April 2023, Volume 76

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

NEW MEDICAL ARTICLES

How does the brain age across the lifespan?

Human figure as baby, child, and adult with brains representing each

New studies offer clues.

Our brains are built to change over our lifetime,

meeting the challenges set by every life stage.

(Washington Post)

Click here for link.

Click here for article in PDF.

Photo above is from Bing online database.

Blurry photo of human brain with dark background

Photo accompanying article.

Divider between items within a larger section

Can vitamin supplementation help prevent Alzheimer's?

Tray of vitamin packages carried by person dressed in white lab clothes

MedicalNewsToday recently reported on two studies of the potential benefits of vitamin supplements for the aging brain.

Click here for article about study of how vitamin B could slow the aging of neurons

Click here for article about study of how vitamin D may help prevent dementia.

Photo Credit: MedicalNewsToday

Growing Older with Lifelong Intellectual Disabilities:

When Dementia is Suspected or Diagnosed

Young woman studying open book with laptop also open

This online training series is presented by:

National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG)

University of Rhode Island/VCU

Project ECHO

Information and registration here. (Find where it says "Echo Series.")

First session in the series is Monday, April 10.

Photo Credit: National Task Group e-alert

Ohio Association of County Boards of DD Public Education Session:

Supporting Friends and Family with Dementia

Wednesday, April 12, beginning at 11 am, on Zoom.

Available to the public as well as County Board staff.

Click here for more information and registration.

For more information: Lisa Comes, [email protected]

Reminder:

2023 OAGE Conference in Toledo

Thursday April 20 and Friday April 21, 2023

University of Toledo Campus

Registration remains open until a day or two before the conference.

Click here for full information - including virtual options and prices - to register, and for contact information for organizers.

COURTESY SHARES

Trainings, resources and other opportunities related to DD, aging, and/or dementia offered by other organizations, including some outside of Lucas County.

Greater Michigan Chapter of Alzheimer's Association

IDD-and-Dementia Webinar Series

The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has a program that

periodically offers webinars addressing strategies for supporting those who have IDD and also dementia.

See program website (look for "Webinar Schedule")

Each webinar offers 1.5 free nursing and social work CEs.

Click here to find the April webinars, April 6 and 20.

For questions about registration, contact Kristi Davis, [email protected].

Click this link to read about what our disability advocate partners are doing about the crisis created by the shortage of direct care workers.

Support Available from the

Lucas County Board of DD Senior Committee

CONSULTATIONS

Faceless heads and upper bodies of cartoon people sitting around a rectangular table

The Senior Committee offers its expertise to those who are supporting aging individuals with DD. Providers, family members, and Board of DD staff may consult about a case involving an individual with a developmental disability who is aging and/or who is experiencing dementia-related symptoms.

The Committee is available to consult regarding:

Behavioral and environmental issues

Geriatric specialists

Other resources in the community

TOOLKIT

Elderly woman in striped shirt works on puzzles

The Senior Committee has developed a toolkit of ideas for activities for those who have developmental disabilities and/or are experiencing memory loss. Ideas include physical and outdoor activities, expressive arts, and activities that promote calming, distraction, and cognitive stimulation. The kit includes activity descriptions, videos, online resources, activity protocols, and tips for planning and implementing activities and finding supplies.

TOOLKIT LINK

Photo here is from the toolkit.

PRINTED RESOURCES

Display rack of Senior Committee's hard copy dementia resources

Tip sheets and other printed resources addressing multiple topics related to supporting someone with dementia are available free of charge at the Lucas County Board of DD Larc Lane building. Spanish versions are also available. Funding for producing and printing these was provided through the Dementia Grant.

Photo of the display taken by LCBDD staff.

Email the Senior Committee at [email protected] to make arrangements for a consultation or make any other inquiries about resources.

In late February 2023, a survey was sent to LCBDD Service and Support Specialists (SSAs) to collect demographics on DD/ID individuals with cognitive decline.

Results are still pending the collection of more information.

Lucas County Board of DD Information

Click Here for the LCBDD web site.

Click here for the LCBDD YouTube Channel

Stay tuned as more past, recorded Senior Committee trainings are added.

TO REPORT CONCERNS ABOUT ABUSE OR NEGLECT

OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

Contact the LCBDD Major Unusual Incident (MUI) Department

Mondays - Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

419-381-5206

After Hours/Weekends/Holidays

Please call 419-380-5100

to access the On-Call Service

Helpful Resources Always Available

Area Office on Aging

of Northwest Ohio

All sorts of programs, activities, services and referrals for seniors.

Click here for the web site.

Ability Center Disability-Friendly Toolkit

Online one-one stop shop with tools and resources for many needs having to do with increasing disability-friendliness and inclusiveness - benefits, facility accessibility, communication with and about people with disabilities, disability-friendly Toledo-area attractions, and more.

The toolkit is available at www.abilitycenter.org/toolkit,

or under the Services tab on the site.

Sun with smiley face and sunglasses and words We Thrive Together

Find a wide variety of virtual games, workouts, classes, parties, and more at www.wethrivetogether.org.

Individuals served by LCBDD can participate in We Thrive Together programs using the membership purchased by LCBDD. Click here for instructions on joining a We Thrive class or session.

Lucas County's Public Transportation:

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) Link Here

About Aging Gracefully Photos and Logos

Logos of organizations regularly featured come from that organization's web site unless otherwise noted. Photos not specifically credited are from the Bing online database.