We Need YOU!

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, Facts & Figures, Fundraising, Help Stamp Out Alzheimer's, Research, Washington

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07.19.15 IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Alzheimer’s Disease Semipostal Stamp has been reintroduced as part of the Alzheimer’s Action Act. If passed, this would allow for the voluntary purchase of a stamp that would raise funds for critically needed research. Please write or call YOUR representatives and urge them to Help Stamp OUT Alzheimer’s by co-sponsoring HR 3092!

Big news today from Washington!!

Our sincere appreciation goes to Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa) as he officially declares his support for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Semipostal Stamp.

According to a press release issued today, Senator Toomey had this to say about the proposed bill.

This is a simple but effective way to help raise funds to research a cure for Alzheimer’s. Most people I meet are familiar with the disease. But they might not know just how widespread it is in our state. Pennsylvania has the fifth most people suffering from Alzheimer’s in the nation.

This is a truly tragic illness that robs its victims of one of their life’s greatest possessions – their memories. Working together with my colleagues in Congress, I am committed to fighting this disease and finding a cure.

The news has been ablaze this past week regarding the recent Rush University Medical Center study which found deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease could number up to SIX times previously report numbers. According to the study, it’s likely that over 500,000 Americans die from AD and related forms of dementia every year, a number exponentially higher than the 84,000 reported in 2010. This makes Alzheimer’s and other dementias the THIRD leading cause of death in our country, behind only cancer and heart disease. Continue reading →

Is Alzheimer’s Even More Deadly Than We Previously Thought?

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, Facts & Figures, Research, Weight Loss

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Watch this PBS clip as Dr. Bryan James of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago explains the findings of his recent study. These new numbers would move Alzheimer’s up from the sixth leading cause of death to the THIRD leading cause of death in the US, behind only cancer and heart disease. As you listen, keep in mind that ALZ receives ~$550 million in funding per year, while cancer and heart disease combined receive over $10 billion.

Hearing Loss & Dementia: Is There a Correlation?

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Caregivers, Helpful Resources, Mom, Signs and Symptoms, The Early Years

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Early on in our journey, Mom’s PCP suggested we see an audiologist to rule out hearing loss. As it turned out, she passed the hearing test with flying colors, but that isn’t always the case. Consider how hearing problems can result in social withdrawal, which may, in turn, exacerbate cognitive decline. I’m pleased to share this guest post by Melanie Lewis of Hearing Direct.
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There are various causes that contribute to hearing loss. Many people are aware of the corollary links between noise exposure and hearing damage. Both the intensity level (noise above 85dB(A) is considered ‘harmful’) and the length of exposure time can put one’s hearing at risk.

Factors affecting the transmission of sound through the outer or middle ear are also common causes of conductive (and often temporary) hearing loss – this is largely seen in blockages of the ear canal due to wax or other foreign bodies, susceptibility to outer or middle ear infections, Eustachian tube dysfunction or previous ear surgery. Notwithstanding these examples however the most common type of hearing loss and perhaps surprisingly so, is in fact sensorineural in nature and due to natural deterioration brought about by age. Continue reading →