This month the Alzheimer Society of Canada is challenging people to commit themselves to making brain health a priority. They are running a nationwide awareness campaign called Heads Up for Healthier Brains.
Their aim is to make people more aware of the connection between healthy living and healthy brains.
Ways of making this commitment include…
- choosing activities that challenge your brain
- being socially active
- choosing a healthy lifestyle
- protecting your head from injury
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has launched BrainBooster, an online gym to help Canadians maintain their commitment to brain health. The gym offers challenging games and puzzles, brain boosting …read more

High Tech Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Hailed – “Yorkshire scientists are helping to develop the use of breakthrough technology that could transform the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease…” (more)
Mild Exercise May Counter Dementia – “Moderate physical activity – even an unhurried 30-minute stroll a day – may diminish the risk for vascular dementia among the elderly, according to a new study published this week in the online journal Neurology…” (more)
‘Nanoyarn’ protein link to Alzheimer’s could be super-fibre – “The protein linked with Alzheimer’s Disease has inspired the design of ‘nanoyarns’ that could be put to a vast range of uses, from body armour …read more

The first ‘All About Alzheimer’s’ Carnival is about to be launched on 19th December here at Alzheimer’s Notes.
You have until end of 17th December to send through your submissions.
You can join the carnival here.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is introducing a ‘AFA Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship’ in 2008. The $5,000 scholarship is designed to be used in the student’s first year of college.
Interested High School students (juniors and seniors) have to write a 1,200 words essay about ‘the impact Alzheimer’s Disease has one their own lives and what they have learned about themselves, their families and/or their community in coping with the disease.’. The application deadline is February 15th and details can be found at the website.
The AFA Teens website is also a great place for teens to visit to learn …read more

Often we write posts we have an affinity for…
*We’re excited about that topic
*We think it’s worth sharing with others
*We hope it will provide a ray of sunshine in an often hectic Alzheimer’s world. 
I’ve looked back over the Alzheimer’s Notes November posts and have found some you may have missed or would like to read again.
Groundbreaking Documentary on Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s From the Victim’s Voice
Tips for Handling Holiday Stress
Don’t Let Alzheimer’s Patients See the News on TV
“Romantic” Attachments Not Uncommon for Alzheimer’s Patients

A memory book is a great way to help those with Alzheimer’s disease maintain recall of short term and long term events.
Here’s a video that shows a memory book in action…

You can find more information on the Treasured Moments memory book here.

The Alzheimer’s Store, based in Cumming, Georgia, is an online storre that sells pretty much anything you might need to help or care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The store is the brainchild of Mark and Ellen Warner following the success of a book Mark wrote called The Complete Guide to Alzheimer’s-Proofing Your Home.
Want to know more…then check out this video that tells the story of The Alzheimer’s Store.

The Tangled Neuron has created a great new resource that will let readers to create a map of doctors -GPS, family physicians, internists, and neurologists – they would recommend for persons with dementia.’
It’s called ‘Recommend-a-Doc’.
Check it out…

From the SunTimes News:
“WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2007 (S. 898) passed the full Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Bond co-sponsored the comprehensive legislation with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) to increase federal resources to fight Alzheimer’s disease.”
Full text of the legislation can be here.
Further Reading:
Alzheimer’s Association statement on the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act
Mikulski Introduces Comprehensive Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Legislation
Senator Clinton Welcomes Key Senate Committee Approval of the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2007

Mary Emma mentioned in yesterday’s post how the computer – and especially the internet – is a great outlet and aid for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
It is also a great place to access information and find experts in the field that can answer your questions about Alzheimer’s disease.
Here’s a list of five internet sites where you can ‘ask an expert’ about whatever is concerning you. From medications to caregiving issues, these experts are available to help. Most of the sites also have archives of questions already asked and answered that you can wander through.
Alzheimer’s Research Forum
Alzheimer’s Association Ask an Expert
American …read more