Alzheimer’s disease in Florida

Families need help coping with mild cognitive impairment
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Alzheimer’s Association is funding research into how mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects individuals and their caregivers.  This condition can progress to Alzheimer’s disease.

Education may protect brain against memory loss
Ft. Myers News-Press
More formal schooling, intellectual challenges, and use of blood pressure and cholesterol medication could explain why seniors aren’t suffering as badly from memory loss as in the past.

Brain Bee questions test the best and brightest
Bradenton Herald
Brain Bee champ Pranali Dalvi is motivated to become a neurosurgeon by many of her occupational therapist mother’s clients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

Palm Beach County: Alzheimer’s Association begins Safe Return program
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association started the Safe Return program. The chapter hopes to have a program in place to help locate those with Alzheimer’s who have wandered off.

Researchers Pinpoint Link Between Caloric Restriction and Longevity
WWSB-TV ABC Channel 7
Researchers speculate that the body’s repsonse to caloric restriction can shed light on how to subdue conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Free Alzheimer’s education conference is Saturday
Tallahassee Democrat
This Saturday Florida State University’s College of Medicine is hosting the 23rd Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Training Conference in Tallahassee.  It is a free to attend with lunch provided.

Health and Support
St. Petersburg Times
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization offers support groups and a Respite Assistance Program to people who live in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Sumter and Lake counties.

Regular workouts "spark" brain
WTSP-TV CBS (St. Petersburg)
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain author John Ratey says that many studies indicate that physical activity can delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Warding off Alzheimer’s by staying active
Miami Herald
Remaining mentally active can help people stave off Alzheimer’s disease.  Beyond doing crossword puzzles, individuals can take up a new hobby, take classes, play games like Concentration with grandchildren, learn ballroom dancing, and participate in many other activities.

UCF’s technology incubator provides a good growth environment for startups
Orlando Sentinel
University of Central Florida’s technology incubator works with 46 clients — several of which are life sciences companies researching conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Chocolate’s powerful allure
Herald Tribune
Flavonoids found in chocolate could improve blood flow to the brain, which may help stave off conditions like Alzheimer’s.
 
Get a cerebral workout
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Engaging in activities that makes one think — like learning a new skill, volunteering, or even playing a video game — can help fend off Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss in senior citizens.

Vaccine may control high blood pressure
Florida Today
Researchers are considering the concept of a vaccine for chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Plaques Can Form in One Day
WWSB-TV Channel 7
A study finds that amyloid plaques, which are a sign that Alzheimer’s disease is forthcoming in an individual, can form in a day.

Helping Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers bond
Orlando Sentinel
A wife of a Alzheimer’s disease sufferer developed a fitness and massage video that caregivers can use to bond with their stricken loved ones as they do the exercises together.

Local news
Pensacola News Journal
Sacred Heart Hospital is offering "Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders," a free seminar on Wednesday, February 13 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.  Please call 416-1620 or (877) 416-1620 for required registration and other details.

Care facility expanding its services
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch, an assisted-care center in Sarasota, will expand by adding apartments to house those who suffer from dementia.

Distance builds as man watches wife deteriorate
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Tony Pesare, 50, is dealing with the helping his wife who is suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.