Fall 2011 (.pdf) This edition of Reach Out discusses “a stranger in your life.”  Whether you are bewildered by the family member who has developed Alzheimer’s disease, the grandchild who has just moved in with you, the home health aide who comes into your home or even yourself in this new role this edition is for you.

Summer 2011 (.pdf), The theme for this edition is living a healthy life.

Spring 2011 (.pdf), Support services for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren are being cuts.  Learn about the issue in this edition.

January 2011 (.pdf) The theme for this edition is finding destressers, that is the ways you find to relieve stress.  This should be an edition for everyone!   

Fall 2010 (.pdf), The theme for this edition is “Communication.”

Spring 2010 (.pdf), The theme for this edition is “Volunteerism.” Included are articles about the benefits of volunteering and ways to find volunteer opportunities.

Summer 2009 (.pdf), the topic is tuning up your coping skills and finding resources to deal with pressures and stress, including internet resources and suicide prevention and awareness materials.

Fall 2009 (.pdf), the topic is about planning, including “where will the children go,” tax planning, health care choices and legacy giving.

Spring 2009 (.pdf), This edition is all about Male Caregivers, articles include information gathered through a male focus group on caregiving, information on a veteran’s project, help for disciplining children in your care and much more.

Winter 2008 (.pdf) | Spring 2008 (.pdf)

The Kinship Care Chronicle:

Sep '09 | Aug '09 | July '09 | June '09 | May '09 | Apr '09 | Mar '09 | Feb '09 | Jan '09

Capital Region Senior Issues Forum Newsletter:

Jan. 2011 | Sept. 2010 | Feb 2010

In the News

AAN Issues Guideline on When People with Alzheimer’s Disease Should Stop Driving
read release

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The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) late last week applauded the Social Security Administration for including early-onset Alzheimer's disease among the medical conditions that clearly qualify and will be given automatic approval for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits, rather than have individuals go through what could be a lengthy qualification process.

The change, announced February 11, folds early-onset Alzheimer's disease, as well as37 other medical conditions, into what is known as the "Compassionate Allowances" category. It takes effect March 1.

"Every minute counts for people with Alzheimer's disease," said Eric J. Hall, AFA's president and chief executive officer. "By fast-tracking the process to obtain benefits, the Social Security Administration is assisting countless younger individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families whose quality of life depends on this type of support. The Compassionate Allowance will make an enormous difference in enabling affected individuals to move toward managing their diagnosis and planning for the future."

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is a rarer form of the brain disorder in which symptoms appear prior to age 65, even occurring in individuals in their 30's and 40's. More commonly, Alzheimer's disease affects individuals 65 and older.

Last September, in a comment letter to the Social Security Administration, AFA had pressed for fast-tracking in light of the significant number of individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's disease as well as the additional issues they often face due to their younger age. For example, AFA had noted, they are less likely to be diagnosed because healthcare providers generally don't look for this brain disorder in younger people; and many who are still employed when symptoms emerge are forced to give up work and other responsibilities due to their declining cognitive function.

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Anti-psychotics and dementia Following an FDA warning regarding the dangers of giving anti-psychotic medications to people with dementia, NYS Office of Mental Health released an advisory for mental health providers in NYS. Click here .

The Alliance sent the Advisory on to the NYS Department of Health, Division of Long-Term Care and to organizations that represent nursing homes in the hopes that similar standards would be established in the long-term care system. No word yet whether they have or have not.

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