Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center 6757 Pacific Ave SE Lacey, WA 98503 360.407.3967 Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Faith Lutheran Church 1212 Connection St, Shelton, WA 98584 360.407.3967 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

As the new year begins, hope and renewed optimism are often present in our minds. So, what is going on with research into Alzheimer’s Disease that may be encouraging?

DECEMBER 2019: An ultrasound treatment was developed in 2015 at the University of Queensland. The original research hoped to use ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier and help antibodies reach the toxic amyloid protein plaques in the brain. Experiments with mice

surprisingly revealed that the targeted ultrasound waves worked to clear the plaques from the brain without additional drugs. The move to human trials is largely being funded by the Australian government. Safety trials began in 2019. In all practicality, the treatment is probably ten years away from real clinical use. If this technique proves effective, it could be an incredibly simple treatment. Compact, personal ultrasound devices could be available for use as an early intervention.1

Welcome 2020! This past year we had the opportunity to get together with participants and family members to socialize and admire the art we created in 2019. We enjoyed snacks, lots of mingling, art, and a slide show of participants in action! We are a group of incidental, experimental artists in pursuit of expression and connection through art and creativity. Sometimes there is no way to predict what will come out of our “experiments.” Our Brighter Days participants were proud to show off their work and to have family and friends near to recognize their achievements. We look forward to another show in 2020.

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Information & Admin: Paul Taylor, Program Manager, 360.407.3967, ext. 107 (left)

Lacey Attendance & Daily Operations: Jen Allen,

Lacey Site Manager, 360.407.3967, ext. 109 (right)

Shelton Attendance & Daily Operations: Kathy

Peck, Shelton Site Manager, 360.878.1189 (right) Enrollment, Support & Momentia: Cher i Knighton, Family Support Coordinator, 360.586.6181, ext. 111 (left)

The Latest in Alzheimer’s Research Contd.

SEPTEMBER 2019: In Alberta Canada, after discovering a way to negate a problem amyloid protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, University of Alberta professor and neurologist Jack Jhamandas discovered a new part of the Alzheimer's enigma. Jhamandas found two short peptides (strings of amino acids) that after being injected into mice with Alzheimer's disease daily for five weeks, rendered improvement in the mice's memory. The therapy also diminished some of the harmful physical effects in the brain that are linked to the disease. "So this was very interesting and exciting because it showed us that not only was memory being improved in the mice, but signs of brain pathology in Alzheimer's disease were also greatly improved. That was a bit of a surprise for us,” said Jhamandas.2

OCTOBER 2019: Drug company, Biogen, says it has developed a drug called Aducanumab, that could slow Alzheimer's disease, and it is now ready to bring it to market. There are no drugs that can do this; existing ones only help with symptoms. Aducanumab targets the amyloid protein that builds abnormal plaque deposits in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. These plaques are toxic to brain cells and clearing them would be a huge step forward in Alzheimer’s treatment, although not a cure.3

These advances may not help those currently struggling with dementia, but can give us hope that younger generations may not have as difficult an experience with the diseases that cause dementia symptoms. 1 fusfoundation.org/diseases-and-conditions/neurological/alzheimers-disease 2 medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-alzheimer-breakthrough-short-amino-acids.html 3 bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-50186508/dementia-new-alzheimer-s-drug-could-slow-rate-at-which-disease-progresses

Lacey Senior Center 6757 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey 2nd Thursday, January 9, 2:30 - 4:30 pm Alpine Way 900 West Alpine Way, Shelton 2nd Thursday, January 9, 10:30 - 11:30 am St. Mark Lutheran Church 2109 College Street, Lacey 4th Friday, January 24, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Reminiscing, or sharing memories from the past, is an enjoyable way to connect with someone who has Alzheimer’s or dementia. With dementia, people typically lose short-term memory, but are often still able to recall older memories. The goal of reminiscing is to help seniors with dementia feel valued, connected, and peaceful by recalling happy times from their past. The positive feelings gained from sharing pleasant memories can decrease stress, boost mood, reduce agitation, and minimize challenging behavior like wandering, anger, and more. Reminiscing is not the same as asking someone to remember something from the past. Try to reinforce the memories instead of correcting them. People with dementia may not get names or context correct, but will remember how they felt. Some of the activities used in the Brighter Days program are photos, word games, music, art, old movies, sensory games, family history, and past careers.

Wednesday 10:00 -11:30 am Olympia Senior Center

South Sound Momentia will be offering a Creative Connections experience from January to June. Each month will be a relaxed and simple exploration of different art forms - everything from painting to poetry and pottery!

The first class is free! Torn paper collage dates back to the 8th century Japan. Chigiri-e is the art of tearing colored paper into

shapes and then creating a collage. Along with soft music and good conversation, this experience is great for holistic health! This dementia-

friendly activity is for care partners as well! Come join us! For more information or to register, call Cheri Knighton at 360.586.6181, ext.111.

January 15, 2020

Delve into the ancient art

of torn paper design!

3rd Thur, 1/16 2:30 – 4:30 pm River’s Edge Restaurant, Olympia

Fri, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24 , 1/31 12:45 – 1:45 pm Lacey Senior Center

Tues, 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28 12:30 – 2:00 pm Olympia Senior Center

Thur, 1/16 2:30 – 4:30 pm Sister’s Restaurant, Shelton

1st Tues, starting 2/ 4 3:00 – 4:30 pm Panorama, Seventeen51 Restaurant

For complete details about all Momentia activities, visit www.southsoundseniors.org or contact Cheri Knighton at 360.586.6181, ext. 111 or cknighton@southsoundseniors.org.

JANUARY 28: Healthy Living for Brain & Body FEBRUARY 25: Effective Communication in Dementia MARCH 24: Understanding Dementia Behaviors APRIL 21: Conversations about Dementia

Join us at the Olympia Senior Center in Room 100 for educational talks from 10:00 - 11:30 am. No registration required! The talks are free and open to the public. For questions, call Cheri Knighton at 360.586.6181, ext. 111.

In case of illness, please help your participant remember to cough and sneeze into their shoulder or elbow.

If your participant is not feeling well (temperature of 101 or higher, runny eyes/nose, vomiting and/or diarrhea), home is the best place for them to be.

Lacey: Please call Dial-a-Lift at 360.705.5827 if you need to cancel their ride for the day. Shelton: Call Dial-a-Ride at 360.427.5033.

Lacey: 360.407.3967, ext. 109 Shelton: 360.878.1189

January 1: New Year ’s Day

January 8: Quar ter ly Staff Meeting

January 20: Martin Luther King Day

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

Closed

For

New Year’s

2

Bingo

&

Lawn Darts

3

Cup of Cocoa

&

Sing Along

6

Horseshoes

&

Music with Joe

7

Jen M’s Activity

&

Twister

8

Closed for

Quarterly Staff

Meetings

9

Football

JD Detective

Music

10

Washer Toss

&

Sing Along

13

Nick’s Activity

&

Bingo

14

Table Games

&

Basketball

15

Visit with Tilly and Nancy

Short Story

Flickin’ Chickens

16

Winter Fest!!

Games, Stories

Snowball Fight!

17

Frisbee toss

&

Sing Along

20

Closed for

ML King Day

21

Bingo

&

Balloon Volleyball

22

Morning Music

Visit with Tilly and Nancy

Bean Bag Toss

23

Mittens

&

Molkky

24

Shuffleboard

&

Sing Along

27

Mini Golf

&

Music with Joe

28

Frog Pond

&

Music

29

Morning Music

Visit with Tilly and Nancy

Football

30

Table Games

Balloon & Pool Noodle

31

Bingo

&

Sing Along

Lacey January 2020

Shelton January 2020

Fred's

Centerpiece