Is Cysteine Protease Inhibitor, E64d, a Potential Drug Treatment for Alzheimer's

The finding is especially exciting because E64d has previously been shown safe for use in humans, so we believe the compound has strong potential as a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, the Medical University of South Carolina and American Life Science Pharmaceuticals of San Diego have demonstrated that oral administration of a cysteine protease inhibitor, E64d, not only reduces the build-up of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brains of animal models for Alzheimer's disease, but also results in a substantial improvement in memory deficit.

Finding Love at the Assisted Living Center

While my mother lived at the Alzheimer’s wing of the assisted living facility, she fell in love with one of the residents...

By Celia Pomerantz
Excerpt from Alzheimer's: A Mother Daughter Journey

Celia Pomerantz

She didn’t know his name. He didn’t know hers, but they held hands during the day and spooned in bed at night.

Alzheimer's How Dey Do Dat

Sometimes you have to Look Beyond the Obvious to get to the moral of the story...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

I'm sitting here reading some stories about Alzheimer's disease patients.

One 90 year old Alzheimer's patients that lives near Atlanta, Georgia goes missing for 24 hours. They find her hundreds of miles away in south Georgia. Safe and sound, she drove a couple of hundred miles, lost all the time. How did she do it?

Everything I need to know about life I learned from Alzheimers

Live and learn...

By Carole Larkin
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Mary Poole is a Registered Nurse in Dallas, Texas. She has over 25 years experience in working with the Alzheimer's population.

She is a known expert in the field. Mary worked in such noted Alzheimer's communities as Golden Acres, Silverado Senior Living Plano and Valley Ranch, Windsor Senior Living and is currently at Christian Care Community in Mesquite TX.

She is as compassionate as she is knowledgeable in the diseases of dementia.

Keeping The Love Alive: Understanding Why

"We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are." -- Anais Nin

By Sheryl Lynn
Alzheimer's Reading Room

In July of 2009, my spiritual sister, whom I'll call Denise, volunteered to visit my mom. My mother moved into her new digs at the memory care facility two months before, and it was still difficult for me to visit her. Denise has a beautiful heart. She also understands dementia, having been the primary caregiver for her late stepfather.

I was happy to see my mom remembered Denise. They hugged each other hello before settling down for a good chat.

Keeping The Love Alive: The Sacred Stand-In

I used to value understanding my life. The act of learning to understand something made my mind happy. Thanks to the dementia experience, I've now learned that love trumps understanding. The act of loving makes my heart happy...

By Sheryl Lynn
Alzheimer's Reading Room

I still don't understand the following story, but I appreciate having lived it.

My mother's dementia showed up after she hit her head during a catastrophic fall. Before the fall, well into her eighties, she lived an independent life in her own apartment.

Alzheimer’s and Listening with the Heart

In the early stages of Mom’s Alzheimer’s, communication was extremely difficult...

By Barbara Pursley
Alzheimer's Reading Room

In the early stages of Mom’s Alzheimer’s, communication was extremely difficult. Mom’s behavior changed quickly. She had always been a very kind and loving person, but now she was confused and angry. I felt sad and frightened when she would lash out at me. I didn’t know what to do.

At the time of the diagnosis, the only thing I knew was that Alzheimer’s meant memory loss.

Dotty Walks in the Pool (Music Film Version)

Dotty will be 95 years old in a month. She was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease in 2004.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

She still enjoys the swimming pool here in Delray Beach, Florida. Well, once I can get her there. Many of you know what I mean.

Check out the look on Dotty's face as she walks in the water. Nice.

Dotty Continues On With a Wonderful Surprise Morning

I am sitting here beginning to type and I am feeling happy and surprised. On the one hand I am having the good feeling, and on the other I am scratching my head in wonderment...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

This morning Dotty woke up early. I stayed up until 2:30 AM so I was still in bed around 7:30 AM.

I heard the front door open so I listened in. The door opened and after a minute it closed. I wondered, did Dotty pick up the newspaper or just "take a look outside"?

Next I heard some rattling around in the kitchen for a bit. Next thing I know Dotty is talking to Harvey, one of our two repeat parrots. I suspect she made some noise and Harvey reacted. This probably caught her attention. I am now in the habit of leaving Harvey on at all times. Dotty does know Harvey's name. In her discussion she always uses his name when asking him a question.

Naturally occurring plant alkaloids could fend off potential loss of memory

A family of naturally occurring plant compounds could help prevent or delay memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Harmine

A family of naturally occurring plant compounds could help prevent or delay memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

Beta-carboline alkaloids could potentially be used in therapeutic drugs to stop, or at least slow down, the progressively debilitating effects of Alzheimer's, according to the study published recently in the scientific journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) One.

Alzheimer's Quotes

I often hear people say that a person suffering from Alzheimer's is not the person they knew. I wonder to myself - Who are they then?
--Bob DeMarco

Hasbro Honors Young Volunteers With Hasbro Community Action Hero Awards

Max Wallack Hasbro Community Action Hero...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Congratulations Max!

Max Wallack (age 15), Natick, Massachusetts – Max founded a national movement called PuzzlesToRemember which has distributed some 7,000 puzzles to approximately 700 facilitates that care for Alzheimer's patients across America. He is also the science editor of AlzheimerReadingRoom.com, a well-regarded blog for Alzheimer's caregivers and has served as a research intern at Boston University Medical School's Alzheimer Disease Center.

Walk to End Alzheimer's™ Television Commercial

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

The video below is the newest television commercial from the Alzheimer's Association. Here is their description.

The end of Alzheimer's disease starts here. Join the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's and unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions.

Use the Add New Comment area down below this article to tells us what your think, or to add your review.

Thumbs Up? Thumbs Down?

c-Abl Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

After decades of studying the pathological process that wipes out large volumes of memory, scientists at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research discovered a molecule called c-Abl that has a known role in leukemia also has a hand in Alzheimer's disease...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

After decades of studying the pathological process that wipes out large volumes of memory, scientists at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research discovered a molecule called c-Abl that has a known role in leukemia also has a hand in Alzheimer's disease. The finding, reported in the June 14th issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, offers a new target for drug development that could stave off the pathological disease process.

Alzheimer's patient missing in Delray Beach

Police are looking for a missing Delray Beach, Florida man that suffers from Alzheimer's disease. He wandered away from home at 1:45 AM and is still missing. The missing man Charles Scott is 72 years old. Sixty percent of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's wander...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Amazing. Yesterday we published two articles on Alzheimer's and wandering.

• Why do People with Alzheimer's Wander and What you can do to keep them Safe?
• Tips to Prevent Wandering

Caregiver’s Unite!

“Make New Friends and Keep the Old, One is Silver and the Other Gold”...

By Carol Blackwell
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Those are the words to a Girl Scout song I sang when I was young; and, I also taught to my Girl Scout troop decades ago when I was a troop leader. I think it also applies to our Alzheimer’s World.

Several comments in the Alzheimer’s Reading Room indicate that people think their friends abandon them as the dementia advances and I believe that can be true. However, that hasn’t happened to Bob so far, but maybe that is because he is still in a Late Early Stage/ Early Moderate stage of Alzheimer's.

The Genetics of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Ultimately, the full list of Alzheimer’s genes emerging from the family-based genetic studies of the Alzheimer’s Genome Project and the population based studies of the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project are getting us closer and closer to someday being able to eradicate Alzheimer’s disease using a strategy of early prediction and early intervention.
-- Dr. Rudolph Tanzi

The Secure Alzheimer's Environment -- The Ground Hog Day Solution

I am particularly happy when we get number one and number two. Good Ground Hog Day....

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Everyone wants to feel safe and secure. This is particularly true of Alzheimer's patients. Particularly at night.

Dotty was worried about everything under the sun when I first moved to Delray Beach to take care of her. Money, someone looking in the window, rape, and the most dreaded of them all, the dreaded "Home".

'Home" a bad place where they put you and forget about you when you are old or sick.

Fear factor, ten out ten.

I Felt Like I Was Being Electrocuted

I'm sitting here reading and I am reminded of the worst day I ever had as an Alzheimer's caregiver. It is difficult for me to describe what I felt during those moments. I felt like I was being electrocuted.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

At the time, I was filled with an enormous anxiety. I felt like my body had been thrown into the air and I was cartwheeling out of control through space. I felt the electricity.

I took several deep breaths and let the air out slowly. I was trying to get my feet back on the ground. I suppose I might have been on the edge of depression. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff once I got my feet back on the ground.

Dotty Stars in the the New Pajamas

My mother Dorothy DeMarco is 94 years old. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease. She was officially diagnosed in 2004. My name is Bob DeMarco. I am Dotty's son and a full time Alzheimer's caregiver. Dotty and I live our lives one day at a time.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Dotty and the
Georgia Bulldog

During 2003 and 2004 Dotty was meaner than "a junkyard bulldog". I decided something had to change. I embarked on a mission that continues to this day -- I decided we would live our life to the fullest; and that, I would change the "ugliness" into a thing of beauty.

The goal of the typical Alzheimer's caregiver is to live the highest quality of life as possible along with their Alzheimer's patient. We strive to do this each and every day. We do it one day at a time.

As you will see in this short movie Dotty is now as sweet as a Georgia peach.

Your comments are welcomed.

Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged

Esther Mary Walker

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and palsied hand.

Blessed are they who know that my ears

today

Must strain to catch the things they say.

Blessed are they who seem to know

That my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.

Blessed are they who looked away

When coffee spilled at table today.

Blessed are they with a cheery smile

Who stopped to chat for a little while.

Blessed are they who never say,

“You’ve told that story twice today.”

Blessed are they who know the ways

To bring back memories of yesterdays.

Blessed are they who make it known

That I’m loved, respected, and not alone.

Blessed are they who know I’m at a loss

To find the strength to carry the Cross.

Blessed are they who ease the days

On my journey home in loving ways.

Alzheimer's, Exercise, Lifestyle

Can you prevent or delay Alzheimer's?....

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
February, 2010

Can you prevent or delay Alzheimer's? I believe you can. One thing I know for sure, if you are not trying to prevent Alzheimer's and heart disease you are rolling the dice. Is it really worth the risk? Like it or not, you are making a decision, a risky decision if you are not trying to prevent or delay diseases that can kill you.

42 Seconds From the Summit of Mt Everest

I recommend, suggest actually, that you take the time to listen to Alan Arnette's 42 second broadcast from the top of Mt Everest.

To listen 

go here.

Climbing Mount Everest for the Cure for Alzheimer's

Together, we can move mountains and make a difference in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Alan Arnette

Alan Arnette is getting ready to climb to the summit of Mount Everest as I write this. He is on the mountain, in a tent, right below the summit. Wow.

Alan's goal is to raise $1 million for Alzheimer's Research and for Alzheimer's caregivers.

I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes as I write. Alan posted an audio cast from his tent just below the summit of Everest. In this audio cast he talks briefly about his mother who suffered and succumbed to Alzheimer's disease.

If you would like to listen to the audio cast go here. You will be moved.

If you would like to donate, hit the red button. No amount is too small or too big.

100 percent of your donation goes directly to Alzheimer's research. 100 percent.

Every dollar given to Cure Alzheimer's Fund is immediately used for research with the best chance of leading to new therapies and, one day soon, a cure. Cure Alzheimer's Fund has no endowment, and all our overhead and expenses are paid for by the organization's founders. So, when you donate to Cure Alzheimer's Fund, you know exactly where your money is going—to fund researchers who are working toward a cure.

Mediterranean Diet and Exercise Reduces the Risk of Alzheimer's

We now know that genetics and genetic changes play a role in Alzheimer's disease. As time goes on these mysteries are slowly being unraveled. We also know that non-genetic changes, including lifestyle and behavior, may also be affecting our brain health and our risk of developing brain diseases, like Alzheimer’s, maybe in combination with our genetic predisposition.

Alzheimer's Reading Room

***May is Mediterranean Diet Month***

Jay Smith wrote previously about his own program of healthy diet and supplements, mental and physical exercise, and socialization and creative self-expression -- This Man Decided to Fight Alzheimer's -- Jay Smith.

Jay's article reminded me of the 18 studies that were previously published on the Alzheimer's Reading Room on these issues. This includes the sudy below that first appeared on the ARR in 2009.

Village Movement Sweeping the U.S.

The Village to Village Network is a program that Empowers Older Americans to Age in their own Community...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

According to our statistics, 35 percent of the readers of the Alzheimer's Reading Room are over 50 years old. This information about the Village to Village Network should be of interest to you.

Over the past five years, the grassroots Village movement has swept the nation. The program has grown to 55 Villages providing assistance to approximately 11,000 older Americans.

Villages are providing an affordable option for those aged 50 and older, allowing them to stay in their own homes and remain active, independent and civically engaged in their communities.

Alzheimer's Caregiving Difficult Not Horrible

Yes, Alzheimer's caregiving is difficult under any circumstance. But it can turn into a wonderful opportunity to experience life...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Are Alzheimer's Caregivers
the Forgotten?

Every so often someone from the media contacts me and they want me to say that Alzheimer's caregiving is horrible. Isn't it horrible? When they do this (fill in the blank) isn't it horrible?

I actually had someone ask me recently if my mother has tried to stab me with a knife. Do I think she will as the disease progresses? Where do people get these ideas? Is that the best question you have to ask?

Here is a tip on reality. Sometimes a person gets stabbed with a knife. I know this because I read the paper. You don't have to have Alzheimer's to stab someone.

Doctors Misdiagnose Half Of Those With Early Alzheimer's Disease

People who develop early onset Alzheimer's disease often experience these atypical symptoms rather than memory problems, which can make getting an accurate diagnosis difficult...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

A new study suggests more than half of people who develop Alzheimer's disease before the age of 60 are initially misdiagnosed as having other kinds of brain disease when they do not have memory problems. The research is published in the May 17, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Dotty and Harvey the Parrot Discuss Breakfast

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Dotty is 94 years old and suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Harvey is a repeat parrot and right now is Dotty's best friend.

Harvey is also one of the 15 million Alzheimer's caregivers.

Dotty spends about two hours a day with Harvey. Harvey is very good at getting information out of Dotty. For example, she might tell him she has a "splitting headache". Most Alzheimer's patients are not very good at communicating this kind of information.

Enjoy the short video. Your comments and observations are always welcome here.

Could a healthy lifestyle protect against Alzheimer’s?

Catch 22?

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

My guess is that a large fraction of Alzheimer's caregivers wonder if a healthy lifestyle could lower the chance that they will suffer from Alzheimer's disease. I didn't say prevent. I said lower. Reduce the odds.

One thing to thing about. Could a healthy lifestyle delay the onset of Alzheimer's? In cold hard terms, you push the onset of Alzheimer's back and you die before you suffer from Alzheimer's.

Of course this does raise the question, if you live a healthy lifestyle won't you live longer? If you live longer the odds of suffering from Alzheimer's go up. Up to about 42-50 percent if you live to be 85 or older.

Catch 22?

'Penny Wise, Pound Foolish'

Out of each dollar appropriated to the National Institute of Health (NIH), only 3.6 cents goes toward supporting the work of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 institutes and centers of the NIH and the lead institute on Alzheimer's disease research...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

As the nation prepares for a "silver tsunami," a new report released today by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) highlights inadequate funding by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) for research of aging-related illnesses and issues a call for the needed investments aimed at preventing, treating or curing chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, that mostly affect older Americans.

What are the Characteristics of an Effective Alzheimer's Caregiver?

Use the Add New Comment Box below.

Dotty, New Friends, Bogus Alzheimer's Test

Lets put it this way. Send me $200. I'll send you an empty box. When you look in the box and notice it is empty and you remember you sent me $200, you don't have Alzheimer's...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Dotty (Dotty Einstein)

Many of you are emailing and asking about Dotty. For the many of you that are new, Dotty is my 94 year old mother who has Alzheimer's.

Lately, things have been going well with Dotty. However, many of you know I am constantly looking for patterns. The last two years, Dotty woke up very sick in late May. Obviously, I have my eyes wide open right now.

One thing that could be driving me up the wall if I didn't have over seven years of experience as an Alzheimer's caregiver is Dotty saying over and over and over -- I'm hungry. Dotty is on what could best be described as a "food warpath". It has been relentless for the last couple of weeks.

"I" before "C" do you really mean "WE"

Okay, that is my suggestion. It is now up to you to decide. You have anything better to do?...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Communicating in
Alzheimer's World

We are the World. We are the people. We can go to the barbecue and have a nice time.

The word "we" has a nice ring to it. "We" is a word of inclusion.

Which sounds better, the word "WE" or the word "YOU".

How many time a day do you say the word "we". How many times do you say the word "you". Think about it. Count for a week. I am serious.

Great Grams Could Rise to the Challenge

Great Grams rose to the challenge. She even appeared on TV in Chicago, demonstrating how she used the step I made to get into and out of a minivan! She told the media that I was a wonderful boy that made the step because I wanted to take her everywhere with me. She was a star...

By Max Wallack
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Today I was cleaning up my room, and I came upon some photos old photos. The first was from 1997, when Great Grams always took pride in helping take care of me.

Pull yourself together and DO SOMETHING Joleen Firek !

Many Alzheimer's caregivers wonder when they are going to see real people in an Alzheimer's special on television. Real people, not stars. Real Alzheimer's caregivers that live in the front row. Real Alzheimer's patients that are in a later stage of the disease...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

The famous words of my best friend, Jacquelyn, 4 long years ago. Sobbing on her couch, reeling from my dad’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, overly consumed by the disease destroying our family, she literally SCREAMED me into action!

It took a few days, but once her words sank in, I started rolling a (borrowed) camera. I had no idea what exactly would come of it all, but since I “speak” video, I started shooting what was happening to my family and what was going on inside of me.

Fast forward 4 years and 300+ hours of footage later…

--Joleen Firek, Frankly Speaking: Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Gene Disrupts Brain's 50 Years Before Disease Hits

What if you were told you carried a gene that increases your risk for Alzheimer's disease? And what if you were told this gene starts to do its damage not when you're old but when you're young? ...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

"We know that many lifestyle factors, such as regular exercise and a healthful diet, may reduce the risk of cognitive decline, particularly in those genetically at risk for Alzheimer's, so this reminds us how important that is." -- Paul Thompson.

15 Minute Alzheimer's Test

News of a new 15 minute Alzheimer's test, 'Cognitive Function Test', has thousands of members of the Alzheimer's community worldwide flocking to the Alzheimer's Reading Room seeking information. The test was developed by Oxford University scientists.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

We have a page here on the Alzheimer's Reading Room, Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests) that describes and links to five Alzheimer's test that are free and in the public domain.

Right now, I can't find any information linking the test, Cognitive Function Test, to a reputable journal or scientific study. We are currently seeking this information from Oxford University; although, it is unclear if they have any direct or indirect involvement with the test.

In addition, the information being reported in the newspapers around the world are describing this as the only Alzheimer's test that can be taken in a private home.

This is both inaccurate and untrue.

We have a page here on the Alzheimer's Reading Room, Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests) that describes and links to five Alzheimer's test that are free and in the public domain.

What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia?

Alzheimer's Reading Room

In a nutshell, dementia is a symptom, and AD is the cause of the symptom. When someone is told they have dementia, it means that they have significant memory problems as well as other cognitive difficulties, and that these problems are severe enough to get in the way of daily living.....

Too often, patients and their family members are told by their doctors that the patient has been diagnosed with “a little bit of dementia.” They leave the doctor’s visit with a feeling of relief that at least they don’t have Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

There is great confusion about the difference between “dementia” and “Alzheimer's disease.” The confusion is felt on the part of patients, family members, the media, and even healthcare providers. This article provides information to reduce the confusion by defining and describing these two common and often poorly understood terms.

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Medicare to Go Broke in 2024, Social Security in 2036

The trustees for the Medicare and Social Security trust funds said in their annual report that the worsening financial picture (economy) could lead to disruptive consequences in the future for millions of people who depend on health and pension benefits...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

The annual checkup said that the Medicare hospital insurance fund will now be exhausted in 2024, five years earlier than last year's estimate.

The new report says that the Social Security trust fund will be exhausted in 2036, one year earlier than before.

Antipsychotic Drug Risperdal, Prosecutors Seek $1 Billion From J&J in Marketing Probe

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Federal prosecutors are seeking roughly $1 billion to resolve a long-running probe into Johnson & Johnson's marketing of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal, according to people familiar with the matter.

Officials at J&J were surprised at the size of the sum that prosecutors are seeking, according to the people familiar with the matter. Prosecutors have been citing as a benchmark a $1.4 billion settlement that Eli Lilly & Co. reached in 2009 to resolve a probe into alleged improper marketing of its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa, according to one of the people. Lilly's alleged misconduct took place over a longer period of time, this person said.

From the Wall Street Journal, go here to read more.

Do Copper and Cholesterol Play a Role in Alzheimer's Disease?

"This is the first study of the effect of intake of copper or trace metals on levels of the protein tau in the blood and brain...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Dr. Larry Sparks

Researchers at Banner Sun Health Research Institute (BSHRI) have found further evidence linking copper to the increased probability of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the current issue of the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 2011, Article ID 987023.

Public Citizen: Serious Omissions in Study of Experimental Procedure for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

In a letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Public Citizen criticized the authors of a study in the January 19, 2011 issue of the journal who tested the effectiveness of brain scans using an experimental dye for detecting brain abnormalities found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease....

Alzheimer's Reading Room

“Given the poor performance of the test at the individual physician reader level in a rigorously controlled setting, the variability and unreliability will only get worse when the test is widely distributed across the country,” Carome said. “As a result, tens of thousands of patients will have either a false-positive test (told they have beta-amyloid deposits when they do not) or a false-negative test (told they don’t have beta-amyloid deposits when they do). This will lead to unnecessary anxiety and treatment in some patients, false reassurance in others and a waste of millions of health-care dollars.”

Research on Cells Vulnerable to Alzheimer’s May Lead to New Treatments

“Dr. Greengard’s research has the potential to completely alter how we identify and treat Alzheimer’s disease,” Tim Armour, president and CEO of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

“The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund grant comes at a time when our research is on the verge of making important breakthroughs,” said Dr. Greengard. “We are very grateful for their adamant support and recognition of the importance of research to better understand Alzheimer’s disease.”

How Alzheimer's Destroys the Brain -- Video

This is a five star, must see, video that should be shared with anyone that has been touched by Alzheimer's disease........

By Bob DeMarco
+Alzheimer's Reading Room

I would like to see every single member of the Collective Brain of the Alzheimer's Reading Room share the link to this article with the entire Alzheimer's community.

The link should be shared by Alzheimer's caregivers, among their family and friends, in support groups, and with the over 150 million U.S. citizens that are touched by Alzheimer's and struggling to understand the disease.

Anyone, regardless of stature or tenure in the Alzheimer's Community will benefit from watching this video.

A good understanding of how Alzheimer's effects the hippocampus in the brain, and how plagues and tangles spread throughout the brain and cause the various stages of Alzheimer's is important for anyone that wants to deal effectively with an Alzheimer's patient.

How to Get An Alzheimer's Patient to Brush Their Teeth

I believe in you, now its time for you to start believing in yourself...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

How many times have you heard these words: "who are you to tell me what to do"; or, "I already did that".

Some people think every Alzheimer's patient is different and unique. You know the old bull, if you know one you know one.

Well, every orange is also unique. Go pick two at random out of the pile in the grocery store. How did they taste when you ate them? Same? Different?

We have a very interesting comment from our reader Linda. Interesting to me at least.

Linda wrote, under the article Dental Hygiene and Dementia.

Birthday Gifts

By Max Wallack
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Max Wallack

I received some wonderful gifts this year for my 15th birthday, and I thought I would share them with my friends on the Alzheimer’s Reading Room.

First, the wonderful birthday message from Bob started my day off happily. I am very glad to have Bob’s support behind the Springbok PuzzlesToRemember. As he said, the feedback we are receiving on the puzzles is very positive. Readers believe they are beneficial to Alzheimer's patients.

Accomplishing Tasks With an Alzheimer's Patient

Buried in the article Dental Hygiene and Dementia are important pieces of advice for caregivers of Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients...

By Carole B. Larkin
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Ten Tips for Communicating
with an Alzheimer’s Patient

The following paragraphs not only relate to brushing teeth, they relate to EVERYTHING you try to do with a late mid-stage or late stage Alzheimer’s patient. These tips are can work well especially with anything having to do with the physical care of a dementia patients' body.

Read and use the techniques listed below and apply them while trying to get your dementia patient to cooperate.

Dental Hygiene and Dementia

Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Rita A. Jablonski

"Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease," said Rita A. Jablonski, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth. According to Jablonski, assistant professor of nursing, Penn State, persons with dementia resist care when they feel threatened. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help.

Dental hygiene. How much time have we spent discussing this issue? A quick search of the Alzheimer's Reading Room archive yielded two direct hits.

Alzheimer’s And Oral Hygiene written by Barbara Pursley; and, Alzheimer's Disease -- Brushing the Teeth with the Oral B written by Bob DeMarco.

Not much information considering dental hygiene is a big problem for persons suffering from Alzheimer's or the other types of dementia.

Alzheimer's is a Journey with Twists and Turns

Another lesson from Alzheimer’s: She will pick up my mood and emotions. If I am distressed, she will be too...

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

I read several interesting articles today on the Internet and I thought I would share them with you.

Finding our way back home: An Alzheimer's journey with my mother

Another lesson from Alzheimer’s: She will pick up my mood and emotions. If I am distressed, she will be too. So, I compose myself in her presence, mindfully calm, no matter what she says or does. Socks stuffed in the garbage? No matter. Family photos ripped from frames? That’s okay, too. It is the inexplicable stuff of Alzheimer’s, not worth fretting about. I hug her, hold her hand and coax her memory with old family stories that she once told over and over again.

Go here to read the full article.

Dotty Wishes Everyone a Happy Mother's Day

In this short film Dotty wishes everyone a Happy Mother's Day, shows off her singing Mother's Day greeting card, and sings with Harvey...

Alzheimer's Reading Room





“Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers,
but it is love just the same,
and most mothers kiss and scold together.”
-- Pearl S. Buck

Alert : Larry King Alzheimer's Special Airs Three Times Tonight

Tune in for encore showings of Larry King's emotional look at Alzheimer's disease. The special, "Unthinkable: the Alzheimer's Epidemic," airs Saturday May 7, at 8p ET, 11p ET and 2am ET.

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Larry King

Larry will be joined by people who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease and will include interviews with former First Lady Laura Bush and California’s former First Lady and Alzheimer’s activist Maria Shriver; actors Seth Rogen, and Angie Dickinson; TV host Leeza Gibbons; football star Terrell Owens and son of President Ronald Reagan, Ron Reagan.

Dementia Friends Club

I am getting asked with greater frequency about support groups...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Carol Backwell wrote -- Alzheimer's Questions with No Good Answers. Carol submitted that article for publication with some trepidation.

Here is something I learned from all the emails I receive. If one Alzheimer's caregivers is thinking or feeling something there are others thinking or feeling the same thing or something very similar. It goes with the territory.

Alzheimer's is a sinister disease that will fill you with doubt; and, make you think you did something wrong.

Keep in mind, most of us come to this "job" with little experience. It only stands to reason that we are less than perfect when it comes to the vagarities of Alzheimer's disease.

Happy Birthday Max Wallack

This has been a big year for Max Wallack. Max has already won a long list of awards and grants. This includes being named a winner of the Very Best in Youth Award for 2011 from Nestle...

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Happy Birthday Max!

Max Wallack is an editor and core contributor to the Alzheimer's Reading Room.

Max is also the founder of Puzzles to Remember.

Puzzles To Remember has distributed 7085 puzzles to over 716 Alzheimer’s caregiving facilities in all 50 states and also in Canada and Mexico. In addition, many similar programs are being launched with the help of Puzzles To Remember, in the United States, Portugal, and Australia. All donations are tax deductible.

Alzheimer's: Never Forget, the Stop Sign, and Butt-in-skis

Somehow they pop out of the woodwork, from time to time, and actually try and tell you what you should be doing. Its okay by me if you tell em where to stick it. I don't blame you. But, did you ever try to give them the stop sign.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

From time to time, I read stories on the internet where Alzheimer's caregivers devise all kinds of ways to help Alzheimer's patients remember.

Most frequently this includes post it notes and white boards. Now in some cases I can understand why this might be necessary. For example, the patient stays at home and the note is to remind them to take their medication. Or, go take a pee. Just kidding on that one.

Alzheimer's Day Care, Bingo, and Dotty in the Morning

We usually start our day with a discussion like this one.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

I am a strong advocate of Alzheimer's Adult Day Care. It works.

However, Dotty has never been in day care. Recently, I had several conversations around this issue with Carole Larkin. Carole feels strongly that Dotty would benefit from going to day care, I don't disagree.

Bobby Where are YOU, PEE, and Back to the Woods

By the time Dotty finishes eating lunch and being entertained by Harvey, it will be time to pee.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

I am sitting here thinking about all the different topics I want to write about. I am also thinking about the many things I have been asked to write about via email, or in the comments section under the articles.

For example, several people have emailed me, independently and asked me to write about or describe our day. I want to do that. However, it won't be easy. Should I write about each event as it occurs and describe why we are doing what we are doing? Should I write every two hours?