Alzheimer's
Foundation of America

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Statement on FDA Advisory Committee’s Approval of New Alzheimer’s Drug

(June 11, 2024)- “We are encouraged by the FDA’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee’s unanimous approval of donanemab and are optimistic that, if fully approved by the FDA, it will make a positive difference in the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers. The FDA should keep the review process moving forward and set a date for final determination.

“This is a positive sign of continuing progress, but we must keep moving forward toward the finish line, which is a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Federal policymakers must continue increasing investments in Alzheimer’s disease research and support services for caregivers.”

4 Home Safety Tips for Families Affected by Dementia During National Safety Month This June

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Provides
Tips to Make Homes Safer and More Dementia-Friendly

(June 6, 2024)— As part of National Safety Month this June, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering 4 home safety tips for families caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness.

“Every family caregiver’s number one priority is making sure their loved one is safe, but most homes are not designed with the needs of someone living with dementia in mind,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational & Social Services. “From smart technology to simply removing clutter, there are steps caregivers can take to make a home safer and more dementia-friendly, improving their loved one’s quality of life as well as their own.”
AFA offers the following 4 tips to caregivers:

Embrace technology. Technological tools can provide additional support to caregivers, especially when they are not home with the individual living with dementia. These include:

• Smart smoke/carbon monoxide alarms which allow caregivers to test the system and be notified if there is an emergency or if a battery needs changing, all through an app. These devices can also be programmed to have a friendly human voice that alerts residents to danger and also its location, instead of a traditional loud beeping sound.
• App-controlled thermostats that allow caregivers to check, program, and adjust the home’s temperature remotely to ensure the home is not overheating or too cold.
• Video doorbells that enable caregivers to receive smart phone notifications when someone is approaching or leaving the home, as well as see in real time. They also provide a real-time view and the ability to talk through the doorbell to the person at the door.
• Automatic fire extinguishers which magnetically attach to the inside of the hood of a stove and dispense baking soda if a cooking fire occurs.

Remove clutter and tripping hazards. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults aged 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dementia can negatively impact a person’s balance and gait, making them even more susceptible to falling. Take steps to eliminate potential tripping hazards, such as clutter, loose wires, and throw rugs. Use bathroom rugs that have rubberized backing to reduce slipping, and if the person is experiencing mobility problems, only put the rugs out during bath time.  

Small adaptations can make a big difference.  Relatively inexpensive adaptations that greatly improve safety for someone living with dementia: covering sharp edges of furniture and countertops with rubber corner protectors, placing floor-level night lights in hallways or bathrooms that automatically illuminate in the dark, and utilizing grab bars in showers and toilet paper holders to aid with transferring.  

Being mindful of color choices, contrast, and lighting. Dementia can impair eyesight and negatively affect a person’s ability to judge distance and space. Color contrast is important, as it supports vision, depth perception and spatial orientation. Using different colors in such things as contrasting furniture and floor colors enhances the individual’s ability to navigate and interact with their environment safely. Use glare-free lighting whenever possible, as glare-producing lights could affect the vision for someone with dementia.  

AFA created a model dementia-friendly home, called “The Apartment,” to showcase these and other steps families can take to make a home safer and more dementia-friendly. Learn more at www.alzfdn.org/theapartment or call AFA’s Helpline at 866-232-8484 to speak with a licensed social worker.

Traveling with a Loved One Living with Dementia this Memorial Day Weekend? Follow These Seven Tips

In Advance of the Busiest Memorial Day Travel Weekend in Nearly 20 Years, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Offers Tips to Caregivers

(May 20, 2024)— With the busiest Memorial Day travel weekend in nearly two decades approaching—according to AAA, an estimated 43.8 million Americans are projected to travel between May 23 and 27—the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing important tips to families and friends traveling with someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness.

“Taking a trip during Memorial Day Weekend can be a fun way to kick off the summer season for someone affected by dementia if caregivers make the proper preparations and adaptations,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Whether traveling by car or mass transit, there are a few steps caregivers can follow to make traveling more comfortable, less stressful, and more enjoyable for their loved ones and themselves.”

When planning the trip:

Make sure travel is advisable. Someone in the early stages of dementia might still enjoy traveling, but as the disease progresses, it could become too overwhelming an experience. Depending on the trip’s length and/or the stage of the person’s illness, it may be best to consult with a physician to make sure travel is advisable.

Plan around the person’s abilities and routine. Plan the travel mode and timing of your trip so that it causes the least amount of anxiety and stress. Incorporate the person, their abilities, and needs when making arrangements. If they travel more easily at a specific time of day, try to plan accordingly. Small or unfamiliar changes can be overwhelming  for someone with dementia, so as much as possible, preserve the person’s routine. For example, if they normally eat around a certain time, build that into your itinerary.

Avoid overscheduling. Scheduling many activities and experiences during a trip can be tempting; however, it could overstimulate someone living with dementia, potentially causing confusion, agitation, or anxiety. Be sure to build in downtime to allow the person to rest and recharge. Focus on spending quality time together rather than the number of sites, attractions, and activities.

Stock up before leaving. Bring snacks, water, activities such as puzzles, and comfort items (i.e., a blanket or the person’s favorite sweater), as well as an extra set of comfortable clothing to be able to adapt to climate changes. Take important health and legal-related documentation, a list of current medications, and physician information with you.

If traveling by car:

Build in break time. Take regular breaks on road trips for food, bathroom visits, and rest.

If traveling by mass transit:

Know the security procedures. Check in advance about the airport/train stations’ security screening procedures. This way, you can familiarize the person beforehand with what will happen at the checkpoint; this can reduce potential anxiety. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers assistance with the screening process to air travelers with certain medical conditions, including dementia-related illnesses; contact their TSA Cares Helpline at least 72 hours prior to your flight to learn more.

Advise the airline. Let the airline know that you’re traveling with someone who has memory impairment and tell them about safety concerns and your loved one’s special needs.

Families and friends with questions about traveling with someone who has a dementia-related illness can speak with a licensed social worker through the AFA Helpline by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), or webchat (www.alzfdn.org). The Helpline is available seven days a week.

5 Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day With Someone Who Has Dementia

With Women Accounting for Two-Thirds of All Individuals Living with Alzheimer’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Offers Tips for Families Affected by Dementia

(May 8, 2024)— Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12.  As women account for two-thirds of all Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering five tips so families and loved ones can honor their special women who live with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. 

“Mother’s Day is all about honoring the mother figures in our lives who loved, nurtured, and supported us. If a special woman in your life lives with dementia, taking a few small steps will go a long way to help her feel the love and appreciation she deserves on Mother’s Day,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Making a few minor adaptations can help celebrate the bond you share with your loved one in a dementia-friendly manner.”

Here are five tips for families impacted by dementia to help celebrate a joyful Mother’s Day:

• Make your own Mother’s Day card. Write a Mother’s Day card and read it aloud to your loved one. Even if they can no longer grasp the full meaning, the act of writing and sharing it can uplift your spirits and those of your loved one.
• Create new memories using a strengths-based, person-centered approach. Quality time together is one of the best Mother’s Day gifts. When planning activities, take a strengths-based and person-centered approach and incorporate what the person can currently do, and what they presently choose to do. Focus on those things that are pleasurable and let go of activities that may be too stressful.
• Reminisce together. Familiar faces and old photos can bring joy and comfort to someone living with dementia, even if the person can’t remember the names. It’s a good way to connect with your loved one and evoke positive memories. Look at old photos together and describe them for your loved one as you go through them: for example, who the people are, or what the occasion was. Avoid asking questions like, “do you remember?”  that can embarrass someone living with a memory disorder.  Be patient and attentive when listening to your loved one’s stories and memories. Validate their feelings and experiences, even if they don’t align with reality. This validation reinforces the feeling of being heard and understood.
• Adapt old favorites. Dementia-related illnesses can impact a person’s ability to do things as they previously did, so it’s important to be flexible, creative, and patient. If the person once loved going to a certain restaurant, for example, order food from the establishment instead and have a feast at home. Break down complex activities into simpler, more manageable steps.  If your loved one enjoyed cooking, focus on tasks like mixing ingredients rather than following elaborate recipes.
• The gift of flowers has therapeutic benefits. Flowers are a very popular Mother’s Day gift, and they can be especially beneficial for someone living with dementia. The scent can help improve mood, promote positive feelings, and stimulate the brain. Flowers also have a calming effect that reduces agitation and stress. Purchase a bouquet of fresh flowers, (preferably those that are non-toxic to humans or pets, such as roses, orchids, or sunflowers) set the flowers on a table, and enjoy their fragrance together.

AFA’s Helpline, staffed entirely by licensed social workers who are specifically trained in dementia care, can provide additional information and support for families. The Helpline is available seven days a week by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), and web chat (www.alzfdn.org).

10 Healthy Aging Tips for Older Americans Month This May

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Offers Lifestyle Choices
That Promote Healthy Aging & Help Reduce Dementia Risk

(May 1, 2024)— As part of Older Americans Month this May, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering 10 steps for healthy aging so that older adults can be proactive about their brain health. 

“As we honor and celebrate the older adults who are a vital, vibrant part of our communities during National Older Americans Month, we also want to help them to be proactive about their brain health, because the risk of developing dementia increases with age,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Empowering older adults with information about positive, brain-healthy lifestyle choices they can make will go a long way to helping them remain active members of our society for years to come.” 

AFA encourages individuals to follow the following ten steps for healthy aging:

  1. Eat Well– Adopt a low-fat diet high on fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, blueberries, and broccoli. Take daily vitamins. Limit intake of red meats, fried and processed foods, salt, and sugar. In general, foods that are “heart healthy” are also “brain healthy.”

  2. Stay Active– Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and can also help improve mood and general well-being. Brisk walking benefits brain health; aerobic exercise boosts your heart rate; weight training builds strength and flexibility.

  3. Learn New Things- Learning new things exercises and strengthens your brain. Taking a class, trying a new activity, or engaging in any new cognitive pursuit causes your brain to think outside of its normal routine and provides cognitive stimulation. Even something as simple as brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand stimulates the brain.

  4. Get Enough Sleep– Getting consistent sleep every night is key; at least seven to nine hours is ideal. Having a good sleep environment is also helpful. Make sure you do low-key activities before getting into bed so you are not overstimulated. Avoid caffeinated drinks close to your bedtime. Insomnia can have serious physical effects and negatively affect memory and thinking.

  5. Mind Your Meds– Medication can affect everyone differently, especially as you age. When getting a new medication or something you have not taken recently, (whether over the counter or prescription), consult with your doctor or local pharmacist.

  6. Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol– Smoking can increase the risk of other serious illnesses, while too much alcohol can impair judgment and cause accidents, including falls, broken bones, and car crashes.

  7. Stay Connected– Prolonged social isolation and loneliness are detrimental to your health, and can increase the risk of a number of different health conditions, including dementia-related illnesses, heart disease, and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Spending time with loved ones and friends, participating in group activities, and getting involved in local community groups are all ways of connecting with other people, keeping your brain active, and helping you feel more engaged with the world around you.

  8. Know Your Blood Pressure– Blood pressure can affect your cognitive functioning. Visit your physician regularly to check your blood pressure and make sure it is within normal range.

  9. See Your Doctor– Maintain checkups. Health screenings are key to managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, all of which can impact brain health. Speak with your physician about any health-related concerns or questions you have.

  10. Get a Memory Screening– Memory impairments are not a normal part of aging; they can be caused by a number of different conditions. Because of this, early detection of memory impairments is essential. Memory screenings are quick, noninvasive screenings that should be part of everyone’s health and wellness routine, even if you’re not currently experiencing memory issues. AFA offers free virtual memory screenings every weekday, with no minimum age or insurance prerequisites—click here for more information about getting a free virtual memory screening. 

Individuals wishing to learn more about healthy aging and promoting good brain health can contact the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Helpline at 866-232-8484 or through the blue and white chat icon in the lower corner of this page. The Helpline is available seven days a week.

Six Stress Reduction Tips for Caregivers During National Stress Awareness Month in April

Tips for Family Caregivers from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

(April 1, 2024)— Stress doesn’t just affect your mood—it can have long-term health impacts as well if you don’t take steps to manage it constructively. For individuals who face the stressful task of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering six stress reduction tips for caregivers as part of National Stress Awareness Month (April).

“Family caregivers often find it challenging to make time for themselves, but being proactive about addressing caregiver stress and self-care is not selfish; it’s essential and it benefits both the caregiver and the person for whom they are caring,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “Failing to manage stress increases the risks of caregiver burnout, depression, and many other mental and physical health issues. Caregivers need to take care of themselves so they can provide the best possible care for their loved ones.”

Family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias are at greater risk for anxiety, depression, and poorer quality of life than caregivers of people with other conditions, and provide care for a longer duration of time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

AFA offers these six stress reduction tips for family caregivers:

Be adaptable and positive. Your attitude influences stress levels for both you and the person you’re caring for. If you can “go with the flow,” and avoid fighting the current, that will help you both stay relaxed—conversely, becoming aggravated or agitated will increase the chances that your person will as well. Focus on how to adjust to the situation in a constructive way.

Deal with what you can control. Some things are totally out of your control. What is in your power to control is how you respond and react to these outside factors. Concentrating on finding solutions can help make the problem itself a little less stressful. 

Set realistic goals and go slow. Everything cannot be resolved at once, nor does it need to be. Don’t hold yourself to unrealistic expectations. Prioritize, set practical goals, do your best to achieve them, and take things one day at a time.

Mind your health. Inadequate rest, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all exacerbate stress (and cause other health problems as well). As best you can, make it a priority to get sleep, eat right, drink plenty of water and find ways to be active. You cannot provide quality care to a loved one if you don’t take care of yourself.

Clear and refresh your mind. Exercise, yoga, meditating, listening to music or even taking a few deep breaths can all help relax the mind and reduce stress. Find something that works for you and do it regularly!

Share your feelings. Disconnecting from your support structure and staying bottled-up increases stress.  Whether it’s with a loved one, trusted friend or a professional, don’t be reluctant to talk about your stress, because that can actually help relieve it!  AFA’s Helpline has licensed social workers available for caregivers seven days to provide support or even just listen.

AFA’s Helpline, staffed entirely by licensed social workers who are specifically trained in dementia care, can provide additional information and support for families. The Helpline is available seven days a week by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), and web chat (click the blue and white chat icon in the corner of this page).

Protecting Individuals with Dementia from Wandering During the Winter: 4 Tips from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America   

Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior in individuals living with a dementia-related illness.   

(January 22, 2024)— To help families protect their loved ones with dementia from the potential dangers of wandering in cold winter areas, where frigid temperatures, snow, and ice create additional safety risks, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing four tips dementia family caregivers can use to reduce the chances of wandering during the winter and be prepared to quickly respond to an emergency. 

Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior in individuals with dementia. Once the individual shows signs of wandering, they are at high-risk of wandering away or becoming lost. They can become disoriented, unable to remember how to get back home, or know how, or who, to call for help. They could leave the home without dressing appropriately.  

“Wandering or getting lost can occur at any stage of Alzheimer’s disease. So there are serious risk factors that dementia family caregivers need to be mindful of, especially now in cold, windier weather areas,” said Jennifer Reeder, LCSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services. “The disease can cause disorientation and confusion, which can lead to the person getting when they may be in search of something or someone or attempting to escape excessive stimuli. Taking steps to address the reasons why someone may leave their environment, while also having an emergency plan ready, are two major ways family caregivers can protect their loved one’s wellbeing during the winter and throughout the year.” 

AFA offers these four tips to help families protect their loved ones with dementia from wandering during the winter: 

Understand the causes of wandering. Walking outdoors can bring a feeling of purposefulness and pleasure to someone living with dementia, especially if they have lived an active lifestyle and enjoyed the outdoors before the onset of dementia. Identify consistent and sustainable ways to support these experiences in a safe environment, such as creating walking paths around the home with visual cue; engaging the person in simple tasks; and providing stimulating and enjoyable activities (i.e., exercise, music, crafts). 

Wandering can also be a response to excessive stimuli, triggered by the need to get away from noises and people, or an expression of an unmet need (i.e., hunger, thirst, a need to use the bathroom). Ensuring basic needs are met can reduce the chances of wandering. 

Safeguard the home. Facilitate safe movement by avoiding clutter and eliminating tripping hazards. Be mindful of how objects like car keys, jackets, and purses might motivate the person to leave suddenly. Install electronic chimes or doorbells on doors so someone is alerted if the individual tries to exit. Consider utilizing a smart doorbell with an app that can notify you when someone is entering or exiting the home.   

Be aware of your loved one’s patterns. Know what times of the day may be more activating than others, and provide activities during those periods. Encourage healthy sleep habits to reduce the chances the person might leave in the middle of the night. If your loved one does wander, keep a record of their patterns (frequency, duration, time of day, etc.) to help guide you in the future.  

Develop a safety plan. Keep a list of places the person may go (i.e., previous home or place of employment, favorite spots around town), a recent close-up photo, and medical information readily accessible to give to first responders if needed. Maintain a list of people to contact if the person goes missing and ask neighbors to call you if they see the person out alone. See if your community has a safety program for families affected by dementia, such as Project Lifesaver. These programs allow you to voluntarily enroll your loved one to receive locating technology. First responders can then activate the technology if the person goes missing. When possible, encourage and incorporate input from the person when developing the plan.  

AFA’s Helpline, staffed entirely by licensed social workers who are specifically trained in dementia care, can provide additional information about wandering prevention tips. The Helpline is available seven days a week by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), and web chat (www.alzfdn.org).