By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
Ohio is trending above the national average in Alzheimer’s disease cases, but the Alzheimer’s Association is striving to find a cure and working to support those with a diagnosis, as well as their caregivers. On April 12, the Alzheimer’s Association hosted an informational meeting at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital to provide updates on the organization’s effort and educate the public on the disease and its treatment.
Alzheimer’s is the result of biological changes in the brain, said Camren Harris, the Ohio Public Policy Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association. Harris was the featured speaker at the event. Those changes, he said, can begin as early as 20 years before symptoms occur. Both modifiable risk factors – including diet, cardiovascular health and social engagement – as well as nonmodifiable risk factors – such as age, genetics and gender – contribute to the disease.
The good news is that early diagnosis and revolutionary treatments are improving the lives of those with Alzheimer’s. Harris said that positron emission tomography (PET) scans can measure amyloid and tau, two hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, and current research is striving to develop fluid-based biomarkers to simplify diagnosis.
“It is an exciting time of research,” Harris said. “We’re learning more and expanding how we’re tracking the disease.”
The informational meeting was hosted by Alzheimer’s Association Walk Manager, Erica Parnisari. The session included a panel discussion by Alzheimer’s Association Program Manager Jennifer Miller; Good Shepherd Home Executive Director, Chris Widman; and Stephanie Johnson, a Licensed Professional Counselor at Sojourn at Seneca.
Among the attendees in the audience was Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart, who was grateful for the information shared at the event.
“I appreciate the Tiffin Mercy Hospital for hosting the Alzheimer’s education meeting this morning,” Frankart said. “The forum really showed the community partners who are involved to help families work with loved ones who are experiencing Alzheimer’s and how there is more potential for early diagnosis.”
The panel shared information on a number of resources to support Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers and research. They include:
- Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter support group for caregivers, held in the McMullen Room 1 at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. To register, call 800-272-3900.
- DayBreak SAIDO Learning Center therapeutic day program at Good Shepherd Home for older adults with memory loss. Participants engage in social activities and an individualized curriculum of fitness exercises and SAIDO Learning brain exercises. SAIDO Learning techniques focus on stimulating the prefrontal cortex of the brain through reading, writing and arithmetic exercises. The Good Shepherd Home is at 725 Columbus Ave. in Fostoria. It can be reached at 419-937-1801.
- Alzheimer’s Disease education and awareness talks, including a new series for caregivers. For more information, call Jennifer Miller at 567-302-3610.
- Information, education and support through Sojourn at Seneca, including practical information on topics such as establishing a power of attorney and funding nursing home stays. For more information, call Stephanie Johnson at 567-207-2230.
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Tiffin Regional, held on Sept. 28. Register at alz.org/walk.
- Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900.
For more information on the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org.