Sandra Day O’Connor, who was appointed as the nation’s first female Supreme Court justice in 1981, died in Phoenix, Arizona last Friday at the age of 93. She died from a respiratory illness, with complications from Alzheimer’s, the same illness that took over her life in 1990, when her husband, John, was diagnosed.
Seven Million Americans Have Mild Cognitive Impairment and May Not Know It
Q. Last week, I read your article about “Tip-of-the Tongue” moments, where someone can forget a word occasionally. I was relieved when you said, for the most part, this is not a sign of dementia and can be associated with normal aging. What I am concerned about is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). I read that […]
Red Flags When Walking and Driving May Be Indicative of Dementia
Some people take wide turns when they are walking or driving and get disoriented easily. Some drive slowly, while others are fast and erratic. Some get lost in their own neighborhood or have momentary lapses where they forget which pedal is which. For some, this is just how they walk or drive, and they may […]
New Guidelines Are Being Proposed for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
Dear Raider, I read somewhere that someone will soon be able to receive a diagnosis for Alzheimer’s even if they have no symptoms or family history of the disease. How will this work? Thanks for your help! Diane Ganosis — Dear Diane, According to new diagnostic criteria discussed at the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference […]
It’s National Falls Prevention Awareness Week – Here’s the Latest in Fall Prevention
Marianne, 78, has always led an active life. She enjoys riding her bike, doing yoga, walking on the beach, volunteering, and visiting with friends. Early one morning a few months ago, Marianne woke up and heard a noise, noticing that a light was on downstairs. She got out of bed quickly, figuring that her daughter […]
It’s World Alzheimer’s Month — Optimistic Findings from 2023
Dear Kiwi and Mango, I read that September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Is there any good news that can help me to be more optimistic about preventing dementia or a cure being on the horizon? Thanks so much! Opta Mystic — Dear Opta, World Alzheimer’s Month is an international campaign that aims to raise awareness […]
Can Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Be Detected while You’re Asleep?
Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are both neurodegenerative diseases that currently don’t have a cure. For both diseases, great strides have been made in research, including recent findings using sleep patterns. Scientists believe that early diagnoses using this information may help slow disease progression or offer prevention. How Sleep Patterns at Home Can Enable Widespread […]
An Incurable Optimist Confronts an Incurable Disease in His Recent Documentary
Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that has affected many celebrities over the years, including Muhammad Ali, Neil Diamond, Jesse Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, and Linda Ronstadt. But of course the most notable celebrity with the disease is Michael J. Fox, 61, who was diagnosed in 1991. The “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future” star is well-known for his optimism and raising awareness and $1.5 billion for Parkinson’s research through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.
The Youngest People to Ever Be Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Imagine being 17 years old and noticing that your memory is deteriorating. You are unable to concentrate in high school, and your short-term memory seems to be virtually nonexistent. Then, at 19, wondering what is going on, you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This happened recently to a young man in China, who is now […]
A Personal Message about Parkinson’s, Depression, and Planned Suicide
My brother, Jory, ended his own life and suffering yesterday through a very deliberate planned suicide. Jory fought a brave battle for many years as he struggled with major depressive disorder since his early twenties and was diagnosed in his fifties with bipolar disorder because of one major manic episode and a lifetime of rapid […]
Scientists Discover What Causes Huntington’s Disease, Opening a Potential New Path for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Research
Julie Andrews, 87, star of “The Sound of Music,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Mary Poppins,” has been a stalwart advocate in the fight against Huntington’s disease for over 30 years. She has been a spokesperson and supporter of the Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF), which is committed to finding treatments and cures for Huntington’s and other […]
Fall Forecasting: Can Falls Be Predicted Before They Happen?
Nearly 20,000 people die from unintentional falls every year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult in the US is seen at an emergency department for a fall-related injury, and one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and […]
Positive Thinking for Seniors Is More Powerful than You Think!
May is both Older Americans Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, making this an ideal time to focus on the mental health needs of seniors! We all experience sadness from time to time — and this is what many people focus on when it comes to mental health. Sadness can affect your daily activities, interfere […]
FDA Commissioner Is “Excited” about New Alzheimer’s Treatment Results
Q. I remember reading about lecanemab, an Alzheimer’s treatment, in your newsletter earlier in the year. I have heard that there are other new treatments coming out to slow Alzheimer’s progression. Do you know what else is out there, and if it will be covered by Medicare? Thanks so much for your help! A. Good […]
Part 2: New Amazing Parkinson’s Diagnostic Tools and Treatments
Q. I read your newsletter this past Tuesday about the amazing new diagnostic tools and treatment options available for Alzheimer’s. Is there anything similar for Parkinson’s? My dad is 75 and suffers from Parkinson’s, and any new treatment options would be great to know about. Also, if anyone else in my family has symptoms of […]
New Amazing Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Tools and Treatments
For decades, researchers and biotech companies have struggled to develop diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer’s, a disorder that causes loss of memory and other mental functions and affects nearly 6.5 million Americans. Now they’re slowly making progress. A drug called lecanemab was approved this year that can slow the disease’s progression, sparking renewed optimism […]
What Are the Best Safety Alert Devices with Fall Detection?
Q. My neighbor Suzanne is an avid jogger. I always see her out jogging early in the morning while I’m walking my pups. She’s got all the gear, including one of those newer Apple Watches. The other day, Suzanne was speed-walking instead of jogging, with her arm in a sling. I caught up with her […]
Jimmy Carter Enters Hospice Care — What That Really Means!
Former US President Jimmy Carter, 98, is both the oldest living and longest-lived US president. Recently, after a series of short hospital stays, he announced that he will spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. Jimmy Carter held office from 1977 to 1981 as […]
Want to Improve Your Memory and Keep Your Brain from Aging Too Quickly? Get a Good Night’s Sleep!
Q. I’ve had trouble sleeping for quite some time. I still function pretty well, as far as making it to work, being productive, and spending quality time with my family and friends. One thing seems a little off. I often feel like I’ve become forgetful and my brain isn’t as sharp as it once was. […]
Should All Children Be Tested for Autism?
Q. I heard that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become even more prevalent than before. Why is this happening? With ASD being as common as it is, should all children be tested for it, as they are for other things? Also, with all of the new research and developments out there, are there ways to […]
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