NIA Booklet Looks at Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Research
Many people want to know how to keep their minds sharp and avoid Alzheimer's disease (AD) when they get older. "Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented?," a newly updated booklet from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), answers questions about brain health and summarizes the latest research about AD prevention.
The 32-page booklet discusses the influence of age and genetics on the development of AD and highlights current research looking at the influence of factors such as physical activity, diet, and chronic diseases on AD prevention. It also describes other avenues of research that offer clues about possible ways to prevent the disease.
The booklet explains that no treatments or drugs have yet been proven to prevent or delay AD, but suggests general tips for healthy aging that might reduce the effect of possible risk factors for AD. A list of other resources is included.
NIA Publishes Updated Handbook for Talking with Older Patients
A Comprehensive Publication Designed to Enhance Health Care Providers' Communication with Older Patients
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has released "Talking With Your Older Patient: A Clinician's Handbook," a comprehensive publication designed to enhance health care providers' communication with older patients.
The overall aim of "Talking With Your Older Patient" is to introduce and/or reinforce communication skills essential in caring for older patients and their families. It suggests practical tips, techniques, and approaches to help with diagnosis, promote treatment adherence, make more efficient use of clinicians' time, and increase patient and provider satisfaction.
This colorful, 64-page publication is written for clinicians but will also be useful to students being trained for health care professions and others who interact with older people. The booklet contains 11 chapters covering a wide range of topics, such as
understanding older patients
breaking bad news
talking with patients about cognitive problems.
It also includes an extensive list of resources and a tear-off chart giving contact information for national organizations that address specific concerns such as financial assistance, nutrition, and transportation. A list of other free publications available from NIA is included as well.
Note: This new, free offering replaces the NIA publication entitled Working With Your Older Patient: A Clinician's Handbook.
ADS Represented at 2008 Governor’s Conference
Accolades to the Training & Events Committee and the Governing Council for orchestrating this year’s ADS representation at the 2008 Governor’s Conference.
This year the Illinois Adult Day Service Association sponsored a pre-conference session; hosted a general membership gathering; staffed a booth in the exhibit hall and participated in the annual IDOA award ceremony at the closing luncheon on Friday, December 12th.
The session entitled Profit is not a four letter word; featured a four member panel (Carol Acord, Pat Stacy Cohen, Judy Holstein and Marta Litas) who presented information about how to operate an adult day program as a successful business while providing quality care and remaining true to the center’s mission.
The first annual “Everything Under the Sun”award was presented to the Circle of Friends – Intergenerational Volunteer Program which includes kindergarteners, youth from the local Boys & Girls Club, Fraternity and Sorority members, participants from the University of Illinois Volunteer Illini Project, high school and middle school students and 35 volunteers from the national i-Helporganization.Volunteers provide seasonal and holiday decorations for use around the center; conduct a story time for Kindergarteners with reading provided by the older adults at the center; participate in the Plant for Hope project of the United Way of Champaign which in the Spring brings potted plants and interaction with grade schoolers; establish one-to-one relationships during table games or friendly visiting and sponsored a car wash event during National Caregivers week when Illini students were on hand to wash cars of caregivers when they arrived at the center to pick up family members.
The first annual “Sunlight” award recognized Kathy VanVelsor for the quality of her day to day work at the Gordon Behrents Senior Day Center in Galesburg and her leadership contribution to the field of adult day service through her participation on the IADSA Governing Council where she currently serves as its Vice President.To quote the colleague of Kathy who nominated her for this honor, “Kathy has been a mentor and wonderful resource to me.Her love and commitment for ADS is very apparent and inspiring.”According to the staff at the center, “they can’t imagine how the center could exist without her.”
The Illinois Adult Day Service Association presented these awards as a formal “thank you” to Circle of Friends and Kathy VanVelsor.Both are models for others serving older adults in Illinois through adult day services.
Plans will begin shortly for next year’s participation.Watch for opportunities to provide input about your needs, training preferences and nominations for awards through email and the Association website http://www.iadsa.com
Ecumenical Adult Care Staff Members Receive Awards
Dorothy Gilmore and Joyce McClure, Activity Assistants at Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville received the “Gentle Touch Award” from the Gertrude P. Zalar Alzheimer’s Care Foundation of Joliet, Illinois. This award is presented annually to staff that provide direct care to Alzheimer Disease patients.
Dorothy and Joyce were honored for their compassion and caring for the elderly participants that attend the adult day services center. Each was presented with a plaque and a monetary award for their exceptional work.
The award ceremony and presentations on the topics of “Caring for the Caregiver” and “Innovations in Geriatrics” were held at Joliet Junior College on October 11, 2008.
Iowa ADS study findings(click title to read full report) ADS has frequently been described as a cost-effective community-based service for older adults and people with disabilities. In many states, this service is underutilized. Read about some of the reasons for this in the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs (DEA) evaluation of the ADS system in their state conducted by the University of Iowa, School of Social Work.
***************************************** A FREE booklet from the National Institute on Aging's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, "Genes, Lifestyles, and Crossword Puzzles: Can Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented?" provides the latest research findings on AD risk factors. It describes the ongoing search for prevention strategies and how heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and insulin resistance, and inflammation may effect the development of AD.
