Hands to Help Seniors
Carmel, CA Alzheimer’s Research Called Into Question
by Richard Kuehn on 08/14/22
A report in Science Magazine stated that an influential
2006 study relied on fabricated images to support its conclusion, which
resulted in misdirected Alzheimer’s research for the past 16 years. Dr. Karen Ashe, a senior University of
Minnesota scientist, has admitted that a junior colleague appears to have
manipulated two images. However, she claims
those actions did not affect the study’s wording and conclusion. And the first researcher to state that
Alzheimer’s disease is triggered by amyloid beta plaques in the brain now
concedes that after years of developing amyloid-targeting drugs that have failed,
a new approach must begin. He says a
multi-drug approach will likely be more affected. I’m confident we will gradually push back on
Alzheimer’s disease in the same way that we’ve pushed back on cancer and so on,”
Dr. John Hardy told USA Today. Regular
readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible
disease when they passed away. If you
need information or just someone to talk to, there are some wonderful people at
the Monterey branch of the Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch. They also have a 24-hour hotline at
1-800-272-3900.
Monterey, CA Medicare Equipment Rules
by Richard Kuehn on 08/13/22If you have recently been released by CHOMP, or Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, you may be wondering what equipment Medicare will pay for. It really comes down to what is essential versus what is a convenience. For instance, Medicare will pay for a motorized scooter if that’s the only way that you can get around your house, but they won’t pay if it’s mostly for longer outdoor excursions. Check with your Medicare Advantage plan. Some have benefits like home improvements such as wheelchair ramps. To find out for sure, call the Medicare hotline at 1-800-633-4227 or go to www.medicare.gov.
Monterey, CA Alzheimer’s Breakthrough With The Christchurch Variant APOE Gene
by Richard Kuehn on 07/13/22
Researchers have been studying a group of families in
Columbia for years due to the fact that they carry a variant of the gene PSEN-1
which pretty much guarantees they will get Alzheimer’s. Many get it at an early age, with a sad story
being told by a mother who had to take care of her son who had Alzheimer’s
disease. There has been a recent
breakthrough, with Aliria Rosa Piedrahita de Villegas, a woman in her 70’s with
the gene who did not get Alzheimer’s disease until the age of 72, three decades
after most others with the gene get the disease. Further study found that Aliria also had two
copies of another rare variant of the APOE gene, also known as the Christchurch
variant, which helped protect her brain and drastically slowed the progression
of the disease. “This opens a new door
for Alzheimer’s research,” said Yakeel Quiroz, an associate professor in the
Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and
Harvard Medical School. “And through
that door are new opportunities for treatments,” he said. Quiroz and other researchers are now working
on developing an Alzheimer’s treatment that can replicate the protective
actions and effects of the Christchurch variant. Regular readers of my blog know that both my
grandmother and my father had this terrible disease when they died. There is a great group of people at the
Monterey branch of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch or you can also call
their 24-hour hotline for support at 1-800-272-3900.
Scary New Dementia Study
by Richard Kuehn on 03/22/22
A shocking new study found that 1 in t0 older adults have
early stage memory or cognitive problems, signaling early onset of Alzheimer’s
disease. A new report from the Alzheimer’s
Association found that 12-18% of those in the age bracket of 60 and older have “mild
cognitive impairment,” a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.
Seniors Getting More Adept With Technology
by Richard Kuehn on 03/04/22Seniors are getting more and more adept at using technology. It was great to see that Alliance on Aging is offering free one-on-one technology training classes for seniors age 60+ every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., by appointment only. You can learn the basics on how to use your devices – smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, computers, and laptops. The training is provided by Loaves Fishes and Computers at 236 Monterey Street in Oldtown Salinas. For an appointment, call 831-646-4931 or 831-512-1330. This is a national trend. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about senior communities and assisted living facilities offering similar training.
