Education

Alzheimer’s disease (pronounced Alz’-hi-merz) is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a loss of intellectual function (thinking, remembering and reasoning) so severe that it interferes with an individual’s daily functioning and eventually results in death.

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Internet Links sorted by topic

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer's Association -
http://www.alz.org

The Alzheimer's Association, a national voluntary health organization, provides information and services to people with Alzheimer's, caregivers, researchers, physicians, and health care professionals. Click on Additional Resources for a choice of links to a) Message Boards, b) Poetry, Stories, Artwork of website users and c) information about our Safe Return Program

Alzheimer Forum -
http://www.alzforum.org

A compendium of information for researchers, physicians and the general public, the site includes news, articles, discussion forums, interviews, diagnostic and treatment guide, directory of drugs and clinical trials, and research advances. It also provides access to such unique tools as directories of genetic mutations, antibodies, patents, and conferences.

ADEAR (Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center) -
http://www.alzheimers.org

ADEAR maintains information on Alzheimer's disease research, diagnosis, treatment, drugs, and clinical trials, and Federal Government programs and resources.

Heath Information on AD from the National Library of Medicine - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alzheimersdisease.html

An all-in-one search site, this page provides links to recent news items, symptoms and diagnosis, research, statistics, clinical trials, coping issues and other resources.

Alzheimer's Disease Brain -
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/alzheim/brain.gif

The site illustrates degenerative neurons in the brain and the areas responsible for motor, vision, sensory, speech and memory functions.

CAREGIVING

The Family Caregivers Alliance -
http://www.caregiver.org
Several On-Line Discussion/Support Groups

Senior Services of Seattle and King County -
http://www.seniorservices.org
A Caregiver Connection link that will connect caregivers to Message Boards and On-Line Journals.

Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Center -
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
The Mayo Clinic site contains articles on driving, caregiving tips, nutrition, communication, stress management, depression, interactive caregiver stress tools and a free e-mail update service.

Predicting Time in the Nursing Home -
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/sergievsky/predictor.html
Columbia University has developed a tool to help predict how long it might be until a person with Alzheimer's requires nursing home care. See the home page for their methodology.

Rush Manual for Caregivers from Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center - http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-R12388.html
Written for family caregivers the manual contains 30 chapters on stages, treatment, communication, intimacy, coping, spiritual needs, legal matters, traveling, driving, exercise, hygiene, incontinence, and nutrition and more. Viewers can download the manual in PDF for free; click Caregiver's Manual.pdf.

CHAT ROOMS

http://www.alzla.org and find the "Alzheimer's Online Services" link.
Our Los Angeles Chapter has a scheduled chat time of 4 pm-5pm PST on Thursdays. To participate in the group, you register for the site (user name, password, zip code & email address).

OTHER TOOLS

Alzheimer Disease International (ADI) -
http://www.alz.co.uk

The ADI web site links to fifty-seven Alzheimer's disease associations throughout the world, most in developing countries. It lists information about AD (for the person with AD and the caregiver - in English and in 25+ languages.) It also contains information on the global impact of Alzheimer's as well as other activities of ADI.

ClinicalTrials.gov -
http://clinicaltrials.gov

Persons with Alzheimer's disease, family members and members of the public can find current trials and research. The searchable database provides information on the name of the study, the purpose, eligibility, and contact information. Additionally the site indicates whether the study is recruiting and includes citations from published works.

Manual of Geriatrics -
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mm_geriatrics

This Internet version of the manual is intended to help both families and professionals find descriptions and treatment information on conditions prevalent in the elderly. Nineteen sections, averaging ten chapters each cover a wide range of disciplines and geriatric diseases.

UPDATED 3-01-2006

Updated July 21, 2007