A comparatively simple eye exam that could detect Alzheimer’s disease many years before severe clinical symptoms appear is about to undergo a clinical trial sponsored by the University of Rhode Island, Butler Hospital in Providence, and BayCare Health System, a system of 15 hospitals and other centers in central Florida.
The so-called retinal screening tests someday could be administered by optometrists and ophthalmologists – at considerably less cost than today’s PET scans, which can detect the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear. Such scans cost thousands of dollars and are not typically covered by most insurance plans.
Eating a Mediterranean diet could have a positive effect within just one year for older adults, increasing “good” bacteria in their guts and decreasing the “bad” ones, new research suggests.
A study of 612 people aged 65 to 79 in five European countries showed that by adhering to a Mediterranean diet for a year showed a wide range of positive effects on gut bacteria that indicate “healthy aging.”
Those who stuck to the diet slowed the loss of gut bacteria diversity. They also saw an increase in bacteria associated with better brain function, indicators of reduced frailty – like grip strength and walking speed – and reduced production of harmful inflammation.
Roy Shinichi Iwamoto, 76, of Honolulu, died in Honolulu on January 22, 2020. He was born in Honolulu. Private services were held.
Roy retired from the Hawaii Air National Guard after many years of service. He was a State employee who retired from the State Department of Defense.
Retiree News extends heartfelt sympathy to Roy’s family and friends.
On Tuesday, August 20, 2002, the results of the FY03 ANG Line and Health Professionals – Captains, Majors, & Lieutenant Colonels Selection Board were released. Many familiar names who went on to service leadership positions in the Hawaii Air National Guard
(Unit assignments and designations are as they were in 2002.)
To Major:
Mark E. Kloetzel, 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Garret G. Miyagawa, 154th Medical Group
Antonio A. J. Querubin, 291st Combat Communication Squadron
To Lieutenant Colonel:
Joseph C. Damiani, Hq, 154th Wing
Timothy H. Fujino, Hq, 154th Operations Group
Jan Sue Heverly, 154th Aircraft Generation Squadron
Scott W. Hoadley, 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Edgar S. Kimsey, 204th Airlift Squadron
Thomas K .L. Mau, 199th Weather flight
Morris S. Miyose, 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Martin P. Moerschell, Hq, 201st combat Communications Group
Kenneth R. Sussel, 199th Fighter Squadron
Craig T. Swaby, 199th Fighter Squadron
Gary L. Thomas, 292nd Combat Communications Squadron
Randall Tom, Hq, Hawaii Air National Guard
James T. Yuki, 204th Airlift Squadron
A good rule of thumb when you’re trying to eat healthy is to beware of any food you see advertised. The most beneficial fare — whole grains, fruits, vegetables — tends not to have a marketing budget.
Similarly, investments that are enthusiastically pushed by commission-earning salespeople may not be the best for your financial health. Before you buy any of the following, you’d be smart to investigate lower-cost alternatives and to consult an objective, knowledgeable third party, such as a fee-only financial planner.
The investments touted by commission-based salespeople might not be in your best interests. Here are four examples.
Tax season is in full swing — and that means it’s hunting time for scam artists hoping to rip off taxpayers.
The Internal Revenue Service expects to receive around 150 million tax returns during this filing period, which began January 27 and runs through April 15.
Americans need to remain vigilant to guard against tax fraud, which picks up around this time of year as crooks prey on taxpayers’ anxiety and urgency to file their returns, experts said.
Attached is today’s COVID-19 update issued by the Joint Information Center. Note the comment about wearing masks.
We are writing today to urge you to contact your State Senator and Representative as soon as possible in support of funding for the construction of the State Veterans Home on Oahu. We already have 44.7 Million in Federal funding. But the Hawaii Legislature needs to approve 26.0 Million in its Supplemental Budget for this project to move forward. Last year, the Legislature failed to include these funds in the State Budget. If the Legislature fails to approve the funds this year, the State will be forced to return 44.7 Million to the U.S. Government, and the Veterans Home on Oahu will have little if any chance of being built.
We are including a draft letter that you may use for writing to your State Senator and Representative. Please add your name and address, and their name and mailing address. That address of the State Legislature is: 415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. You may locate your Senator or Representative’s room number by looking on the attached 2020 Hawaii Legislative Contact List. You will also find their office phone numbers on this list.
It is essential that our Legislators understand the needs of elderly and disabled Veterans in Hawaii. To help you discuss the Veterans Home, we have included an attachment above: “Talking Points New Hawaii State Veterans Home.” This four-page document will give you all of the information that you will need to discuss this project with your State Senators, Representatives, and many others. We feel that most Hawaii residents will agree that our disabled Veterans in Hawaii deserve to have this project built. And most will be surprised that funding was denied last year. Please read these materials and become familiar with them. Then, if you agree that these Supplemental funds are needed, please act soon to contact your Legislators.
In Service To Veterans,
Ronald P. Han, Director
State of Hawaii Office of Veterans Services
459 Patterson Road, E-Wing, Room 1-A103
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
(808) 433-0420
Attachments:
Talking Points New Hawaii State Veterans Home
Draft Letter to Your Senator and Representative
2020 Hawaii Legislative Contact List
The fight against Alzheimer’s disease remains one of medical science’s more demanding challenges. Progress has been slow and often frustrating, as one drug after another has failed to live up to its promise in human clinical trials.
But those failures, along with technological advances in brain-scanning, have helped stimulate new avenues of research — including renewed focus on development of an Alzheimer’s vaccine.
“There are more new tools for early detection and diagnosis that we haven’t had before,” said Rebecca Edelmayer, director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association. “Fifteen years ago, we didn’t even have the capability to look into the brain. Now, this is enabling us to better understand the disease process.”
Retiree News 