Hands to Help Seniors
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.
Medicare Under Fire For Not Covering Most Claims For New Alzheimer’s Drug, Aduhelm
by Richard Kuehn on 03/03/22
Drugmakers and patient advocacy groups are pushing back against a federal proposal to cut off most Medicare payments for a new drug
from Biogen Inc. to treat Alzheimer’s, called Aduhelm. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services last month proposed to limit coverage of the drug to patients enrolled
in clinical trials which are sanctioned by the agency. The proposal would apply to similar drugs
still in development and not yet approved that work by reducing amyloid protein
in the brain. The high cost of the drug
and questions over its efficacy are behind the decision of the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Alliance On Aging To Host Connecting Seniors With Technology Classes
by Richard Kuehn on 02/26/22
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. 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.
https://files.constantcontact.com/bc5ea53b001/4f04eedf-894a-4ba8-81db-2d03a7b42cf5.pdf
Patient Death In New Alzheimer’s Drug Aduhelm
by Richard Kuehn on 11/11/21
There was
much excitement when the FDA approved a new drug called Aduhelm to treat
patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Although there was some debate over its efficacy, the fact that there
have been no new drugs brought to market to treat this horrible disease in decades
had some filled with hope. However,
Biogen Inc., the pharmaceutical company who makes the drug, admitted this week
that there was one death linked to Aduhelm.
The company announced that a 75-year old who took the drug was
hospitalized and diagnosed with swelling in the brain before dying. It’s unclear that the brain swelling was
linked to the drug, however, there is sure to be an investigation due to the
fact that brain swelling, also known as ARIA-E, was cited as one of the most
common side effects during testing of the drug.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/biogen-investigates-death-of-aduhelm-patient-11636479862
