A Tour of Italy

The Northern Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
in partnership with Tuscan Bistro
is excited to offer:

“A Tour of Italy”
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Beginning at 6:00 pm
Tuscan Bistro
12930 SW Bay Shore Dr
Traverse City, MI 49684

Cost for the evening is $40.00 per person,

there is a 50 seat limit, reservation available.

Guest will experience a four course menu with wine pairings.

In addition, guests can enjoy other wines and drinks from the cash bar.
To make your reservation please contact

the Tuscan Bistro at 231- 922-7795.

Turkey with Cranberry Slaw Sandwich

Make yourself a Memory Sandwich

Turkey with Cranberry Slaw

Cranberries are packed with antioxidants which can help improve memory. They also go great with turkey!

Ingredients:

whole grain bread
1 cup shredded turkey
½ cup shredded red or white cabbage
¼ cup shredded carrot
A few pecans, finely chopped
1 tbs finely chopped cilantro
2 tbs buttermilk
2 tbs mayo
2 tbs dried cranberries

Mix together everything but the turkey. Layer turkey on bread, top with slaw.

Recipe from: AskMen.com

WVU finds promising treatment for Alzheimer's

There are studies going on in many countries to find better treatments and ultimately "the cure" for Alzheimer's. This one is looking at the disease in a different way. The article in interesting and worth reading. It's too soon to get excited about it, but it's good to know that researchers are thinking outside the box and working dilgently to end Alzheimer's.

Your contributions to the Alzheimer's Association help this work to continue!

Hoppin' John

Hoppin' John is a traditional Southern dish. This recipe from PositScience includes both antioxidants and folic acid, known to promote brain health.

5 slices of smoky bacon, chopped into small pieces

1 small onion, chopped

1 small red pepper, chopped into 1/4" squares

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained & rinsed

1/2 teas dry mustard

1/4 teas Worcestershire Sauce

Salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

Cook bacon in large saucepan until crispy. Add onion, pepper, and garlic. Cook 3 - 5 minutes, until vegetables are soft, add rice, black-eyed peas, dry mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce. Cook and stir for 5 minutes. Season to taste. Cook and stir another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Heart Healthy Honey Glazed Sweet Potatoes

l/4 cup water
2 tblsp brown sugar
2 tblsp honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds sweet potatoes (4 large) peeled and cut into wedges

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly coat a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. In a small bowl whisk water, brown sugar, honey and olive oil. Place a single layer of sweet potatoes in the pan and pour the sauce over them to coat. Cover and bake until tender (about 45 min.) Turn them once or twice to coat. When tender, remove the cover and continue to bake for about 15 more minutes.

(Baking is the preferred way to cook since boiling leaches out vitamins and minerals.)
Submitted by Rosalie Shepherd to alz.org

New York Times Article

The New York Times published a very good article on keeping a person with dementia happy and content. The article showcases a nursing facility, but many of the suggestions made can easily be adopted for a home environment. A long article, three pages on-line, it's worth the time to read. Here is one excerpt:

For behavior management, Beatitudes plumbs residents’ biographies, soothing one woman, Ruth Ann Clapper, by dabbing on White Shoulders perfume, which her biographical survey indicated she had worn before becoming ill. Food became available constantly, a canny move, Ms. Dougherty said, because people with dementia might be “too distracted” to eat during group mealtimes, and later “be acting out when what they actually need is food.”

Realizing that nutritious, low-salt, low-fat, doctor-recommended foods might actually discourage people from eating, Ms. Alonzo began carrying chocolate in her pocket. “For God’s sake,” Ms. Mullan said, “if you like bacon, you can have bacon here.”

Comforting food improves behavior and mood because it “sends messages they can still understand: ‘it feels good, therefore I must be in a place where I’m loved,’ ” Ms. Dougherty said.

Raffle Tickets - Help Support the GMC

The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is holding a cash prize raffle, the drawing will be held on Friday, April 15th. All sold tickets must be turned in no later than Monday, April 11, 2011 to be included in the drawing.

There will be 6 winners!

There are 2 ways to win!

Three $500 winners will be drawn and three $200 prizes awarded
(The $200 prizes will be awarded to those
people who sold the winning tickets.)

Tickets are available at both office locations and sell for $5.00 each.

To increase your chances of winning, along with helping the Greater Michigan Chapter, you can volunteer sell tickets. Questions? Call either office, phone numbers to the right.

Alzheimer's Association
526 W Chisholm Street
Alpena, MI 49707
or
Alzheimer's Association
921 11th Street, Suite 1W
Traverse City, MI 49864

President Obama Signs NAPA

“The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased that a much needed plan will now be put into place to address the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, currently the sixth-leading cause of death in this country. In fact, among the 10 leading causes of death, it is by far the fastest growing — increasing more than 50 percent from 2000 to 2007,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO. “Given the devastation experienced by millions of families because of this disease and the staggering economic costs, particularly to Medicare and Medicaid, we must have an effective strategy now. The fact that Alzheimer’s is the only one of the top 10 causes of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow it underscores the critical need for the swift, aggressive implementation of this legislation."
Read more HERE.

Medic Alert + Safe Return Special Price for January

Our gift to you comes AFTER the rush of the holiday season, in the form of offering $10 off (a 20% discount) on MedicAlert + Safe Return enrollment for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Take this opportunity to try the program out and let us provide our lifesaving service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to you and your family.

Over the past year, we responded to thousands of calls and relayed vital medical information to emergency responders on behalf of our members, thereby helping responders to provide safe and effective care in a matter of seconds and ensuring the safe return of our members with their loved ones.

Please enroll your loved one today and enjoy the peace of mind associated with being with family and friends during this holiday season. During this special limited time offer, you can enroll your loved one for only $39.95, which includes a MedicAlert medical ID! (Regularly priced at $49.95.)

This special won’t last long, so enroll your loved one today!* Click here to sign up on-line.

Alzheimer's Rose Bowl Parade Float

For those who missed it, here is the Alzheimer's float which won the President's Award for 2011. Thank you to Pfizer who collaborated to make this float happen. Awareness is key to reaching people with Alzheimer's, their families, and to secure funding for research.