Alzheimer's Disease, Dementias and Healthy Aging

December Newsletter

Study Links SNAP Benefits to Cognitive Health

Eligible older adults who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the United States may have slower memory decline than eligible people who do not participate, according to a new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The researchers found that those who used SNAP had about two fewer years of cognitive aging over a 10-year period compared with those who didn't use SNAP.

Chronic Disease and Vermonters of Color

Vermonters who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) have high rates of both unhealthy behaviors and chronic diseases. There are multiple and often complex factors that influence these health inequalities. Preventable inequalities lead to uneven access to resources and opportunities for health. For instance, Vermonters who identify as American Indian/Alaskan Native have twice the rate of lung disease and diabetes as well as three times the rate of cardiovascular disease than those identifying as White Non-Hispanic. These rates are also significantly higher than those of BIPOC Vermonters overall. Chronic conditions, particularly those undiagnosed or unmanaged, can impact brain health and increase risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementias.

How Biomarkers Help Diagnose Dementia

Biomarkers are measurable indicators of what’s happening in the body. These can be found in blood, other body fluids, organs, and tissues. Some can even be measured digitally. Biomarkers can help doctors and researchers track healthy processes, diagnose diseases and other health conditions, monitor responses to medication, and identify health risks in a person. For example, an increased level of cholesterol in the blood is a biomarker for heart attack risk. Before the early 2000s, the only sure way to know whether a person had Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia was after death through autopsy. But thanks to advances in research, tests are now available to help doctors see biomarkers associated with dementia in their patients.

Join the IPRO QIN-QIO for a dedicated, FREE day of learning cutting-edge best practices and other learning opportunities. Be part of a new day in nursing home quality improvement. Stream New Day in your conference room so interdisciplinary team members can catch presentations throughout the day. Get the latest updates on vital topics to advance quality and address your needs, like - Transforming Quality Dementia Care with Dr. Lauren Stratton, PhD, Senior Director, Alzheimer’s Association.

Multiple Falls in Older Age may Indicate Greater Risk for Cognitive Decline and/or Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome

Falls and dementia may be linked by common risk factors such as social isolation, limited physical activity due to concern about falling or brain injury among others. Consequently, older adults who fall may be at increased risk for cognitive decline, dementia or conditions that precede dementia such as Mild Cognitive Impairment or Motoric Cognitive Risk syndrome - a pre-dementia syndrome characterized with slow gait speed and subjective cognitive complaints. This study examines whether falls are associated with eventual cognitive decline.

Dementia Equity Programs in the Hispanic and LGBTQI+ Communities

December 13, 2022 at 2:00-3:00 pm ET

This webinar focuses on dementia programs that serve Hispanic and LGBTQI+ communities. While well-established health initiatives may educate the Hispanic community about dementia most fail to consider Hispanic culture. That disconnect could lead to increased health disparities among Hispanic community members living with dementia. Saul Juarez Aguilar will present information on the challenges of implementing dementia initiatives in the Hispanic community and how collaboration acts as a powerful tool for promotion and sustainability. 

Sarah Bahnson will discuss challenges experienced by LGBTQI+ people living with dementia, ways to improve services and key features of the Visibility Matters Program. Learning about these topics is important as LGBTQI+ people have experienced inequity accessing services, including dementia care. Care providers may benefit from learning more about this community to better support person-first methodologies.