WSJ: As pharmaceutical companies struggle to devise new drugs to treat symptoms of dementia, a host of supplements and products called "medical foods" purporting to improve cognitive function are advancing toward the market.
Unlike drugs, medical foods and more common supplements aren't allowed to claim they help cure illnesses. Medical foods are meant to be used under a doctor's guidance to tackle a specific nutritional deficiency stemming from a disease, often in conjunction with pharmaceuticals to treat the particular ailment. They aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and undergo much less stringent testing than drugs. Some manufacturers require patients to get a doctor's prescription to use medical foods, but not always.
Big food companies see opportunities in medical foods. On Thursday, Nestlé SA said it bought a stake in Accera, maker of milkshakes for Alzheimer's disease patients. And last week at the Alzheimer's Association conference in Vancouver, Canada, French food giant Group Danone SA said a study showed its investigational medical food, Souvenaid, could improve cognitive functioning.
Showing posts with label Dementia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dementia. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
3-part Alzheimer’s education series
Week 1 – Tuesday, August 7, 2012 2:00-4:00 PM
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias
Scott Halstead, PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
- Tips for getting a diagnosis
- Latest information on treatment and research developments
Week 2 – Tuesday, August 14, 2:00-4:00 PM
Legal and Financial Issues
Shawn Weera, Elder Law Attorney
- Tips for making financial and medical decisions on behalf of a person with dementia
- Planning for future care needs: understanding Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Benefits
Week 3 – Tuesday, August 21, 2:00-4:00 PM
Strategies for Navigating the Dementia Journey
Rachel Bontje, Program Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association
- Tips for successfully interacting with a person with dementia
- Practical solutions to the daily challenges of caring for someone with memory loss
For reservations or more information call: 616-459-4558 or 800-272-3900
At John Knox Presbyterian Church, 150 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
A donation of $10 per person (or family) per session appreciated.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Testing a Drug That May Stop Alzheimer’s Before It Starts
Testing a Drug That May Stop Alzheimer’s Before It Starts - NYTimes.com: In a clinical trial that could lead to treatments that prevent Alzheimer’s disease, people who are genetically guaranteed to suffer from the disease years from now — but who do not yet have any symptoms — will for the first time be given a drug intended to stop them from developing it, federal officials announced Tuesday.
Related: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
'via Blog this'
Related: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
'via Blog this'
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Respect the Future
NY Times: On March 29, Charles Darwin Snelling killed his wife [who had Alzheimer's] and then himself. The comments responding to [the] news article on this event make for fascinating reading. The majority support or sympathize with Snelling’s double-killing.
Many of the correspondents have cared for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. “It is like a slow horror show,” a woman from Texas wrote. These writers felt nothing but sympathy for the pain and despair Snelling must have endured. Several argued that people in these circumstances should be able to end their spouse’s life legally, so they don’t then feel compelled to end their own. Others were impressed by the Romeo-and-Juliet-style ending that Snelling created. “This was as fine an ending as the Snellings’ love story deserved,” a man from Virginia wrote. “Their bodies gave out — their hearts never did.”
. . . Others, more likely women than men, were upset by Snelling’s decision. A woman from Canada who has spent 25 years nursing Alzheimer’s patients, argued that none of us have the right to decide that another person’s life is worthless. Some argued that the nurturing process at the end of life, like the nurturing process at the beginning, requires patience and that those who are desperate should seek help, not a firearm.
Related Washington Post article
Many of the correspondents have cared for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. “It is like a slow horror show,” a woman from Texas wrote. These writers felt nothing but sympathy for the pain and despair Snelling must have endured. Several argued that people in these circumstances should be able to end their spouse’s life legally, so they don’t then feel compelled to end their own. Others were impressed by the Romeo-and-Juliet-style ending that Snelling created. “This was as fine an ending as the Snellings’ love story deserved,” a man from Virginia wrote. “Their bodies gave out — their hearts never did.”
. . . Others, more likely women than men, were upset by Snelling’s decision. A woman from Canada who has spent 25 years nursing Alzheimer’s patients, argued that none of us have the right to decide that another person’s life is worthless. Some argued that the nurturing process at the end of life, like the nurturing process at the beginning, requires patience and that those who are desperate should seek help, not a firearm.
Related Washington Post article
Editor: Interestingly, this article shows that Swiss women are more likely than men to request assisted suicide.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Researchers replicate Alzheimer's disease neurons with stem cells
FoxNews: To create the neurons, the researchers extracted fibroblasts—cells from the skin—of two patients with familial Alzheimer’s, two patients with sporadic Alzheimer’s and two people with no known neurological problems. The researchers then reprogrammed the fibroblasts into stem cells, which then differentiated into working neurons. The neurons may prove to be a crucial tool for studying the causes of Alzheimer’s, as well as developing and testing drugs to treat the disease.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
First euthanasia in Netherlands of severe Alzheimer’s patient performed
First euthanasia in Netherlands of severe Alzheimer’s patient performed | News | National Post: A woman with advanced Alzheimer’s disease has been euthanized in the Netherlands, a first in a country that requires patients to be fully mentally alert to request to die, activists said Wednesday.
The 64-year-old woman died in March after being sick “for a very long time,” said a spokesman for the Right to Die-NL group. She had insisted “for several years” that she wanted to be euthanized, added spokesman Walburg de Jong.
Comment by Wesley J. Smith: "Doctors have been euthanizing patients who never asked to be killed almost from the inception of the country’s euthanasia license, and nothing meaningful is done about it."
'via Blog this'
The 64-year-old woman died in March after being sick “for a very long time,” said a spokesman for the Right to Die-NL group. She had insisted “for several years” that she wanted to be euthanized, added spokesman Walburg de Jong.
Comment by Wesley J. Smith: "Doctors have been euthanizing patients who never asked to be killed almost from the inception of the country’s euthanasia license, and nothing meaningful is done about it."
'via Blog this'
Monday, October 17, 2011
SarahCare events this week
Alzheimer's Association sponsored support group geared toward adult children caring for their parents takes place next Monday, October 17th. This group meets from 7-8pm at the Cornerstone Church at 1675 84th St. SE, Caledonia, MI.
SarahCare Caregiver's Series meets next Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm. This group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Center at 2024 Health Dr. Suite B, Wyoming, MI. Our topic this month is Estate, Elder Planing, and Ethicial Will Workshop. Jill Goodall, Esq. will discuss the importance of estate and elder planning and will include tips about how to set up an ethical will. This is an important topic; you won't want to miss this presentation! Lite snacks will be provided; no RSVP is neccessary.
For information on these groups or other information about how SarahCare Adult Day Center can help with someone you love, please contact Kendra or Michelle at (616) 530-6700.
SarahCare Adult Day Center
2024 Health Dr. Ste. B
Wyoming, MI 49519
phone (616) 530-6700 fax (616) 530-6767
www.sarahcare.com
SarahCare Caregiver's Series meets next Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm. This group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Center at 2024 Health Dr. Suite B, Wyoming, MI. Our topic this month is Estate, Elder Planing, and Ethicial Will Workshop. Jill Goodall, Esq. will discuss the importance of estate and elder planning and will include tips about how to set up an ethical will. This is an important topic; you won't want to miss this presentation! Lite snacks will be provided; no RSVP is neccessary.
For information on these groups or other information about how SarahCare Adult Day Center can help with someone you love, please contact Kendra or Michelle at (616) 530-6700.
SarahCare Adult Day Center
2024 Health Dr. Ste. B
Wyoming, MI 49519
phone (616) 530-6700 fax (616) 530-6767
www.sarahcare.com
Friday, September 16, 2011
Pat Robertson Repudiates the Gospel (one more time)
This week on his television show Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson said a man would be morally justified to divorce his wife with Alzheimer's disease in order to marry another woman. The dementia-riddled wife is, Robertson said, "not there" anymore. This is more than an embarrassment. This is more than cruelty. This is a repudiation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
. . . Marriage, the Scripture tells us, is an icon of something deeper, more ancient, more mysterious. The marriage union is a sign, the Apostle Paul announces, of the mystery of Christ and his church (Eph. 5). The husband, then, is to love his wife "as Christ loved the church" (Eph. 5:25). This love is defined not as the hormonal surge of romance but as a self-sacrificial crucifixion of self. The husband pictures Christ when he loves his wife by giving himself up for her.
. . . A woman or a man with Alzheimer's can't do anything for you. There's no romance, no sex, no partnership, not even companionship. That's just the point. Because marriage is a Christ/church icon, a man loves his wife as his own flesh. He cannot sever her off from him simply because she isn't "useful" anymore.
Pat Robertson's cruel marriage statement is no anomaly. He and his cohorts have given us for years a prosperity gospel with more in common with an Asherah pole than a cross. They have given us a politicized Christianity that uses churches to "mobilize" voters rather than to stand prophetically outside the power structures as a witness for the gospel.
But Jesus didn't die for a Christian Coalition; he died for a church. And the church, across the ages, isn't significant because of her size or influence. She is weak, helpless, and spattered in blood. He is faithful to us anyway. Russell D. Moore, Christianity Today
Editor: See 700 Club footage here. He's right about one thing: He's no ethicist, and no theologian either. I hope this upsets Christians more than anything President Obama does.
In contrast, here's an exquisite example of caring: Robertson McQuilkin faced a similar situation two decades ago. He decided to step down and end his 22 year tenure as president of Columbia Bible College and Seminary. Instead, he helped care full-time for his wife Muriel. She died in 2003 after suffering for 25 years with the disease. During the last decade, Muriel could not recognize her husband caregiver. CT blog
Related:
. . . Marriage, the Scripture tells us, is an icon of something deeper, more ancient, more mysterious. The marriage union is a sign, the Apostle Paul announces, of the mystery of Christ and his church (Eph. 5). The husband, then, is to love his wife "as Christ loved the church" (Eph. 5:25). This love is defined not as the hormonal surge of romance but as a self-sacrificial crucifixion of self. The husband pictures Christ when he loves his wife by giving himself up for her.
. . . A woman or a man with Alzheimer's can't do anything for you. There's no romance, no sex, no partnership, not even companionship. That's just the point. Because marriage is a Christ/church icon, a man loves his wife as his own flesh. He cannot sever her off from him simply because she isn't "useful" anymore.
Pat Robertson's cruel marriage statement is no anomaly. He and his cohorts have given us for years a prosperity gospel with more in common with an Asherah pole than a cross. They have given us a politicized Christianity that uses churches to "mobilize" voters rather than to stand prophetically outside the power structures as a witness for the gospel.
But Jesus didn't die for a Christian Coalition; he died for a church. And the church, across the ages, isn't significant because of her size or influence. She is weak, helpless, and spattered in blood. He is faithful to us anyway. Russell D. Moore, Christianity Today
Editor: See 700 Club footage here. He's right about one thing: He's no ethicist, and no theologian either. I hope this upsets Christians more than anything President Obama does.
In contrast, here's an exquisite example of caring: Robertson McQuilkin faced a similar situation two decades ago. He decided to step down and end his 22 year tenure as president of Columbia Bible College and Seminary. Instead, he helped care full-time for his wife Muriel. She died in 2003 after suffering for 25 years with the disease. During the last decade, Muriel could not recognize her husband caregiver. CT blog
Related:
- McQuilkin's own testimony from the CT archives, called "Living by Vows"
- "Love them to the last breath" - Life Matters issue relating to an AIDS hospice in South Africa. Christian love (let alone marital love) requires a lasting commitment.
- "Should Alzheimer's Be a Reason to Ditch Marriage Vows?" This is by a guy (Mitch Albom) who traveled weekly from Michigan to Massachusetts to be with a friend who had ALS.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
What Causes Alzheimer’s?
What Causes Alzheimer’s? | The Scientist: Researchers and pharma companies have tried to attack this disease by reducing amyloid plaques, but inflammation may be the real culprit.
Related: 5 ways to prevent Alzheimer's
'via Blog this'
Related: 5 ways to prevent Alzheimer's
'via Blog this'
Secrets of Aging
Secrets of Aging | The Scientist: What does a normally aging brain look like? Are diseases of aging such as Alzheimer’s inevitable?
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Latest from Caring Right at Home
New Attention to the Role of Home Care A national association believes the right to be cared for at home is “America’s last great civil rights battle.” Read on »
Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease Today, brain imaging and blood tests allow for earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, and may even predict who will develop the disease. Read on »
Car Designers, Architects Put Themselves in Seniors' Shoes A new empathy-building exercise helps young engineers and architects experience old age. Read on »
Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease Today, brain imaging and blood tests allow for earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, and may even predict who will develop the disease. Read on »
Car Designers, Architects Put Themselves in Seniors' Shoes A new empathy-building exercise helps young engineers and architects experience old age. Read on »
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Caregiving in Early Alzheimer's Disease
Caregiving in Early Alzheimer's Disease: There are a number of measures that can be taken to help a loved one cope better with the challenges presented by early Alzheimer’s disease.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Stem cell revolution that could win the war on Alzheimer's
Healthy adults will be able to boost their chances of surviving cancer and diseases such as Alzheimer’s by freezing stem cells taken from their blood for the first time. A British company has been granted a licence to extract the cells, so that anyone can now pay to store them in the hope that they will one day help to cure fatal conditions. Until now, it has only been possible to bank stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood and embryos left over from fertility treatment. Daily Mail
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