Alzheimer's FREE programs, Jan. 25, Feb. 1 and March 25, plus information, support groups and more
Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast
Alzheimer's Program Schedule for Your Area
Find programs in your area including in-person Alzheimer’s education workshops for caregivers and others, awareness programs like Brain Bus stops and more at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xkOBz_nnP1NcyGv6tm_CXbfgBbx8AmDc_0sAm1yuwtY/edit#gid=0.
Support Groups
Find a support group to fit your needs. Call (800) 272-3900 or visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gyv-zC-3L3uIi6p0YBQBKxE2MMYvJH4W/view.
FREE WEBINAR
Thursday, January 25, 12:00 p.m. noon ET
"The Intersection of IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) and Alzheimer's: The Four M's (Mobility, Mentation, Medications, and what Matters)"
We will discuss making the most of your healthcare appointments by addressing the 4 M's - Mobility, Mentation, Medications, and what Matters. This discussion will include information about screening, the diagnosis of dementia in people with IDD, and what to do next. REGISTER HERE: https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5yjp7dQKRUKSmEs6QVYU-g#/registration.
FREE WEBINAR
Thursday, February 1, 1:00 p.m. ET
"The Relationship Between Alzheimer's & Parkinson's"
Special guests, Rebecca Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D., from the American Parkinson Disease Association, and Claire Sexton, DPhil. from the Alzheimer’s Association, will explain how these diseases and connected brain disorders, such as Lewy body dementia, impact the brain and body. Gain resources and a better understanding on how science will be approaching brain disorders in the future. A Question and Answer session will follow the presentation. Key topics will include: Parkinson’s disease (PD) and treatment, How PD impacts the brain and body, Lewy body dementia (LBD) and its connection to PD, Cognitive, and Community resources. REGISTER HERE: https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d4zTqruqTOmM7tXeiwJkzg#/registration.
ARTICLE
Five FACTS About Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s Dementia
Alzheimer's Association, Florida
By Stefanie Wardlow, Senior Program Manager, Quality Initiatives,
Florida Gulf Coast Chapter; Research Champion, Florida
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that occurs when certain brain cells deteriorate. Under normal conditions, these cells produce a substance called dopamine, which helps control muscle activity. However, when someone has Parkinson’s, these cells do not produce enough dopamine, impacting movement.
As Parkinson’s progresses, it sometimes results in dementia. A person with Parkinson’s disease dementia experiences changes in mental functions, which include memory and the ability to pay attention, making sound judgments and planning the steps needed to complete a task. This is secondary to the accumulation of Lewy bodies in the brain (similar to dementia with Lewy bodies) or the accumulation of beta-amyloid clumps and tau tangles (similar to Alzheimer’s). Since, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s affect different proteins in the brain, it is possible for a person with Parkinson’s to also have Alzheimer’s. When evidence of more than one type of dementia is found in the brain, it is called mixed dementia.
“There is so much overlap between the two diseases that understanding one can help us understand the other,” said Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D., chief mission officer at the American Parkinson Disease Association. “Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. In the U.S., someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every 6 minutes. As people age, they can have changes related to both Parkinson’s disease as well as Alzheimer’s disease in the brain.”
Five facts about Parkinson’s disease:
(1) Symptoms differ from person to person. They can include tremors, stiffness in limbs and joints, speech difficulties, difficulty initiating physical movement and late in the course of the disease, some people develop dementia; conversely, some people with dementia develop symptoms of Parkinson’s.
(2) Lewy bodies are found in Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s dementia. The key brain changes linked to Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s dementia are abnormal microscopic deposits composed chiefly of Alpha-synuclein, a protein found widely in the brain whose normal function is not fully understood. These deposits, “Lewy bodies” are named after Frederick H. Lewy, M.D., the neurologist who discovered them while working in Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s laboratory during the early 1900s.
(3) There is no standard treatment. Currently, symptoms drive treatment. Treatments include medication and surgical therapy. Other treatments include lifestyle modifications, like getting more rest and exercise.
(4) Parkinson’s risk increases with age. Though younger onset (people younger than 50 years of age) does happen, the majority of people with the disease are over 50 years of age. Currently, nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s. This is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030.
(5) Certain factors at the time of Parkinson’s diagnosis may increase future dementia risk. This includes advanced age, greater severity of motor symptoms and mild cognitive impairment. Among individuals with normal cognition at diagnosis, about 30% will develop Mild Cognitive Impairment after five years. Some studies have reported that the average time from onset of Parkinson’s to developing dementia is about 10 years. One large study found that about three-quarters of people who live with Parkinson’s for more than 10 years will develop dementia.
FREE WEBINAR - ATTEND ONLINE or IN-PERSON (Boca Raton, Florida)
Friday, March 22, 12:00 p.m. noon ET
"Discover ALZ: The State of Alzheimer’s Science"
Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association Senior Director of Scientific Engagement, will share the current state of Alzheimer’s disease. Discover the latest research and learn how science is driving us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s disease. Also, hear from experts in the field from the Marcus Neurosciences Institute at Baptist Health: Gediminas Peter Gliebus, M.D., Cognitive and Behavioral Medical Director, and Raphi J. Wald, Psy.D., ABN, CMPC, neuropsychologist/psychologist. Bring your questions for the Question & Answer session. Please register to attend, whether online or in-person. If you attend live, lunch is provided. The in-person location is: The Boca Raton Innovation Campus,located at 5000 T Rex Avenue in Boca Raton, Florida 33431. REGISTER HERE: https://alz-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UiHd2LH3RhKBWZjtrcm9lA#/registration.
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About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association® is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research, with the mission of leading the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.
Brain Bus is funded in partnership with the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. Caregiver College is sponsored in part by Senior Connection Center, Inc. and the State of Florida, Department of Elder Affairs and Sarasota County Government.
Contact the Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, 14010 Roosevelt Blvd, Ste. 709, Clearwater, FL 33762; website alz.org/flgulfcoast; phone (727) 578-2558.
Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601; website alz.org; phone (800) 272-3900.