Fighting Alzheimer's

NOVEMBER 2019 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

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FIGHTING ALZHEIMER’S

Judy Greer

The actress and advocate talks about her personal experience with Alzheimer’s

Know the questions to ask and boxes to check when choosing a care facility for your loved one Discover how to upgrade your health and prevent Alzheimer’s in four steps

Neurologist Anna Burke Knows the Diffıculties of Alzheimer’s How did you find yourself in the field of Alzheimer’s?

My battle against this disease is personal.

As I entered medical school, two of my grandparents were diagnosed with dementia — and my grandmother, specifically, with Alzheimer’s. So, as I was studying to become a physician, I was also caring for my grandmother, which gave me a unique perspective on the challenges families face with this illness.

What improvements do you hope to see with Alzheimer’s in 2020?

Exciting advancements in Alzheimer’s research are on the horizon. We’re beginning to move beyond just medications and toward more aggressive approaches. Barrow Neurological Institute is leading this effort by implanting the first-ever pacemaker for the brain as part of the Advance II clinical trial of deep brain stimulation.

Can you explain the benefıt of clinical trials?

Clinical trials allow us to explore new, and potentially better, treatments to help slow or halt the disease process. Each trial, whether successful or not, increases our understanding of Alzheimer’s, helps hone our treatment approach, and ultimately brings us closer to finding a cure for this devastating illness.

Want to Help End Alzheimer’s?

Enroll in a Clinical Trial Millions of Americans are battling Alzheimer’s, and there are ways we can all help.

Here’s how you can join the fıght to end the disease.

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travel cross-country discussing Alzheimer’s disease and dementias, and I get the same question everywhere I go: What can I do to help? My response: Enroll in a clinical trial.

Providing a path forward Simply put, without more research studies, there won’t be improved treatments, prevention, or a cure for Alzheimer’s. Clinical trials provide the pathway to the first disease-modifying drug — and the first Alzheimer’s survivor.

Currently, there are over 400 active clinical trials seeking volunteers, but recruiting and retaining enough diverse participants remains the greatest obstacle to advancing new discoveries outside of funding.

How trials help Participating in studies pro-

Keith Fargo, Ph.D. Director, Scientifıc Programs and Outreach, Alzheimer’s Association vides Alzheimer’s patients several benefits, including: • Actively engaging in their treatment • Accessing treatments before they’re widely available • Receiving expert care, free of cost • Benefitting future generations Wanted: healthy volunteers Clinical trials are not only open to people with Alzheimer’s; healthy volunteers are also needed. To connect volunteers with active tri-

als, the Alzheimer’s Association created TrialMatch — a free service that generates customized lists of studies based on user-provided information for you to easily find a trial that fits.

While some studies involve drugs and physical tests, others only include observation and questionnaires. They range from treatment and prevention trials to diagnostic and quality-of-life studies, and each one provides immense value to the field.

Join the fıght The Alzheimer’s Association is more optimistic than ever about the future of Alzheimer’s treatment.

We can all play a role in the fight against the disease, and participation in clinical trials is a perfect opportunity for anyone looking to help. ■

Publisher Abigail Hanania Business Developer Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Celia Hazard Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Marjie Shrimpton Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Content Strategist Vanessa Rodriguez Cover Photo Matt Carr All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specifıed. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Thank you Alzheimer’s Association for the $4M Part The Cloud Grant for Longeveron’s Alzheimer’s Disease Phase 1 stem cell clinical study.

Other ongoing Clinical Trials/Registries for: Aging Frailty/Frailty Due to Other Causes; Osteoarthritis; Musculoskeletal Injury Due to Overuse; Metabolic Syndrome

1-833-367-7836 • TreatmentInfo@Longeveron.com 2 • FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

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Holding the hands of today’s patients.

Searching for tomorrow’s cures.

Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona strives to provide exceptional care to Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers, including cutting-edge research. In September we announced that Barrow was the first in the world to implant a deep brain stimulator (DBS) for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease as part of the ADvance II clinical trial – the largest trial to date to test whether DBS can slow progression of the disease. If you would like to learn more about ongoing clinical trials at Barrow, visit BarrowNeuro.org/Memory.

Help us provide compassionate care for patients today and find tomorrow’s cures for Alzheimer’s Disease. Please make a gift to the Barrow Neurological Foundation.

Donate today at Give.SupportBarrow.org/Alzheimers

Actress Judy Greer Advocates for Alzheimer’s Research to Honor Her Grandfather

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Watching her grandfather battle the disease, Judy Greer became a passionate advocate for Alzheimer’s research.

Although he’s passed, her commitment to finding a cure remains.

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ctress Judy Greer, 44, who’s known as the “best friend” from numerous movies and TV shows, says it’s important to talk about Alzheimer’s disease, especially for those who’ve lost loved ones.

“There are so many stories, and it’s so hard to watch someone you love go through it,” she says. “It’s sad and scary and frustrating, and we can’t help but wonder, ‘Will we be next?

Will this happen to us?’”

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes the slow deterioration of a person’s memory and cognitive functions. Currently, 5.8 million Americans have the disease, with projections increasing that number to 14 million by 2050.

Supporting caregivers While Greer continues to learn about the disease, it’s important to her to share her grandfather’s story, and that of her family in taking care of him, as a Celebrity Champion for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Caregiving was always selfless, but always a concern,” she says. “Who? What?

Where? When? Who is caring for our loved ones?” The time and effort it takes to help 4 • FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

a patient can be a great strain on caregivers — including financially. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and 83 percent of that help is provided by family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers.

While the primary concern is caring for the patient and keeping them safe, we need to look out for the caregivers, too. Caregivers should have help navigating the situation when they can no longer do it alone, without having to feel guilty about it. Greer worries about helping caregivers avoid burnout and keeping them safe.

Research for a cure The “Ant-Man” and “13 Going on 30” star encourages people to donate time and money to support research efforts. Research can unlock treatments, prevention, and, potentially, a cure for the disease.

“We need to keep the dream alive that we will one day find a cure for this,” says Greer.

“And who knows? Maybe finding a cure for Alzheimer’s will aid in research for other degenerative diseases as well.” n Kristen Castillo

How to Make the Right Decision When Choosing an Assisted Living Facility Learn how to ask the right questions and seek the right information when faced with choosing a long-term care facility for your loved one.

One of the most important challenges family caregivers face is the long-term care placement of loved ones. How do you choose the correct facility?

Cover all the bases Get a sense of the facility’s accommodations and staff: • Conduct a “smell test.” It shouldn’t smell of urine or disinfectant.

• Speak to numerous staff and residents.

Do they like the facility?

• Notice how the staff treats current residents. That’s how they’ll treat your loved one.

• Visit at differing times of day. The quality of care should be consistent.

Smart Ways to Save on Long-Term Care Insurance

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ong-term care insurance can be costly. Thankfully, there are many ways to save and simultaneously yield greater benefit coverage.

Right-size inflation growth option Your policy benefits should increase yearly to account for rising care costs. Long-term care insurance at 5 percent growth compounded annually will cost 51 percent more than identical coverage that only increases by 2 percent. > TIP: Ask your agent for cost comparisons of coverage that grows by 2-5 percent annually.

Shared care option for couples Several insurers now offer a shared care option, enabling spouses to access the bene-

Learn the protocol Once you take stock of the physical space and its staff, check on their following policy items: • State licensure survey results • Bed-holding policy • Facility’s contract • Disaster and emergency plan Qs as caregivers Your role as a family caregiver — and how the facility treats you — is hugely important.

• What’s their philosophy on family caregiver participation?

• What are the visiting hours?

• How do they handle care plan meetings with family members?

Visit a few area facilities and get all questions answered before making a choice. ■ Gary Edward Barg, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Today’s Caregiver

fit pool of the other spouse. Both can then consider smaller initial pools knowing they can access the combined pool later on. > TIP: Shared care varies by company and state, so ask your agent for a clear explanation of your options.

Not all agents are equal The 2019 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index found that identical policies could vary by as much as 100 percent between different agents and brokers. > TIP: Ask your insurance professional which companies they’re appointed with.

If they can’t sell a particular company’s policy, it’s unlikely they will recommend it, even if it’s the best policy for you.

Shop 60 days before your next birthday Because coverage cost is determined by your age when you apply, start comparison-shopping 60 days before your birthday to secure a lower premium and underwriting approval for current health issues. ■ Jesse Slome, Director, American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance

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Assistance With the Extreme Costs of Healthcare for Senior Citizens For senior citizens dealing with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other impairments, the fınancial impact of providing necessary care can be devastating.

Approximately 6 million Americans suffer dementia, and most do not know that an unwanted life insurance policy might be the key to affording life-extending treatment.

The settlement solution

People diagnosed with dementia before age 70 often live for a decade or more, and the cost of providing appropriate care can be $5,000-$10,000 per month, which is beyond the reach of most.

Berkshire Settlements, a state-licensed life settlement provider, offers a solution to help fund these costs. If your loved one is suffering from a serious illness and has a life insurance policy they no longer want or need, you have options.

Berkshire has spent over two decades helping seniors with serious medical conditions receive a lump-sum cash payment for their life insurance policies that can be used for any purpose.

Berkshire’s mission is to help make sure your loved ones receive the best treatment they can. After all, no amount of money can purchase more time once a loved one is gone, but Berkshire wants to make sure you get as much additional time as possible.

Contact Berkshire Settlements or call (800) 233-1745 for more information.

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Selling Existing Life Insurance to Pay Medical Expenses Rising healthcare costs for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s place an unbearable weight on many families, and many caregivers are struggling to save for their own retirement. Luckily, there is a solution.

Solving the problem Caregivers can reduce financial strain by selling the patient’s existing life insurance to pay for ongoing caregiving costs and medical bills. This includes term policies. Selling a policy for cash today can remove unnecessary pressure for family members so they can focus on what’s important: taking care of their loved ones.

Take it from our clients One client had a $250,000 life insurance policy with no cash value. They received a $100,000 cash offer. Another client had a $1,000,000 life insurance policy with a $25,000 cash value. That client received a $400,000 cash offer.

Since 2003, Ashar Group has been representing policy owners and their advisors in a fiduciary capacity when selling their existing life insurance.

Contact us to find out what your existing policy could be worth today at 800-384-8080 or info@ashargroup.com.

Jason T. Mendelsohn, President, Ashar Group LLC 6 • FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

Why Preventing Alzheimer’s Requires a Holistic Approach Diet, physical exercise, strong mental health, and spiritual fitness — here’s how these four factors are the keys to staving off memory loss.

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amily history plays a large role in one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease, but diet and lifestyle can also affect whether you develop the neurodegenerative condition.

“Now is the time for everyone to adopt a brain-healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, president and medical director of the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Arizona. “As recent research reveals, the changes in one’s brain start decades before any symptoms appear. So it’s never too early or too late to head off the development of memory loss.”

Diet, physical exercise, mental exercise, and spiritual fitness make up what Khalsa called the four pillars of preventing Alzheimer’s. “By taking small steps today, people can know they are doing everything possible to avoid cognitive decline in the future,” he said.

A holistic approach to preventing Alzheimer’s Where diet is concerned, Khalsa noted that research suggests that following a plant-based Mediterranean diet appears to be the most effective approach to help ward off Alzheimer’s.

For mental exercise, an easy meditation routine can help preserve memory. “Our research reveals that practicing a simple, 12-minute yoga meditation called Kirtan Kriya (KK) can augment brain function and reverse memory loss in people with all types of issues, especially in women,” which is critical because a woman’s risk for Alzheimer’s is greater than her risk for developing breast cancer, Khalsa said.

On the other hand, “Spiritual fitness is a new concept that incorporates psychological well-being with spiritual evolution,”

Khalsa said. “Perhaps the most important part of psychological well-being is finding purpose or mission in life. Spirituality or the search for the sacred, regardless of the religion or no religion, develops peace of mind — something sorely lacking in today’s chaotic world.”

The benefits of following these pillars in addition to taking current Alzheimer’s medications, which focus on reducing symptoms, apply to both those currently living with Alzheimer’s and those at a higher risk for developing it, including those with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment.

The four pillars in action Khalsa recalled one study subject named Sarah, a perimenopausal woman whose memory was still intact. Sarah underwent 12 weeks of practicing KK for 12 minutes daily, and after the study, she reported lower stress, a better mood, improved sleep, clearer memory, and other benefits. “Sophisticated biochemical analysis also revealed dramatic improvements in cellular aging and reduced biomarkers for Alzheimer’s,” Khalsa said.

Another subject who had Alzheimer’s, 72-year-old Sam, adopted the four pillars in addition to traditional medication, and he experienced marked health results.

“What we saw in him was a significant slowing of progression and a delay in the manifestation of the advanced aspects of the disease,” Khalsa explained. “It is clear that by adopting the four pillars and making changes in your lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of developing this dreaded disease and enjoy your golden years with a good mind and memory.” n Melinda Carter MEDIAPLANET

Preventing Weight Loss Due to Alzheimer’s Five Ways to Increase Food Intake Decreased appetite is common in people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Five ways to increase food intake and reduce the risk of malnutrition:

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Make snacks easily available and offer them frequently between meals.

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Establish seating that encourages engagement and socialization, while limiting background noise and distractions.

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Serve one course at a time to reduce confusion.

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Serve soup in a mug rather than in a bowl, which requires using a spoon.

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Serve finger foods to increase independence.

Visit www.abesgarden.org/care-videos for best-practice caregiving tips on topics including nutrition, communication, engagement, bathing, mouth care, and reactive behaviors

615.461.5273 | jgiven@abesgarden.org | Nashville, TN @abesgarden

Abe’s Garden® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

MAINTAIN

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Grapes have over 1,600 natural plant compounds Research into the potential impact to our health when consuming grapes suggests that the whole grape— which contains over 1,600 natural plant compounds, including antioxidants and other polyphenols—offers a range of intriguing health benefits when included in our daily diet.

Help promote a healthy brain Grapes may help support a healthy brain. In a preliminary study conducted at UCLA, researchers found that consuming about 2¼ cups of grapes every day preserved healthy metabolic activity in regions of the brain associated with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, where metabolic decline takes hold*. A follow-up study is currently underway at UCLA, and additional human studies will be important to fully understand the role of grapes in this vital area of health.

A whole bunch of healthy Scientists at some of the nation’s most prestigious research institutions continue to study the potential health benefits derived from eating grapes every day. California’s fresh-grape farmers are committed to supporting continued research on grapes and their impact on heart health, eye health, brain health, joint health and cell health. For now, just remember to...

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*Lee, J.K.; Torsyan, N.; and Silverman, D.H. (2017). Examining the impact of grape consumption on brain metabolism and cognitive function in patients with mild decline in cognition: a doubleblinded placebo-controlled pilot study. Experimental Gerontology, 87 (Pt A): 121–128.