Consumer Price Index - December 2012

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index declined again in December, but other indexes, notably food and shelter, increased, resulting in the seasonally adjusted all items index being unchanged. Gasoline was the only major energy index to decline; the indexes for natural gas and electricity both increased. Within the food category, five of the six major grocery store food groups increased as the food at home index rose for the third consecutive month.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in December, the same increase as in November.

Besides shelter, the indexes for airline fares, tobacco, and medical care also increased. The indexes for recreation, household furnishings and operations, and used cars and trucks all declined in December.

The all items index increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months, compared to a 1.8 percent figure in November.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.9 percent over the last 12 months, the same figure as last month. The food index has risen 1.8 percent over the last 12 months, and the energy index has risen 0.5 percent.

Jump to the full report.

PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES - DECEMBER 2012

The Producer Price Index for finished goods declined 0.2 percent in December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Prices for finished goods fell 0.8 percent in November and 0.2 percent in October.

At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods moved up 0.3 percent, and the crude goods index increased 2.5 percent.

On an unadjusted basis, the finished goods index rose 1.3 percent in 2012, compared with a 4.7-percent advance in 2011. (See table A.)

Jump to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the full report.

Nutritional Supplement Chiro Inositol May Help Prevent Dementia

“Chiro (Chiro-inositols) is a nutraceutical that we believe sensitizes your brain to the effects of insulin ... This would presumably enhance insulin action and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s.” ~ David Brautigan

Alzheimer's Reading Room 

We have quite a bit of information available on insulin, the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's, and ongoing clinical trials into the use of insulin as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. You can find all of this information by searching the Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base.

The study described below was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of chiro-inositol (Chiro) and whether or not it would enhance insulin action as a result protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease.

Chiro-inositol can be found in some foods but it is not usually abundant in most diets. However, Chiro is available as a nutritional supplement.

Is anyone on our list taking Chiro? Would you consider trying this nutritional supplement?

Continued on the Next Page

How To Use the Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base

The Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base contains more than 4,000 articles. In the Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR), we offer "real life" solutions to problems that Alzheimer's caregivers and their families encounter each day.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

The goal of the Alzheimer's Reading Roomis to Educate, Empower, and sometimes Entertain Alzheimer's caregivers, their families, and the entire Alzheimer's community.At its core the Alzheimer's Reading Room is about helping members of the Alzheimer'sand Dementia Community understand, cope, and communicate with persons living with Alzheimer's and Dementia.
The Alzheimer's Reading Room is currently the number one source of information for Alzheimer's, dementia, memory loss, and related health and life news on the Internet.

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to Learn More

METROPOLITAN AREA EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT -- NOVEMBER 2012

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 322 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 36 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 

Four areas recorded jobless rates of at least15.0 percent, while 52 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-eight metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 77 reported decreases, and 7 had no change. The national unemployment rate in November was 7.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.2 percent a year earlier.

Metropolitan Area Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In November, 29 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 68 areas a year earlier, while 192 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 129 areas in November 2011. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in November 2012, at 27.5 and 26.6 percent, respectively.

Bismarck, N.D., registered the lowest unemployment rate, 2.6 percent. A total of 217 areas recorded November unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.4 percent, 146 areas reported rates above it, and 9 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.
(See table 1.)

Jump to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to Read the Full Report

Dementia, Delirium, and Urinary Tract Infection

Delirium is a sudden alteration in mental status -- brain failure in a vulnerable individual, often an older adult with multiple health issues, caused by something else such as medications, urinary tract infection, lack of sleep, excessive light or noise or pain.

Delirium, which occurs suddenly, is not the same as dementia, although individuals with dementia are more susceptible to developing delirium during hospitalization than individuals without dementia.

Alzheimer's caregivers take note.

The dreaded urinary tract infection. Yikes.

One of the most frequently discussed topics by Alzheimer's caregivers in support groups is the urinary tract infection. This happens because most persons living with dementia cannot tell you they are sick; and as a result, they often suffer from urinary tract infections that result in a trip to the hospital emergency room.

I can't tell you how many "hair raising" emails I have received from caregivers describing hallucinations and delirium as a result of an infection, almost always a urinary tract infection.

One big issue with infection is memory loss on the part of the person living with Alzheimer's. In most cases I know of, the patients memory declines when they suffer from an infection that goes undetected for a while. The question? Will their memory come back to where it was prior to the infection?

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to continue reading

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- DECEMBER 2012

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 155,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Employment increased in health care, food services and drinking places, construction, and manufacturing.

Household Survey Data

The number of unemployed persons, at 12.2 million, was little changed
in December. The unemployment rate held at 7.8 percent and has been at
or near that level since September. (See table A-1.)

Accepting Alzheimers, Coping in Alzheimers World

Did you ever wonder why most Alzheimer's patients stick like glue to their caregiver? Call out their name when they can't see them? Want to know where you are when they can't see you?

When a person has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia they are often difficult to understand. The behaviors they express are often difficult to accept.

It be be very hard to deal with a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

It is hard to understand that a person can't remember. 

Harder to accept that when they can't remember, they will do things that are completely foreign to your frame of reference.

Each of us has emotions and feelings. Alzheimer's has a way of bringing out the worst of these feelings and emotions.

The challenge -- learning to deal with a person living with Alzheimer's on their own terms. Learning to deal with Alzheimer's disease.

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to read this article and search the ARR Knowledge Base