NARFE'S Participation in the National Alzheimer's Research Program

Since 1985, NARFE members have played a major role in finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Partnering with the Alzheimer's Association, NARFE members have donated over $5 million to Alzheimer's research. NARFE members can be proud of the fact they have funded 23 research grants totaling $3,310,958. ALL contributions to the NARFE/ Alzheimer's Research Fund are used for funding research grant requests. Having met our '$5 million by 2005' goal two years early, our members are working to raise another $2 million to meet our goal of $7 million by 2007. For more information on our goals and some fund raising ideas, Brochure FH-12 (08/04), A Handy Guide to NARFE'S Participation in the National Alzheimer's Research Program, is available from your NARFE Chapter Alzheimer's Chair .

Memorial Contributions

Memorial contributions to the NARFE/Alzheimer's fund may be made by providing with your check, the name of the deceased and the name and address of the family member(s) to receive the acknowledgement of the contribution.

A Caring Tribute contribution may also be made to honor an individual or a group. Enclose the name and address of the recipient(s) with your check.

All contributions may be made through your Chapter Alzheimer's Chair or by mailing to the Federation Alzheimer's Coordinator, Eva C. Heller, 2732 S. Garfield St., Denver, CO 80210. The Federation Coordinator will mail the acknowledgement cards as requested.

Alzheimer's Lapel Pins and Purple Bracelets

Alzheimer's Lapel Pins and Purple Bracelets are available to use as chapter fundraisers for your NARFE/Alzheimer's fund. The new logo pins reflect the Alzheimer's mission of science and the brain. As of November 16, 2006, a maximum of 50 logo pins, silver or gold, may be ordered free of charge.

For ordering information, please contact Billie Love, Federation Alzheimer's Coordinator, at bjlove@rockymountains.net.

ORDERING LITERATURE

Chapters may order their own Alzheimer's literature directly from the Alzheimer's Association by contacting Sharon Gideon, 225 North Michigan Ave., 17th floor, Chicago, IL 60601 or by E-mail: sharon.gideon@aoz.org. The phone number is (312) 335-5885.

Brochure FH-12(08/04) 'A Handy Guide to NARFE's Participation in the National Alzheimer's Research Program' may be ordered directly from NARFE using form F-18 or E-mail mailorder@narfe.org.

FUNDRAISING IDEA

Ask members to save 10 cents a day for Alzheimer's research!

How is Alzheimer's Disease diagnosed?

There is no single diagnostic test for Alzheimer's. A physician or team of specialists can reliably diagnose the disease with a series of tests.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported in June 2004 that PET scans to check for evidence of Alzheimer's Disease will be covered by government insurance when a specific diagnosis remains uncertain, despite thorough clinical evaluation. PET scans provide live, color-coded images of a patient's brain indicating which areas are functioning at the moment. Using computer software, doctors can then determine regions of the brain which may have been damaged by tangles and toxic protein buildups, caused by Alzheimer's.

Brochure #PR 301Z Is it Alzheimer's?

What treatment is available for Alzheimer's disease?

Drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can help treat the memory and thinking problems of Alzheimer's disease. These drugs, which boost levels of a chemical messenger in the brain, have a moderate benefit for about half the people who try them. Medications are also available to reduce behavioral symptoms, such as depression, sleeplessness, and agitation. Scientists are searching for treatments to prevent, slow, or stop the progression of the disease.

Recent Alzheimer's Press Releases

For the first time, Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease will receive coverage for needed prescription drugs under the new Medicare Law (P.L. 108-173) set to take effect in 2006.

Everyday Technologies for Alzheimer Care

The Everyday Technologies for Alzheimer Care (ETAC) initiative is a research funding effort established in 2003 by the Alzheimer's Association and Intel Corporation. In 2005, Agilent joined the initiative.

The consortium is committed to the development of new technologies that may compensate for functional impairments, enhance care and treatment strategies, foster independence, and improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers.

The goal of the ETAC initiative is to fund more than $1 million of research to develop new models of Alzheimer care based upon current and evolving technologies in computing, communications and home health care.

Alzheimer's Disease: It's About our Families

Alzheimer's disease is a family disease--it changes the lives of everyone it touches. It is heartbreaking to watch a loved one battle Alzheimer's disease. If this is baffling for an adult, imagine how confusing it may be for a young child or teenager, even embarrassing or frightening. For more information, a free parent's guide, "Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer's Disease" is available. Ask your Chapter Alzheimer's Chair for Brochure #ED209Z.

Dementia: What's normal aging, what's not?

Memory loss is not a normal part of aging, and not everyone who gets older gets dementia. Dementia is a loss of mental function in two or more areas of language, memory, visual and spatial abilities, or judgment - severe enough to interfere with daily life. It accompanies certain illnesses or conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.

Listening to a conversation and forgetting what was said is normal. Misplacing important items often, confusion about how to perform simple tasks, trouble with arithmetic problems, difficulty making routine decisions, and confusion about the month or season are not. Other warning signs include difficulties with mood and behavior, language and speech, and movement and coordination.

Click on Alzheimer's Association, http://www.alz.org, for more detailed information on these articles and other news and releases.
Call the Alzheimer's Contact Center at 1-800-272-3900 at any time, day or night, for help or information.

There is always 'Someone to Stand by You' .

Billie Love
Federation Alzheimer's Coordinator
E-mail: bjlove@rockymountains.net