Alzheimer's Disease, Dementias and Healthy Aging

February Newsletter

LGBTQ+ Caregiver Virtual Support Group

VIRTUAL MEETING

2nd Thursday of the month from

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Alzheimer’s Association® caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia. This group is specifically designed for LGBTQ+ caregivers who are supporting someone diagnosed with any type of dementia.

Caregiving in Vermont

Profiles of individuals caring for family members with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia 

One in four caregivers in Vermont care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or a related neurocognitive disorder. These caregivers may face unique stressors that impact their physical and mental wellbeing. The Vermont Department of Health’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Program collected stories from four individuals who provide care for family members living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Caregivers were identified by the Health Department, the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter, and the University of Vermont Health Network’s Dementia Family Caregivers Center. They were asked to share their stories reflecting particularly on access to support, care coordination, mental and physical health impacts, and self-care. Their stories were paired with data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Countering Ageism: Rethink Aging

Dr. Becca Levy’s scientific discoveries offer stunning revelations about the mind-body connection. She demonstrates that many health problems formerly considered to be entirely due to the aging process, such as memory loss, hearing decline, and cardiovascular events, can instead influenced by the negative age beliefs that dominate in the US and many other countries. She proposes we change our perspectives and rethink aging. Based on her innovative research, stories that range from pop culture to the corporate boardroom, and her own life, Dr. Levy shows how age beliefs shape all aspects of our lives. She also presents a variety of fascinating people who have benefited from positive age beliefs as well as an entire town that has flourished with these beliefs. Breaking the Age Code offers a blueprint to reduce structural ageism for lasting change and an age-just society.

Implementing Dementia Services System-Wide:

Becoming a Prepared Leader 

Monday, February 12, 2024

3 – 4 pm EST

The BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Early Detection of Dementia at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine is pleased to offer the third in our series of conversations about interventions to promote earlier detection of dementia as a pathway to better care and improved outcomes. In this conversation we will discuss dementia leadership preparation. Please join us to hear from two leaders in the field, Kristen Felten and Dr. Lisa M. Gibbs, as they share their efforts and experience.

2022 BRFSS Data Summary published on healthvermont.gov

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a telephone survey conducted annually among adults 18 and older. The Vermont BRFSS is completed by the Vermont Department of Health in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All U.S. states, Washington D.C., and most U.S. territories participate in the BRFSS. In Vermont, each year, more than 6,000 adults are randomly and anonymously selected and interviewed as part of the BRFSS. All respondents are asked a uniform set of questions and results are weighted to represent the adult population of the state. Subjective Cognitive Decline data indicates:

• adults 45 and older who report cognitive decline, just half say they or someone else has discussed their memory loss with a health care professional (50%)
• one in ten Vermont adults ages 45 and older have experienced subjective cognitive decline in the past year (10%).



For additional data on Subjective Cognitive Decline, chronic disease and other health status indicators access the full report below.

·   The Vermont Department of Health will be moving its offices to Waterbury this winter. The move began in late January and will proceed in stages over the course of the winter. Our mailing address will change to Vermont Department of Health, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8380. All other contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses will stay the same.