Posted 6/15/20
Hi all! I trust your weekend went well, at the same time knowing that us blessed with jobs see said weekends go into hyperdrive speed these days. Regardless, I hope you milked it for all it was worth. I had a nice enough weekend although a few more days would have been nice. Today I will touch on three unrelated things and point you to dementia knowledge at the same time… I hope. 😉
Topic: When I say “BBB”, what comes to mind?
While I accept that you and I have vastly different minds (I know this because I am…uhhh…errr… well, let’s call it “between the ears diverse”), most of us, me included, think of the BBB as the Better Business Bureau. This BBB was founded way back in 1912 to fulfill a vision to ensure “An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other.” Even with the advent of state attorneys general websites and fraud reporting and various federal versions that do the same (Link Link Link ) the Better Business Bureau remains as a key player in fighting fraud.
Seniors with dementia (or even symptoms) are increasingly vulnerable to scams both because of decreased judgement and because they tend to have more expendable income. This BBB, when used correctly, helps fight against these scoundrels who would defraud our vulnerable populations and I, as I have mentioned in multiple articles, am dedicated to helping them in the fight. Want to join the fight? Donate to SeniorAge and, if you are not local, look closely at the BBB’s Scam Tracker page found here and spread the word about scams in your neck of the woods.
Another BBB that comes to mind is Big Blue Button. This BBB is an “open-source” web group meeting platform similar to the ever-famous Zoom. There are two reasons why this BBB reminds me of dementia:
First: The concept of “open-source“, for the non-computer-geeks at the Cornbread table, is (generally) a platform of software that shares most or all of its coding in a way that others can use and improve it. What I wish is dementia research, care information, and the info about the disease itself tends to be held too closely even with the great job the Alzheimer’s Association does. I fully understand the ramifications of HIPAA (heck…I can even spell it rightly) and the complexities/importance of big pharmaceutical companies trying to make money on a cure, I just wish more could be done faster while balancing these concerns. There are millions dying while we worry about their privacy and while scads of research is done and redone by multiple companies because they do not share research. These silos do little to advance the cure and I just wish we could move to a more open source research world… I know…I sound like a socialist. If you know me, you realize this is not even close to a fact, but I am desperate for a cure and am willing to consider a lot of options.
Second: Please stay connected! Call on your senior loved ones. If your loved one is in a nursing home, see if there is a BBB/Zoom program or similar available in the nursing home and use it. I have been fortunate to have done these meetings many times with mom. Is it perfect? Nope. BUT, it is better than nothing and it is very nice to get to say hi and see her. If you need help with the technology, holler at me. Email me at mark.applegate@senioragemo.org and I will help you. There are many ways to use technology for good in dementia and I will help you find them. 🙂
The last BBB that comes to mind is the Blood Brain Barrier. I thought you might want some positive news this Monday morning. For decades of research, one of the biggest obstacles to treating the brain was this BBB. The uniquely-created human brain has an amazing micro-moat surrounding the mushy gray castle…the BBB. This is great for keeping the bad stuff out, but is equally challenging for getting the good stuff in. In other words, it isn’t enough to find a medicine to help the brain fight/cure dementia…you have to be able to get it there through the BBB. Enter new discoveries within the last decade that are finally helping in this area! Here are a few links: Link Link Link Link Link Link Link . Scientists are using ultrasound and/or microbubbles to open the portal, deliver the package, and shut it again before there is damage. This is, in many ways, almost as important as the medicines themselves. Whatever treatments and/or cures are created, this will aid in delivery in a unique way that is sure to help.
Last little bonus BBB: Bees! Sorry…my article on Phobias last week still has a few of you teasing me. Bees and their ilk scare me. Mud daubers are ok…as long as I can tell that they are what they are…..
#EndALZ
Update: Nothing new to report on mom. The governor of our state announced that there would be new guidance as to when the nursing homes could safely be opened. I am hoping for sooner than later as long as lots of prudent precautions are prepared. I eat lunch with mom on Wednesday on the other side of the window. 🙂
Diet update: Lost another 1+ this week for a total of 66+. Slowly but surely…. 🙂
LAST NOTE: IMPORTANT! Tomorrow is the support group meeting. If you need an invite, shoot me an email and I will send it to you. Thanks 🙂