News Bites (or Bytes)

Here are some really interesting Alzheimer's news bites I was reading on Facebook's Medical News "feed":

The website for non-facebook-ers is http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/. Look in Alzheimer's/Dementia category

- Being a member of a social group can reduce risk of conditions like stroke, DEMENTIA, and even the common cold.
- Infections may hasten memory loss in Alzheimer's.
- Eating curry every week could prevent dementia by prevent spread of plaques in the brain. Plaques and tangles in the brain are characteristics of Alzheimer's disease...they prevent transmission of information between brain cells.

Another blog I read, "Had a Dad", noted that World Alzheimer's Day is 9/21. Purple is the color worn to show support for those with Alzheimer's. There are Memory Walks across the US to raise awareness and money for research...the website for information is www.actionalz.org/overview.asp .

There is a clinical trial being started for a new drug, Dimebon, which may actually reverse Alzheimer's. To be in it, the patient must be taking Aricept.

Here's the link to the clinical trial site: http://www.concertstudy.com/.

The site also has some other information on Alzheimer's.

News on Dad:

He still seems to be doing well, although his new caregiver, Judy, said he has been missing my mom alot. He gets kind of upset if I don't call or go over there every day, which I don't like because it makes me feel pressured and irritated. It's like they say...no one can make you feel (angry, guilty, sad,...insert yours here) unless you let them. Dad called today and asked me to make him a copy of the key to the front door. Carol, my sister, suggested I tell him he sleepwalks, so he can't have a key. I'll tell him to get the caregiver if he wants to go out to get the paper in the morning (after 7:00!). I can tell it's going to get ugly sooner or later.

Janice got him to go outside with her to trim the bushes. Yay! He used to love working in the yard. I also think he feels a sense of accomplishment when he is able to help with jobs around the house.

Things are going well. No major new issues.