Supporting Our Seniors & Caregivers

A Mediaplanet Guide to Senior Health

Supporting Our Seniors & Caregivers

Seth Rogen & Lauren Miller Rogen The celebrity couple talks about helping people live brain-healthy lives See why clinical trials offer the best care available for people with Alzheimer’s

JUNE 2021 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

Experience social offerings and top-of-the-line care with Atria Senior Living

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

How a Mobility Device Can Provide Confidence and Independence Maintaining your independence is often one of the primary goals for seniors and people living with limited mobility. The right mobility device — whether it’s a wheelchair, scooter, powerchair, walker, or rollator — will allow you to better navigate your surroundings and lead a more active life.

Many modern scooters and powerchairs also come equipped with a wealth of high-tech features to make life easier for caregivers and loved ones. For example, the innovative WHILL Model Ci2 electric wheelchair can be driven remotely using a smartphone app. This allows the caregiver to control the chair while walking alongside the user.

If you think a mobility device may be right for you, ask yourself: What type of device will work best with my lifestyle?

Do I need a device full-time or would a rental be better? And will I be using the device indoors, outdoors, or both?

Once you’ve decided to invest in a mobility device, the first step is to speak to your doctor. They can often write a prescription that will allow insurance to cover the costs. After you have the prescription, you can then reach out to a mobility retailer to facilitate the purchase.

Scootaround has over 20 years of experience in the mobility industry — its friendly experts will be happy to help you find the right device for your needs. Scootaround also provides rentals in over 2,500 locations across the continent.

Call 1-888-441-7575 or visit mobility. scootaround.com to get started!

This article has been paid for by Scootaround.

Dylan Hughes, Content Marketing Manager, Scootaround

@MEDIAPLANETUSA

@FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH

New Survey Reveals Discrimination Is a Concern in Dementia Care With more than 6 million Americans currently battling Alzheimer’s, the burden of the disease on individuals and families continues to grow. Even so, there are still many questions surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the barriers many face to receiving proper care.

As was recently reported in the Alzheimer’s Association “2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” report, 50 percent of Black Americans report having experienced healthcare discrimination at some point. Likewise, 42 percent of Native Americans, 34 percent of Asian Americans, and 33 percent of Hispanic Americans reported experiencing the same when seeking healthcare.

Further, when asked whether they felt such discrimination would pose a barrier to receiving Alzheimer’s-related care, 36 percent of Black Americans, 18 percent of Hispanic Americans, and 19 percent of Asian Americans said they believed it would.

Samantha Logue Media Relations Manager, Alzheimer’s Association Florida Region

Equity in healthcare When combined with the knowledge that certain racial and ethnic groups — specifically Black and Hispanic Americans — are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease, these findings are concerning. To ensure the already substantial burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is not worsened by discrimination or health inequities, the following potential solutions should be explored: The healthcare workforce must be prepared to care for a racially and ethnically diverse population of older adults.

Healthcare providers must be prepared to screen, diagnose and

treat Alzheimer’s and dementia across diverse populations.

Diversity must be increased in dementia care. The Alzheimer’s Association surveys also indicated that non-white ethnic and racial populations want dementia care providers who understand their experiences and backgrounds.

Finally, we must engage, recruit, and retain diverse populations in Alzheimer’s research and clinical trials. Currently, the vast majority of participants in such clinical trials are white.

Without appropriate participation from diverse populations, it is difficult to gain a complete understanding of how racial and ethnic differences may affect the efficacy and safety of potential new treatments.

The fact of the matter is that Alzheimer’s does not discriminate. The disease knows no color or creed, and to ensure that all who are affected receive the best quality of care possible, providers must reflect that same mentality. n

INQUIRIES: US.EDITORIAL@MEDIAPLANET.COM AND US.ADVERTISE@MEDIAPLANET.COM

PLEASE RECYCLE

Publisher Samantha Jahoda & Isabel Carretero Business Developer Katie Konfino Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Celia Hazard Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Dustin Brennan Partnership and Distribution Manager Jordan Hernandez Director of Product Faye Godfrey Cover Photo Daniel McGarrity All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

2

READ MORE AT FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

SPONSORED

How Atria Is Leading the Way in Senior Care With the improvements made and flexibility displayed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one senior care company showed its ability to provide excellent care for its residents while keeping families connected. he pandemic made it difficult for many families to stay connected with those living in senior communities, with visitation either limited or non-existent. To combat this, Atria created ways to share vitals (required multiple times each day per COVID protocols) with residents’ families, as well as other updates about their family members.

“We looked at the data our staff are collecting every day when they’re providing care and figured out how we can communicate that in a clear and efficient manner to family members,” said Joanna Mansfield, RN, BSN, Atria Senior Living’s Senior Vice President of Care and Life Guidance®. “It’s even just simple stuff, like sending out push notifications from the community level — daily updates like, ‘Were there any positive [COVID] cases? What are the events? What’s my mom eating today?’”

Leveraging technology The pandemic forced Atria to adapt on the fly, using technology to become more efficient and effective, providing the best possible experience for residents and giving families added peace of mind, all

while reducing strain and burnout among its employees.

“We became more techsavvy,” Mansfield said. “The pandemic really made us accelerate a lot of the projects we had been planning for the future from a technology standpoint.”

Although the world is returning to normalcy as the pandemic winds down, the future still holds unknown challenges. Atria stands ready to meet those challenges and adjust practices to continue providing an excellent level of care.

“We’re not the largest senior living provider, but we might be the most intuitive and nimble,” Mansfield said.

“We are always looking at ways that we can improve, that we can remain relevant

by leveraging current technologies and relationships, even with massive healthcare systems.”

Community offerings Atria prides itself on creating communal settings that allow its residents to live social and outgoing lives, while still receiving top-of-the-line care.

“That offers an immense benefit because, as humans, we’re social creatures,” said Mansfield, who has a background in geriatric psychology.

“When I worked in an individual care setting, it was always fascinating to me to see that, even though there’s no underlying medical need as to why, but social deprivation, depression, loneliness — all of those things result in a sort of loss of meaning and motivation.”

The robust social opportunities mean there’s always something for Atria residents to look forward to, and it’s not your standard senior living fare. Social events are carefully selected to focus on various aspects of well-being, including health and fitness, lifelong learning, civic engagement, creative expression and more. And care is always offered in a discreet way, so as to not interfere with the community aspect of living.

“Even if you’re on a very high level of care, your neighbor is not going to know that you’re getting maybe three hours of care assistance on a daily basis,” said Mansfield. “I think in a communal setting, it’s important to create that even playing field for all residents.”

Peace of mind Because Atria takes a proactive approach to innovation — collaborating with healthcare organizations (such as Mayo Clinic Laboratories, CVS Health and Northwell Health), leveraging emerging technologies and welcoming feedback from families and residents — it’s easy to rest assured that your family member will receive specialized care and support in one of its communities offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

“Our desire to collaborate and solicit feedback, it gives families a level of comfort,” Mansfield said. “We work to create a sense of inclusion, and a huge part of that is recognizing the fact that our customer isn’t just our resident — it’s also the family member.

And having their input is invaluable.” n Dustin Brennan

Visit ExploreAtriaCare.com today to see how Atria can help your older family member live their best life and provide you peace of mind. You can also see testimonials from current Atria residents at AtriaTestimonials.com.

MEDIAPLANET

3

SPONSORED

One Couple’s Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial Journey

PHOTO: LINDA T. HUBBARD

When facing cognitive decline, participation in a clinical trial can be empowering and provide hope for yourself and for the future.

A

fter spending a career working as a nurse and in other healthcare roles, Geri Taylor, 78, recognized that she was experiencing the early effects of Alzheimer’s a decade ago.

Additionally, her dad had the disease, and she eventually found out her mother also carried the ApoE4 gene, making Geri 10-15 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2017, Taylor applied to participate in a clinical trial for an Alzheimer’s drug at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. In the screening for the study, she found she car-

4

ried dual copies of the ApoE4 gene and had amyloid plaque buildup in her brain.

The discovery was bittersweet, because it meant she was in the early stages of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but it also qualified her for the study.

“There was no question about it — I had to get into a trial, which is all we’ve got for now,” Taylor said. “That way, I can try to make it better for myself and family, and other people down the road.”

For the 15-20 percent of people over age 65 who, like Geri, have mild cognitive impairment — an early sign of Alzhei-

READ MORE AT FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

mer’s disease — clinical trials offer hope.

“One really significant thing I’ve noticed is the psychological benefit of being tested,” said Jim Taylor, Geri’s husband. “Bringing [Geri] home after she’s had her transfusions at Yale, sometimes I feel like I’m riding home with Madame Curie; she’s on a team, she’s at the bench with all the researchers, and she’s doing what she can to help. It’s tremendous.”

Participants needed Lack of participation in Alzheimer’s clinical trials is a serious problem for researchers trying

to develop and test potentially life-changing treatments, and a lot of the hesitation stems from lack of awareness.

“One of the biggest issues, and why it takes so long to make a lot of strides, is that it’s challenging for us to encourage people to participate,” said Jessica Branning, CEO of ClinCloud Clinical Research. “Our hope is that we can educate people and show them how important it is that they participate, so that we can get medications out to everybody.”

Misconceptions Jim and Geri Taylor are doing their part to encourage more seniors to aid in Alzheimer’s research. Since Geri was diagnosed, they’ve spoken to over 10,000 people directly about the issue, and allowed a New York Times reporter to shadow them for a year, which resulted in a long-form piece and 12-page special section that ran in 2017.

“A lot of people just aren’t informed — if they knew about the solution or counter to their concerns, I think many more people would be in trials,” Jim said. “For instance, some people are concerned about expense, and they don’t realize that study materials and related medical care are provided at no cost.” Quite the

contrary, they receive extensive care as part of the study.

Jim and Geri say they’ve met a lot of seniors who are interested in the benefits of receiving experimental treatments but are worried about the clinical trial process and feeling like guinea pigs in an experiment. But Geri says participating in clinical trials ranks among the most uplifting and encouraging experiences of her life. It is important to know that the trial expert will review all of the risks and benefits with you in person, so you can make an informed decision about participation.

“The people who are running the trials, they really want the treatment to work out, both for you and for everybody,” she said. “You feel like there’s a team that is helping you, even boosting you along.

You even kind of get to know the other people participating in the trial, and it becomes a sort of community.” n Dustin Brennan

Learn more and see if there is a clinical trial for you today by visiting trials.lillytrialguide.com or calling 1-877-CTLILLY.

MEDIAPLANET

A Clinical Research Study for Early Symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease

Have you started noticing changes in your memory or ability to think clearly?

T

If you are noticing changes in your memory or ability to think clearly, you may pre-qualify for a clinical research study for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.

Ask your doctor about the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Clinical Research Study today and visit Trailblazer2Trial.com or call 1-855-214-4524.

In order to qualify you must: • Be 60 to 85 years old • Have memory loss that has gotten worse over time • Have a study partner who knows you and is willing to attend appointments with you throughout the study

*The study partner must be able to speak about the participant’s day to day routines and any changes with the research staff throughout the study.

All study related care will be provided at no cost to you.

Health insurance is not required.

When it comes to questions about your health, you’ve always sought out the answers. Why stop now?

TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2

6

Steps to Reducing Caregiver Stress

Being a loved one’s caregiver can be both enormously rewarding and very stressful.

Self-care is vital for caregivers. Stress doesn’t just affect mood — it can have long-term health impacts if you don’t take steps to manage it constructively. Here are six steps that can help manage caregiver stress: 1. Be adaptable and positive Your attitude influences stress levels for both you and the person you’re caring for. “Going with the flow,” rather than “fighting the current,” can help you stay relaxed.

2. Deal with what you can control Some things are out of your control. What is in your power to control is how you respond and react to these outside factors.

3. Set realistic goals and go slow Everything cannot be resolved at once, nor does it need to be. Be realistic. Prioritize. Set practical goals, do your best to achieve them, and take things one day at a time.

4. Mind your health Inadequate rest, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all exacerbate stress. As best you can, make it a priority to get sleep, eat right, drink plenty of water, and find ways to be active.

5. Clear and refresh your mind Exercise, yoga, meditation, listening to music, or even deep breathing can all help relax the mind and reduce stress.

6. Share your feelings Disconnecting from your support structure and staying bottled-up increases stress. Open up to a trusted loved one, friend, or professional.

For those caring for a loved one with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has a Helpline open seven days a week staffed entirely by licensed social workers, as well as telephone-based support groups. Reach us at (866) 232-8484 or by web chat at www.alzfdn.org.

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President & CEO, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

6

READ MORE AT FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen on Alzheimer’s Awareness and Supporting Caregivers Actor and comedian Seth Rogen and actor and filmmaker Lauren Miller Rogen are committed to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, supporting caregivers, and advocating for brain health.

T

heir advocacy is personal.

“Alzheimer ’s touched my life from a young age,” said Miller Rogen, who’s also an actress. “My grandfather had it from when I was very young and then my grandmother had dementia, and then my mom was diagnosed when she was 55.

“I felt how most people feel when a loved one gets an Alzheimer’s diagnosis: really scared and lost and depressed, and feeling really alone.”

Then she had a realization: She and her husband could use their celebrity to talk about the degenerative brain disease.

In 2012, they created the nonprofit HFC (formerly Hilarity for Charity) to increase awareness about Alzheimer’s, care for families impacted by the disease, and

inspire future Alzheimer’s advocates. They offer resources for caregivers and tips for promoting brain health.

Laughter is part of their strategy too. “We work in comedy, we’re both filmmakers,” Rogen said. “It is good to laugh and humor is therapeutic.”

Raising awareness Currently, 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. That number is projected to double by 2050.

There’s no cure for the disease, which is marked by memory loss and confusion. Miller Rogen’s mother died in February 2020 from early onset Alzheimer’s.

The emotional, physical and financial strains of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s are intense. Last year alone, caregivers provided approximately 15.3

billion hours of unpaid care, a value of almost $257 billion.

HFC and the Home Instead® network offer respite grants for those providing care to loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. In 2019, they awarded over $1 million in grants, providing 50,000 hours of in-home respite care for 371 families.

Fighting stigma Miller Rogen encourages people to tell their Alzheimer’s stories so people feel less alone.

“It’s really important to me to make sure that young people feel like they are being supported,” she said, “because when they share their story, the stigma will come down and that will lead to change.” n Kristen Castillo

PHOTO: SETH ROGEN & LAUREN MILLER ROGEN

Self-care is vital for caregivers. Stress doesn’t just affect mood — it can have long-term health impacts if you don’t take steps to manage it constructively.

Can Loneliness Increase Your Alzheimer’s Risk?

When the coronavirus pandemic hit our shores, loneliness went mainstream.

The devastating requirement to social distance from family, friends, and coworkers, and the resulting waves of isolation and anxiety now have researchers concerned about the downstream collateral damage of the virus on brain health and emotional wellness.

For years, scientists have been focused on loneliness as a risk factor for declining health, a contributing factor for chronic disease and even a pathway to earlier death. One study showed persisting loneliness has the same negative health result as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, while another study showed loneliness increased risk for later-age Alzheimer’s disease by up to 40 percent.

This is a growing concern for our older population, many of whom have less access or resources for social engagement and spend more time alone as any other generation. In fact, Pew Research found adults over age 60 spend almost twice the amount of time alone as Millennials and Gen Z. But it is not just older adults who may be at risk. The other vulnerable population for

Sherri Snelling Founder and CEO, Caregiving Club

loneliness is family caregivers, a group totaling 53 million according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. In one study, the Carer Well-Being Index 2020-2021, 13 percent of respondents said they became first-time caregivers, and the majority reported an increase in caregiving hours — approximately 7.5-9 extra hours a week — with almost one-third spending over 40 hours a week caregiving.

The crushing result was 68 percent of caregivers experiencing negative impacts on their mental and emotional health, with 39 percent reporting that they felt isolated and alone during the pandemic.

A Lancet Commission 2020 Report on the prevention, intervention, and cure for dementia listed 12 modifiable lifestyle behaviors, among them social isolation and loneliness, that could prevent or delay up to 40 percent of dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Loneliness and Alzheimer’s Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease often carries social stigma that creates distance and resistance. Both those with the disease and their families avoid talking about it with others and even with each other. This avoidance creates isolation and loneliness that ultimately has hidden effects on health.

One area that helped overcome loneliness and distance from loved ones during the pandemic was technology.

The accelerated use of video chat, voice assistance technology, and even remote monitoring helped family caregivers bridge the loneliness gap with their older loved ones.

Another solution is a new online tool, MyBrainGuide, launched this year to help all generations start learning more about health from the neck up.

The site uses the latest technology to provide guided, science-based, personalized information, but also includes links to other resources, such as finding local or virtual support group help for family caregivers. Not only do these support groups provide solace, they also create a sense of community and support that lonely caregivers or those with dementia desperately need. n

Making a Plan for Healthier Bones If you haven’t paid much attention to your bone health over the years, it’s not too late to start. Time is of the essence, however; as many as 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

That’s when bones become weak and fragile due to age and other factors.

Don’t wait until you’ve broken a bone to address your bone health. Once you break a bone due to osteoporosis, you’re at increased risk of more fractures. Fractures not only cause pain and affect your quality of life — they can keep you from doing what matters most and make you dependent upon others.

Steps to better bone health Start by getting a bone density test. If you’re a woman 65 and older or a man 70 and older, Medicare or your insurance should cover a DXA scan to screen you for osteoporosis. If you’re younger and have certain risk factors, your healthcare provider can arrange for you to have a DXA. Your risk of broken bones depends on many factors, including lifestyle, medical conditions, and medicines you have taken.

The American Bone Health Fracture Risk Calculator™ is a scientifically validated tool that can assess your risk of breaking a bone in the next 10 years. Go to AmericanBoneHealth. org/calculator to get started — it only takes a few minutes to answer some questions. Many healthcare providers use a similar tool called FRAX, which you may see on your DXA report.

You can make a plan for better bone health by taking your DXA report and your Fracture Risk Calculator results to your next doctor’s visit, and asking your provider about creating a bone health plan.

As you age, the choices you have made throughout life affect your bone health. You can’t change the past, but you can take steps to prevent fractures and maintain your health and independence.

For more information, go to AmericanBoneHealth.org.

Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG, CCD, NCMP, Member, American Bone Health Medical and Scientific Advisory Board; Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Services, UC San Francisco

MEDIAPLANET

7