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Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias

The Oklahoma Healthy Brain Program promotes brain health, addresses cognitive impairment, and addresses the needs of caregivers. We are focused on the improvement of early detection and diagnosis, increase awareness and education, risk reduction and prevention of comorbidities, and to prevent hospitalizations.

Basic Dementia Care Guide

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease and is the most common type of Dementia. This disease affects memory, behavior and thinking. As the disease progresses the symptoms become severe enough to interfere with their activities of daily living.

Dementia is a general term for difficulty remembering, thinking or making decisions. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. It affects older adults; however, it is not a part of normal aging.

Learn more about the Ten Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease from the CDC and Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s Association Statistics: View Oklahoma Facts and Figures

Age: Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. The majority of those with the disease are age 65 or older.

Family History: Individuals with someone in their family who has had the disease has a higher chance they will develop the disease.

Genetics: There are two categories of genes that influence whether someone develops the disease: deterministic and risk genes. Learn more.

Other factors: Such as head injury, heart-head connection, and healthy aging. Learn more.

  • Head Injury: Traumatic brain injury can increase the risk of dementia, especially if severe or a repeated occurrence. Please protect your head by wearing your seatbelt, helmets, and preparing your home to prevent falls.
  • Heart-Head Connection: Strong evidence suggests that what is good for your heart is good for your brain. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and high cholesterol appear to increase the risk of vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s. Be sure to work with your doctor and monitor your heart health and treat all problems that arise.
  • Healthy Aging: Strategies for our brain health are like the overall healthy aging strategies and may help to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The Ten Ways to Love Your Brain from the Alzheimer’s Association provide 10 healthy habits to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Ten Ways to Love Your Brain:

  1. Break a Sweat
  2. Hit the Books
  3. Butt Out
  4. Follow your Heart
  5. Heads up
  6. Fuel up Right
  7. Catch Some ZZZ’s
  8. Take Care of Your Mental Health
  9. Buddy Up
  10. Stump Yourself

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is when changes in thinking skills that can occur after a stroke or any condition that restricts or block blood vessels. About 10% of dementia cases are Vascular dementia. Risk factors include: diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy Body dementia is a progressive type of dementia and is considered the third most common cause of dementia. This type of dementia causes a decline in reasoning, thinking and independent function. People with this type of dementia may have balance or movement problems.

Frontotemporal (FTD) Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia, depending on the area of the brain affected, can cause personality and behavior changes. This type of dementia is caused when nerve cells are lost in the frontal or temporal lobes. There are three types of FTD:

  1. Behavior variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD)
  2. Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
  3. Disturbances of motor function

Mixed Dementia

Mixed dementia is when someone has more than one type of dementia present at the same time. One type can have more prominent symptoms than the other and it may be not easily recognizable that a person has mixed dementia. The most common form of mixed dementia is Alzheimer’s with Vascular dementia.

Health Care Provider Resources

GSAenrich: Brain Health (geron.org) The GSA KAER Toolkit for Brain Health is an excellent resource that equips primary care teams to have conversations about brain health with their patients, assist with timely detection of cognitive impairment, make an accurate diagnosis of dementia, and refer families to important community resources. In addition to the brain health toolkit, you will also find ancillary resources about the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, brain health of diverse and underserved populations, brain health promotion, and Pseudobulbar Affect. 

Alzheimer’s Association Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit- Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit (alz.org) Care planning can provide many benefits to families dealing with dementia, but it can be difficult for busy healthcare providers to make time for an in-depth appointment. This burden is eased by legislation allowing providers to bill for their time in care planning sessions for patients with dementia through CPT Code 99483. Code 99483 provides reimbursement to physicians and other eligible billing practitioners for a comprehensive clinical visit that results in a written care plan. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit is a convenient document that provides instructions and tools to assist your team in delivering and billing for this valuable service.

The Geriatric Emergency Department Collaborative (GEDC) Toolkits- Implementation Toolkits - GEDC (gedcollaborative.com) When a person has dementia, trips to the emergency room are more challenging. For the person living with dementia, it can be frightening and overwhelming and for ER staff, providing care for these patients can be difficult and time consuming. The GEDC offers toolkits to assist in starting quality geriatric-focused improvement initiatives in your emergency department. These toolkits cover topics such as implementing a dementia quality improvement program, managing delirium, preparing rural hospital EDs, preparing your ED for patients on Amyloid-targeting therapy, and more. At the bottom of the webpage, you can also view examples of how these principles have been successfully implemented in emergency departments across the county.

We are here to be a resource for healthcare providers working to deliver quality dementia care to their patients. For academic detailing on how to incorporate the GSA KAER Toolkit for Brain Health or any of these resources into your practice, please reach out to the Oklahoma Dementia Care Network at OKDCN@ouhsc.edu.

These resources were compiled and vetted by a group of specialist physicians and other experts from the OHBI Coalition Workforce Development Workgroup. If you have other questions about the content of this webpage, would like to learn more about the Oklahoma Healthy Brain Initiative, or would like to learn about joining our coalition, please contact us at healthybrain@health.ok.gov. 

Training and Education

Webnovela Mirela

Webnovela Mirela is an informative program for Hispanic/Latino caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementia on coping with caregiving, developed in collaboration with Stanford University, the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer’s Association Online Education Center

The Alzheimer’s Association offers free, on-demand online education through their Education Center. You can view the following education programs online:

  • 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
  • Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
  • Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances
  • Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor’s Visits, Legal and Financial Planning
  • Effective Communication Strategies
  • Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training & Education Center

Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative (OHAI)

Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative is a statewide network focusing on improving the health of older adults from across the state through caregiver training and health promotion education. They offer a number of helpful education programs for caregivers and older adults including:

  • SAVVY Caregiver
  • Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind for the Caregiver
  • Powerful Tools for Caregivers
  • Tai Chi
  • Walk With Ease
  • & many more!

OHAI Classes | Healthcare Services in Oklahoma (ouhealth.com)

Dementia Dialogues

Dementia Dialogues® provides the most current and practical information about how to care for people with dementia. This program is a nationally registered and evidence-informed, intervention program.

Dementia Dialogues® is a 5-module training course designed to educate community members and caregivers (formal or informal) for persons who exhibit signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The modules cover valuable information and recommendations including an overview of dementia, strategies for effective communication, understanding the environment and ways to promote independence, addressing challenging behaviors, and creative problem solving. Dementia Dialogues® is offered nationwide by Certified Instructors in-person and virtually, and as a virtual self-guided training at no cost to participants.

  • What is Project ECHO? By connecting with a subspecialty team of experts and building a community of practice via telemedicine, primary care providers can increase knowledge, mastery that will inform their practice and benefit their patients.
  • Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), developed at the University of New Mexico, is a lifelong learning and guided practice model that revolutionizes medical education and exponentially increases workforce capacity to provide best-practice specialty care and reduce health disparities. The heart of the ECHO model™ is its hub-and-spoke knowledge-sharing networks, led by expert teams who use multi-point videoconferencing to conduct virtual clinics with community providers. In this way, primary care doctors, nurses, and other clinicians learn to provide excellent specialty care to patients in their own communities.

Oklahoma Dementia Care Network

Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care ECHO® Program for Clinicians | Alzheimer's Association)

Sign up to host your own Project ECHO: Survey - Project ECHO® Information Form | Alzheimer's Association)

Individual or Organizational Opportunities

The Virtual Dementia Tour is the original patented, evidence-based scientific method of building a greater understanding of dementia by building awareness and empathy in individuals caring for people living with dementia.

The VDT is an education and training tool for building empathy to improve the care provided to people living with dementia. Join Second Wind Dreams in our mission to “Change the Perception of Aging” by learning about dementia and the things we can do to provide empathic person-centered care.

Use the VDT for:

  • Onboarding and ongoing staff training
  • Educating families and community about dementia
  • Supporting care partners
  • Positioning yourself as a key dementia resource in your area
  • Informing policies and procedures to be more dementia-friendly

Who needs the VDT?

  • Long term care communities
  • Aging services
  • Hospitals/medical systems/healthcare providers
  • Colleges/universities
  • Civic and faith-based organizations
  • First responders
  • Governmental agencies
  • Legal and financial planning firms
  • Large companies/employers
  • Any business that serves older customers (banks, grocery stores, libraries, etc.)
  • Basically, everybody!

VDT Request Form (smartsheet.com)

Resources For Long Term Care Professionals

Caregiver Resources

Safety Center: Alzheimer's & Dementia Safety | Alzheimer's Association

ALZ Navigator: Whether you're a caregiver, a person living with dementia, or someone concerned about memory loss, find the support you need with ALZNavigator™. Just answer a few questions about your situation and ALZNavigator will guide you to the resources and tools you need today and throughout each step of the disease — all in one place.

Caregiving page: Caregiving - Alzheimer's & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association

Dementia Risk Reduction

Adopting a healthy diet is beneficial for both your body and your brain and generally is lower in saturated fats. There are two diets, in particular that, research has found beneficial: the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet.

DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet

Mediterranean Diet

  • Can help to prevent heart disease and stroke, reduce risk factors of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
  • Based off the diets of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. There are 16 countries that border the sea and there is not one specific diet. They all have in common:
    • Plant based foods: whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices
    • Olive oil is the main fat source
    • Fish, seafood, dairy and poultry in low to moderate amounts
  • Recommended by the American Heart Association to achieve a healthy diet.
  • More information can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.
  • Find examples from the VA on intake, tips, and plate.

Making sure you are physically active is not only good for the overall health of your body, but also associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. If your doctor says it is safe, it is recommended to increase your heart rate through cardiovascular exercise.

When considering an activity to begin, we suggest you pick an activity that will also be socially and mentally engaging. Incorporating activities that you enjoy will help you to continue to engage in that activity.

  • Examples of engaging physical activities:
    • Taking a dance class
    • Golfing
    • Walking with a friend
    • Bike Riding
    • Gardening
    • Tai Chi
    • Silver Sneaker Programs: Find a fitness location near you.

Always consult your doctor before you start any new exercise program.

Falls Prevention

Diabetes is a condition that causes blood sugar to rise. Blood sugars rise due to the body not producing enough insulin or if it can’t effectively use insulin.  Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels which affects the brain in reduced or blocked blood flow.  The reduction of blood flow to the brain increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, or confusion. Due to the decreased blood flow to the brain, Diabetes can lead to Vascular Dementia. Be sure to talk with your doctor to manage diabetes properly.

  • Healthy Blood Sugar. Healthy Brain.
  • Types of Diabetes:
    • Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent Diabetes): Caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the cells in the pancreas that create insulin.
    • Type 2: (most common form) Caused when the body become resistant to insulin and cannot use it efficiently or the pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin.
  • Learn more about Diabetes and the different types from the American Heart Association.
  • Learn more about the Diabetes programs provided by OSDH.

Research tells us that more formal education can help reduce our risk of developing dementia.

OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)

For the mature learning community of Oklahoma, OLLI is a tremendous opportunity to participate in a wider variety of programs and activities, all of which are taught by university faculty and trusted community members.

Library systems

Your local library offers programming to help community members stay social and engaged with learning and continuing education. Find you local library here: Oklahoma Public Libraries and Systems Maps

Many local colleges offer special admission programs for seniors

Tulsa Community College: Senior Citizens Admission for Oklahoma Residents | TCC: Tulsa Community College (tulsacc.edu). Contact your local community college today to ask about auditing a class you’re interested in!

Staying socially engaged may also support brain health.

Smoking increases risk of dementia and cognitive decline, in addition to many other health issues.

Some studies link depression with cognitive decline, so seek treatment if you have depression, anxiety or stress.

For People Living With Dementia

I Have Alzheimer's | Alzheimer's Association

  • This webpage offers comprehensive advice from experts and people living with dementia about many aspects of life with the disease. Topics include: disease progression, changes in social dynamics, planning for the future, treatments and research, overcoming stigma, and tips for living well with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association: Oklahoma Chapter offers programs and services for families dealing with dementia in our state including education programs, support groups, and other helpful resources.

  • For people living with dementia, the local association chapter offers a support group for individuals living with the early stage of dementia, as well as early-stage social engagement programs. Both of these programs offer a chance to connect with peers who are going through a similar experience in a supportive and understanding environment.
  • You can find more information about these program by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder at alz.org/crf and clicking on the “Alzheimer’s Association Programs and Events” tile. You can also call the Oklahoma City office at (405) 319-0780, or call the 24/7 Helpline at 8000.272.3900.

National Council of Dementia Minds (NCDM) is the first national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded and governed by persons living with dementia. We embrace the diversity that exists among people living with dementia and include individuals with all types of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, including younger-onset dementias.

Our groundbreaking mission is to develop and support a national corps of Dementia Minds groups—composed of persons living with dementia—who foster education and dialogue among individuals with neurocognitive disorders, healthcare providers, researchers, families, care partners, policymakers, and communities at large.

NCDM stands out by challenging stigma and offering hope-filled strategies and resources to support living well with dementia. In addition to peer support, we provide education led by persons living with dementia and create resources that empower individuals and allies by demonstrating that life with dementia can be lived fully—with meaning, purpose and connection.

A memory café is a social gathering for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Guests are welcome whose dementia is due to any underlying condition, and at any stage of disease progression. Care partners can include spouses, children, friends and professional caregivers.

  • Cafés meet in accessible community locations. They strive for an atmosphere that’s more like a coffee house or a neighborhood party than a clinical program. While information about resources and services is available for those who seek it, cafés provide a break from focusing on disease and disability.
  • Find local memory cafes in your community or join an online memory café with the memory café directory: Memory Cafe Directory - Dementia-Friendly Outings for All!

Many people with dementia are interested in joining clinical trials. Clinical trials are a way for people living with dementia to help researchers advance our understanding of dementia and eventually develop effective treatments. There may be additional benefits for those who choose to participate in clinical trials, such as financial compensation, access to close medical care, and access to experimental treatments. Of course, there are also risks associated with participation in clinical trials. Be sure to talk with your doctor before about the risks and benefits before participating in a trial.

Healthy Brain Informational Materials

Nutrition
Physical Activity
Hypertension
Diabetes
Infographic

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
The Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK  73102-6406

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

Phone: (405) 426-8300
Fax: (405) 900-7610
Email: HealthyBrain@health.ok.gov