Check out our September newsletter!
THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR SEPTEMBER 2021
A PROMISING NEW TREATMENT FOR ALZHEIMER’S? WHY A RECENT FDA APPROVAL IS WORTH CELEBRATING — CAUTIOUSLY
FROM THE DESK OF Mike Bryan
Hello everyone!
I hope you have enjoyed (or are getting ready to enjoy) the long Labor Day weekend! Well, this has been a very busy summer both personally and professionally. Our office is in the process of shifting to new practice management / accounting programs. We have also hired additional staffing. We’ve also been fortunate to help many new clients through whatever they might be facing. In the next few months I hope to feature additional interviews with home health, assisted living, and nursing home facilities. If you haven’t been to our website recently, I have many free resources that are available to you. All you have to do is visit my profile at: https://swbwlawfirm.com/attorneys/bryan- michael-t/ Then, if you scroll down toward the bottom of the screen you can download various reports and a copy of my latest book, “Estate, Medicaid and VA Benefits Planning — An Ohio Guide.” You can read the latest reviews, public seminar schedule, and what to expect at your first conference. Also, you can find out more about home healthcare, assisted living, or nursing home facilities by watching interviews I’ve completed over the past few years.
If you’re reading this newsletter, there’s a good chance you know someone who has Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 6 million Americans are currently living with the disease, and the BBC reports that this statistic climbs to 30 million around the world. As the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a debilitating and deadly condition that destroys memory, reduces cognitive and physical function, and slowly leaves its victims a shell of who they once were.
It’s a heartbreaking, deadly ailment that has yet to be cured — but there is hope.
This past June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Aduhelm — whose pharmaceutical name is aducanumab — for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. The BBC explains that the drug targets and inhibits the proteins that form as “abnormal clumps” in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. These proteins are believed to destroy the cells of the brain and lead to Alzheimer’s. In some yearslong clinical trials, patients with early onset Alzheimer’s reported being less confused, repeating themselves less, and remembering small, daily tasks well after taking the drug.
This is a very valuable resource for anyone you know who has questions about their planning.
The FDA approved the drug and quickly began rollout, but not everyone is celebrating.
See you next month!
A panel of 11 scientists who advise the FDA on drug approval matters all voted against approval, many citing inconclusive results from numerous
Continued on Page 2 ...
740-452-8484 • 1
... continued from Cover
studies and questioning just how effective Aduhelm is at treating Alzheimer’s. Some scientists also criticized the approval over the drug’s potential side effects, like brain swelling. But the biggest issue comes from interpreting the results. In some experts’ opinion, the fact that Aduhelm merely slows the development of the disease, rather than repairing memory or cognition, isn’t enough to warrant approval and widespread use. Plus, there are other drugs like it that also remove this dangerous protein from the brain. Other groups, like the Alzheimer’s Association, are worried about the price tag of the drug. The association supported the drug’s approval but fears this high cost will make accessibility difficult. It’s currently priced at $56,000 per year, according to a June 2021 National Public Radio article. While some experts worry that approving this drug will stall progress in understanding and potentially curing Alzheimer’s, many are cautiously hopeful that after nearly 20 years, the FDA has approved a drug for the treatment of this deadly disease. Many suggest that Aduhelm is ideal for patients with early onset Alzheimer’s, where the side effects of the disease are minimal and Aduhelm can have the biggest impact. As with many diseases, early detection can be the key to progressive, aggressive, and effective
treatment. In honor of this historic moment, I’d like to share a few early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
• Forgetting daily tasks, like appointments or names
• Challenges in solving problems or working with numbers (i.e., budgeting issues)
• Struggling to use common household items, such as the remote or oven
•
Increased issues with communication or vision
• Changes in mood, personality, and decision-making skills
•
Confusion about the passage of time
My hope is that those of you who love someone living with this diagnosis — or if you are someone who has it — find peace and a treatment system that works for you, even if that doesn’t mean using Aduhelm. I believe this is a promising step, and I hope to see progress continue.
To learn more about this historic approval, Alzheimer’s treatment, and support, please visit Alz.org.
2 Fun Family Card Games to Play With 1 Deck
Whether you’re hanging out at home or camping with the family, card games are a great way to relax. A single deck is versatile and easy to pack, so if you have one on hand, try these two games that go beyond the classics like War and Go Fish. 1. Slapjack (2+ Players, No Jokers): The goal of this War-style game is to win all of the cards. To start, deal all of the cards face down, then have everyone form their cards into a pile without looking at them. Each player then flips a card face up into the center. Continue doing this until one of the cards played is a jack.
When that happens, the first person to slap the jack wins it and the cards beneath! They add them to their deck, and play continues until one player has all of the cards. To keep things interesting, if you accidentally slap a card that isn’t a jack, you have to give up one of your cards to the player with that pile, and if you run out of cards, you can reenter the game by slapping the very next jack. 2. Spar (2–4 Players, No Ace of Spades or Cards Below 6): This easy game is played with just 35 cards, and the object is to win the last round (aka trick). To start, deal five cards to each player. Then, have the person to the left of the dealer lay one of their cards face up. Each person in the circle then plays a card in the same suit if they can or another suit if they can’t. Whoever has the highest card in the original suit wins the trick and starts the next one! The winner of the fifth trick wins the game. If you want to keep score, award three points if the winning card is a six, two points if it’s a seven, and one point if it’s an eight or higher. Then play again! We found these games on BicycleCards.com, but you can learn about them and dozens of others by checking out “The Ultimate Book of Family Card Games” by Oliver Ho from your local library.
2 • swbwlawfirm.com
THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES ON 9/11 Remembering the Heroes Amid the Tragedy
Betty Ong and Amy Sweeney After five al-Qaida terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11, Ong and Sweeney, two flight attendants, used the crew phone to call their colleagues and give them information about their attackers, including what they looked like and what seats they had been sitting in. Both attendants perished, but the information they shared helped the FBI jump-start their investigation. Rick Rescorla A Vietnam veteran who had earned a silver star for his service, Rescorla was no stranger to stressful life and death situations. As the head of corporate security for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower, he defied orders from Port Authority to stay put and instead escorted 2,700 people out of the building before it collapsed. After that, he headed back in to look for stragglers. That was the last time anyone saw him. Passengers of Flight 93 While two planes hit the World Trade Center towers and one plane hit the Pentagon, another plane that headed for the White House never reached its destination. That’s because passengers aboard this flight, upon learning their plane had been hijacked, decided to rush the cockpit and overtake the terrorists. They caused the plane to crash in an empty field in Pennsylvania, saving the White House but killing everyone on board. Sad though their deaths may be, these heroic men and women continue to inspire people even 20 years later. We should never forget the tragedy of 9/11, but we should also remember these regular people who decided to take extraordinary lengths to save others.
The Good News While 9/11 remains a day of remembrance of these tragic events, it should also be a day to remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to save others. These are just a few of their stories. As we approach its 20th anniversary, Sept. 11, 2001, remains one of the darkest days in American history. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives when terrorists flew passenger airplanes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. The infrastructural damage was severe, but the damage done to thousands of families across the country was even worse. You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. Job 22.28
Herbed Sweet Pup-tato Fries Inspired by Food.com and GoodPetFoodKitchen.com.au
Ingredients
• 1 yam or sweet potato, plus your choice of dog-safe spice combination
Spice Combinations
Italian-Inspired Blend to Help With Pet Arthritis • 1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped • 1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
Warming Blend to Help Regulate Blood Sugar and Improve Dental Health
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Cut yam or sweet potato into fries by slicing it lengthwise into 1/3-inch slabs. Then, slice each slab lengthwise into 1/3-inch rectangles. 3. Place fries onto the baking sheet in a single, well-spaced layer. Sprinkle your herbs of choice on top. 4. Bake for 3 hours. Let cool, then serve as a treat to your pup.
740-452-8484 • 3
StubbinsWatson Bryan &Witucky Co., L.P.A.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
59 N. 4th St. Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Mon–Thu: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
740-452-8484 swbwlawfirm.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE August’s Odd Holidays PAGE 1 An Alzheimer’s Treatment Breakthrough PAGE 1 2 Fun Family Card Games to Play With 1 Deck PAGE 2 Remembering the Heroes of 9/11 PAGE 3 The Good News PAGE 3 Herbed Sweet Pup-tato Fries PAGE 3 The Best Places to Visit in Croatia PAGE 4
The Best Places to Visit in Croatia Your Next Affordable Vacation Spot!
This gorgeous coastal nation will absolutely blow you away with its beautiful architecture, landscapes, and delicious blend of Mediterranean and Slavic cuisine. Even better, it’s a fairly affordable place to visit! While many travelers land in Zagreb, the beautiful capital city and cultural hub, you wouldn’t want to miss these destinations. Dubrovnik As the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this coastal city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a beautiful city, featuring 13th century walls, marble stone streets, Gothic palaces, breathtaking churches, and an imposing fortress. There’s so much to do in the town square — one of Croatia’s largest and most beautiful — and you’ll be able to explore many historic structures nearby. Nature also has plenty to offer, with secluded coves and beaches nearby for exploration. Plitvice Lakes National Park Near the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, you’ll find one of Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it’s quite the drive, you won’t regret it — the park has an outstanding and picturesque series of tufa lakes and caves, all connected by waterfalls. With over 16 interconnected cascading lakes, it’s unlike anything else you’ll see. If you get hungry, you’ll love the nearby National Restaurant Licka Kuca, which is famous for its traditional Croatian preparation of lamb under a cast-iron bell.
Split The second largest city in Croatia (the first being Zagreb) is Split, founded by a Greek colony in the second or third century B.C. Historically, Split enjoyed being an independent city-state many times, and that free spirit is very tangible, as Split is very different from any other city in Croatia. With well-preserved Roman architecture and a multitude of museums, it’s no wonder Split is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although Croatia was among the first UN countries to open its doors to Americans, always be safe and check the newest regulations before booking your travel. Hopefully you enjoyed learning about this unique, wonderful country!
4 • swbwlawfirm.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online