Physical Therapy Services of Tennessee - September 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021

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EastTennessee Physical Therapy News

A PROMISING NEW TREATMENT FOR ALZHEIMER’S?

FROM THE DESK OF DANNY D. SMITH, PT, DHSC As I think of different things that make our practice stand out, I can relate to personal characteristics of all our staff not just our licensed PTs, OTs, and COTAs. Those characteristics that we look for in an individual to join our staff are dependability and accountability. Students who receive clinical training understand that to successfully complete clinical training at our facility they must have these characteristics as well as the ability to evaluate, diagnosis, and formulate a program for the patient based on current science. Dependability is the trait that consists of doing the right thing at the right time for the right individual. Our licensed staff should not and do not require constant over-the-shoulder supervision. They have demonstrated they have the ability to carry out whatever is necessary to attain the goals mutually set with the patient. Accountability is taking responsibility for your actions. Adverse actions and reactions are not the fault of someone or something for these individuals. They simply take responsibility for their actions. All our staff are expected to do the right thing at the right moment regardless of the situation. That extends from the front office, to billing, to patient evaluation, and the development of a treatment plan with specific goals decided upon by the patient and the evaluating therapist.

Why a Recent FDA Approval Is Worth Celebrating — Cautiously

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.

The FDA approved the drug and quickly began rollout, but not everyone is celebrating.

A panel of 11 scientists who advise the FDA on drug approval matters all voted against approval, many citing inconclusive results from numerous studies

–Danny

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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.

Remembering the Heroes Amid the Tragedy

THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES ON 9/11

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. 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. 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.

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WILLIE THE PARROT: THE ULTIMATE DANGER ALARM Willie the Quaker parrot was a pretty remarkable bird. Like many parrots, he had a knack for mimicking certain sounds and words, including barking dog noises, human kissing noises, and a fair share of swear words. However, what made Willie a hero one day was not just what he said, but also when he said it. Meagan Howard, Willie’s owner, brought him over to her friend Samantha Kuusk’s house while she babysat Kuusk’s little daughter, Hannah. Hannah and Willie were both in the kitchen while Meagan prepared a Pop-Tart for Hannah’s breakfast. After placing the Pop-Tart on the table, Meagan stepped away to use the bathroom. While she was away, however, Hannah got her hands on the Pop-Tart and began to scarf it down, lodging a piece in her windpipe. She started choking and was unable to signal to Meagan that something was wrong. Luckily, Willie came to the rescue.

Willie began squawking and shrieking, saying the words “Mama! Baby!” over and over again. In a matter of moments, Meagan knew something was wrong. She rushed to the kitchen to find a very frantic Willie and a very blue Hannah. Meagan jumped into action. She grabbed Hannah and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the Pop-Tart piece dislodged itself and shot out of her mouth. Meagan may have been the one to stop Hannah from choking, but she insists that Willie was the real hero of the story. If he hadn’t used his unique mimicking skills to get Meagan’s attention, she doesn’t know what would have happened. It’s worth noting that before that incident, Willie had never used the phrase “Mama! Baby!” before. He knew something was wrong, and he knew how to get help. Shortly after the incident, Willie received the local Red Cross chapter’s Animal Lifesaver Award for his heroic actions.

Take a Break!

EASY PEACH COBBLER Inspired by MyRecipes.com

Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you. -Walt Whitman

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup flour • 2 cups sugar, divided • 1 tbsp baking powder • Dash of salt

• 1 cup milk • 4 cups peaches (fresh is best!) • 1 tbsp lemon juice • Ground cinnamon or nutmeg to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, add butter and place in oven. Remove when melted. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then pour in milk and stir until the mixture is smooth. 3. Pour the batter over the melted butter, but don’t stir! 4. In a pot, bring peaches, lemon juice, and remaining sugar to a boil. Stir constantly. 5. Pour peaches over batter, but once again, don’t stir! 6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, then bake at 375 F for 45 minutes.

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1975 West Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643 423-543-0073

1500 West Elk Ave. #104, Elizabethton TN 37643 423-543-2215

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Inside This Issue From the Desk of Dr. Smith PAGE 1 An Alzheimer’s Treatment Breakthrough PAGE 1 Remembering the Heroes of 9/11 PAGE 2 Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Easy Peach Cobbler PAGE 3 Celebrate Fall Prevention Month With These 3 Tips PAGE 4

Don’t Fall This Fall! 3 Tips for Fall Prevention

IMPROVE YOUR HOME Your home just might be your biggest threat when it comes to falls, so improve it with a few changes! Install grab bars and railings on steps and in the bathtub for extra support. Grips on the bottom of the bathtub and on slippery surfaces can give you a secure footing, while lighting along the hallway and in stairwells can better illuminate walkways. Even something as simple as moving a table or decor item out of the hallway can be beneficial! REVIEW YOUR MEDICINES Sometimes medication can influence balance and movement. Talk with your doctor about the side effects of your medication and adjust accordingly. You may need to consider

September marks the start of fall , but it also serves as an important reminder about falling .

Falling is one of the greatest dangers seniors face. As adults age, take more medication, and lose some mobility, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay upright or regain balance — even when tripping over the smallest object. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 out of 5 falls cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Falling can also increase a senior’s chance of falling again. But for as common as it may be, falling doesn’t have to be your norm. You can lower your risk of falling and injury with a few simple steps. MOVE MORE Your body was designed to move! When you don’t move your body enough, which can happen when you age, your muscles and joints can become weak and stiff. The best way to strengthen your reactions and improve your balance is to move your body. A physical therapist can help you develop a routine that targets your balance while strengthening your muscles and joints.

alternatives, but if that’s not possible, physical therapy can provide assistance. It’s designed to help you improve your balance and get stronger — which can lower your risk of falling.

You can learn more about fall prevention and risks online at CDC.gov.

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