AARP Illinois

In last month’s blog post, I addressed the impact of genetic risk in developing Alzheimer’s disease. In this post, I explain the importance of genetic testing, and how hope is NOT lost, should you have a higher risk genetic profile.

Statistically speaking, one in five women and one in ten men will get Alzheimer’s in their lifetime; however, certain individuals have a higher genetic risk. Your lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s disease can be as low as 5%, but as high as 70%, depending on your APOE genotype.

Last month, Dr. Maraganore explained the theory of the Mediterranean diet, and how it can be incorporated into food choices during the holidays; in Part 2 of this series, he discusses details behind recent research which indicate the impact of a Mediterranean diet on brain health.

When it comes to what we eat, research indicates in a strong and clear direction: the food we consume does indeed impact the health of our brains. Emmaline Rasmussen, MS, RD, E-RYT, a nutrition specialist and clinical research dietitian at NorthShore University HealthSystem, works with each of our Brain Health patients on an individualized plan based on their unique health and lifestyle factors. Below, Emmaline shares details about the Mediterranean diet and tips for eating better during the holidays.

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month. An estimated five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to double by the year 2035. Illinois has the 6th largest prevalence rate of Alzheimer's in the country. And, as more and more loved ones get diagnosed with Alzheimer's the number of caregivers, and the burden on them, increases. Today there are more than 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the U.S. Perhaps you're caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, and you've experienced firsthand the challenges a diagnosis brings.

Welcome back to “Oh NO You Don’t” – our bi-weekly fraud blog post by yours truly, Terri Worman, Associate State Director here at AARP Illinois.

Welcome back, Fraud Fighters to the weekly “Oh, NO You Don’t!” blog! Terri Worman with AARP Illinois here…

Happy March and here’s hoping spring is just around the corner! Terri Worman here…your frauds and scams blogger at “Oh NO You Don’t!” Welcome back – this time around “Tax Identity Fraud” and “Speaking Out!”

Hey All! Welcome to my kick-off post to a bi-weekly Wednesday blog called “Oh NO You Don’t!” – a blog to fight back against all manner of frauds and scams! I’m Terri Worman, Associate State Director for Advocacy and Outreach with AARP Illinois, and your host for this conversation.

It’s Sunday afternoon and I was twerked off because I needed to travel for work. Again. I just returned home Thursday and here I was, just two days later, headed for Atlanta and the AARP Annual Life@50 event. I have been to Atlanta in the past, but hadn't really experienced much of the city. Once there, despite my reticence, I decided to use the opportunity to explore.