Clear Guidance, LLC

10/20/2026

BLOOD MARKER MAY FLAG ALZHEIMER'S-RELATED CHANGES IN DOWN SYNDROME DECADES BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR
by Sant Pau Research Institute, edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan

Decades before the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease appear, some changes associated with the disease may begin to leave a trace in the blood. A study by the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) has found that, in people with Down syndrome, levels of β-synuclein, a protein related to synaptic function, begin to rise in the third decade of life, long before symptoms appear and earlier than other blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease.

The results, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, stem from a collaboration between Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona, Martin Luther University in Germany and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. They position β-synuclein as a promising marker of the earliest synaptic changes associated with the disease.

According to estimates based on participants' ages, β-synuclein levels begin to differ from those observed in people without Down syndrome approximately 21 years before the average age at diagnosis of prodromal Alzheimer's disease in the cohort studied.

"One of the major challenges in Alzheimer's research is understanding what is happening in the brain many years before the first symptoms appear. Gaining a more in-depth understanding of these earliest changes is essential to identifying when synapses begin to fail and to opening the door to studying interventions at increasingly early stages of the disease," explains Dr. Olivia Belbin, head of the Molecular Neurodegeneration group at IR Sant Pau and corresponding author of the study.

To read the full article by Medical Press online, please click here https://buff.ly/hSa79dJ

10/15/2026

Come be a part of the Dash N’ Dine CEU Event being held at The Reservoir Center on Tuesday, October 20th.

The Reservoir Center will be partnering with Tammy Pozerycki, from Clear Guidance and Right At Home, to provide Nurses and Social Workers 1 CE/CEU presentation and a meal
for 2 for you to enjoy at home as you leave.

The topic is “Understanding Feelings & Communication of a Person with Dementia-Practical Strategies, Meaningful Connections, and Better Care”.

Please RSVP to Jessica Costa at [email protected] or 508-481-6123 no later than Thursday, October 15th. Space is limited, so RSVP early!

Jessica L. Costa, LNHA
Director of Business Development
The Reservoir Center for Health and Rehabilitation
400 Bolton St. Marlborough, MA 01752
Cell: 508-683-9007
Office: 508-481-6123
[email protected]

10/14/2026

LEE RACHEL JURMAN
Clinical Lead Director of Disability Services

Clear Guidance is honored to welcome Lee Rachel Jurman and Personal Disability Services into Clear Guidance. Her expertise strengthens our ability to support individuals and families across the lifespan, expanding our commitment to thoughtful advocacy, care coordination, and practical guidance during times of change.

Families and professionals value Ms. Jurman for her ability to listen carefully, understand the full picture, and identify a clear path forward when circumstances feel overwhelming. Her approach is compassionate, direct, and highly personalized. She helps clients and families clarify their options, advocate effectively, access needed supports, and make thoughtful decisions with greater confidence.

To learn more about Clear Guidance and our team of experts, please click here https://buff.ly/eMdJiEp

Charting the Course for Aging, Disability and Dementia

10/13/2026

CDC PLANS TO DROP DISABILITY QUESTIONS FROM FEDERAL HEALTH SURVEY

A proposed revamp of a key federal survey could lead to a drastic undercount of Americans with developmental disabilities, advocates warn.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling for major changes to the 2028 version of the National Health Interview Survey. The annual questionnaire asks about 27,000 adults about their experiences with illness, chronic conditions, injuries, health access and more.

The current iteration includes 49 questions related to disabilities and functioning, according to Lindsay DuBois, a research associate at the nonprofit Human Services Research Institute, which published guidance for disability organizations and other stakeholders on the proposal. Under the new plan, she said that number would drop to 15.

Importantly, advocates say the revisions would leave out a question about whether a person’s difficulties with cognition, communication, mobility or other issues originated before the age of 22 as well as questions about challenges learning or completing everyday tasks, all of which were specifically designed to improve identification of people with developmental disabilities.

“The bottom line: The proposed revisions will make it harder to identify in the data people with disabilities — especially people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” DuBois said.

To read the full article from disability scoop online, please click here https://buff.ly/5GJIhqb

https://buff.ly/eMdJiEp
Charting the Course for Aging, Disability and Dementia

10/12/2026

Clear Guidance is proud to be a sponsor at NEPAC 2026, the New England Patient Advocacy Conference, happening October 12–13 at Assumption University in Worcester, MA.

This two-day conference brings together patient advocates, nurses, care managers, social workers, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and students for practical education, connection, and tools for better healthcare navigation. Up to 12 CEUs are available for attending both days.

Great first day!!!



https://buff.ly/eMdJiEp

10/09/2026

NATIONAL MOLDY CHEESE DAY

While spotting mold on your food is usually a reason to panic, on October 9th, we celebrate the glorious, funky, and delicious world of edible mold. Welcome to National Moldy Cheese Day. This is the day for the daring, the culinary adventurers, and anyone who believes the best food is a bit of a science experiment. This is the one day a year when "fuzzy" is a feature, not a failure!

Let's be clear--not all mold is created equal. Your friendly neighborhood cheesemonger, the guru who specializes in cheese, can guide you through this flavorful frontier. Think of them as a sommelier for dairy. But here's a quick guide to know which molds are friends and which are foes.

The moldy friends we celebrate today are the artistic streaks of blue, grey, and green mold. These are specific strains of Penicillium (like Penicillium roqueforti or glaucum) that are intentionally introduced to cheeses. They create the bold flavors and creamy textures we love.

The cheesy foes we need to be afraid of are the red, brown, black molds, or fuzzy green spots on a hard cheese like cheddar. Say goodbye to these uninvited party crashers that can be harmful. The golden rule is simple: When in doubt, throw it out!

10/08/2026

Clorinda "Clo" Cottrell, LICSW, CDCP

Ms. Cottrell is a care manager and social worker with over 15 years of expertise in healthcare. Dedicated to supporting clients at every step, Ms. Cottrell prioritizes their preferences, strengths, and unique life stories. With a blend of compassion, expertise, creativity and strategic guidance, Ms. Cottrell helps individuals and families navigate life’s most challenging transitions with dignity and peace of mind.

Ms. Cottrell specializes in supporting aging adults, dependent adults, and individuals with disabilities to make informed decisions that promote dignity, well-being, and optimal quality of life. She brings particular expertise in care for adults with Down syndrome, autism, intellectual disabilities, and aging-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. During her eight years with Massachusetts General Hospital’s Down Syndrome Program, Ms. Cottrell provided comprehensive life span support to individuals, families and care partners, including co-occurring mental health conditions, dementia, and aging-related challenges. Her collaborative approach simplifies care processes, alleviates concerns, and empowers families to face challenges with confidence and clarity.

To learn more about Clo and the services that Clear Guidance offers, please click here https://buff.ly/eMdJiEp

10/07/2026

Clear Guidance is proud to support NEPAC 2026, the New England Patient Advocacy Conference, happening October 12–13 at Assumption University in Worcester, MA.

This two-day conference brings together patient advocates, nurses, care managers, social workers, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and students for practical education, connection, and tools for better healthcare navigation. Up to 12 CEUs are available for attending both days.

Learn more and register here: https://buff.ly/xINK8MW

To learn more about Clear Guidance, please click here https://buff.ly/eMdJiEp

NEPAC 2026 is a 2-day patient advocacy conference in Worcester, MA (Oct 12–13). Learn practical tools, earn CEUs, and connect with advocates.

10/06/2026

October is designated as DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, promote inclusion, and raise public education
(National Down syndrome Society https://buff.ly/6BkMhIv)

Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

*There are three types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) accounts for 95% of cases, translocation accounts for about 4%, and mosaicism accounts for about 1%
*Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately one in every 770 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome – about 5,200 each year
*Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels
*The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 53% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age
*People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, childhood leukemia and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives
*A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are: low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all
*Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades – from 22 in 1950 to about 60 today
*People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote and contribute to society in many wonderful ways
*All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses

Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives
(National Down Syndrome Society and the MassGeneral Hospital Down Syndrome Program https://buff.ly/2ZGMJl7)

10/02/2026

NATIONAL SMARTIES® DAY

National Smarties Day on October 2 celebrates the sweet legacy of an iconic candy and the smarty pants people who never stop learning.

Smarties have been around since 1949. That's over 70 years of celebrating this sweet candy wafer roll. In honor of National Smarties Day, we invite everyone to take a walk down memory lane and enjoy this nostalgic candy. If you've never tried Smarties, this is your chance to become a new member of the smarty pants club.

What are Smarties? Smarties are rolls of a small pastel colored candy tablets that are sweet and a little bit sour. Unlike most candy, Smarties have only 6 ingredients, too. There are six different flavors in a Smarties package. Flavors are randomly mixed together for each individual Smarties roll.

A Smart Choice
When it comes to candy, Smarties are considered a smart choice. For starters, Smarties are free from the nine major food allergies: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame.

If you are at a loss for classic gluten‑free candy, Smarties products are your delicious solution. The sweet treat is also gluten-free. Interestingly, the ingredients found in Smarties candy contains no animal products, making them a tasty and cruelty-free choice for anyone looking for delicious vegan candy. Did we mention they are only 25 calories in each roll of Smarties?