The start of a new year often brings time for reflection, as well as vision for the future. As we reflect on the productive and promising discoveries in Alzheimer’s research in 2022, we are driven to a newfound hope for what is to come in 2023.

Most notably may be the improvement that we began to see in Alzheimer’s treatments. 

In November, pharmaceutical companies Eisai and Biogen announced positive results from their global Phase 3 clinical trial of an Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab, slowing the rate of cognitive decline in study participants by 27% over 18 months. These are the most encouraging results we have seen to date for an Alzheimer’s treatment. 

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for this drug, which is now the second FDA-approved drug in 18 months that changes the course of Alzheimer’s disease.

One other discovery found that a daily multivitamin may slow brain aging. Research published in September last year in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association found that taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement every day for 3 years resulted in a statistically significant cognitive benefit.

This is the first positive, large-scale, long-term study to show that multivitamin-mineral supplementation for older adults may slow cognitive aging, which may have the potential to significantly impact public health.

At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) last summer, new research results found that eating a large amount of ultra-processed food can significantly accelerate cognitive decline. 

Also at AAIC 2022, researchers reported that experiences of structural, interpersonal and institutional racism are associated with lower memory scores and worse cognition in midlife and old age, especially among Black individuals. 

Lastly, research published in December in JAMA Neurology showed that individuals with hearing loss who used hearing restorative devices had a 19% decrease in risk of long-term cognitive decline. 

While advancements are happening, the significant impact of Alzheimer’s remains. Over a recent 20-year period, deaths from heart disease went down 7.3%, while deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 145%. In 2022, Alzheimer’s and other dementias cost the nation $321 billion.

With even more FDA decisions expected on Alzheimer’s treatments in 2023, this is a very exciting time in the fight to end this disease. Thanks to increased research funding from the federal government and nonprofit organizations there is great hope and the new year is sure to bring more advances and discoveries for people living with, and at risk for, Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia. 

For more information and free support services, contact the Alzheimer’s Association. Their Ventura office is located at 2580 E Main Street #201, and their 24/7 Helpline is 800.272.3900.  Visit them online at alz.org/cacentral. 

Volunteer leaders are needed to teach with RSVP’s popular senior exercise program, Bone Builders. No experience is necessary to become an instructor, the first training step is to attend a class and observe. Interested volunteers then attend a free training session to learn the program and prepare for teaching.

Trained instructors make a difference in the lives of those enrolled in classes, as well as contribute to their own well-being by engaging in a regular exercise program. RSVP exercise programs are free and open to the public. Classes operate in RSVP’s four-city service area of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme. Call 805-385-8019 for more information about trainings.

Training Schedule

RSVP Bone Builders

This is an osteoporosis exercise and education program in which participants use light weights to build bones while also improving their balance and making new friends. There are

currently 21 classes scheduled in RSVP’s four-city area, but several have lengthy wait lists. By training more instructors we will be able to add more classes and accommodate the community’s interest in this program. Volunteer instructor trainings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Volunteers attend one day of training before being paired with an experienced instructor to practice and ready for leading their own class. All trainings run from 9:00am to 3:00pm in Oxnard. Lunch is provided.

RSVP is a volunteer engagement program, helping people age 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent, and available time. It both recruits and places volunteers with nonprofit partner agencies as well as overseeing the two distinct exercise programs designed for seniors. Volunteer positions are available in RSVP’s four-city service area of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme.

Oxnard RSVP has about 300 members and is locally sponsored by the City of Oxnard with grant funding from the federal AmeriCorps. To learn more about the benefits of being an RSVP member, for help finding a volunteer position, or more information about the trainings, call 805-385-8019.

CAREGIVERS Volunteers Assisting the Elderly is launching a new series called “Bevvies & Bingo”! This is ‘not your Gramma’s Bingo’ and the inaugural event is on Friday, February 24th.

CAREGIVERS Volunteers Assisting the Elderly and The Shores present:
Classic Rock Bingo! + Bills Birthday Bash

This is classic rock bingo and a birthday bash for Bill from The Shores. If you don’t know Bill, then you should join, and get your bingo on plus get to know this rockin’ dude. Our emcee hailing from the Van Halen rock era will ensure the set list is ready, and things will be rockin’ so get ready to jump!

February 24th 12pm-4pm (space is limited so be sure to RSVP at (805) 658-8530)

Jokes, drinks, and Classic Rock! Fantastic prizes, and not to be missed raffle too! The Shores will be hosting a rockin’ happy hour special and snacks for purchase.

Classic rock themed…because we know you were born to rock! Be ready to have a good time, wear that favorite concert T or rock band shirt.

Proceeds Benefit: Caregivers Volunteers Assisting the Elderly (non-profit organization)

Cost: $10 cash at the door for each set of playing cards.

Registered Caregivers volunteers are free. Bring a plus one (guest) and they are free too!

One set of playing cards and one non-alcoholic beverage included in each ticket.

Open to friends, and the public for $10 (for each set of playing cards). One non-alcoholic beverage included for each ticket/set of playing cards.

Additional playing cards can be purchased for $10 if you want to play multiple cards in each game.

Facebook event with all details can be found at

https://www.facebook.com/events/876920963593411

Are you considering adding exercise to your daily routine or significantly increasing your level of activity? Talk with your doctor about the exercises and physical activities that are best for you. During your appointment, you can ask:

What types of exercise would work for me? Your medical history and current activity level will help your doctor recommend exercises that are doable and safe. Your doctor can also help you come up with a plan to gradually increase the intensity or duration of your physical activity. This information might be part of an exercise prescription, which indicates how you should exercise and for how long. You can “fill” this prescription by yourself or coordinate with a personal trainer or exercise medicine specialist.

Are there any exercises or activities I should avoid? Your doctor can make recommendations based on your health history, keeping in mind any recent surgeries or ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. This would be a great time to check with your doctor about any unexplained symptoms you’ve been experiencing, such as chest pain or pressure, joint pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Your doctor may recommend postponing exercise until the problem is diagnosed and treated.

How does my health condition affect my ability to exercise? Some health conditions can affect your exercise routine. For example, people with arthritis may need to avoid some types of activity, especially when joints are swollen or inflamed. Those with diabetes may need to adjust their daily schedule, meal plan, or medications when planning their activities. Your doctor can talk with you about any adjustments you need to make to ensure that you get the most out of your new exercise routine.

by Carol Leish, MA

“‘Kindness Week’ was January 23-January 27, 2023, at Ventura Unified School District,” according to Natalie Uribe, who is the Home Care Specialist at Assisted Home Health and Hospice. “My colleagues and I approached schools in our service area, including Will Rogers Elementary School in Ventura. Their Principal, Vanessa Perez, said that the school included our Valentines coloring sheets in their activities for Kindness Week, which was a week-long program dedicated to creating a culture of kindness and compassion in communities worldwide.”

Principal Perez said, “We are working on the pillars of character. February’s character trait is ‘Caring.’ The color is ‘red’ and for students to think of a ‘heart.’ It’s important to show that you care, to express gratitude, to forgive others, and to help people in need, which all fit into being caring individuals.”

Principal Perez also emphasized that, “We become kind and caring by doing kind and caring things each day, not just during one week. A smile is an easy way of showing someone that you care. It’s easy to acknowledge someone with a smile on the school campus, in the grocery store and in the community.”

“During Kindness Week,” according to Uribe, “we provided local elementary schools in our service area: Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula and Ojai, with Valentine’s coloring sheets asking them to color them for seniors who are living in various senior living communities. As we know, some of the residents have few families and friends, and receiving a colored in card with a handwritten note to show that they are thought of and loved from school children puts a smile on their faces.”

Various activities are provided by Assisted Home Health and Hospice. Uribe said, “Activities range from cooking classes to flower bouquet making, pet therapy, mini golf putting, toss n talk beach ball games, ice cream socials, arts and crafts, flower potting, etc.”

According to Uribe, “As our world becomes increasingly complex, we believe it’s more important than ever to have given our students the opportunity to have participated in the uplifting week of kindness by having made Valentine cards for seniors. It was a way of sharing a conversation with children about kindness and thinking of others, such as our seniors.”

Are you looking for a new doctor — or specialist — and not sure where to start? Medicare.gov makes it quick and easy to find and compare doctors and other providers in your area.

Here’s how:

Visit Medicare.gov/care-compare. Select “Doctors & clinicians,” and enter your location. You can also search by specialty, like general practice or internal medicine.

Review details about the doctors you’re interested in, like their contact information, practice locations, hospital affiliation, or if they offer telehealth services.

You can also select the “compare” button to compare up to 3 different doctors you’re interested in.

Find & Compare Doctors

Once you’re ready to schedule a visit with a new doctor, be sure to call ahead to verify general information, like office location, if they’re accepting new patients with Medicare, and if you need a referral.

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team

These results challenge previous studies that found telmisartan improved running strength in mice and increased treadmill walking distance in people with PAD.

The new findings also indicated people with PAD could improve their walking performance through exercise.

PAD, a condition that affects leg blood vessels, can decrease mobility. It is characterized by narrowed arteries and is common in older adults, especially among Black individuals. Telmisartan works by blocking a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow, enabling the vessels to relax so blood can flow easier. Doctors often recommend the drug to reduce cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, in people with PAD.

A team of researchers from NIA and Northwestern, Tulane, Stanford, and other universities randomly assigned 114 participants who had PAD to either receive telmisartan or a placebo. The average age of participants was 67 years; 40% were women and 71% were Black. Participants were randomly assigned walking exercises on a treadmill three times a week with an expert or one-hour educational sessions on health topics with study personnel. The researchers compared results on the six-minute walk distance between the telmisartan and placebo groups at baseline and at a six-month follow-up. In this test, participants covered as much distance as possible within six minutes. The research team evaluated several measures of speed, performance, and function.

Participants who took telmisartan had lower blood pressure after six months than at the start of the study. However, telmisartan did not improve six-minute walk distance, speed, performance, or function compared with placebo at a six-month follow-up. Instead, the effects of telmisartan trended — albeit insignificantly — toward worse performance on six-minute walk distance compared with placebo. A follow-up analysis, however, did show that exercise improved the six-minute walk distance.

Patients already taking telmisartan or a similar drug were not included in this trial. Future research could explore whether the use of blood pressure drugs is less helpful, and perhaps even harmful, in people living with PAD in the legs who do not have high blood pressure.

Reference: McDermott M, et al. Effect of telmisartan on walking performance in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease: The TELEX randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2022;328(13):1315-1325. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.16797.

Take care of your senses

About one third of older adults have some form of vision problems or loss by age 65, and nearly 50% of people older than 75 have disabling hearing loss. Anosmia, which is the medical term for the decline or loss of smell, can also be a significant blow to quality of life. Still, for most older adults, these common signs of aging don’t affect cognitive health.

Too many older adults consider sensory decline to be something that they must learn to live with, yet there are treatment options available. Scientists are studying whether the risk of cognitive problems can be reduced when these conditions are treated — with glasses, eye surgery, hearing aids, or other health care approaches. Read on to learn how NIA-funded investigators are finding new insights into how the eyes, ears, and nose might be windows into our overall cognitive health.

Alison Abraham, Ph.D., M.S., M.H.S., associate professor of epidemiology and ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Public Health, has long studied the relationship between the eyes and the brain. She is a principal investigator with the NIA-funded Eye Determinants of Cognition (EyeDOC) Study.

Abraham has a family history of vision problems that has fueled her personal interest in how vision loss affects emotional well-being, physical functioning, social interaction, and brain health. In her work, she collaborates with community groups and care providers on strategies for increasing routine vison screening and broadening access to vision care for older adults.

Abraham’s research focuses on the retina, the area at the rear of the eyeball that relays visual information through the optic nerve to the brain. “In the womb, the development of the retina and the brain are closely linked,” said Abraham.

In the EyeDOC study, Abraham uses a noninvasive imaging method called optical coherence tomography (OCT) to examine the retina. OCT is currently used to diagnose and manage diseases, including diabetes-related retinopathy and glaucoma. Compared to more intrusive brain imaging tests such as MRIs or PET scans, OCT provides an easier, less expensive way to learn about the health, thickness, and architecture of retinal nerves and blood vessels. Initial studies with OCT have shown obvious differences in retinal nerve fiber thickness between cognitively healthy older adults and people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Abraham is continuing studies in this area and is hopeful that OCT could be repurposed to develop retinal biomarkers for earlier screening of people at risk for cognitive impairment. Other researchers found that cataract extraction was significantly associated with a lower risk of dementia development.

As you age, you may have concerns about the increased risk of dementia. You may have questions, too. Are there steps I can take to prevent it? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk? There are currently no approaches that have been proven to effectively treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, as with many other diseases, there may be steps you can take to help reduce your risk.

A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some risk factors can be controlled while others cannot. For example, a person is not able to control their age, which is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Another uncontrollable risk factor is a person’s genes. Genes are structures in our body’s cells that are passed down from a person’s birth parents. Changes in genes — even small changes — can cause diseases.

Race and gender are also factors that influence risk. Research shows that African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of dementia, and that risk factors may differ for women and men. Researchers are investigating what’s behind these differences.

However, people do have control over their behavior and lifestyle, which can influence their risk for certain diseases. For example, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Lowering blood pressure with lifestyle changes or medication can help reduce a person’s risk for heart disease and heart attack.

To determine which risk factors may prevent a disease or condition, researchers first conduct observational studies to make associations. They then conduct carefully controlled clinical trials.

For example, researchers identified an association between high blood pressure and heart attacks and then completed clinical trials to determine that lowering a person’s blood pressure would indeed lower the likelihood of having a heart attack. This is not to say that people who lower their blood pressure definitely won’t have a heart attack. But it significantly lowers the chances.

For Alzheimer’s and related dementias, no behavior or lifestyle factors have risen to the level of researchers being able to say: This will definitely prevent these diseases. But there are promising avenues.

The number of older Americans is rising, so the number of people with dementia is predicted to increase. However, some studies have shown that incidence rates of dementia — meaning new cases in a population over a certain period of time — have decreased in some locations, including in the United States. Based on observational studies, factors such as healthy lifestyle behaviors and higher levels of education may be contributing to such a decline. But the cause and effect is uncertain, and such factors need to be tested in a clinical trial to prove whether they can prevent dementia.

A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s or age-related cognitive decline. The review found “encouraging but inconclusive” evidence for three types of behavioral changes (called interventions): physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive training. The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether — and in what amounts or forms — they might prevent dementia.