Are you in search of information related to brain health? Do you care for a person with a form of dementia like Alzheimer's, Lewy Body, Vascular, or Frontotemporal? Looking for a way to support someone caring for another with dementia? Then please check out our Brain Health Bulletin! Please feel free to forward this to anyone who may find benefit in receiving it! The Brain Health Bulletin is designed to be your quick reference to the latest information about brain health, dementia research, technology, cultural awareness for effective, inclusive, and compassionate dementia treatment, care partner tools, and more! Access the bulletin here: Brain Health Bulletin #17 Also, be sure to check out our new podcast called The Resilient Caregiver at The Resilient Caregiver: Empowering Those Who Serve People Diagnosed with Dementia • A podcast on Anchor

1. Brain Health Bulletin
V O L U M E 1 7
From Dementia Care Specialists ADRC Southwest Wisconsin Feb 22, 2023

2. Disclaimer
Reference in this Brain Health Bulletin to any
specific commercial products, processes, or
services, or the use of any trade, firm, or
corporation name is for the information and
convenience of the public, and does not
constitute endorsement, recommendation, or
favoring by the ADRC, or its officers, employees
or agents.

3. Source: https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2017/03/15/infographic-6-worst-foods-brain/

4. Technology
GrandPad® is designed with seniors in mind, featuring simple navigation, large buttons, and enhanced
sound. The user-friendly interface makes GrandPad perfect for older adults to connect with family and
friends worldwide.
The angled design of the charging cradle makes it an ideal hands-free stand for video calling.
Accessibility, durability, and quality are essential to the design—offering a frictionless experience for
seniors with arthritis, low dexterity, or vision impairment.
The lightweight stylus improves manual dexterity and handling for people who have difficulty tapping a
touch screen. A soft rubber tip and low resistance make navigating the tablet’s apps and screens easier
with a swipe or tap.
Source: https://www.grandpad.net/

5. Real-World Evidence
Medisafe is the leading medication engagement platform, and the most
clinically-validated solution in the industry.
Our patient-centered approach makes management of the most complex
treatment regimens possible, lifting adherence rates and extending persistence,
all demonstrated through randomized control trials, independent retrospective
studies, and case studies.
Access & Coordination
See how Medisafe provides transparency and guidance to patients through an
overwhelming process. Our integrated digital solutions reduce the complexities
of getting and paying for medications, resulting in seamless enrollment,
expedited benefits investigation, integrated document exchange, streamlined
prior authorization, and even shipment tracking.
Source: https://www.medisafe.com/
Technology

6. Your life goals matter
Kinumi is for active older adults, looking to age on their own terms. We offer a
personal concierge service, helping active agers achieve the health and lifestyle goals
that matter most to them.
Kinumi is your personal coach for optimal physical, mental, and emotional health.
From exploring new hobbies to getting involved in your community, enriching
experiences and connections await. Make these years grand with more quality time
and connection with friends and family.
Source: https://kinumi.com/
Technology

7. 2 cups arugula
1 red endive, thinly sliced (1/4-inch rings)
1/2 cup California walnuts, candied (recipe below)
2 ounces walnut oil
2 ounces Pickled Shallots (recipe below)
8 strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup California walnuts
1 egg white
1 ounce sugar or sugar substitute*
2 tablespoons walnut oil
Salt to taste
2 shallots, medium, sliced
4 ounces red wine vinegar
1 ounce sugar or sugar substitute*
Salt to taste
Arugula, Strawberry & Walnut Salad
Ingredients:
Salad
*Optional: blue cheese, crumbled
Candied Walnuts
Pickled Shallots
Source: https://walnuts.org/recipe/arugula-strawberry-and-walnut-salad/
MIND Diet Recipe

8. Arugula, Strawberry & Walnut Salad (Continued)
Directions:
For the candied walnuts, beat egg white until it forms soft peaks. Add the
sugar or sugar substitute and mix together. Add the walnuts and coat
with the egg mixture. Place in a 300°F oven for 30 minutes, stirring every
10 minutes. Allow to cool. Once mixture is cool, toss in walnut oil.
For the pickled shallots, bring vinegar, sugar or sugar substitute and salt
up to a simmer in a saucepan and pour over sliced shallots. Allow to cool.
To make the salad combine all ingredients, using the vinegar from the
shallots and walnut oil from the walnuts as the vinaigrette. Serve
immediately.
Source: https://walnuts.org/recipe/arugula-strawberry-and-walnut-
salad/
MIND Diet Recipe

9. Research
Updates
New test could detect Alzheimer's disease 3.5 years before clinical diagnosis. The
study, published in the journal Brain, supports the idea that components in the
human blood can modulate the formation of new brain cells, a process termed
neurogenesis. Neurogenesis occurs in an important part of the brain called the
hippocampus that is involved in learning and memory.
While Alzheimer's disease affects the formation of new brain cells in the
hippocampus during the early stages of the disease, previous studies have only been
able to study neurogenesis in its later stages through autopsies.
To understand the early changes, researchers collected blood samples over several
years from 56 individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition where
someone will begin to experience a worsening of their memory or cognitive ability.
While not everyone experiencing MCI goes on to develop Alzheimer's disease, those
with the condition progress to a diagnosis at a much higher rate than the wider
population. Of the 56 participants in the study, 36 went on to receive a diagnosis of
Alzheimer's disease.
Dr Aleksandra Maruszak, one of the study's joint first authors from King's IoPPN
explains, "In our study, we treated brain cells with blood taken from people with MCI,
exploring how those cells changed in response to blood as Alzheimer's disease
progressed."
In studying how blood affected the brain cells, the researchers made several key
discoveries. The blood samples collected from participants over the years who
subsequently deterioratedand developed Alzheimer's disease promoted a decrease
in cell growth and division and an increase in apoptotic cell death (the process by
which cells are programmed to die). However, the researchers noted that these
samples also increased the conversion of immature brain cells to hippocampal
neurons.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/dementia/

10. Research
Updates
(continued) While the underlying reasons for the increased neurogenesis remain
unclear, the researchers theorise that it may be an early compensating mechanism
for the neurodegeneration (loss of brain cells) experienced by those developing
Alzheimer's disease.
More steps, moderate physical activity cuts dementia, cognitive impairment risk.
Senior women were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia if
they did more daily walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Fall rate nearly 50% among older Americans with dementia. Targeting specific fall-
risk factors could improve fall screening and prevention strategies. A new study has
shed light on the many and varied fall-risk factors facing older adults in community-
living environments. The research examined a comprehensive set of potential fall-
risk factors -- including environmental factors, in addition to health and function -- in
older community-living adults in the U.S., both with and without dementia.
An action plan to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Large-scale preventive protocol:
Improved lifestyles (physical activity, attention to nutrition, cardiovascular
prevention) have reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or related
forms. However, the prevalence of dementia continues to rise with the ageing
population. Today, an international task force led by the UNIGE and the HUG, and
composed of scientists from twenty-eight institutions, is laying the foundations of a
preventive protocol that could be deployed on a large scale.
''We based this protocol on the experience of all the members of the task force. Some
of the recommended interventions are ready to be applied or are already applied.
Others are still under development,'' explains Giovanni Frisoni, Full Professor of
Clinical Neuroscience at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and Director of the HUG
Memory Centre. Professor Frisoni and the co-authors of the article have identified
four pillars of this novel concept in the field of dementia and Alzheimer's: risk
assessment; risk communication; risk reduction and cognitive enhancement.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/dementia/

11. C U L T U R A L L Y R E S P O N S I V E
R E S O U R C E S
Black caregivers of people with dementia share their perspectives on a
care coordination intervention.
Context
Maximizing Independence at Home (MIND) is a home-based
intervention designed to help provide high-quality, holistic care
coordination for people and families living with dementia. This study
highlights findings from a focus group of Black caregivers on care
needs and challenges of caregiving for people with dementia in the
Black community, the perceived benefits of the MIND program, and
ways the program can be more culturally responsive.
Findings
The focus group participants shared they had limited access to
dementia information, supports, and services due to a general lack of
understanding of Black communities by health care providers,
continued discrimination in health care, racial inequities in access to
services, mistrust of outside care (continued next page)
Source:
https://www.bettercareplaybook.org/resources/transcending-
inequities-dementia-care-black-communities-lessons-maximizing-
independence

12. C U L T U R A L L Y R E S P O N S I V E
R E S O U R C E S
(continued)
partners, financial challenges, and geographic limitations
associated with caregiving. They felt the MIND program offered
them comprehensive needs assessments, assistance in locating
resources, and opportunities for social interaction as well as
respite from their caregiving duties. Suggestions to improve the
MIND program from caregivers included increased staff diversity
and greater clarity and consistency in program promotion and
communications.
Takeaways
Providers and health plans designing long-term care coordination
programs for people with dementia and their caregivers in Black
and other under-resourced communities should be inclusive,
culturally appropriate, and incorporate input from the
communities served.
Source:
https://www.bettercareplaybook.org/resources/transcending-
inequities-dementia-care-black-communities-lessons-
maximizing-independence

13. Check out The Resilient Caregiver Podcast!
Make sure to subscribe to catch all of our
interviews with amazing experts who can
empower you be resilient during your journey
of caregiving!
Learn more at
https://anchor.fm/theresilientcaregiver

14. Make sure to Like and Follow the
Dementia Care Specialist Page on
Facebook @adrcswwi.dementia! If you
have any friends or clients who would
benefit from getting information about
how to be a resilient caregiver, please
recommend this page to them!

29. Questions?
Want a brain wellness check? Reach out
today at
(800) 514-0066
bbeam@gchsd.org
bbiddick@gchsd.org

30. Disclaimer
Reference in this Brain Health Bulletin to any
specific commercial products, processes, or
services, or the use of any trade, firm, or
corporation name is for the information and
convenience of the public, and does not
constitute endorsement, recommendation, or
favoring by the ADRC, or its officers, employees
or agents.