This will be our final monthly edition of our curated article excerpts as we move into our “Less is more” publishing model. We’ll continue to offer article excerpts from time to time. For now, we begin with two guides—one for driving with dementia and the other, Medicare benefits for long-term care. Dementia Alliance International shares a short article on one’s life journey with dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International answers questions regarding vaccines for dementia. Finally, AI-programmed robots help provide care and companionship.
Dementia and Driving
Some people with dementia are able to continue driving safely during the early stages of the disease. As their condition worsens, they and their caregivers will need to reassess their driving abilities. Driving during the later stages of dementia will likely lead to catastrophic results—even fatal car accidents. Warner Law Offices, based in West Virginia and Colorado, have created a guide overviewing seven areas. These include “dementia and driving laws,” “signs of unsafe driving,” “coping with no longer driving,” “how to talk to a person about quitting driving,” and “other transportation options.”
Medicare Benefits for Assisted Living & Long-Term Care
Paying for Senior Care website focuses on “Financial Options for Long Term Care.” While we usually post only recent article excerpts, we made an exception as the information is valuable and links to more updated info are avail. The guide has a convenient clickable Table of Contents describing Medicare, Long-Term Care Benefits, Qualifying, Costs, How to Apply, and Learning the details in your state. For example, Medicare Information for the most populous state—https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/medicare/california
Empowering Voices: Highlights from our Café le Brain
In May, Dementia Alliance International (DAI) organized a virtual café, providing a platform for individuals living with dementia and their care partners to connect and share their experiences. As part of the event, Julie Hayden, a member of DAI, shared her own advocacy journey. The discussion covered various topics, including childhood dementia, challenges in diagnosis and support, the power of advocacy, the significance of community, and the value of continuous learning.
ADI fireside chat: The future of vaccines for Alzheimer’s and dementia
For a change of pace, this is an excerpt from Alzheimer’s Disease International’s 30-minute fireside chat. They answered questions about the progress of vaccines for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. More than 400 people from 83 countries signed up for this event. Click on the title above (YouTube link) for clearly labeled topics with dividing marks on the video.]
ADI’s Head of Research and Publications, Wendy Weidner, Andrea Pfeifer, co-founder, CEO, and Director of AC Immune SA, and Mei Mei Hu, co-founder and CEO of Vaxxinity, answered questions on:
- Novel vaccine development and their mechanisms
- Safety and distribution challenges of future vaccines for dementia
- Evaluation of vaccines’ potential beyond Alzheimer’s disease to other health conditions, including other types of dementia and Down Syndrome
- The crucial role of public-private partnerships in ensuring equitable access to these vaccine
- Examination of late diagnosis scenarios and the potential benefits of these vaccines
- Optimism around the prospect of a successful vaccine before 2030
AI-powered Companion Robots May End Loneliness in Older Adults
Humanoid Robot GR-1 to Aid Aging Population in China
With the rapid increase in technological advancements, demand for AI-backed humanoid companion robots is increasing. Chinese-based Fourier Intelligence revealed plans to manufacture 100 of its GR-1 general-purpose humanoid robots by the end of 2023 to help patients with rehabilitation. For example, the humanoid robots will be equipped with the ability to carry patients from their beds to wheelchairs, and also help pick up objects.
