Commun ty Matters Are you keeping your talent a secret? Share it with us.
COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:
Everyone has a story to tell
What’s your secret artistic talent? An upcoming edition of Community matters will focus on Art is Ageless®. The Art is Ageless® program encourages residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through an annual art competition and exhibit, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions. What talent have you discovered? If you’ve got a story about what inspires you to create, contact Ginger nance and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community matters.
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December 2015
Potential treatments ahead for Alzheimer’s Disease
Foundation announces research in the fight against the illness By Rita Rubin for Next Avenue mice of Alzheimer’s When geriatrician hundreds of times, all and neuroscientist the basic knowledge Dr. Howard Fillit that they have went to medical accumulated has yet to school in the early translate into new 1970s, he’d never treatments for patients, heard of Alzheimer’s Fillit said. disease. He predicts that is Since 1998, though, about to change. “In Fillit has directed the Alzheimers: ‘It's a highly robust three to five years, we’re Alzheimer’s Drug disease.You can’t just chip away going to have potentially Discovery at the edges.’ more than one drug Foundation, which approved that has some supports the search for effective disease-modifying effect,” Fillit said, treatments for the disease. noting that nearly 100 human trials “I’ve seen in my lifetime amazing of potential Alzheimer’s treatments progress,” Fillit said at a press briefing are now underway. to discuss some of the more promising No Cure As of Now research his organization is funding. Alzheimer’s disease affects an “We have caught up… to estimated 5.1 million Americans 65 understanding as much about the and older, according to the biological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s Association, which disease as we know about cancer and notes on its website that the disease heart disease.” But although scientists have cured TreATmenTS continued on page 2 Thinkstock photo
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Happy Holidays!
TreATmenTS continued from page 1
“is the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, slowed or cured.” And since aging is the leading risk factor for Alzheimer’s, the numbers of affected Americans will only explode as boomers get older, unless effective treatments can at least stave off the disease. In 10 years, the number of Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is expected to hit 7.1 million – an increase of 40 percent over 2015. much of the research focus has been on drugs to rid the brain of amyloid plaque, deposits of a protein whose role in Alzheimer’s has been widely debated. According to a 20-year-old hypothesis, the build-up of amyloid in
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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village by Presbyterian Manors of 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Ginger Nance, executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact gnance@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-223-5550 Fax: 620-223-7800 Address: 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS 66701 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org
the brain causes memory loss in Alzheimer’s. However, anti-amyloid drugs have failed in large clinical trials, raising questions about the role of amyloid plaque in Alzheimer’s. The Forces at Play Together, aging, genetics, inflammation and amyloid trigger the degeneration of neurons in Alzheimer’s disease, said Dr. Frank Longo, chair of neurology and neurosciences at Stanford University, who won the inaugural melvin r. Goodes Prize for excellence in Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery from Fillit’s foundation. “This is a highly robust disease,” Longo said, so you “can’t just chip away at the edges.” New Medications One of the drugs developed by Longo and his colleagues is expected to begin Phase II safety and efficacy testing in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s in the second quarter of 2016, Longo said. Phase I safety tests in healthy people found no significant side effects, he said. “We’re affecting multiple (Alzheimer’s-related) mechanisms. We’ve treated mice at extremely late stages (of Alzheimer’s) and found true reversal,” Longo said. To make sure that what they were seeing wasn’t related to the fact that the mice were genetically engineered to develop severe Alzheimer’s, he said, they also tested the drug in normal mice who had reached the ripe old age of 2 years, ancient for a mouse. With
normal aging in both humans and other mammals, the numbers of certain types of nerve cells in the brain shrink, but the drug was able to reverse the decline in the aged mice that did not have Alzheimer’s, Longo said. Treatments in the Pipeline Other promising research that Fillit’s foundation is funding includes: “repurposing” a low-dose form of an epilepsy drug called levetiracetam to treat amnestic mild cognitive impairment (amCI). mCI causes a slight but noticeable decline in memory and thinking skills, and amCI predominantly affects memory. People with mCI are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In a phase II trial, the drug substantially improved memory in elderly amCI patients. Using a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1, or thiamine, to increase glucose (sugar) metabolism and slow cognitive decline associated with amCI or mild Alzheimer’s disease. The brain uses more energy in the form of glucose and oxygen than any other organ, and if it doesn’t get enough, cells will degenerate, Fillit said. “Thiamine itself doesn’t get into the brain very well,” he said. “This is basically sort of a better vitamin.” Testing a drug in patients with mild-tomoderate Alzheimer’s that stimulates the clearing of amyloid from the brain, reduces inflammation and improves cognition. none of the other antiinflammatory drugs that have been tested in Alzheimer’s have worked, Fillit said.
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Tis the season for giving
By Ginger Nance, Executive Director What does Christmas represent for each of you? The birth of Jesus Christ comes to mind before anything else for many. People traveled for hundreds of miles to take gifts to the new baby, Jesus Christ, when he was born. Giving a gift at Christmas to loved ones has remained a long observed tradition for many families for this reason. Families in need still long to have a small gift for their young children, yet during hard times that may not be possible. However, showing Christ’s love all year long to others through our actions is possible in many ways. This year during the holiday season, we can help those in need by showing our love by providing a gift for a child who may not receive a gift otherwise. As a Christian mission organization, the Presbyterian Village strives to be part of showing love to others. For this reason, each year the Village serves as a collection sight for needy Families at Christmas. Canned goods and gifts for children may be dropped off at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village. All donations received will be given to the Beacon to be distributed among those who sign up to receive assistance for their children during the holidays. Knowing the excitement in the eyes of a young child on Christmas day is a blessing we can all feel! To drop off your items come to Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS 66701 or email gnance@pmma.org for more information. (Please be sure your canned goods are within current date for quality.)
Vehicle donations help others
The season of giving is here. Wouldn’t it be great to know that your donation helped seniors who have outlived their financial resources? Turn that unneeded vehicle into holiday cheer and receive a tax deduction! We accept many donated types including cars, rVs, boats, planes and more. Donating your vehicle will help seniors who have outlived their financial resources at a Presbyterian manors of mid-America campus in so many ways. Call us at 844-490-GIVe (4483) or visit FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org/vehicle_donations to fill out the form. We will take care of the rest.
Tis the season, give for a reason.
Send an angell thi
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Special angels will be adorning holiday displays at every Presbyterian manors of mid-America (PmmA) senior living community.
The “angels” are ornaments that will arrive throughout the holiday season along with gifts to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal, which raises funds for the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care.
If you would like to participate in the Angel Appeal, please email Development@pmma.org or call 800-336-8511.
Make some holiday shopping money by being creative
enter to win the Christmas Tree decorating contest! Decorate a Christmas themed tree between ThanksgivingDec. 7. Choose a theme for an idea and get creative! First Patriotic Christmas tree prize will receive $100, 2nd prize $50, 3rd prize $25. This is a great way for a group or individuals to share their holiday spirit. All trees must be decorated no later than December 7. Decorate early and let your holiday spirit shine! entry forms are available in the business office at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton, Fort Scott, KS or email gnance@pmma.org for more information. (Some rules apply.)
Family & friends holiday dinner
There is nothing better than spending time among family and friends during the holidays. On December 10 at 5:30 p.m. the Village will hold its annual Holiday Dinner by celebrating the season together with an elegant meal and beautiful Christmas music full of cheer. Volunteers, family members, and tenants' close friends are invited to join us as we spend the evening sharing the gift of love with one another. Please RSVP no later than December 7 if you plan to attend. FORT SCOTT PRESBYTERIAN MANOR
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Presbyterian Village 2401 S. Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Share the Gift of Song
We invite groups, organizations and friends to come to the Presbyterian Village to carol, and/or entertain to help put us in a festive mood in December. Please call in advance so we’ll have time to get the word out so no one will miss it.
December 2015 Calendar of Events 1 Tuesday
Donuts & Coffee 8:30 a.m. Tree Decorating 2:00 p.m. Bistro Taco Tuesday 4:15 p.m. 2 Wednesday Rosary 10:00 a.m. Exercise 10:45 a.m. Bible Study 1:30 p.m. Help with addressing your Christmas cards 3:00 p.m. 3 Thursday Name that holiday tune with hot chocolate 2:00 p.m. Bistro Grilled Brie panini with tomato soup 4:15 p.m. 4 Friday Beacon-Needy Family Xmas Collection Begins Exercise 10:45 a.m. Tree trimming & hot chocolate 2:00 p.m. 5 Saturday Bingo 2:00 p.m. Game Night 6:00 p.m. 6 Sunday Church 1:30p.m. Rev. Steven Cole Sunday Night Football 7:00 p.m. 7 Monday Exercise 10:45 a.m. Pearl Harbor movie 2nd floor 1:00 p.m. Reindeer gift tags 3:20 p.m.
4 COMMUNITY MATTERS DECEMBER 2015
8 Tuesday
Donuts & Coffee 8:30 a.m. Cooking club birthday cake 1:00 p.m. W.B.E. 3rd grade Xmas play 2:00 p.m. in main dining rm Bistro beef stew night 4:15 p.m. 9 Wednesday Exercise 10:45 a.m. Bible Study 1:30 p.m. Birthday Party 3:00 p.m. Hand Bell Choir performs 6:00 p.m. Main Dining Room 10 Thursday Decorate for holiday party 1:00 p.m. Low Vision Support Group 2:00 p.m. 2nd floor Family & Friends Holiday Dinner 5:30 p.m. 11 Friday Exercise 10:45a.m. Walmart Holiday shopping! 1:30 p.m. Grinch punch with movie 3:30 p.m. 12 Saturday Bingo 2:00 p.m. Uniontown community choir 3:15 p.m. in main dinning rm Game Night 6:00 p.m. 13 Sunday Music Ministries 1:30 p.m. Sunday Night Football 7:00 p.m. 14 Monday Exercise 10:45a.m. CLC Music performance 3:20 p.m. Fort Scott Holiday Lights Tour 6:00 p.m.
15 Tuesday
Calendar items may be subject to change.
Donuts & Coffee 8:30 a.m. Xmas shopping & lunch at mall in Pittsburg 10:30 a.m. Bistro Western Chili Night 4:15 p.m. 16 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bible Study 1:30 p.m. Gift wrapping with mock hot toddy and holiday music 3:00 p.m. 17 Thursday No sew Xmas stockings 10:00 a.m. It’s a wonderful life movie matinee and popcorn 2:00 p.m. Bistro Loaded Potato soup 4:15 p.m. 18 Friday Exercise 10:45 a.m. Peppermint ornaments 2:00 p.m. Needy Family Christmas drop of 19 Saturday Bingo 2:00 p.m. Game Night 6:00 p.m. 20 Sunday Church 3:00 p.m. Church of Christ Sunday Night Football 7:00 p.m. 21 Monday Exercise 10:45 a.m. Diy Hot Packs 2:00 p.m. Holiday nails 3:00 p.m. 22 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30 a.m. Christmas cookie baking 2:00 p.m. Bistro ham and bean night 4:15 p.m.
23 Wednesday Exercise 10:45a.m. Christmas cookie exchange party and egg nog 2:00 p.m. 24 Thursday Christmas Eve Communion 11:00 a.m. No Bistro tonight. 25 Friday Christmas Office Closed Christmas Parade 2nd floor t.v. 26 Saturday Bingo 2:00 p.m. Game Night 6:00 p.m. 27 Sunday Church 1:30 p.m. Rev. Joan Koller Sunday Night Football 7:00 p.m. 28 Monday Exercise 10:45a.m. Bird seed outdoor ornament 2:00 p.m. Tree un trimming 3:00 p.m. 29 Tuesday Donuts & Coffee 8:30a.m. Nutter butter snow men 2:30 p.m. Bistro pot roast & veges 4:15 p.m. 30 Wednesday Exercise 10:45 a.m. Bible Study 1:30p.m. Hot cider and movie 2nd floor 2:30 p.m. 31 Thursday Cooking Club party food 2:00 p.m. New year’s eve bistro party and snacks 4:00 p.m.