was doubtful that he
would survive.
But he did survive -- thanks to the care he received over many months and years,
thanks to Ted’s indomitable spirit, and thanks to the incredible support from
Sarah, who has been at his side during every step of a long and very difficult
recovery. As I’ve said many times, our nation’s commitment to our veterans and
their families —- to patriots like Ted and Sarah —- is a sacred trust, and
upholding that trust is a moral obligation.
Since taking office, my administration -— in partnership with many -- the
veterans organizations who are here today —- has worked to make sure that
America fulfills this obligation. We’ve dramatically increased funding for
veterans’ health care, including our wounded warriors, especially those with the
signature wounds of today’s wars -— post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain
injury. Under Secretary Ric Shinseki’s outstanding leadership, we’re building a
21st century VA, including budget reform to ensure predictable funding, and a
historic increase in the VA budget.
But as we all know, keeping faith with our veterans and their families is
work that is never truly finished. As a nation, as the beneficiaries of their
service, there’s always more we can do and more that we must do. And that’s
what we’re doing today, as I sign this important legislation —- the Caregivers
and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.
With this legislation, we’re expanding mental health counseling and services
for our veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq, including our National Guardsmen and
Reservists. We’re authorizing the VA to utilize hospitals and clinics outside
the VA system to serve more wounded warriors like Ted with traumatic brain
injury.
We’re increasing support to veterans in rural areas, with the transportation
and housing they need to reach VA hospitals and clinics. We’re expanding and
improving health care for our women’s veterans, to meet their unique needs,
including maternity care for newborn children. And we’ll launch a pilot program
to provide child care for veterans receiving intensive medical care.
We’re eliminating co-pays for veterans who are catastrophically disabled. And
we’re expanding support to homeless veterans, because in the United States of
America, no one who has served this nation in uniform should ever be living on
the streets.
Finally, this legislation marks a major step forward in America’s commitment
to families and caregivers who tend to our wounded warriors every day. They’re
spouses like Sarah. They’re parents, once again caring for their sons and
daughters. Sometimes they’re children helping to take care of their mom or
dad.
These caregivers put their own lives on hold, their own careers and dreams
aside, to care for a loved one. They do it every day, often around the clock.
As Sarah can tell you, it’s hard physically and it’s hard emotionally. It’s
certainly hard financially. And these tireless caregivers shouldn’t have to do
it alone. As of today, they’ll be getting more of the help that they need.
If you’re like Sarah —- and caring for a severely injured veteran from
Afghanistan or Iraq —- you’ll receive a stipend and other assistance, including
lodging when you travel for your loved one’s treatment. If you need training to
provide specialized services, you’ll get it. If you need counseling, you’ll
receive it. If you don’t have health insurance, it will be provided. And if
you need a break, it will be arranged —- up to 30 days of respite care each
year.
So today is a victory for all the veterans’ organizations who fought for this
legislation. It’s a tribute to those who led the fight in Congress, including
Senator and World War II vet Danny Akaka, and Senator Richard Burr; and in the
House, Representatives Mike Michaud and Bob Filner. And I thank all the members
of Congress who are joining us here today.
Most of all, today is a victory for veterans like Ted and caregivers like
Sarah, who, by the way, has become a passionate and very effective voice on
behalf of wounded warriors and their families. Testifying before Congress, she
said of her husband, “Just like he needed a team in the military to accomplish
the mission, he needs a team at home in the longer war.”
So to Ted, and to Sarah, to all our veterans and your families, with this
legislation we’re building a stronger team here at home that you need —- now and
for the long road to recovery. And that’s why I’m very much looking forward to
signing this legislation. Thank you. (Applause.)
(The bill is signed.)
END
1:36 P.M. EDT
Elder Justice Act and the Patient
Safety and Abuse Prevention Act
Final Congressional approval was
given and then signed into law for the Elder Justice Act and the Patient Safety
and Abuse Prevention Act as part of health care reform legislation. The
Elder Justice Act was added into the Senate health care bill by Senator Blanche
Lincoln (D-Arkansas) a co-author of the measure and a member of the Finance
Committee. The bill's sponsor was Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). The
Patient Safety Legislation was added by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) on
behalf of the bill's author Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin).
Social Security News:
Early-Onset Alzheimer's disease will be included in the New
Compassionate Allowance Conditions set by the Social Security
Administration according to
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. Mr. Astrue said, " The
expansion we are announcing today means tens of thousands of Americans with
devastating disabilities will now get approved for benefits in a matter of days
rather than months and years. "There can be no higher priority than getting
disability benefits quickly to those Americans with these severe and
life-threatening conditions."
These 38 New Compassionate
Allowance Conditions go into effect March 1, 2010:
1. Alstrom
Syndrome
2.
AmegakaryocyticThrombocytopenia
3. Ataxia
Spinocerebellar
4. Ataxia
Telangiectasia
5. Batten Disease
6. Bilateral
Retinoblastoma
7. Cri du Chat
Syndrome
8. Degos Disease
9.
Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
10. Edwards Syndrome
11. Fibrodysplasia
Ossificans Progressiva
12. Fukuyama Congenital
Muscular Dystrophy
13. Glutaric Acidemia Type
II
14. Hemophagocytic
Lymphohistiocystosis (HLH), Familial Type
15 Hurler Syndrome, Type IH
16 Hunter Syndrome, Type II
17. Idiopathic Pulmonary
Fibrosis
18. Junctional Epdermolysis
Bullosa, Lethal Type
19. Late Infantile Neuronal
Ceroid Lipofuscinoses
20. Leigh's Disease
21. Maple Syrup Urine
Disease
22. Merosin Deficient
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
23, Mixed Dementia
24. Mucosal Malignant
Melanoma
25. Neonatal
Adrenoleukodystrophy
26. Neuronal Ceroid
Lipofuscinoses, Infantile Type
27. Niemann-Pick Type C
28. Patau Syndrome
29. Primary Progressive
Aphasia
30. Progressive Multifocal
Leukoencephalopathy
31. Sanfilippo Syndrome
32. Subacute Sclerosis
Panencephalitis
33. Tay Sachs Disease
34. Thanatophoric Dysplasia,
Type 1
35. Ullrich Congenital
Muscular Dystrophy
36. Walker Warbug Syndrome
37. Wolman Disease
38. Zellweger Syndrome
For more information:
www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances
"Caregiving can be a lonely, exhausting experience-- but it
still can be a spiritually-enriching one. Here are seven ways to help you
get there according to Verna Benner Carson, PhD., Rev. Lois Knutson and Beth
Witrogen:
Believe that caregiving is a calling.
Looking at caregiving as an
appointed or God-given task makes it inherently meaningful from the get-go.
Treat the mundane as the sacred. Every task, from sorting paperwork to
preparing food, can become meaningful if it's endowed with love and a passion to
dignify another human being.
Maintain disciplines
of reflection. Keeping a journal of thoughts and feelings, for
example, can help caregivers become more self-aware and make them more likely to
manage emotions better from day to day.
Pray or meditate. Contemplative
practices provide time for much needed quiet, outlets for releasing stress and
connections to a wider universe.
Care for the body.
Getting sufficient sleep, nutrition, exercise and recreation help create
conditions in which caregiving can be more rewarding than draining.
Repeat helpful
truths. Saying the same affirming statements to oneself on a
regular basis provides positive structure to a day and keeps the mind from
slipping into destructive negativity.
Remember that
attitude is a choice. Determine each day to view caregiving more as an
opportunity for growth rather than an undeserved burden. This sets the
stage for joy and hope to color the experience."
Recent news on Alzheimer's Disease
Failed Drug Trials are Disappointing
Alzheimer's drug researchers served up a string of bad news at the
International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, presenting one failed trial
after another.
None of these strategies tested--such as blocking amyloid, improving insulin
sensitivity in the brain, or even doubling up on agents that improve synaptic
signaling--was able to alter the steady rate of cognitive and functional decline
in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's.
Instead of searching for the compound that will alter the so-far inevitable
decline seen in Alzheimer's, the key will probably be preventing the disease
from taking hold in the first place, Samuel Gandy, MD, PhD said.
“There
are only four kinds of people in this world. Those who have been
caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those
who will need caregivers.” 
