http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy1meibwQ0A&feature=share

Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences - Thank YOU!

Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences are a Walk to End Alzheimer's Program Sponsor again this year. Thank you for your steadfast partnership over the years! We appreciate you!

French Manor Senior Living - Thank YOU!

French Manor Senior Living is once again sponsoring at the Program Sponsor level. Thank you for your faithful partnership through the years!

Munson Medical Center - Thank YOU!

Munson Medical Center is once again sponsoring Walk to End Alzheimer's as a Benefactor Sponsor. Thank you for your continued partnership! With your help, we're meeting the needs of families here in Northern Michigan.

Dr. Diane Parsons - Thank YOU

Thank you Dr. Parsons for coming on board as a Walk to End Alzheimer's Benefactor Sponsor! We know in your line of work, you deal with dementia patients every day. You know better than most what this disease is all about. Thank you for helping the Alzheimer's Association as we work to achieve the goal of a world without Alzheimer's!

A Helping Hand

My Grandmother, a feisty 91 and living alone in a small town in Oregon, had a total hip replacement and was house bound. Our family, not being nearby, was concerned for her welfare and called Meals on Wheels. We let the service know how Grandmother didn’t like the idea of being dependant on anyone for anything.
The next day a volunteer phoned Grandmother and cheerfully explained that Meals on Wheels is a service which relies on volunteers to help the elderly and the ill. Would she be interested in it?

There was a reflective pause. "Well, sure," my grandmother said. "If you can't find anyone else to get food to the old people, I guess I can."

Orchard Creek - Thank YOU!

Orchard Creek Senior Living and Healthcare Community is once again supporting Walk to End Alzheimer's as a Silver Sponsor. We appreciate their willingness to help support the families here in Northern Michigan dealing with Alzheimer's Disease.

The Village at Bay Ridge - Thank YOU!

The Village at Bay Ridge is a Silver Sponsor for Walk to End Alzheimer's again this year! We appreciate our partners who help us year in and year out and The Village at Bay Ridge has been with us for years. We appreciate you!

Wendy's of Traverse City and Petoskey - Thank YOU!

Wendy's of Traverse City and Petoskey is a new Bronze Sponsor for our Walk to End Alzheimer's this year! We appreciate you partnering with the Alzheimer's Association as we strive to help the families in Northern Michigan dealing with Alzheimer's Disease.

Revamping Some Good Old Songs

Some hit songs of the 60s and 70s are being revised with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include:

Herman's Hermits: Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Hip?

Bobby Darin: Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash

Ringo Starr: I Get By With a Little Help from Depends

Roberta Flack: The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face

Johnny Nash: I Can't See Clearly Now

Paul Simon: Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver

Commodores: Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom

Marvin Gaye: I Heard it Through the GrapeNuts

Procol Harem: A Whiter Shade of Hair

Leo Sayer: You Make Me Feel Like Napping

First Community Bank - Thank YOU!

First Community Bank is one of our Bronze Sponsors this year for Walk to End Alzheimer's. We're happy to have them back supporting us again this year. We appreciate you!

Grandvue - Thank YOU

Grandvue Medical Care Facility is supporting our Walk to End Alzheimer's again this year as a Silver Sponsor. Grandvue and their staff are long term partners who help us help families here in Northern Michigan. We appreciate you!

Comfort Keepers - Thank YOU!

Again this year Comfort Keepers has stepped up to be our Platinum Sponsor! We can't say enough good things about Russ and his staff at Comfort Keepers. They work hard to support families in Northern Michigan dealing with Alzheimer's Disease. We appreciate all you do!

Culver Meadows - Thank YOU!

Culver Meadows is supporting Walk to End Alzheimer's again this year as a Silver Sponsor. We appreciate your continued and much valued support for the families in Northern Michigan dealing with Alzheimer's Disease!

Listen Carefully to Your Doctor

Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm.

A couple of days later the doctor spoke to Morris and said, "You're really doing great, aren't you?"

Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.'"

The doctor said, "I didn't say that. I said, 'You've got a heart murmur. Be careful.'"

Culver's Day in Alpena

Diane and Pegg will be meeting and greeting the fine customers of Culver's in Alpena on June 9th from 11:00am - 6:00pm

Culver's is once again donating their "Butter Bucks" to the Alzheimer's Association. Customers can purchase "Butter Bucks" for $1.00 each and then redeem them on their next visit to Culver's for the full $1.00 value.

This is our 3rd year to partner with Culver's in Alpena. Stop by for lunch or dinner and thank the fine folks at Culver's for their support!

Genetics of Alzheimer's Video

Teens in Action - Garage Sale!

Teens in Action Garage Sale

Friday - June 10th

8 - 4 come rain or shine!

941 George Street

Traverse City

All proceeds benefit Walk to End Alzheimer's in Traverse City. Come out and support the kids! Their goal is to raise $1,000 by Oct 1st. If you can't make it to the garage sale, you can donate to Teens in Action on-line HERE.

Independence

Independence – Caregivers must walk a fine line on the issue of independence. On the one hand, we want to help our person with dementia (PWD) and keep them safe. On the other hand, we don’t want to limit our PWD from doing things they can do for themselves. The matter of independence often boils down to two underlying issues caregivers need to monitor, safety and frustration.

Situation #1 – the PWD who has been getting lost frequently decides to walk to a store a few blocks away.

“You can’t walk to the store anymore. I’m tired of having to look for you when you get lost.” Nothing gets a person’s back up more than being told they can’t do what they think they can do, and what they want to do.

“I need to go to the store too. Let’s go this afternoon.” The caregiver may not be able to drop everything and go when the PWD wants to. Often, the suggestion that they’ll go together later will be enough to redirect the PWD for the moment. The caregiver may have to give that same answer many times until the trip is completed.

Situation #2 – the PWD is trying to use an electric can opener without success and is getting frustrated.

“Why can’t you do that? Just put the can like this. How hard was that?” The caregiver opens the can. The PWD is left feeling inadequate and frustrated.

“That can might be dented, let me hold it while you push the handle down. I’ve had this happen before.” The caregiver gave a logical explanation for the problem and assisted the PWD to finish the job.

Dental Hygiene and Dementia

In the past 30 years the number of nursing-home residents who still have their own teeth has risen significantly. Many of these people need assistance with their dental hygiene, as well as with other hygiene.

Jablonski and her team conducted a pilot study with seven people who had either moderate or severe cases of dementia. The researchers used the MOUTh technique on the subjects for two weeks, recording the state of the patients' mouths and how the patients reacted throughout the study.

At the beginning of the study all seven subjects had poor oral health, as determined by the Oral Health Assessment Tool. Eight categories concerning oral health are scored between zero and two. The lower the score the healthier the mouth. The average score for the subjects at the start of the study was 7.29. By the end of the study the average score was 1.00.

"To my knowledge, we are the only nurses in the country who are looking at ways to improve the mouth care of persons with dementia, especially those who fight and bite during mouth care," said Jablonski. "Our approach is unique because we frame resistive behavior as a reaction to a perceived threat."

Read more about this new approach to oral hygiene at the Alzheimer's Reading Room.

Texting for Seniors

Everyone is texting these days and the lauguage is shifting because of it. We all know what LOL and BFF mean, don't we? Well for seniors - things take on a whole new meaning!

ATD - At the Doctor's
BFF - Best Friend's Funeral
BTW - Bring the Wheelchair
BYOT - Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM - Covered by Medicare
CUATSC - See You at the Senior Center
DWI - Driving While Incontinent
FWIW - Forgot Where I Was
FYI - Found Your Insulin
GGPBL - Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA - Got Heartburn Again
HGBM - Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL - Living on Lipitor
LWO - Lawrence Welk's On
OMMR - On My Massage Recliner
OMSG - Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFL...CGU - Rolling on the Floor Laughing...Can't get Up!
TTYL - Talk to You Louder
WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?
WTP - Where's the Prunes
WWNO - Walker Wheels Need Oil

Hope these help!

GGLKI - Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking in!

Dignity

Dignity – is important for self-esteem. A person with dementia (PWD) deserves to be treated in such a way that they can retain their dignity as much as possible.

Situation #1 – the PWD needs their dentures scrubbed.

“Give me your dentures and I’ll scrub them.” Nobody wants to pop out their teeth and hand them to someone else.

“Here’s a dish to put your dentures in. I’ll be back in a moment and clean them for you. I’ll bring you a cup of tea to sip while I do that.” Giving the PWD a moment’s privacy to accomplish this helps them retain their dignity. They may forget and have to be reminded why the dish is there, but using the same dish each and every time will help.

Situation #2 – the PWD needs regular trips to the bathroom to prevent accidents. Few things will squash our dignity faster than having an accident.

“You need to go to the bathroom.” This approach rarely works, as the PWD may lack the ability to recognize the sensation of a full bladder anymore. They don’t think they need to go. They resent being told that they do.

“After you use the bathroom and wash your hands, we’ll have a snack.” You’ve given a logical reason why the trip to the bathroom is needed. Substitute the snack with a walk or playing a game or whatever works for the PWD.

Pause for a CAUSE

You are invited to join the Alpena Association of Lifelong Learners at: Alpena Community College room CTR 104 Tuesday, May 24 9:00am - 10:00am Enjoy a doughnut and a free cup of coffee. Drop off a cash contribution, visit with friends, and meet the Alzheimer's Association staff in Alpena. What a great way to start the day and help our community!

2011 Walk to End Alzheimer's Quilt

Once again the lovely ladies of The White Pine Quilt Guild in Harrisville, have donated a quilt that will be raffled at the Alpena Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 17.

Tickets are available now at the Alpena Office or from Alpena Walk to End Alzheimer's teams. Cost is $1/ticket or 6 tickets/$5. All proceeds benefit the families here in Northern Michigan dealing with Alzheimer's Disease.

This beautiful quilt is queen bed sized and machine quilted by Ruth's Quilted Dreams of Harrisville. The guild ladies who stitched the quilt meet at Hollyhock Quilt Shoppe in Harrisville, MI. If you're in the area, stop in and thank the ladies there for their generous support!

Respect

Lori La Bey is a speaker, trainer, consultant, spokes person, and author who advocates for people with Alzheimer’s Disease. She authors a blog called Alzheimer’s Speaks.

Lori defines her PRIDE Principal™ this way: Preserve, Respect, Independence, Dignity for Everyone. As caregivers we are charged with the responsibility to “preserve” these things for our person with dementia (PWD). Today we’ll look at respect.

Respect – is a need we all have, no matter where we are in life. As a caregiver, preserving the self respect of your PWD is a great way to help that person feel good. Avoiding snappish replies and talking down to someone will help preserve their self-esteem.

Situation #1 – the PWD is repeatedly asking about dinner.

“I told you already, we’re going out to dinner. Stop badgering me about it!” The caregiver has arms crossed, frown in place, tapping a toe on the floor, assaulting the PWD with both verbal and physical disrespect.

“We’re going out for dinner tonight, it will be fun.” The caregiver is smiling, even though it’s the fifteenth time these words have been repeated in the last half hour. The caregiver is answering the question and giving positive non-verbal communication as well.

Situation #2 – the PWD is having difficulty tying a shoe.

“Let me do that, we’re going to be late. You can’t even tie your own shoe.” The caregiver takes the laces out of the PWD’s fingers and ties the shoe.

“Those shoes need cleaning up, wear this pair today.” Or, “Those shoes don’t go with your outfit, wear these instead.” The caregiver holds out a pair of slip-on style shoes. The caregiver offered the PWD a way out of a frustrating and embarrassing situation with a logical reason for changing what wasn’t working.

Preserving a PWD’s self respect will help keep peace and harmony in the home. A PWD who retains their self-esteem is less likely to become angry, sullen, uncooperative, or depressed.

Caregiving Tip - Mastering Reactions

One of the best skills a caregiver can learn is to control their own reactions.

"But it's my loved one's behavior that is the problem!"

Understanding dementia is difficult and living with it is too. For example, a person with dementia cannot remember repeating themselves over and over. However, this does prevent them from understanding anger, impatience, disapproval, or any other negative reaction caused by their forgetful behavior. Hurt feelings, return anger, and confusion are often the result.

Left unchecked, this becomes a vicious cycle. The caregiver feels stressed by the dementia related behavior. The person with dementia feels stressed by the caregiver's reactions. It falls on the caregiver to break that cycle because the person with dementia is not able to.

Learning to not react negatively to dementia caused behaviors will result in a more content and less stressful environment for everyone.

New Department of Defense program to fund Alzheimer's research

As the leading voluntary health organization advocating for Alzheimer's care, support and research, the Alzheimer's Association is pleased that Congress has authorized a $15 million investment to be provided to the Department of Defense's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) to create an Alzheimer's Research Grant Program. The program will provide grants for research that will explore the causes, complications and potential treatments associated with Alzheimer's disease, particularly among those in the military.

The funding will be used to create a peer-reviewed research grant program portfolio which will include traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other research areas. The Alzheimer's Association joined US Against Alzheimer's in support of the creation of this very important program which will make a significant contribution to greater understanding about Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's Genes

"Ultimately, the full list of Alzheimer’s genes emerging from the family-based genetic studies of the Alzheimer’s Genome Project and the population based studies of the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project are getting us closer and closer to someday being able to eradicate Alzheimer’s disease using a strategy of early prediction and early intervention."
-- Dr. Rudolph Tanzi

What a happy day it will be when our hard working researchers are able to tag the cause or triggers for Alzheimer's! This article goes indepth about the genetic information we have to date.

Thank You!

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who came together to make this year's 9-Ball Pool Tournaments in Montmorency and Alpena Counties successful. We had a blast! If you missed out, be sure and mark your calendars next year, Feb 12 - March 25, 2012.

Normal Memory Loss

Not all memory loss is Alzheimer's or a related dementia. Let's repeat that for emphasis. Not all memory loss is Alzheimer's or a related dementia. With aging comes a degree of memory loss that is a normal, natural consequence of growing older. A recent study done by Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neurologist at the University of California at San Francisco, shows the differences in brain activity between people 20-30 years old vs people 60-80 years old.

Dr. Gazzaley’s study looked at a type of memory called working memory, which is considered a precious and finite resource that people tap into when they are engaged in a task, like doing a work project or having a conversation. The study did not look at the effects of multitasking on long-term memory. However, Dr. Gazzaley said there was a relationship between people’s ability to develop long-term memories and the amount of time they spend focused on a particular experience. In other words, if interruptions make it difficult for older people to remember what they were doing in the short run, it also could hurt their ability to record those experiences over the long run, he said.

But Dr. Gazzaley said the study sheds more light on the reasons that short-term memories seem suddenly to go empty, as when someone stands in front the refrigerator, forgetting what it is he went to get.

“Events such as these increase in frequency as we get older — the classic senior moment. We now understand that this is not necessarily a memory problem per se, but often the result of an interaction between attention and memory,” he said. “For example, a phone call or text that interrupts us on the way to the refrigerator will negatively impact our ability to remember what we were going to the refrigerator to get in the first place.”

So the next time you experience one of these "senior moments", relax and realize that it may very well be a normal, expected reaction to our hectic and cluttered lifestyle!

Happy Easter

From the Staff and Volunteers
of the Northern Michigan Region

Traverse City Walk to End Alzheimer's

Have you visited the website for Traverse City's Walk to End Alzheimer's yet?

Today would be a good day to:

sign up your team

join an existing team

donate to a registered walker

What are you waiting for?

The end of Alzheimer's starts here!

Virtual Candlelight Rally

On the evening of May 15, 2011, advocates will gather on the lawn in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., share their stories and light candles in honor of loved ones. This moving ceremony is part of the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Advocacy Forum. Add your support by joining our Virtual Rally by visiting the web page.

Happy Passover

From the Staff and Volunteers

of the Northern Region

Overcoming Bathing Issues

Getting a dementia patent to bathe can be one of life's biggest challenges. This article by Carole Larkin gives a ton of helpful tips and techniques. This is a great one:

If there is no other way to get them to bathe. Ask their doctor to write on a prescription pad something like this: “Mr. So-and-so needs to bathe two times a week for infection control”. Make several copies of the prescription (in case they tear it up). Show the prescription to them and say “Doctor’s orders”.

Alpena Walk to End Alzheimer's

Have you visited the website for Alpena's Walk to End Alzheimer's yet?

Today would be a good day to:

sign up your team

join an existing team

donate to a registered walker

What are you waiting for?

The end of Alzheimer's starts here!

Chicken Dinner & Pool Tournament - Atlanta Eagles

We have something to crow about! The good folks of Atlanta are pulling out all the stops this year to give a grand finale to the 14th Annual Bar Pool Tournaments. The Montmorency County Commission on Aging is hosting a Chicken Dinner, open to the public, on Sunday, April 17th, in conjunction with our last Bar Pool Tournament! The Atlanta Eagles are graciously donating the use of their building for this event! Join us for a fun day!

Atlanta Eagles 18020 M-32, Atlanta
Pool Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination
Dinner begins at 1:00pm
Cost is $10.00 at the door
(Contact MCCOA at 989.785.2580 for advance tickets at $7.00 each)
50/50 raffle Chinese Raffle More fun than you can shake a pool cue at!

Mercy Hospital Grayling

Mercy Hospital Grayling is once again contributing to Alpena's Walk to End Alzheimer's as a Program Sponsor. They have been a steadfast participant in this event for many years. Thank you! Your continued support helps families here in Northern Michigan.

Cadillac - Save the Date!

We are excited to announce our first satillite Walk to End Alzheimer's. Cadillac is piloting this innovative move to start local walks in our Northern Michigan Region. Cadillac's Walk to End Alzheimer's will be tracked on the Traverse City walk site. Look for the Cadillac teams to be listed there soon. For more information, contact the office at 231.929.3804 or visit the website link above.

Cadillac Walk - September 24th
exact route to be announced
10:00am - registration
11:00am - walk

14th Annual Bar Pool Tournaments - Chauncey's Pub

Join us Sunday, April 10, at
Chauncey's Pub
121 N State St, Hillman
for the sixth 9-Ball Tournament of 2011.

Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
Lunch provided to players by Chauncey's Pub
Non-players lunch for $5.00 donation to the Alzheimer's Association
50/50 raffle
$500 cash prize raffle (drawing 04-15-11)
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination

Alzheimer's Study in Scotland

This study is looking at the possible impact of melatonin on sleep habits of people with dementia. The hopeful conclusion is that adding melatonin will improve the person with dementia's quality of sleep, thereby allowing them to function better during the day. This study is being done in Scotland.

"In our groundwork for this project we investigated a slow-release version of the natural compound melatonin. Our findings suggested that the participants functioned better during the day - possibly due to a better quality sleep pattern." Dr Crawford said that melatonin does not currently exist as a treatment for dementia but was registered in Europe and the UK for use with elderly patients with sleeping difficulties. He said: "It has proven to be remarkably safe and virtually free from side effects. We are exploring whether its use as an add-on treatment for dementia could transform the lives of patients and their carers. "With the help of volunteers from Scotland we aim to establish whether adding melatonin to current treatments could provide a major advance in dementia management."

Walk to End Alzheimer's Traverse City Chairperson

We are pleased to have Jessica Schlimme, who is employed by First Community Bank in Traverse City, serve as the 2011 Event Chairperson for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Jessica is very excited about this year’s event. “Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be a day to remember those who have been lost to this disease, to honor their caregivers, and to work toward an end to this illness.”

The Traverse City walk will take place Saturday, October 1st, at the Village, Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. Join Jessica in this event by visiting Walk to End Alzheimer’s or call the Alzheimer's Office at 231.929.3804. The end of Alzheimer's starts here.

14th Annual Bar Pool Tournaments - Hoppe's Hut

Join us Sunday, April 3, at
Hoppe's Hut
6449 M-65 South, Lachine
for the fifth 9-Ball Tournament of 2011.

Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
Lunch provided to players by Hoppe's Hut
Non-players lunch for $5.00 donation to the Alzheimer's Association
50/50 raffle
$500 cash prize raffle (drawing 04-15-11)
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination

Train Your Brain

The Alzheimer's Association has long endorsed our "Maintain Your Brain" program which stresses using your brain to keep it active and healthy. This study done by Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal illustrates the reasons why.

The hypothesis behind the research was that certain cells traditionally involved in other brain processes could, through a simple memory-training programme, temporarily take over since they themselves are not yet affected.

The above has been accepted for many years, the exciting part of this study is seeing it displayed through Magnetic resonance imaging.Before the memory training, magnetic resonance imaging in both the healthy elderly subjects and those with MCI showed activation in areas of the brain traditionally associated with memory.

As expected, decreased activation was observed in subjects with MCI. After training, brain areas in elderly subjects with MCI showed increased activation in areas typically associated with memory, but also in new areas of the brain usually associated with language processing, spatial and object memory and skill learning. “Analysis of brain activity during encoding as measured before and after the training program, indicates that increased post-training activation in the right inferior parietal gyrus is associated with post-intervention improvement. The healthy area of the brain has taken over for the area that is compromised,” said Belleville.

Diane O'Connor and Lisa Teglas, both Program Coordindators for our Northern Region, are available to give the "Maintain Your Brain" presentation to groups upon request. Contact your closest office to schedule a date, phone numbers are below the header.

2011 Facts and Figures Video

Please share this video with your friends and family, re-post on Facebook, your personal blog, Twitter, wherever you can share. People need to know!

14th Annual Bar Pool Tournaments - Avalon Bar

Join us Sunday, March 27, at
Avalon Bar
18020 County Road 451, Hillman
for the fourth 9-Ball Tournament of 2011.

Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
Lunch provided to players by Avalon Bar
Non-players lunch for $5.00 donation to the Alzheimer's Association
50/50 raffle
$500 cash prize raffle (drawing 04-15-11)
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination

Senate Appropriation Subcommittee Meeting March 16

Pegg Thomas, from our Alpena office, will be testifying before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee in Lansing on Wednesday, March 16th. She will be appealing to the Senators for reinstatement of funding for the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

All state funding was cut in 2009. But today is a new day! Our new governor wants "value for dollar" spending and that's what we plan to demonstrate to the Senators on Wednesday. Here is a snippet from Pegg's testmony:

According to data release this year, in Michigan there are 180,000 people with dementia. If even 1% of them per year, 1,800 people, are able to live an extra 3 months at home due to our services, it will save the State of Michigan $8,497,764 in nursing home Medicaid payments alone. The state could reinstate our past support of $600,000 yearly and still save $7,897,764 per year.

You can help by contacting your local Senator and asking that he look at the facts and make the determination to support the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

District 35 - Darwin Booher
District 36 - John Moolenaar
District 37 - Howard Walker

We currently have no state or federal funding. Our offices survive on the generosity of the people of Northern Michigan, some grants and our fundraising events. Given the state of the economy here in Michigan, however, it hasn't been enough. We are facing a dire shortfall at the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2011. Nobody wants to cut services, but we face that possibility without a change from Lansing. Please make that contact now.

14th Annual Bar Pool Tournament - Know-Good Pub & Grub

Join us Sunday, March 20, at
Know-Good Pub & Grub
12350 State St, Atlanta
for the third 9-Ball Tournament of 2011.

Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
Lunch provided to players by Know-Good Pub & Grub
Non-players lunch for $5.00 donation to the Alzheimer's Association
50/50 raffle
$500 cash prize raffle (drawing 04-15-11)
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination

McFalda Law Office - Rogers City

Thank you McFalda Law Office for joining us again in 2011 as a Program Sponsor for Walk to End Alzheimer's in Alpena! Attorney Judy McFalda cares about the people of Northern Michigan. This is the 3rd year McFalda Law Office has made this commitment. Returning sponsors build the backbone of our Walks.

Join the cause by supporting Walk to End Alzheimer's today. Start a team, join a team, or donate to a registered walker on-line today. The end of Alzheimer's starts HERE.

Brain Awareness Week - March 14-20, 2011

What is Brain Awareness Week and why should we care about it? Started in 1996 by The Dana Alliance, Brain Awareness Week focuses international attention on the field of neuroscience and offers opportunities for teachers and students to engage in fun educational activities. The goals include:

* Inspire the next generation of scientists

* Contribute to general understanding of basic brain functions

* Improve public health by expanding awareness of neurological disorders

* Make the connection between increased support for biomedical research and benefits to public health

All of these goals fall in line with our vision for a world without Alzheimer's. Today's student may be tomorrow's scientist who unlocks the mystery of the disease.

Do something good for your brain during the week. Take a walk (exercise), visit with friends (be social), play a game (stimulate your mind), and try one of the healthy recipes (eat healthy foods) found here on our blog.

14th Annual Bar Pool Tournaments - Hi Way Inn

Join us Sunday, March 13, at
Hi Way Inn
231 N State St, Hillman
for the second 9-Ball Tournament of 2011.

Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
Lunch provided to players by Hi Way Inn
Non-players lunch for $5.00 donation to the Alzheimer's Association
50/50 raffle
$500 cash prize raffle (drawing 04-15-11)
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination

14th Annual Bar Pool Tournaments - Phatt Boyz

Join us Sunday, March 6, at
Phatt Boyz Bar
3046 M-32 West, Alpena
for the first 9-Ball Tournament of 2011. This is Phatt Boyz first year to participate in the annual fund raising event for the Alzheimer's Association. Welcome Phatt Boyz!

Registration - 11:30am
Pool Play begins - noon
Costs - $5.00 per player
Lunch provided to players by Phatt Boyz
Non-players lunch for $5.00 donation to the Alzheimer's Association
50/50 raffle
$500 cash prize raffle (drawing 04-15-11)
32 or less players - double elimination
33 or more players - singles elimination

Aging Boomers

The Baby Boomers started turning 65 as of January 1st this year at the incredible rate of 10,000 per day. We know that 1 in 8 persons (roughly 13%) age 65 and older will develop Alzhimer's. Statistically, that means 1,300 of the 10,000 daily Boomers reaching 65 will develop the disease.


What can we do to be ready for the staggering numbers ahead? Personally we can take better care of our own overall health. Proper diet, exercise, and living a socially active life are proven methods to staying healthy longer


Locally we can support Walk to End Alzheimer's and keep our services available, most free of charge, to the people who need them. The more education, counseling, and support we provide to families, the longer they can care for their loved one at home. Nursing facilities are expensive and the decision to admit a loved one is gut-wrenching. Enabling and supporting home caregivers benefits the family as well as the person with dementia.


Nationally we can write to our senators and represenatives and demand that they take this crisis seriously. More money is needed for research. Alzheimer's research is tragically under-funded compared to other diseases.


The power of the Boomers has always been its numbers. It's time to use those numbers in another positive way, by supporting the Walks in Alpena and Traverse City, and by contacting our State Senators, State Representatives, U.S. Senator Carl Levin, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and our U.S. Congress Representatives. Together we will make a difference.

Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are a fun alternative to traditional potato fries. Make them without the mess of frying with this oven-baked recipe from PositScience. Sweet potatoes and olive oil add beneficial folic acid and antioxidants to any meal.

1 pound sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2 inch strips

1/4 cup olive oil

1 teas salt

1/2 teas cayenne pepper (or regular pepper to taste)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper. Put all incredients in a large sealable bag and toss several times to coat. Spread onto baking sheet. Bake 30 - 40 minutes, turning 3 or 4 times. Drain on paper towels.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association has re-branded Memory Walk into Walk to End Alzheimer's. This is the first year under our new name. By changing the name to include the word Alzheimer's, as well as firmly indicating our goal to find the cure, we hope to attract more people and raise more awareness of this disease and the families affected by it.

Here in Northern Michigan we have two walks already scheduled. The web pages are up and active. Today is the perfect time to sign up your team, or join an existing team, and get involved.

Remember, you do not have to attend the walk to participate! We understand that people are busy and Saturdays in the fall are not always convenient. By raising funds through the spring and summer months, you can still be an irreplacible part of this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's!

Another way to participate is to support a registered walker. Click on their name to make an on-line donation to the walker of your choice. You can make your donation in memory of, or in honor of, the person you choose. Click on the links below for the walk closest to you:

Alpena - Walk to End Alzheimer's

Traverse City - Walk to End Alzheimer's

Thank you for helping us make this inaugural year of Walk to End Alzheimer's a successful event! We wouldn't be here without the support of friends like you!

Chewy Oat-Nut Cookies

Another sweet recipe from PositScience to deliver important antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, and omega 3 fatty acids.

10 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teas vanilla

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 teas baking soda

1/2 teas salt (omit if using salted butter)

1 1/2 cups oatmeal (not quick oats)

1/2 cup pitted prunes, chopped into raisin sized pieces

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/2 cup flaked, unsweetened coconut

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugars with a mixer. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, mix just until combined. Stir in oatmeal, dates, nuts, and coconut. Spoon large tablespoons onto baking sheet. Bake 8 - 9 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheets 4 - 5 minutes before removing. For easiest removing, line baking sheets with parchment paper before baking.

Oatmeal with Almonds and Dried Cherries

Try this for breakfast, a bowl full of delicious antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, omega 3 fatty acids, and lean protein. Feel your health blossom with every bite! Another great recipe from PositScience.

Oatmeal is always a good choice for breakfast, brunch or anytime you need a warm bowl of health "comfort food". Avoid loading it up with refined sugars by adding fruit, fresh or dried, or honey to sweeten it up.

3 1/2 cups lowfat or skim milk

1 teas cinnamon

2 cups oats (no quick oats)

1 cup dried unsweetened cherries, cranberries, blueberries, or raisins

2/3 cup slivered almonds

maple syrup or honey to taste

Heat milk and cinnamon in a saucepan just until boiling. Add oats and cook, stirring, over medium heat until it reaches the desired consistency, about 5 minutes. Add fruit and stir. Turn off heat, cover and let set for 5 minutes. Spoon into serving bowls and top with almonds. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey to taste.

Happy Valentine's Day

From the Staff and Volunteers

of the Northern Michigan Region!

Spinach Scramble

Antioxidants, folic acid, lean protein, and omega 3 fatty acids are all combined in this tasty breakfast or brunch scramble. Another recipe from PositScience.

6 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 teas salt

1/4 teas pepper

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1 Tbsp + 2 teas olive oil, divided

4 -5 green onions, finely chopped

Whisk eggs, milk, salt & pepper in a mixing bowl. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a non-stick saute pan over medium-high heat. Add spinach and cook 2-3 minutes, tossing to wilt. Remove spinach from pan and set aside. Turn heat down to medium. In the same pan, add remaining 2 teas oil and heat. Add eggs and cook, scraping bottom and sides, folding them over continuously until cooked through. Turn off heat, stir in spinach and green onions, serve with whole wheat toast.

Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit

Under the Affordable Care Act (the health care reform law), Medicare will now pay for an annual wellness visit, which will include the creation of a personalized prevention plan and detection of possible cognitive impairment. This new benefit began on January 1, 2011.

For more information about who is eligible, what to expect, and how to prepare, visit the Alzheimer's Webpage here.