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Splaine Consulting July 2019 NewsletterSplaine Consulting Highlights
Our team’s advocacy work, here & abroad
Two ‘Living Alone with Alzheimer’s: A Solutions Summit’ Programs are Set for September
Mike Splaine and Kate Gordon will conduct presentations of “Living Alone with Alzheimer’s: A Solutions Summit” on two consecutive days in Septemberāthe first in Atlanta and the second in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The Solutions Summit seeks to answer the question about how people are living alone with cognitive impairment by convening colleagues from the field who have developed solutions for supporting them. Program content will include conversations with individuals who are navigating life with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Solution providers from social services, health care and technology sectors also will be featured.
Below is information about these events.
Atlanta: Thursday Sept. 5
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.Location: King’sBridge Retirement Community
Sponsored in part by King’sBridge Retirement Community
and LeadingAge Georgia
Price: $79 (includes lunch and continental breakfast)
Register by Aug. 5 to receive a $10 early-bird discount.
Click to Register
Chattanooga: Friday, Sept. 6
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.Location: Embassy Suites Chattanooga
Sponsored by Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
Price: $69 (includes lunch and continental breakfast)
Register by Aug. 6 to receive a $10 early-bird discount.
Click to Register
Mike to Keynote at Nevada’s Forum on Aging
Mike Splaine will be the keynote speaker for “Engaging with Aging,” Nevada’s Forum on Aging, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The forum is sponsored by the Aging Services Directors Organization and Nevada Senior Services. Mike’s topic will be: “Why Thinking About Thinking Matters.” The conference includes a variety of engaging speakers and networking opportunities as well as exhibits and information about community resources.
Click for Registration Information
Mike Talks About Memory Care in Recent Podcast
Mike Splaine was the special guest of “The Nursing Home Abuse Podcast,” speaking on the subject of “What is a memory care unit in a nursing home?”
In the podcast, Mike defines what “memory care” means, who should be admitted to a memory care unit, how care differs in a nursing home setting, the type of training required for memory care staff, and why patient-centered care is so important.
Listen to the podcast (#124) at the Nursing Home Abuse Podcast link. Or access it on Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher or iTunes.
Rhode Island Legislation Supports AD Programming and Protects the Elderly
The Rhode Island General Assembly in late June unanimously passed several key pieces of legislation to support those impacted by Alzheimerās disease and dementia. The legislation will have a positive long-term effect on Alzheimerās planning within the stateāa victory for Splaine Consulting and other supporters who advocated for the planningāand also protects against elder abuse.
1) House Bill 5178/Senate Bill 223 creates an Alzheimerās-dedicated program within the Department of Health and sets up an advisory council to provide programming for treatment, research and resources; requires training for medical professionals; and establishes Alzheimerās plans in medical facilities. The legislation requires the DOH to establish Alzheimerās assessment protocol focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairments.
2) House Bill 5569/Senate Bill 1039 adopts the State Plan on Alzheimerās Disease and Related Disorders, updated earlier this year with Splaine Consulting as a contributor. Key parties currently are planning town hall meetings where members of the public, legislators and public officials can talk about what is needed in local communities for 2020 and beyond.
3) Senate Bill 302/House Bill 5141 allows spouses or partners of patients residing in Alzheimer’s or dementia special care units or programs to live with the patients, even if they do not meet requirements as patients themselves.
4) Senate Bill 603/House Bill 5573 expands the scope of a law requiring people who have reasonable cause to believe a person over age 60 is being abused, neglected or mistreated to report it to the R.I. Office of Healthy Aging, which will report the incident to law enforcement if appropriate.
5) Senate Bill 845/House Bill 6114 requires nationwide criminal background checks for anyone seeking guardianship or limited guardianship of an adult and establishes criteria for guardianship disqualification.
Calendar of Events
Listed below are upcoming classes, presentations and speaking engagements for Splaine Consulting. Interested in having Mike or Kate as a speaker or presenter for your next educational event? Contact us today.
Aug. 25-Sept. 1: Dementia-Friendly Cruise Aboard the Celebrity Summit. Mike to keynote. Offered through Elite Cruises and Vacations.
Sept. 5: Living With Alzheimer’s: A Solutions Summit, King’sBridge Retirement Community, Atlanta. Mike and Kate to conduct this all-day program. Click here for more information and to register.
Sept. 6: Living With Alzheimer’s: A Solutions Summit, Embassy Suites Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mike and Kate to conduct this all-day program. Click here for more information and to register.
Sept. 8: SE4A Annual Conference, Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Nashville. Mike to present: “A 21st Century Approach to Serving Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease.” Click here for registration information.
Oct. 2: Engaging With Aging, Nevada’s Forum on Aging, 2019 Conference, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. Mike to Keynote: “Why Thinking About Thinking Matters.” Click here for registration information.
Oct. 3-Nov. 7 (Thursdays): Alzheimer’s Disease Public Policy Course, University of Massachusetts Boston’s College of Advancing and Professional Studies (online course). Mike and Kate to teach. Click here for more information.
Alzheimer’s Around the World
The latest policy, advocacy & research events and news
Research Links Healthy Lifestyle to Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline
Researchers reported at the Alzheimerās Association International Conference in Los Angeles that adhering to several healthy lifestyle habits greatly lowers the risk of cognitive decline.
The study from Rush University in Chicago examined five lifestyle behaviorsā regular exercise of at least 150 minutes per week, a brain-healthy diet, cognitive activities in the later stages of life, not smoking and limited alcohol consumptionā and found that those who followed four out of five of these behaviors reduced their risk of developing Alzheimerās by 60% in comparison to those who practice only one or none of these behaviors.
This coincided with findings of a UK study, with results published in the JAMA medical journal and likewise presented at the international conference, that found a 32% lower risk of dementia for healthy lifestyle habits of diet, exercise, no smoking and minimal use of alcoholāeven among those who have a higher genetic risk.
Canada Unveils Dementia Strategy
Canada is the last of the G-7 countries to complete a national government plan for ADRD.
Entitled “A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire,” the plan sets out a vision for the future to guide actions for all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, communities, families and individuals.
Key to achieving this vision are five guiding principles:
- prioritize quality of life for people living with dementia and for caregivers;
- respect and value diversity to ensure an inclusive approach, with a focus on those most at risk or with distinct needs;
- respect the human rights of people living with dementia to support their autonomy and dignity;
- engage in evidence-informed decision-making, taking a broad approach to gathering and sharing best available knowledge and data; and
- maintain a results-focused approach to tracking progress, including evaluating and adjusting actions as needed.
Guided by these principles, the strategy identifies three national objectives:
- prevent dementia;
- advance therapies and find a cure; and
- improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and for their caregivers.
Click on this link to read the plan.
Splaine Consulting Facilitates International Connections
The ADRD community around the world is large and smallāall at the same time. As a result, Splaine Consulting is able to connect both widely and broadly with others in our field.
An example is our introduction of Huali Wang, M.D., of Peking University, to our long-time colleague Nina M. Silverstein (left), professor of erontology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, who is on sabbatical teaching in China. With that connection made, Dr. Silverstein was invited to give a lecture on July 10 at Peking University Six Hospital on the subject of “Transportation and Dementia.”
The subject and speaker were a perfect fitāDr. Silverstein is a leader in encouraging higher education to work toward the principles of age-friendly universities. Her primary research interests relate to transportation and aging with a special focus on dementia.