Alzheimer’s disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and millions of Americans are affected by the disease. It’s important to distinguish the facts from the myths about Alzheimer’s, especially when it comes to finding information online. Read on to learn about common myths surrounding this disease.

People often use the terms Alzheimer’s disease and dementia interchangeably, but there is a difference. Dementia refers to impaired memory, thinking, reasoning, and behavior, and Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia. The terms are likely confused because Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and the most well-known. But there are other types of dementia, too, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia.

I will develop Alzheimer’s disease if my parent has it

If a parent or close relative has Alzheimer’s disease, you may be worried about developing it as you get older. A person’s chance of developing Alzheimer’s is higher if they have certain genetic mutations or variations that can be passed down from a parent. However, just because a biological parent has Alzheimer’s does not mean that their children will develop it.

Alzheimer’s disease is complex, and scientists don’t yet fully understand what causes it in most people. Research suggests that in most individuals, a host of factors beyond genetics play a role in the development and course of the disease. Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as exercise, diet, exposure to pollutants, and smoking may also affect a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s. Although we don’t yet know how to prevent Alzheimer’s, it’s important to practice healthy behaviors throughout your lifetime, such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.

Only people in their 70s and older get Alzheimer’s disease

While the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age, that does not mean that only older adults develop it. For most people with Alzheimer’s, it’s true that symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or beyond. However, some people experience symptoms earlier, even as young as their 30s. When a person develops Alzheimer’s between their 30s and mid-60s, it’s called early-onset Alzheimer’s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is rare — representing less than 10% of people with Alzheimer’s. Developing Alzheimer’s earlier in life can present specific challenges. People diagnosed at younger ages may be more likely to be raising children who are still at home or managing work and having to apply for disability than those who are diagnosed at older ages.

Many people with Down syndrome, a genetic condition, will also develop Alzheimer’s at an earlier age and may begin to show symptoms in their 40s.

Many people become more forgetful as they age, and some forgetfulness, such as losing things from time to time, is normal. However, common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time, having problems recognizing friends and family, or losing track of the date or time of year are not a normal part of aging.

If you are worried about your memory or other possible Alzheimer’s symptoms, talk with your doctor. The doctor may ask questions about your health history, perform assessments of your thinking and memory, and carry out medical tests to determine your diagnosis.

There are no treatments available for people with Alzheimer’s disease

There has been significant progress toward developing better treatments for people with Alzheimer’s. Several medications are available that can help treat people with Alzheimer’s disease. There are also coping strategies to help manage behavioral symptoms.

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, thanks to scientific advances, research has never been more promising. In total, NIA is funding more than 250 clinical trials including both drug and nondrug interventions. These include testing treatments that target behavior and lifestyle factors as well as underlying causes of the disease.

People with dementia experience a range of symptoms related to changes in thinking, remembering, reasoning, and behavior. Living with dementia presents unique challenges, but there are steps you can take to help now and in the future.

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias get worse over time. Even simple everyday activities can become difficult to complete. To help cope with changes in memory and thinking, consider strategies that can make daily tasks easier. Try to adopt them early on so you will have more time to adjust. You can:

Write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

Set up automated bill payments and consider asking someone you trust to help manage your finances.

Have your groceries delivered.

Manage your medications with a weekly pillbox, a pillbox with reminders (like an alarm), or a medication dispenser.

Ask your doctor to provide a care plan and write down care directions (or have a family member or friend take notes during the visit).

Sleep Tips for People Living With Dementia

Dementia often changes a person’s sleeping habits. You may sleep a lot, or not enough, and wake up many times during the night. Poor sleep quality can make dementia symptoms worse.

Tips for better and safer sleep:

Follow a regular schedule by going to sleep and getting up at the same time each day, even on weekends or when traveling.

Develop a relaxing bedtime routine with lowered lights, cool temperature, and no electronic screens.

Avoid caffeine and naps late in the day.

Have a lamp that’s easy to reach and turn on, a nightlight in the hallway or bathroom, and a flashlight nearby.

Keep a telephone with emergency numbers by your bed.

Talk to your doctor if you have problems sleeping.

Healthy and Active Lifestyle Tips for People Living With Dementia

Participating in activities you enjoy and getting exercise may help you feel better, stay social, maintain a healthy weight, and have regular sleep habits.

Try these tips for a healthy and active lifestyle:

Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. But be realistic about how much activity you can do at one time. Several short “mini-workouts” may be best.

Aim for a mix of exercise types — endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. For example, you could do a mix of walking or dancing, lifting weights, standing on one foot, and stretching. Even everyday activities like household chores and gardening help you stay active.

Your diet may need to change as dementia progresses to maintain a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor about the best diet for you, and choose nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein and dairy products. Avoid added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

Stay social by talking on the phone with family and friends, joining an online support group, or going for a walk in your neighborhood.

Finding Care and Support: Tips for People Living With Dementia

Many people may be able to help in different ways. These people might include family members, friends, professional caregivers, community organizations, and others with dementia. For example, you can:

Ask friends or family to help with needs like cooking, paying bills, transportation, or shopping.

If you live alone, find people you trust who can visit often.

Consider letting trusted neighbors know of your diagnosis so they can help if needed.

Use social service agencies, local nonprofits, and Area Agencies on Aging to connect with in-home help, transportation, meals, and other services.

The Oasis Institute, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults ages 50+, is offering discounted online safety courses for seniors beginning January 28 in recognition of Data Privacy Week. Created by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), the initiative encourages individuals to keep their personal data secure and businesses to uphold transparency when it comes to collecting and using such information. Featured Oasis technology classes will be available in an exclusive discounted bundle of “four for $22 in 2022” (a $40 value) to educate seniors about internet safety and best cybersecurity practices. The Oasis Connections program, specifically designed for adult learners, has provided high-quality technology education, digital literacy courses, and resources for more than 20 years.

Every year in the United States, millions of seniors are victims of fraud and financial scams. According to the FTC and FBI, cybercrimes against seniors have increased five times since 2014, and have cost more than $650 million in losses per year. Oasis Connections equips older adults with the skills needed to be safe online through courses that teach participants best security practices to protect their personal information, how to recognize specific threats such as phishing, how to use Wi-Fi safely, and much more.

“Often, seniors have not enabled security settings and are not aware of the nuanced tactics cybercriminals use today,” said Amy VanDeVelde, Technology Education Director. “Older adults who have not been using the internet for very long or who did not participate in security awareness education that many jobs now require need more information. Data Privacy Week, recognized from January 24–28, is a great opportunity to draw attention to the resources that are available for people interested in improving their online safety habits.”

Classes begin January 28 and will be held live via Zoom for four consecutive Fridays at noon central. Participants can purchase four classes for just $22 by visiting https://www.oasiseverywhere.org, selecting “View Classes,” and entering “bundle” in the search field.

The 2022 Cybersecurity Bundle includes:

Class 1: Online Safety Overview: Friday, January 28, 2022 

Class 2: What’s the Best Browser for Me?: Friday, February 4, 2022 

Class 3: Going Wireless: How to Use Wi-Fi: Friday, February 11, 2022 

Class 4: Phishing and Identity Theft: Friday, February 18, 2022 

Classes are also available for individual purchase at full price.

Additionally, Oasis Connections currently offers many free online resources, including the Oasis Connections Guide to Online Safety and the 2022 Oasis Cyber Tip Sheet, available for download.

“Many older adults see technology as a barrier, rather than a tool they can use to make life easier and more convenient. With Connections, we are helping seniors not only become more comfortable with technology in their daily lives but confident in their online abilities so they can go forward and make better, more informed decisions,” said VanDeVelde. 

Visit https://oeclass.org/csb22 to sign up for the 2022 Cybersecurity Bundle. Advance registration is recommended. For more information on Oasis Connections or other available classes, visit https://connections.oasisnet.org, or contact Oasis Connections at (314) 862-2933 x272 or [email protected]

Note: The Ventura Breeze is not endorsing these classes but providing this information for your consideration.

by Jim Brace-Thompson

COVID.

As I stood at the podium in a gazebo at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, facing a masked audience, we all laughed and we all cried—and some, who didn’t care about mandates and protocol, were bold enough to hug.

David.

We were there to celebrate his memory. A man who died in a Los Angeles County hospital so overcrowded that he gasped his last breath on a gurney in a hallway after telling his wife via a computer screen moments before, “They don’t care about us old guys. They’re just treating the young ones.”

COVID.

Despite taking all precautions and cocooning himself, David got it from a granddaughter who apparently got it at the bank where she was a teller. And now, here we were. Bidding David a fond farewell.

Back home, my wife and I returned to my 90-year-old mother who suffered COVID at approximately the same time at the height of the pandemic before such things as vaccines were even on the table. What is now called a “long-hauler,” Mom had had to give up her home in Nebraska and had moved half a continent away to live with the only child who would take her in here in Ventura.

Hard words to say, but perhaps David had it better.

On our way home, Nancy and I passed the County of Ventura Government Center. An unmasked crowd had gathered with Trump flags and banners declaring “Don’t VAX my kids!” Cars honked as they passed. Me? I gave them my middle finger. At home, Mom didn’t even seem to notice we had been gone for nearly the whole day.

COVID.

“No,” said my wife, removing envelopes and junk-mail papers from the trash bin. “These go into the recycle bin, Roberta.” She had told Mom this some fifty times already. And we would do so some fifty times more. Day in, day out. COVID had stolen Mom’s ability to process short-term memory, and each day was Ground Hog Day. Over and over again.

COVID.

If you don’t think you need to get vaccinated; if you think it’s a “deep-state” hoax and Biden conspiracy; it you think you are safe: Think again. Meanwhile, just this past week, our next door neighbor’s daughter went to school on Monday and came home with COVID, variety Omicron, on Tuesday. We are not at the end. Quite frankly, I believe this has only begun.

To all deniers: Wake up! It’s here. It’s real. It’s killing people. It’s taking away their minds. It’s attacking their children. It’s making their families grieve and struggle as never before since World War II in a living hell.

COVID.

It’s real. And it’s devastating to all those it hits. And it is far from over. Listen, and be safe. If not for yourself, then for David, for Mom, and for little Gillean next door.

Editor: Is this an opinion? We couldn’t decide so up to you.

Older adults with tooth loss have a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, with increasing risk with each missing tooth, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.

Problems with oral health, such as poor oral hygiene, tooth cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss, are more common in older adults than in other age groups. Older adults are also more likely to have cognitive impairment or dementia, and recent studies have suggested a link between oral health and these conditions. To get a comprehensive picture of this association, NIA-supported researchers led by a team at New York University analyzed results from several long-term studies on the link between tooth loss and the risk of cognitive impairment.

The researchers conducted a detailed search of six major databases of biomedical science publications and identified 14 relevant studies. These studies used questionnaires, assessments, medical records, and information from death certificates to identify participants with cognitive impairment or dementia. Out of a total of 34,074 participants, 4,689 had cognitive impairment or dementia. The studies used medical examinations and self-reported records to assess tooth loss and classified participants as having more or fewer missing teeth.

The researchers found that participants with more missing teeth had, on average, a 48% higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 28% higher risk of dementia. The relationship between tooth loss and cognitive decline was “dose-dependent”: Each lost tooth was associated with a 1.4% increase in the risk of cognitive impairment and a 1.1% increase in the risk of dementia. Participants who were missing 20 or more teeth had a 31% higher risk of cognitive impairment. Participants who had lost all their teeth had a 54% higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 40% higher risk of dementia. Interestingly, participants who had missing teeth but used dentures did not have a significantly higher risk of dementia than participants without missing teeth.

The researchers note that the reason for this association between tooth loss and the risk of cognitive decline is unclear. Still, tooth loss can result in problems with chewing that might lead to nutritional deficiencies, chemical imbalances, or changes to the brain that affect brain function. Also, poor oral hygiene might lead to increased bacteria in the mouth and to gum disease, which can cause inflammation and raise the risk of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, leading to dementia. Tooth loss without the use of dentures might also be an indication of lower socioeconomic status and lower education level, both of which are independently linked to an increased risk of dementia. Alternatively, missing teeth might be an early sign of cognitive impairment: People with cognitive decline might be less likely to keep up with oral hygiene, leading to tooth loss.

The research was limited by the fact that the various publications studied used different methods of data collection and data analysis. However, the results suggest that timely interventions, such as encouraging the use of dentures and other orthodontic treatments and large-scale education programs on the importance of oral hygiene in older adults, might help prevent or slow down cognitive decline linked to tooth loss.

This research was funded in part by NIA grant R56AG067619.

Vascular dementia refers to changes to memory, thinking, and behavior resulting from conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain. Cognition and brain function can be significantly affected by the size, location, and number of vascular changes.

Symptoms of vascular dementia can begin gradually or can occur suddenly, and then progress over time, with possible short periods of improvement. Vascular dementia can occur alone or be a part of a different diagnosis such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. When an individual is diagnosed with vascular dementia, their symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

What causes vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is caused by different conditions that interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen supply to the brain and damage blood vessels in the brain.

People with vascular dementia almost always have abnormalities in the brain that can be seen on MRI scans. These abnormalities can include evidence of prior strokes, which are often small and sometimes without noticeable symptoms. Major strokes can also increase the risk for dementia, but not everyone who has had a stroke will develop dementia.

Other abnormalities commonly found in the brains of people with vascular dementia are diseased small blood vessels and changes in “white matter” — the connecting “wires” of the brain that are critical for relaying messages between brain regions.

Researchers are investigating how these changes in the brain — and their underlying causes — are involved in the onset and progression of dementia. Research has shown a strong link between cardiovascular disease, involving the heart and blood vessels, and cerebrovascular disease, involving the brain, and subsequent cognitive impairment and dementia. This area of research is referred to as “vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia,” or VCID. It is helping researchers better understand this connection and whether the methods used to prevent and treat cerebrovascular disease and heart disease could also help prevent dementia.

Researchers investigating VCID are exploring diverse conditions that affect blood flow to and within the brain, including infarcts (an area of dead tissue resulting from a lack of blood supply), hemorrhages (bleeding from ruptured or damaged blood vessels), cerebral hypoperfusion (reduced blood flow), and small vessel disease in the brain such as that thought to be associated with white matter hyperintensities (white patches seen on brain MRI scans), and stroke.

Because many different disease processes can result in different forms of vascular dementia, there may not be one treatment for all. However, vascular dementia is often managed with medications to prevent strokes and reduce the risk of additional brain damage. Some studies suggest that medications that are used to treat Alzheimer’s might benefit some people with an early form of vascular dementia. Treating modifiable risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and problems with the rhythm of the heartbeat can help prevent additional stroke. Living a healthy lifestyle is important to help reduce the risk factors of vascular dementia.

As we get ready for 2022, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is encouraging individuals to make a New Year’s resolution to get a memory screening. AFA offers free, confidential memory screenings through a secure virtual format every Monday, Wednesday and Friday—appointments can be scheduled by calling AFA at 866-232-8484 or through AFA’s website. The service is available to everyone—there are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.“Annual screenings are important, including for our brains, which is why everyone should make getting a memory screening a New Year’s resolution for 2022,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Just as we regularly check other facets of our health, we should all get a checkup from the neck up, regardless of whether or not we are having memory problems.” 

Memory screenings are simple, quick (approximately 10-15 minutes) and noninvasive, and consist of a series of questions, administered by a qualified professional, to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other intellectual functions. They are similar to other routine health screenings, such as those for blood pressure, cholesterol and skin checks. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation. 

Early detection of memory impairments is extremely important. Many different conditions can cause memory issues, including treatable or curable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid conditions, urinary tract infections, stress, anxiety and depression. 

Even in the case of a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection can provide greater opportunity to begin treatments that can help slow the symptoms of the disease, as well as taking part in a clinical trial. In addition, it affords the person the chance to take advantage of community services, such as support groups and therapeutic programming, as well as have a greater say in making legal, financial and health care decisions. 

Memory screening appointments can be scheduled by calling AFA at 866-232-8484 or through AFA’s website here. Screenings are conducted through secure videoconference technology (i.e., Facetime, Zoom, Skype)—all that’s needed is a device with a webcam and Internet capability, such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. 

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, the National Memory Screening Program, educational conferences and materials, and “AFA Partners in Care” dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. AFA has earned Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating for seven consecutive years.

An area of the brain called the locus coeruleus, sometimes called “the blue spot,” might show signs of Alzheimer’s disease before any other brain area does, according to a recent NIA-supported study. Published in Science Translational Medicine, the findings suggest a potentially promising new early indicator for Alzheimer’s disease.

In Alzheimer’s disease, tau protein accumulates in cells throughout the brain and forms tangles. Tau tangles, along with the accumulation of amyloid, another type of protein that forms plaques, are two hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Treating Alzheimer’s disease is a challenge, in part because it is usually diagnosed after the onset of symptoms when significant damage in the brain has already occurred. However, by using new advancements in brain imaging, scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital may be one step closer to diagnosing Alzheimer’s, even before cognitive deficits emerge.

The locus coeruleus is a small area of the brain located in the brainstem. It gets its nickname “the blue spot” because the cells in the area produce a blue pigment that makes the whole region appear blue. Many researchers who study Alzheimer’s are interested in the locus coeruleus because it seems to accumulate tau long before any noticeable clinical signs of the disease arise. However, the size of the area, and the type of brain cells within it, make the locus coeruleus difficult to image with normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

In this study, the team of scientists used a new technique to look at the signal intensity of the locus coeruleus. This signal intensity gives information about the number and health of cells in the region. A lower signal indicates that neurons may be damaged, which can be a sign of tau accumulation.

To conduct the study, scientists utilized data from 174 participants from the Harvard Aging Brain Study, some of whom had cognitive impairment, while others had normal brain function. All participants underwent MRI and PET brain imaging and most received repeated long-term assessments to measure brain functions, such as memory and attention, as part of the larger aging brain study.

Using the high-resolution MRI together with PET scans that identify tau tangles and plaques in other brain areas, the scientists made an important connection. They found that a low-intensity signal from the locus coeruleus was associated with an increased presence of tau tangles and amyloid plaques in an area of the brain called the entorhinal cortex, which is involved in memory function. The scientists also found that a weaker signal from the locus coeruleus was associated with a loss of memory and a decline of other brain functions.

To confirm their results, the scientists compared the imaging findings against autopsy data from two established datasets, the Religious Orders Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP) and the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC). These datasets contain postmortem assessments of locus coeruleus damage, brain function, and Alzheimer’s-induced cellular damage in numerous other areas. Similar to the results from the high-resolution MRI, the researchers found that participants whose autopsy results showed tau tangles in the locus coeruleus also showed Alzheimer’s-related brain damage and a decline in brain function.

Scientists do not know how, or if, tau moves from the locus coeruleus to other brain areas. However, findings from this study show that changes in the locus coeruleus could be a promising marker to indicate the brain’s tau tangle and amyloid plaque burden and have the potential to help providers evaluate an individual’s risk for cognitive decline. This research paves the way for advances in the early detection of Alzheimer’s, which may increase the chances of successful treatment.