AD and DM

Article in the current issue of Neurology debunks the association

Diabetes is related to cerebral infarction but not to AD pathology in older persons

antibody to amyloid precursor protein

A team led by Dr. Emma Kidd at Cardiff University's Welsh School of Pharmacy made the discovery during research funded by the Alzheimer's Society, the UK's leading care and research charity for Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

The results of the study show that it is possible to decrease production of a small protein called *-amyloid (A*), which is believed to be the main cause of the disease. Deposits of A* build up in the brain, preventing it from functioning properly.

Potential Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Discovered in Wales, UK

Testosterone and AD

In mice

Of Mice and Men Testosterone Helps Fight Alzheimer's Disease in Mice, but What About Humans?

Education and AD

Adequate cognitive reserve seems to be protective

Education -- the best pill of all for preventing Alzheimer's?

Cognitive training

It would be expected that cognitive training might help cognition ( and instrumental activities of daily living ) in older adults but its still reassuring to see it studied

Long-term Effects of Cognitive Training on Everyday Functional Outcomes in Older Adults

Canberra deaths

Final death toll in the Canberra outbreak is ten dead. It looks like it was influenza and an inquiry is being launched

Ten dead in nursing home flu outbreak

telephone surveillance

An example of technology enhancing independant living

Bergen program monitors seniors' well-being by phone

IMO reacts to proposed LTC changes

Irish Medical Organization president Dr Christine O'Malley reacts to the new LTC policy announced by Minister Harney last week.

Health Minister’s long-term care plans slammed by IMO President

Call for input on proposed LTC legislation

The Ontario Health Coalition has called for more input on the government's proposed legislation. Advocacy groups are concerned at the haste with which this is being pushed through.

Call for Seniors Input in Long Term Care Act

Information on LTC

Dept of Health and Human Services in the US has launched a new portal for information about LTC. Useful section on planning


National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information

Staff vaccination

What we already knew. What is very surprising is what passed for 'usual practice' ie 3.9% influenza vaccination of staff in the control group.

Effectiveness of an influenza vaccine programme for care home staff to prevent death, morbidity, and health service use among residents: cluster randomised controlled trial

Nursing home owner acquited of abuse

Witnesses died before trial , a case of attrition

Nursing home owner acquitted of elder abuse

C Diff and Norwalk

I suppose the lesson here is not to always assume that all outbreak cases are 'only' Norwalk

C. difficile, Norwalk virus hit nursing home patients

biomarker for AD

A possible marker for the disease published in the Annals of Neurology

A step toward a breakthrough on Alzheimer's

Grand Rounds

An elegant history of Grand Rounds in today's New York Times , you may have to register ( free)

Many younger doctors did not know that grand rounds were once conducted with patients on stage.


Socratic Dialogue Gives Way to PowerPoint

LTC in Ireland

A boost for the elderly in Ireland as 1,200 new beds become available next year under what the government is calling 'Fair Deal'. A new payment mechanism will mean that seniors will pay up to 80% of their income for care. A spouse remaining at home will receive 200 euros a week

Harney unveils policy on nursing home care

bill 140

Bill 140, with proposed measures described by some as draconian, passes second reading (Ontario)

Media advisory - Government Announcement on Long-term Care Hearings Imminent: Coalitions Respond Across Ontario

Supportive living in Calgary

Three levels of care at this centre, independant, assisted living and 'memory' care

Seniors housing offers more selection, perks

phase II clinical trial

AL-108
Allon Receives Approval for Phase II Clinical Trial in Alzheimer's-Related Condition

Its all about the money, stupid

Story speaks for itself

lay-offs after court ruling to pay staff a decent wage

The Compass Group — a food-service company that claims on its corporate website it earns annual revenues of more than $27.2 billion and employs 400,000 people worldwide — said it can't afford the pay increases.


Jobs axed after pay doubles at Ottawa nursing home

Vitamin D

Mounting evidence for the vitamin of the day

Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated with Worse Cognitive Function and Low Mood in Older Adults

Rosiglitazone and AD

A phase III trial that will test the link between diabetes and AD

Caregivers of today

This study shows that children of aging parents born in the 50s and 60s are more committed to caring than their parents generation were. Another interesting finding was that as death approaches and when individual need is at its greatest there are fewer demands made of caregiving children.

Baby boomers value caring for aging parents more than earlier generation

World Aids Day

December 1st

40 million people worldwide and over 58,000 people in the UK are living with HIV. Globally only 1.3 million people have access to treatment

Take Action Today