Alzheimer's in the News
Listed below are current news articles pertaining to Alzheimer's disease, aging, and additional services in the Fairfax County area. Articles are organized by the following topics: (click on the topic to jump directly there)
AFDC in the News
Alzheimer's Special Reports
Human Interest Stories
Health and Medical Information
Seniors and Aging
Finances and Legislation
Fairfax County and Area Information
Articles are updated regularly; check back often for more news!
AFDC in the News
New criteria and guidelines for Alzheimer's (April 2011)
Myles Nienstadt’s 86-year-old mother, Dr. Jean Sullivan, has Alzheimer’s. It was obvious when Sullivan got lost one day while making a house call. Until now, Alzheimer’s has only been diagnosed after such major symptoms present themselves.
Caring For Parent with Dementia Without Losing Your Mind (Sept. 2010)
When mom was more active she ran away a lot," said Jerome Menefee, who cares for his 86 year old mother, Teddy. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 13 years ago. She barely speaks now and can do nothing for herself. Her son bathes her and changes her.
Early Morning Stroll (May 2010)
Alzheimer's Family Day Center sponsors 5K Fun Run and Wag and Walk at Burke Lake Park.
Three Part Series on Alzheimer's Disease (April 2010)
AFDC was featured in a three part series on Alzheimer's Disease in American University's American Observer. Read the articles and view video clips from each installment: Part I, Part II, Part III.
Alzheimer's Disease Cases To Skyrocket (Sept. 2009)
Recent reports predict the numbers of Alzheimer's cases will double in twenty years. Hear what AFDC's Families and our Executive Director have to say: WUSA Channel 9, WJLA Channel 7.
Alzheimer's Special Reports
2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures (March 2011)
The 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report contains data on the impact of this disease in every state across the nation.
Generation Alzheimer's: The Defining Disease of the Baby Boomers (Feb. 2011)
This year, the first baby boomers turn 65. While Alzheimer’s is not normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for the disease. This report conveys the burden of Alzheimer's and dementia on individuals, families, government and the nation's healthcare system.
The Vanishing Mind Series (New York Times)
Articles in this series are examining the worldwide struggle to find answers about Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's: At last, some progress against the most stubborn disease (Time)
After years of disappointing vaccine and drug trials, researchers are finding new ways to interrupt the memory-robbing disease, just in time for an anticipated explosion in cases.
Human Interest Stories
 Alzheimer researcher, now a patient, still fights disease (August 2011)
Rae Lyn Burke was driving to work in Menlo Park, Calif., when it happened — she realized she couldn't do math anymore. A career scientist who'd worked at many biotech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, Burke was used to doing simple math problems in her head while behind the wheel. It was a relaxing habit.
Caregivers And Their Relatives Disagree About Care Given, Received (August 2011)
Caregivers and their relatives who suffer from mild to moderate dementia often have different perceptions regarding the amount and quality of care given and received.
One man's struggle with Alzheimer's disease (July 2011)
At 65, Bob Blackwell is experiencing the symptoms of early-stage Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia that afflicts about half of the estimated 5.2 million Americans who have Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association. He lives with his wife, Carol, in Great Falls, Va.
Reagan's son suggests father had Alzheimer's while in White House (Jan. 2011)
Ronald Reagan’s youngest son says in a new book that he believes his father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease while in the White House, according to a column in U.S. News & World Report.
Music, Memory and Emotion (Sept. 2010)
We all know the feeling: a golden oldie comes on the radio and suddenly we're transported back to a memorable high school dance, or to that perfect afternoon on the beach with friends. But what is it about music that can evoke such vivid memories?
Shriver Report Examines Impact of Alzheimer's on Women as Caregivers and Patients (Aug. 2010)
California first lady Maria Shriver is harnessing the power of her prominent California Women's Conference to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and its impact on American women.
Turn 70. Act Your Grandchild's Age. (July 2010)
Ringo Starr celebrated his 70th birthday last week by playing at Radio City Music Hall and saying his new hero is B. B. King, still jamming in his 80s.
Jan's Story: Love and Early On-Set Alzheimer's (June 2010)
Barry Petersen on How the Roadmap of Marriage Is Redrawn by a Disease Affecting Millions for Which There Is No Cure
Study assisted-living options for aging parents (May 2010)
We are scouting places for my father-in-law. It was our first tour of an assisted-living facility, and this one was nice and homey, as were all the ones we visited...
Adult Day Care another good option for caregivers (May 2010)
Adult day programs and care consultations can be extremely valuable to families. The National Adult Day Association can also provide good information about what a day program can provide persons with a dementia such as Alzheimer's and their care partner.
Virtual Dementia Tour Leaves Participants Frustrated but Sympathetic (June 2009)
"I knew that my mother was starting to lose her memory a little bit, but I never dreamed that it would be anything like this," Blane Wilson said. "It was like you're in a dream and you're not waking up from it."
Health and Medical Information
Rapid Blood Test for Alzheimer's (August 2011)
New Jersey scientists report they have developed a blood test to detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with unprecedented accuracy.
Nerve cells created from skin cells of Alzhiemer's patients (August 2011)
What goes wrong in Alzheimer’s disease? Scientists know some things — that abnormal plaques derived from fragments of a protein called APP build up in the Alzheimer’s brain, for example, and that tangles of another protein, tau, build up too.
Alzheimer's Brain Protein Scanning Moves Forward (July 2011)
The use of brain scans to diagnose Alzheimer's disease may have just taken a small step forward.
Studies in older veterans, football players tie head injuries to risk of Alzheimer's, dementia (July 2011)
large study in older veterans raises fresh concern about mild brain injuries that hundreds of thousands of troops have suffered from explosions in recent wars. Even concussions seem to raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia later in life, researchers found.
Improv comedy frees some Alzheimer's patients (July 2011)
To an Alzheimer's patient, there's nothing funny about forgetting to turn off the oven, losing a telephone number or misplacing books from the library. But turning those mishaps into punch lines might turn out to be therapeutic.
Painkillers may ease agitation in dementia patients (July 2011)
Many dementia patients being prescribed "chemical cosh" antipsychotic drugs could be better treated with simple painkillers, research says.
Early Lapses in memory shed light on Alzheimer's (July 2011)
Memory problems that are noticeable but not severe enough to interfere with daily living are receiving increased attention from scientists around the world who study Alzheimer's disease.
Ask the Expert: Early onset dementia or Alzheimer's (July 2011)
Everyone forgets a name or a date from time to time. But how do you know when it's something serious? Marina Tompkins talks about how to tell the difference between normal behavior for an aging population and what could perhaps be the early onset of dementia or Alzheimer's.
'Molecular Cap' May Help Prevent Alzheimer's, HIV (June 2011)
A new advance by UCLA biochemists has brought scientists one step closer to developing treatments that could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.
How Diet and Obesity May Be Linked to Alzheimer's (June 2011)
Swedish researchers looked at 8,534 twins over the age of 65. Thirty percent of those studied were overweight or obese. The risk of dementia was almost double in those who were overweight versus those of normal weight.
Mystery ingredient in coffee boosts protection against Alzheimer's disease (June 2011)
A yet unidentified component of coffee interacts with the beverage's caffeine, which could be a surprising reason why daily coffee intake protects against Alzheimer's disease. A new Alzheimer's mouse study by researchers at the University of South Florida found that this interaction boosts blood levels of a critical growth factor that seems to fight off the Alzheimer's disease process.
Tricking the Brain Into Taking Its Medicine (May 2011)
Any would-be cure for Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorder faces a daunting obstacle: the blood-brain barrier. This nearly impenetrable lining in the capillaries of the brain keeps out viruses and other bad guys, but it also denies entry to many potential drugs and other treatments. Now researchers have devised a way to trick one of the gatekeepers in this cellular defense system into escorting a potentially beneficial antibody into the brain.
Inability to Spot Lies, Sarcasm May Warn of Dementia (April 2011)
People who no longer recognize sarcasm or lies may be showing early signs of dementia, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco report. The findings may help doctors diagnose which type of dementia a patient has and start to treat it early, the researchers said.
Brain may shrink in decade before Alzheimer's symptoms appear (April 2011)
The brains of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease start shrinking up to a decade before symptoms appear, a new study finds.
3 stages of Alzheimer's disease introduced (April 2011)
Alzheimer's disease begins long before family and friends notice differences in the patient's memory and behavior, doctors who treat the condition said Monday. By the time an official diagnosis is made, the person's function is usually significantly impaired and treatment rarely helps.
Drug Memantine Ineffective for Mild Alzheimer's, Study Finds (April 2011)
A drug commonly prescribed for Alzheimer's disease, memantine (Namenda), appears to be ineffective in treating the mild stage of the disease, a new study finds.
Alzheimer's Studies Find New Genetic Links (April 2011)
The two largest studies of Alzheimers’s disease have led to the discovery of no fewer than five genes that provide intriguing new clues to why the disease strikes and how it progresses.
Distinguishing "Senior Moments" from Alzheimer's (April 2011)
With the help of volunteers aged 18 to 89, University of California Irvine researchers have identified for the first time in humans a long-hidden part of the brain called the perforant path. Scientists have struggled for decades to locate the tiny passage, which is believed to deteriorate gradually as part of normal aging, and far more quickly due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Possible Biomarker to Gauge Alzheimer's Prognosis Identified (March 2011)
Scientists at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) have identified a new biomarker that could help them track how effectively the immune system is able to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques considered one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, according to a report from the Institute.
UCSF Report Describes a New Model for Neurodegeneration (March 2011)
A team of scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has developed a new model for how inherited genes contribute to a common but untreatable and incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Boosting Protein Garbage Disposal in Brain Cells Protects Mice from Alzheimer's Disease (March 2011)
Gene therapy that boosts the ability of brain cells to gobble up toxic proteins prevents development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice that are predestined to develop it, report researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center. They say the treatment – which is given just once - could potentially do the same in people at the beginning stages of the disease.
Scientists Use Stem Cells, Skin Cells to Create Brain Cells Lost to Alzheimer's (March 2011)
In what experts are calling a significant step forward in Alzheimer's research, scientists have for the first time turned human embryonic stem cells and a form of human skin cell into a type of brain cell that's lost to Alzheimer's disease.
Drugs for heartbeat problem may cut dementia risk (March 2011)
Treating stroke survivors for a heartbeat problem called atrial fibrillation (AF) might prevent many patients from going on to develop dementia, UK experts believe.
Alzheimer's Risk Looks Higher if Mom Had the Disease (Feb. 2011)
A new study adds more weight to research showing the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease is greater if your mother, rather than your father, had the disorder.
Alzheimer's Prevention: Reducing Your Risk (Feb. 2011)
Alzheimer's disease might well be considered an epidemic in our country. With more than 5.3 million Americans diagnosed with the disease and that number expected to double by 2030, it makes sense to ask ourselves what can be done to prevent this devastating disease.
Hearing loss in elderly linked to dementia: study (Feb. 2011)
Elderly people with hearing loss have a greater chance of developing dementia, a risk that increases as their deafness worsens, according to a new report said Tuesday.
What About "Anti-Aging" Hormones? (Feb. 2011)
Have you read claims for "anti-aging" therapies such as human growth hormone (HGH) and hormone replacement therapy? Learn what the National Institute on Aging (NIA) has to say about these medications.
Cinnamon extract may prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease (Feb. 2011)
Anat Frydman-Marom at Tel Aviv University and colleagues suggest in a report recently published in PLoS ONE that taking cinnamon extract supplements may help prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) and help correct cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's patients.
Keeping your brains healthy (Jan. 2011)
Your grey matter should matter. Everybody's got a brain. And we need to put more thought into keeping it healthy, says Jo O'Brien, registered nurse and director of education at the Alzheimer Society of Niagara.
Tooth Loss May Be Linked to Memory Loss (Jan. 2011)
Elderly people who lose their teeth may be at increased risk for dementia, researchers have found.
Alzheimer's: Therapy for brain disease could target blood (Dec. 2010)
The aggregated proteins strewn about the brain are the hallmark of one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease.
New tool sweeps away Alzheimer's plaque from brain (Dec. 2010)
A new molecular tool developed by US scientists has shown promise in 'clearing' the brain of plaque that triggers Alzheimer's disease.
Johnson & Johnson, GE Healthcare Join Forces on Alzheimer's (Dec. 2010)
GE Healthcare (GE) , a powerhouse in medical imaging and diagnostics, is teaming up with pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) to research methods of detecting Alzheimer's in patients -- even before they begin to exhibit symptoms of the devastating disease.
Walking May Cut Alzheimer's Risk (Nov. 2010)
Walking a little over three-fourths of a mile a day may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.
Memory Minute: Don't forget to include family in evaluation for Alzheimer's disease (Oct. 2010)
A recent report in the journal Brain indicates that ratings from family and friends better predict early signs of memory decline than do traditional medical screenings that are so commonly given to detect and monitor those with possible Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorders that may be progressive.
Alzheimer's: Women Bear the Brunt of Caregiving (Oct. 2010)
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be a 24/7 job, taking an emotional, financial and even physical toll on caretakers, especially if they're women, according to the Shriver Report on Alzheimer's.
Researchers report a big leap in mapping genetic variants (Oct. 2010)
Researchers have found more than 15 million places in the human genome where the genetic code differs from person to person, providing a catalog of hot spots for genetic change that should speed the search for genetic causes of such complex disorders as diabetes, Alzheimer's and heart disease.
Smoking Linked to Alzheimer's and Dementia (Oct. 2010)
People who are heavy smokers in their midlife years are more than doubling their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia two decades later, a new study shows.
Scientists Identify One Cause Of Damage In Alzheimer's Disease And Find a Way To Stop It (Sept. 2010)
A new study at the University of California, San Diego, shows that amyloid beta disrupts one of the brain’s anti-oxidant proteins and demonstrates a way to protect that protein, and perhaps others, from amyloid’s harmful effects.
Health Buzz: Vitamin B Could Delay Alzheimer's Onset (Sept. 2010)
A large daily dose of vitamin B may delay the rate at which the brain shrinks in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, a new study suggests.
Protein-based biomarkers in blood could help accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease (Sept. 2010)
New research published in the September issue of Archives of Neurology journal suggests that testing for biomarkers in blood could help more accurately diagnose people with Alzheimer's disease.
Men Have More Memory Problems than Women (Sept. 2010)
If you want to remember where you parked the car or put your keys, ask a woman. Researchers from the Mayo Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center report that elderly men have more momentary memory problems—typical of mild cognitive impairment—than elderly women.
Years Later, No Magic Bullet Against Alzheimer's Disease (Aug. 2010)
The scene was a kind of science court. On trial was the question “Can anything — running on a treadmill, eating more spinach, learning Arabic — prevent Alzheimer’s disease or delay its progression?”
Lilly Halts Development of Alzheimer's Disease Drug (Aug. 2010)
Eli Lilly & Co. will stop development of one of two Alzheimer’s drugs the company has in final testing after trials showed the treatment didn’t work.
Spinal-Fluid Test is Found to Predict Alzheimer's (Aug. 2010)
Researchers report that a spinal fluid test can be 100 percent accurate in identifying patients with significant memory loss who are on their way to developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Arthritis protein 'guards against Alzheimer's disease' (Aug. 2010)
A protein produced in cases of rheumatoid arthritis appears to protect against the development of Alzheimer's disease, US scientists have said.
Heart Health Can Help Predict Brain Health (Aug. 2010)
What's good for the heart is probably also good for the brain, suggests new research. People with the highest cardiac output for their body size (cardiac index), meaning those with the greatest blood flow from their heart, tended to have more brain volume, which generally indicates a healthier brain.
Education 'helps brain compensate for dementia changes' (July 2010)
People who stay in education for longer appear to be better able to compensate for the effects of dementia on the brain, a study suggests.
Art Therapy Benefits Hospice, Dementia Patients (June 2010)
Whether the activity involves putting brush to paper or assembling images into a collage, expression through the visual arts can powerfully improve the quality of life for people with dementia and terminal illness, according to speakers at a joint conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging.
Deciphering Dementia: Many Disorders can Cause Loss of Brain Function (July 2010)
Occasional misplaced keys or forgotten names don’t mark the beginning of dementia. All dementia isn’t Alzheimer’s disease. Some dementia symptoms can be reversed. Those facts and many more are covered in Deciphering Dementia, a supplemental Special Report to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.
Early Alzheimer's Screening May Prolong Time Before Dementia (July 2010)
Screening people for Alzheimer’s disease and treating them early would add a year to the time they spend in less-severe stages of the malady, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. study found.
Vitamins D, E Might Help Maintain Brain Health (July 2010)
Three new studies suggest that vitamins D and E might help keep our minds sharper, aid in warding off dementia, and even offer some protection against Parkinson's disease, although much more research is needed to confirm the findings.
New Scan May Spot Alzheimer's (July 2010)
Until now, the only definitive way to diagnose Alzheimer’s has been to search for plaque with a brain autopsy after the patient dies. Scientists hope the new scanning technique will allow doctors to see plaque while the patient is still alive, improving diagnosis and aiding research on drugs to slow or stop plaque accumulation.
Brain Stimulation Seems to Boost Language Skills in Alzheimer's Patients (June 2010)
People with Alzheimer's who are losing their language skills may see some improvement by using a technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), early research by an Italian team suggests.
Study: Lifestyle May Not Prevent Alzheimer's (June 2010)
A comprehensive analysis by an independent government panel has found that there is not enough scientific evidence to date to support the advice doctors currently give — such as exercising, doing crossword puzzles or eating a Mediterranean-style diet — for preventing or controlling symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Apple Juice may help Alzheimer's Patients (June 2010)
Drinking apple juice may help people with moderate-to-late stage Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in June 2010 issue of American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias.
Researchers Find Clues for Early Alzheimer's (June 2010)
Researchers have discovered how mutations in a gene long known to be associated with early-onset Alzheimer's disease cause the brain disorder.
Grandpa's Decision-Making Skills May Be Just Fine (June 2010)
Conventional wisdom says older people make less risky -- and less sound -- decisions, but now a new study suggests otherwise.
Alzheimer's Disease: Bad News and Good News (May 2010)
Seniors hoping to stay sharp in old age are bombarded with recommendations, from doing brainteasers to drinking red wine. But a recent review of research brings sobering news: Currently, there is no good evidence that any supplement, medication, diet or behavior change actually prevents Alzheimer's or other age-related cognitive decline.
Seniors and Aging
The Bilingual Advantage (May 2011)
A cognitive neuroscientist, Ellen Bialystok has spent almost 40 years learning about how bilingualism sharpens the mind. Her good news: Among other benefits, the regular use of two languages appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Being 'Housebound' Linked to Alzheimer's in Elderly (April 2011)
Seniors who are "housebound" seem to have nearly double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests. The research doesn't prove that being confined to the house causes dementia, and other factors could explain the association.
Senior Moments: A Sign of Worse to Come? (April 2011)
Everybody over a certain age — say, around 50 — has these moments: The car keys go missing. They can't retrieve a once-familiar name. They stride into a room with purpose and then forget why.
How to Help Retirees Stay in Their Homes (April 2011)
Helping people stay in their homes as they age has been a formal, if poorly understood, goal of U.S. aging policy for some time. Experts say it's far cheaper than housing seniors in nursing homes and other institutions. And public surveys find that it's also the overwhelming preference of 9 out of 10 seniors.
Elderly Tend to Drive Slower to Make Up for Reaction Time (March 2011)
One reason that elderly people tend to be slower drivers than younger people is because they have a narrower field of vision and have more difficulty seeing pedestrians, according to a new study.
Some hopitals open senior ERs; new trend to improve care of aging patients (March 2011)
Many hospitals run emergency rooms just for children. Now a few are opening ERs in the United States specially designed for seniors, without all the confusion and clamour and with a little more comfort.
Aging brains present a growing set of challenges (Feb. 2011)
The recent incident involving a dementia patient who received anti-psychotic medication against her family's wishes highlights the urgent need to focus on the changing health care landscape and the ethical concerns it raises.
Growing Older Leads to Greater Emotional Stability (Feb. 2011)
As we grow older, we tend to become more emotionally stable. And that translates into longer, more productive lives that offer more benefits than problems, according to Laura Carstensen, the study's lead author.
Robots as Home Health Assistants: There's a Healthcare Innovation Patent for That (Jan. 2011)
Could robots provide home healthcare services that would help seniors stay independent and healthy? Designing and deploying robotic health aides – machines smart enough to fill the projected demand for twenty-four hour home care – presents a number of challenges.
In Recession's First Full Year, Life Expectancy Dropped (Dec. 2010)
The average life expectancy in the United States in 2008 — the first full year of the recession — was 77.8 years, a slight drop from 2007, according to new government data.
Mediators increasingly try to help families resolve conflicts over aging parents (Dec. 2010)
Unlike lawyers who are hired to advocate for one side, elder-care mediators function as impartial observers in a voluntary process designed to be less adversarial - and cheaper - than a court proceeding.
Living Together, Aging Together (Sept. 2010)
“Any of us who’ve looked at the options for senior housing know that they’re not all that attractive,” Mr. Ragland said. Senior cohousing, though, promises the blend of privacy and kinship, plus the support for aging in place, that assisted living or continuing care retirement communities try to provide – but with the residents themselves firmly in charge.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Tips: Helping your Loved One Dress (Sept. 2010)
Family caregivers may be confused about whether to step in when Dad selects a plaid shirt and clashing plaid trousers, or Mom puts her blouse on inside out. And their loved one may be resistant to assistance. The National Institute on Aging offers these suggestions on assisted independence, to make the process go more smoothly.
'Villages' Help Neighbors Age At Home (Aug. 2010)
In Chevy Chase, Md., Betty and Jack O'Connor are part of a growing number of people banding together to help each other grow old at home.
Depression Doesn't Have to be a Part of Growing Old (July 2010)
Depression is the most common undiagnosed condition amongst seniors; however it’s incorrect to think that it is just a normal part of aging.
Protecting Senior Loved Ones from Health Fraud (Aug. 2010)
Health fraud is the deceptive marketing of unproven, fraudulent health-related products, treatments or devices. The sellers claim that their products will cure diseases, make us feel better, and look younger. But the only real benefit of these products is to the con artists themselves, who bilk Americans out of $100 billion every year.
When Should People with Alzheimer's Disease Stop Driving (Aug. 2010)
"While some people with dementia can still drive safely for a time, nearly all people with dementia will eventually have to give up driving," said lead guideline author Donald J. Iverson, MD, of the Humboldt Neurological Medical Group in Eurkeka, CA, who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.
Longevity all in the genes, report finds (July 2010)
The vast majority of modern day centenarians share many of the 150 genetic markers that a new study has found are key to an extraordinarily long life.
Americans Overtreated to Death (June 2010)
Hospitalizations for last 6 months of life are on the rise.
Home Downsizing and Good Health as Prime Concerns for Challenges of Growing Older (June 2010)
A recent survey in the Philadelphia area conducted by Friends Center City Retirement Community (FCCRC) indicted the two overwhelmingly most important concerns of seniors are determining when and where to move, and maintaining good health as they grow older.
Worries about wandering among aging population (Aug. 2010)
Experts say wandering is a growing problem because of the aging population and rising cases of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
How to Ease An Elderly Parent Into Assisted Living (June 2010)
It's no surprise when we find our parents resistant to change, which makes it extremely difficult when a big change is needed, such as a move into an assisted living facility.
It's All Relative: Tracking devices geared towards seniors with Alzheimer's (May 2010)
The e-mail alert shouted its message: "Missing Person with Alzheimer's. PLEASE HELP." It was sent to Alzheimer's Assn. chapters and to law enforcement officials within hours after an Orange County woman disappeared while on a short trip to visit a friend.
Finances and Legislation
New Department of Defense program to fund Alzheimer's research (April 2011)
Congress has authorized a $15 million investment to be provided to the Department of Defense's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) to create an Alzheimer's Research Grant Program. The program will provide grants for research that will explore the causes, complications and potential treatments associated with Alzheimer's disease, particularly among those in the military.
Health Care Reform Law Fact Sheets (April 2011)
Get the facts about the new health care law. New fact sheets are added on a regular basis by AARP's department of Education & Outreach, so check back often.
NCOA Releases National Poll on Struggles Facing Older Adults (April 2011)
More than 13 million older adults are considered economically insecure, living on just $21,780 a year or less. Every day, these seniors, and millions of Boomers, have to choose whether to pay for food, housing, utilities, or out-of-pocket for medication costs.
Potential Tax Relief for Caregivers (April 2011)
Are you a son or daughter supporting an elderly parent? If so, you may qualify for some tax benefits from the US government that reward you for your selfless acts.
Europe commits to prevention in research against Alzheimer's disease (Jan. 2011)
2011 has been declared by some EU organizations as International Year for Research on Alzheimer and neurodegenerative diseases.
House, Senate seek to coordinate Alzheimer's fight (Jan. 2011)
Faced with a rising toll on families and on taxpayers, Congress is calling for a national effort to confront Alzheimer's disease.
Family Value: Paying a Relatve to Take Care of Mom (Dec. 2010)
Growing numbers of families are compensating relatives who serve as caregivers to elders. But to avoid exacerbating tensions, it is important to disclose such arrangements to the entire family.
Curing our Alzheimer's epidemic (Dec. 2010)
Alzheimer's disease is our generation's defining challenge. It is quickly becoming one of the greatest public and financial health issues of our time.
Couples Need $158,000 for Retirement Health Care Costs (Dec. 2010)
Medicare helps pay for the medical bills of nearly all Americans over age 65. But Medicare doesn’t cover every service that seniors need and many people face significant out-of-pocket costs while enrolled in the program.
Early Detection and Management of Dementia Cuts Healthcare Costs (Oct. 2010)
Early detection, diagnosis and care management for people newly diagnosed with cognitive impairment and dementia reduces outpatient costs by almost 30 percent, according to new research reported at the recent Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010.
World Alzheimer Report 2010: The Global Economic Impact of Dementia (Sept. 2010)
On World Alzheimer's Day 2010, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) released a new report highlighting the soaring cost of dementia and the need for action by policy makers and governments across the globe. World Alzheimer Report 2010 is a culmination of the most comprehensive, current data.
Fix Social Security by hiking retirement age (July 2010)
A lawmaker suggests raising the retirement age to 70 -- and experts agree.
Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease: A National Imperative
Millions of family members and friends are also affected by Alzheimer’s. These individuals bear the emotional impact of watching someone they care about succumb to and eventually die with the condition. In addition, many face the difficulty of providing increasing amounts of physical, financial and additional assistance for the person. In 2009, an estimated 11 million Americans provided 12.5 billion hours of unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Social Security Adds Early-Onset Alzheimer's to "Compassionate Allowance" Program (June 2010)
In its effort to improve and expedite the disability determination process, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will add early-onset Alzheimer's disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative.
Fairfax County and Area Information
Reston seeks to make it easier for seniors to stay in the community (Sept. 2010)
Reston community leaders are coming together to develop a stronger support system that will allow the community's senior citizens to remain in their homes after retirement.
Virginia Tax Credit for Accessible Home Modifications
If you modify your home to make it more accessible, you may qualify to claim a credit on your Virginia income tax.
Senior SmarTrip Cards
It is now easier than ever for senior citizens age 65 and older to get their discount when riding Metrobus and Metrorail. Senior SmarTrip® cards are now available for sale at a wide variety of locations throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan region.
Emergency Preparedness
Take three easy steps to protect your loved ones in an emergency.
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