Medicare Agent News: June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. Learn the facts about Alzheimer's, including warning signs, and its affect and burden on people in the United States.

New--The Brain Health Academy

The Brain Health Academy launches on June 15, 2022. The Academy offers free, evidence-based courses for health and wellness professionals on ways to help people reduce their risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Continuing education credit will be offered through a partnership with the American Society on Aging.

There are six one-hour courses covering the science and interventions for key modifiable risk factors for dementia, including nutrition, sleep, social isolation and loneliness, and physical inactivity. The courses are scheduled on the second Wednesday of each month and will be recorded. Recordings will be available on-demand for up to 60 days after the live presentation.

The first course in the series, “Understanding Inequities in Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias,” is June 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. This session is an introductory overview to help participants understand the factors behind brain health inequities and provides health and wellness professionals with actionable guidance and resources to implement culturally competent risk modification strategies with the people and communities.

Visit the Brain Health Academy webpage to learn more about the Academy, course offerings and schedule, or enroll.

New--Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias Among Adults Aged ≥45 Years

In 2021, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease included a goal to reduce the risk for ADRD. Implementing evidence-based strategies that address modifiable risk factors can help achieve the National Plan’s new goal to reduce the risk of ADRD while promoting healthy aging. Some risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) can be lessened through behavioral change, such as getting more exercise.

Among U.S. adults aged 45 years and older, the most common of these modifiable risk factors were high blood pressure and not meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline. Adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), an early indicator of possible future ADRD, were more likely to report having almost all modifiable risk factors and a higher number of risk factors than those without SCD. A new CDC study examined the status of eight potential modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (high blood pressure, not meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline, obesity, diabetes, depression, current cigarette smoking, hearing loss, and binge drinking) among adults 45 years and older:

• Nearly 50% had high blood pressure or did not meet the aerobic physical activity guideline.

• Adults who reported cognitive decline were more likely to have at least 4 risk factors (34.3%) than those without cognitive decline (13.1%).

• 3.9% of adults with no risk factors reported cognitive decline while 25% with at least 4 risk factors reported cognitive decline.

• Several modifiable risk factors were higher among African American, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native populations than other races and ethnicities.

Public Health and Faith Webinar

Tomorrow, June 8, 2022 | 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (EST)

Many faith-based organizations (FBOs) provide dementia awareness and education programs and resources and support for community members with dementia, their families, and caregivers. FBOs can be a key partner for public health agencies to reach and support more people living with dementia and their caregivers. The first installment of this webinar series will provide an overview of the role of FBOs in dementia and caregiving work and share practical recommendations for public health agencies that partner with FBOs.

National Meeting: The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving National Conference

Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 2022

The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving is a free national meeting that will take place on June 14 and 15, 2022, in Minneapolis, MN.

You are invited to showcase your agency's work in dementia caregiving! Present a poster at the conference, get real-time feedback and ideas, and make new connections with experts and public health peers across the country doing similar work. See submission guidelines and submit your poster today!