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World Mental Health Day

posted on 2:31 PM in Aging, Alzheimer's, Brain Health, Dementia, Fitness, Health communication, Mental Health, Oakville senior, Women's Health with 2 comments

Did you know that Monday October 10th is World Mental Health Day? This day was established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992 to provide education, awareness and advocacy for those affected by mental illness worldwide.

Family caregivers are disproportionately affected by mental health concerns as a result of the stress and strain of caring for individuals with chronic disease or other health issues. Beyond managing the day to day activities for the care recipient, many family caregivers find that the biggest struggle they face is letting go of the person they used to know and accepting the current status of the individual they care for. Other factors that can impact a caregiver's mental health include the nature of the relationship with the care recipient, the stage of the disability or disease and the strength of the social support network.

There is hope – and there is help. We would like to share with you the Caring for the Caregiver Plancreated by the World Federation for Mental Health. This customizable plan ensures that the mental and physical health of the caregiver is not only maintained but also improved.

The Caring for the Caregiver Plan has three components:

1) Cope with day-to-day demands by getting the help that you need

Understand that it is okay to ask for help
Define the help you need
Seek out resources in your community for help

2) Create a community of care providers

Utilize a web-based caregiving coordination service, or a paper and pencil calendar method, to organize offers of help
Contact a reputable home care agency to provide respite care

3) Care for your mental health

Monitor signs of caregiver burnout
Watch for signs of anxiety, and if necessary, seek help
Watch for signs of depression, and if necessary, seek help

Take the time to write out a Caring for the Caregiver plan for yourself. In doing so, you can help sustain – and ultimately improve – your own mental and physical well-being while continuing to provide excellent care. At Home Care Assistance, we wrote the book on family caregiving, and we're here to help with respite care when you need us. Have a great weekend!

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Read about our Live-in and Hourly services

Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the Region of Halton (Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, and Milton), Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon), Hamilton and surrounding areas.

September 2011 is the first World Alzheimer's Month

posted on 12:31 PM in Alzheimer's, Health communication, Mental Health with 1 comments

We are excited to share with you that September 2011 is the first World Alzheimer's Month and today is Alzheimer’s Action Day. This is a great opportunity to show your commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease!

There are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care—valued at 202 billion dollars— annually. Caregivers are under tremendous physical and emotional strain, with over one-third of family caregivers reporting symptoms of depression.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be extremely difficult. The emotional toll of seeing a loved one slowly slip away can be significant. Given the serious nature of Alzheimer’s symptoms, including memory loss, wandering and hallucinations, around-the-clock care is often the only way to ensure the health and safety of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Most family caregivers who try to provide the necessary level of 24/7 care eventually feel overwhelmed and burned out.

If you find yourself in this situation, one solution is to arrange for respite care. This can include developing a weekly schedule of relatives, friends or neighbors who will fill in for a few hours to enable you to run errands or simply enjoy some leisure time with friends. Home Care Assistance specializes in Live-in Care through our dedicated team of screened, trained and insured caregivers.

Help us raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease by changing your Facebook profile picture for a day to the Alzheimer’s Association “END ALZ” graphic that can be found here. While you’re on our Fan Page, we encourage you to share a link you find interesting or to leave a comment related to Alzheimer’s disease and how it has affected someone you care about.

Healthy Brain - Challenge yourself

posted on 3:11 PM in Alternative Health, Alzheimer's, Brain Health, exercise, Health communication, inspiration, Prevention, Seniors' Health with 0 comments

Just as physical activity improves your body's ability to function, studies show that keeping your brain active may help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Research is showing that by using your brain, you increase its networks of connections. A brain-healthy lifestyle also emphasizes the importance of overcoming routine and monotony in our daily lives. By approaching daily routines in new ways, you engage new or little used mental pathways.
Since the evidence suggests that mental stimulation enhances brain activity and may help maintain brain health throughout life, it is important to put your brain to work.
Challenging your brain doesn't have to be difficult. It can be as simple as dialing the phone with your less dominant hand or as complex as learning a new language. Remember, the goal is to give your brain a new experience and a workout each and every day.

Play games to challenge your mind – chess, word and number puzzles, jigsaws, crosswords and memory games.

Pursue a new interest such as learning to play a musical instrument, taking a course or going to the theatre.

Break your routine – take a different route to the store or change the order of your morning routine.

Involve one or more of your senses in a novel way - write your name with your opposite hand or count out coin change by using your sense of touch.

Read a book – discuss it with a friend.

Pursue cultural activities like going to plays, museums, concerts, galleries.

Keep up hobbies such as sewing, carpentry or take up a new hobby.

Cross train your brain – try a variety of mental challenges.

For some great ways to take action on brain health, visit our BrainBooster^TM pages.

Note: Your abilities, health situation and interests should be taken into consideration when choosing brain healthy activities. If you have questions about your own situation, speak to your doctor or health-care provider.
For a reference list of studies regarding Alzheimer's disease and brain health, click here.
[This information is also available in an information sheet you can download from this site.

http://alzheimer.ca/english/brain/challengeyourself.htm

10 Everyday Activities for Seniors to Boost Memory

posted on 12:00 PM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Fitness, Food and Nutrition, Home Care, Lifestyle, Mental Health with 0 comments

Changes in your thinking processes and memory are inevitable as we age. According to the 2011 Alzheimer's Association's Annual Report, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's disease every 70 seconds. Luckily, simple lifestyle activities, both physical and mental, can decrease your chances of dementia and keep your mind sharp as a tack!

Also note that debilitating memory loss doesn't happen to everyone. Here are 10 ways to boost your memory power. You will notice that most of these activities are probably already incorporated into your daily routine.

1.    Take the stairs – Exercise benefits your brain as well as the rest of your body. Increasing blood flow to the brain results in less brain shrinkage and lowers the risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Remember, one step at a time – it all adds up. Avoid elevators, park at the far end of the lot and try taking an evening walk around your block.

2.    Take a nap during the day – Memory storage happens while you sleep, which is why a good night’s sleep is so valuable. A six-minute nap is as valuable for short-term recall as a 90-minute nap has been shown to speed up the process that helps the brain consolidate long-term memories.

3.    Play a ‘brain’ game - A study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society shows that people over 65 who used a computerized cognitive training program for an hour a day, over a period of eight weeks, improved memory and attention more than the control group.

4.    A Cup of Joe - Green and black teas have a protective effect on memory by influencing enzymes in the brain while the caffeine sparks concentration. People who drink moderate amounts of coffee, as many as three to five cups, have lower odds of developing dementia later life.

5.    Eat your greens - People who are deficient in folate and vitamin B12 have an increased risk of developing dementia. Great vegetable sources for folate include romaine lettuce, spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, mustard greens, parsley, collards, broccoli, cauliflower and beets. Don’t like vegetables? An abundant amount of Folate can also be found in lentils, calf's liver, pinto and black beans. Home Care Assistance offers a great health-oriented program for clients that caregivers are trained in called the Balanced Care Method.

6. Learn something new - Pursue a new type of activity using skills far different from those you are accustomed to using. Learn a new language or try a sculpting class!

7. Eat chocolate! - In 2007, a study by the Journal of Neuroscience reported on the memory-boosting effects in rats from a plant compound called epicatechin. In addition to cocoa, epicatechin is found in blueberries, grapes and tea.

8. Put everything in its place - Your memory needs a certain amount of familiarity to keep your life functioning smoothly. Place your keys and glasses in the same place every time. Write notes to yourself as a reminder (the very act of writing will help your recall).

9. Don’t retire – Volunteer. A satisfying work life offers social stimulation and decision-making opportunities, exercises and problem-solving skills. Volunteering after retirement involves learning new material and interacting with others.

10. Spend time with loved ones – Being around other people who keep you engaged and stimulated lowers your risk of developing dementia.

By setting aside time each day to walk, learning something new and munching on chocolate, you can help boost your memory for years to come.

(via Home Care Blog)

Six lifestyle changes to protect your brain

posted on 8:30 AM in Alzheimer's, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Dementia, Food and Nutrition, Mental Health with 1 comments

It is never too early to be concerned for your mental well-being. According to an article in The Huffington Post, by the year 2030, 615,000 people are said to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that annual number is expected to be just under 1 million, with someone developing Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.
Those are very harrowing statistics. Thankfully, there are things that we can do to hopefully decrease those numbers.

Dr. Cindy Haines shares six lifestyle changes to protect your brainpower:

Avoid Other Chronic Conditions – People with other chronic conditions, like diabetes, are about twice as likely to develop dementia. Obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are all potentially chronic problems that you can control.
Try Mediterranean Food – The Mediterranean diet is gaining popularity in its ability to help prevent dementia. The diet consists of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread and other whole-grain foods, beans, seeds and nuts.
Stay Active – Regular exercise keeps your blood vessels healthy, which can help prevent vascular dementia and other forms of Alzheimer’s.
Avoid Tobacco Smoke – Smoking has been proven to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, new research is suggesting that simply being exposed to tobacco smoke can also increase that risk, so avoiding it altogether is the best bet.
Keep Your Brain Busy and Stay Socially Engaged – Studies have shown that people who keep their brains active are less likely to develop dementia. Activities like crossword puzzles and reading increase your cognitive reserve.
Keep an Eye on Depression – Currently, there still needs to be more research involving exactly how depression and dementia are linked, but studies show that there is a strong connection between the two.

As mentioned, it is important to start taking precautions to prevent dementia, no matter your age.

Courtesy of CareNotes: The Home Care Newsletter

The challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's

posted on 10:31 AM in Alzheimer's, Home Care with 0 comments

Caring for an older loved one is never easy, but caring for someone with Alzheimer’s presents special challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 40% of these caregivers suffer a “high” level of emotional stress. And according to a study published by The Journal of Immunology, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can actually shorten a caregiver's life by up to 8 years!

The truth is that individuals with Alzheimer’s are extremely difficult to care for. Seeing someone you love slowly slip away takes an incredible emotional toll.

Given the seriousness of symptoms like memory loss, wandering and hallucination, people with Alzheimer’s often require “around the clock” care. They cannot be left alone for a minute. And most family caregivers who try to provide this level of 24/7 care eventually feel overwhelmed and exhausted.

Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC, Certified Geriatric Care Manager and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Home Care Assistance offers the following suggestions to those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s:

1. Contact the Alzheimer's Association or your local senior center. Both will help you find the appropriate resources and support groups to join.

2. Arrange for respite care. Do not hesitate to call relatives, neighbors or friends and ask for help. Put together a weekly schedule of people you trust. This will allow you the time you need to run errands, buy groceries, or take a few hours off from caregiving. Home care agencies like Home Care Assistance are experts when it comes to respite care. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours or 24/7, we are there for you.

3. Research Adult Day Care Centers. These are daily programs that typically run from 9am-4pm. Families will drop off their loved one for the day, knowing they are in a safe, professional environment.

4. Hire a Geriatric Care Manager. Visit www.caremanager.org for a list of care managers in your area. These professionals will coordinate all the services you need. As a result, your stress level will be reduced and your loved one will have your full attention.

5. Read a book, medical journal or go online. The more you know about Alzheimer’s the better. Those who are highly informed on this disease will make smarter decisions when it comes to caregiving.

6 lifestyle changes to boost your brain

posted on 10:35 PM in Alzheimer's, Blood Pressure, Brain Health, Cholesterol, Dementia, Diabetes, Food and Nutrition, Lifestyle, Mental Health with 0 comments

It is never too early to start protecting your brain. According to an article in the Huffington Post, by the year 2030, 615,000 people are said to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that annual number is expected to be just under 1 million, with someone developing Alzheimer's every 33 seconds.

Those are very harrowing statistics. But, there are things that we can do to hopefully change those numbers.

Dr. Cindy Haines shares 6 Lifestyle changes to protect your brainpower:

1. Avoid other chronic conditions – People with other chronic conditions, like diabetes, are about twice as likely to develop dementia. Obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are all potentially chronic problems that you can control.

2. Try Mediterranean food – The Mediterranean diet is gaining support in its use in preventing dementia. Lots of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread and other whole-grain foods, and beans, seeds and nuts.

3. Stay Active – Regular exercise keeps your blood vessels healthy, which can help prevent vascular dementia and forms of Alzheimer’s.

4. Avoid Tobacco Smoke – Smoking is has been proven to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, new research is suggesting that simply being exposed to tobacco smoke can also increase that risk.

5. Keep your brain busy and stay socially engaged – Studies have shown that people who keep their brains active are less likely to develop dementia. Activities like crossword puzzles and reading increase your cognitive reserve.

6. Keep an eye on depression - There still needs to be more research involving exactly how depression and dementia are linked, but studies show that there is a strong connection between the two.

Like I said earlier, it is important to start taking precautions to prevent dementia, no matter your age.

Nasal spray may prevent Alzheimer's

posted on 3:45 PM in Alzheimer's, Medicine, Stroke with 0 comments

From Home Care Assistance North Houston:

A nasal spray that can prevent Alzheimer’s disease and a stroke? Too good to be true?

Not according to researchers from Tel Aviv University. They say they’ve developed a medication that can be used as a nasal spray and protect against Alzheimer’s and strokes that are related to Alzheimer’s disease. The spray would repair vascular damage in the brain by triggering the body’s immune system.

Dr. Dan Frenkel, of the Tel Aviv University’s Department of Neurobiology, says he and other researchers are using part of a drug that was previously tested as an influenza treatment to induce an immune response against a build-up of amyloid proteins, or brain peptides, in the blood vessels. This build-up can lead to development of Alzheimer’s disease.

“In early pre-clinical studies, we’ve found it can prevent both brain tissue damage and restore cognitive impairment,” said Frenkel.

Dr. Alan J. Lerner, director of the Memory and Cognition Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Ohio, praised the nasal spray, adding that not all drugs need to come in a pill or a shot.

“I think we should be excited about this research because Alzheimer’s is such a major public health problem,” said Lerner, who was not involved in the study. “It affects 5 million people and the Baby Boomers will add 10 to 15 million more patients to that. “

Frenkel believes the new findings, accepted by the journal Neurobiology of Aging, may lead to a future breakthrough for a vaccine and a long-sought cure for Alzheimer’s. “This might open a new horizon of treatment targeting the immune response that can both reduce stroke incident in Alzheimer’s and also prevent disease progression,” Frenkel told AOL Health.

The vaccine activates macrophages, or large proteins in the body that devour foreign antigens. Large numbers of activated macrophages dispose of amyloid protein build-up in the brain’s vascular system. Trials in animals have shown that further damage can be prevented once these proteins are expelled from the brain, meaing existing damage due to a previous stroke could be repaired. The vaccine may also treat patients who are already experiencing Alzheimer’s symptoms.

“We’ve found a way to use the immune response stimulated by this drug to prevent hemorrhagic strokes which lead to permanent brain damage,” Frenkel added.

Researchers used mice to monitor the effect of the drug through “object recognition” tests, which evaluated cognitive function before and after vaccine injection. MRI screenings confirmed that further vascular damage was prevented after administration of the vaccine, and that object recognition tests indicated those animals treated with the vaccine returned to normal behavior. So far the vaccine has shown no toxic side effects in mice.

Lerner’s one concern is that the drug has not been tested on humans, although he says the theory behind the spray is backed previous research.

“There’s been an immune theory about Alzheimer’s around for about 20 years and it looks like this is an immune-mediated approach,” Lerner said. “In the past we’ve tried giving people prednisone and anti-inflamatory drugs. There are currently antibodies in clinical testing.”

Frenkel believes the drug may have the same effect in humans, both in preventing the diseases and in treating patients who have already been diagnosed. In fact, if further research supports the vaccine’s efficacy, it could have the potential to treat the dementia associated with Alzheimer’s in as many as 80 percent of patients.

While Frenkel was unable to comment on when the drug could potentially be available, he noted it has already been tested for safety as an influenza treatment by GlaxoSmithKline.

“The layperson should know that help is on the way,” said Lerner, whose own center at University Hospitals does a lot of research in this area. “You’re not going to be able to go out and get this right away. But we have to support Alzheimer’s research. It’s stalled in terms of dollars and students are being told to study something else.

“Sometimes we can look to other countries such as Israel for ideas,” Lerner added. “Our center does a lot of clinical trials We don’t want to keep doing the same cookie-cutter things. So this research is very germane.”

AOL Health writer Ronnie Koenig contributed to this report.
Huso, Deborah, and Ronnie Koenig. “Researchers Say Nasal Spray May Prevent Alzheimer’s, Stroke.” AOL Health. 1 Mar. 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Interview with Alzheimer's Society of Canada

posted on 2:34 AM in Alzheimer's with 0 comments

Researchers identify dementia gene

posted on 11:31 PM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Prevention with 0 comments

Researchers in Vancouver have identified the gene that destroys brain cells in people with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and usually affects people over age 60. More than 238,000 Canadians are believed to suffer from Alzheimer's. By 2031 that and other forms of dementia are expected to affect about 750,000. The study was completed by researchers at UBC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

"It will likely take years to find a therapy or drug that could block the spread of the disease and that's our next target," said Dr. Weihong Song, Canada Research Chair in Alzheimer's disease at the University of B.C.

The team found that the excessive production of a protein called Regulator of Calcineurin 1 sets in motion a chain reaction that kills neurons in the hippocampus and cortex regions of the brains of people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's.

"Neuron death is the primary reason for the memory loss and cognitive impairments of Alzheimer's disease and it's the main reason people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease long before most people, usually in their 30s," said Song.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that impairs cognitive ability and physical growth. About one in 800 Canadian babies are born with it, according to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society.

Source: Montreal Gazette

Caregiver interventions crucial in treating Alzheimer's and dementia

posted on 11:28 PM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Home Care, Mental Health, Treatment with 1 comments

With a new year, comes new innovations in the healthcare industry. The New York Times reports that recent research is stressing the importance of caregiving to those with Alzheimer’s. With no effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, dementia therapy comes from caregiving performed by families, or at nursing homes.

“There’s actually better evidence and more significant results in caregiver interventions than there is in anything to treat this disease so far” -- Lisa P. Gwyther, education director for the Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Duke University.

Research suggests that creating positive emotional experiences for Alzheimer’s patients reduces distress and behavior problems. Emotions exist even after cognition deteriorates, so changing things like food, art, exercise, or the aesthetics of a room can generate positive emotions. The Journal of the American Medical Association found that brightening lights in dementia facilities decreased depression and cognitive deterioration.

Additionally, the research is stressing the importance of a caregiver’s emotional state, so much that agencies are developing programs to provide caregivers with education and emotional support. This type of support is not only beneficial to the caregivers themselves, but to their patients as well.

Home Care Assistance similarly stresses the importance of emotional support to both the patient and the caregiver. This type of innovative research is an exciting start to 2011. Hopefully we will continue to see even greater breakthroughs in the treatment of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

By Dr. Kathy Johnson

Source: Home Care Blog

Home Care Assistance offers the highest quality 24/7 live-in home care in the Region of Halton (Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, and Milton), Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon) and Hamilton.

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

posted on 10:49 PM in Alzheimer's, Awareness, Dementia, Prevention, Seniors' Health with 0 comments

Since it is Alzheimer's awareness month, Canadians should take time to reflect how much they really know about Alzheimer's and how they can take steps to prevent the disease. This year, the first wave of baby boomers turns 65 in Canada and the risk of dementia doubles every five years after that. To spread awareness, Alzheimer's Canada has created a test of knowledge for Canadians that we should all try at some point this month. If you want to participate in Alzheimer's awareness month in other ways you can wear purple or purchase any purple paraphrenalia such as ribbons and wristbands.

See Alzheimer Society of Canada

Eat berries to keep your brain clean

posted on 11:23 PM in Alzheimer's, Brain Health, Food and Nutrition with 0 comments

It has been well documented that berries are one of the healthiest foods to eat but recent research supports the fact that berries are very important in maintaining brain health. fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, acai berries and other deeply colored berrie, as well as even walnuts, stimulate microglia cells which clean up and recycle toxic debris linked to age-related mental decline. Over time, if the toxins are allowed to accumulate, they will interfere with brain function. These berries contain polyphenolics which protect the brain from biological wear and tear.

"In previous work we showed that supplementing the diets of aged mice with berry extracts improved their ability to process information" -- Shibu Poulose, USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

Paula Bickford of the University of South Florida was encouraged by the results presented by the American Chemical Society. Bickford hopes that these findings will promote healthy eating and teach individuals that it is never too late to recover your body. "Most of what goes on in the aging brain is a damaging buildup of debris, and it can be removed. It's never too late to start eating berries."

In addition to berries, other deep red, orange and purplish blue fruits and vegetables contain these plant compounds. Look for red radishes, carrots, cherries, cranberries, acai berries, purple and red grapes and plums.

Source: AARP

The relationship between mental health and body health

posted on 3:53 PM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Mental Health, Prevention, Treatment with 0 comments

If you suffer from depression or an anxiety disorder and you have a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease, you have a considerably higher risk for disability and premature death. People who are in the early or middle stages of dementia or Alzheimer's are likely to be depressed or anxious which futher impairs their mental cognition. Someone who suffers long-term severe mental illness is expected to live at least 10 years and perhaps even 30 years less than the average person.

The Surgeon General of the United States described the relationship between mind and body as such: "There is no health without mental health. There is no mental health without health. Sound mind, sound body."

Each year almost 25% of the population will get a diagnosable mental or substance use disorder. However, only 40% of people with these disorders get the appropriate treatment. The primary cause of this problem is that many people just don't know when they need help and when they do, there are not enough qualified mental health professionals available. While we may chalk it up to the ups and downs of everyday life, deteriorating mental health is very serious and can take hostage of our lives.

Here are five tips to maintaining your mental health:
1) Stay active and involved with other people such as colleagues, friends and family
2) Maintain a balance in your life to reduce stress
3) Get regular screenings for mental health problems
4) Seek treatment for the earliest and smallest symptoms of mental health problems
5) Call a mental health centre near you.

Source: The Huffington Post

Bilingualism could delay Alzheimer's

posted on 5:26 PM in Alzheimer's, Mental Health with 0 comments

FROM Home Care Assistance Vancouver

The decidedly dual language nature of Canada’s citizens could mean up to five additional years of Alzheimer’s-free living. A study by the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto revealed that patients who spoke two or more languages consistently over a period of several years delayed the onset of Alzheimer’s by as much as half a decade.

While brain deterioration was essentially identical between those who spoke one language and others who spoke more, bilingual speakers experienced delayed symptoms of memory loss, confusion and difficulties with problem-solving and planning. There may still be no known treatment to prevent or indefinitely delay the development of Alzheimer’s, but studies like this could shed more light on how the disease affects the human mind and eventually lead to more groundbreaking discoveries.

Read more at the Vancouver Sun.

30 second test could identify Alzheimer's early

posted on 1:15 AM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Prevention with 0 comments

Researchers have found that many adults in their 40s have tiny lesions in parts of the brain where Alzheimer's patients typically have much larger lesions. The study, published in the journal PLoS One, indicates that the signs of brain degeneration can begin long before any Alzheimer's symptoms are noticeable and the appearnace of lesions in certain areas may be an early sign.

Doctors can use a simple test of physical reactions and memory to identify adults whose lesions could be related to early-onset Alzheimer's. Researchers believe that this test could be offered by general practitioners within two years.The test could help significantly with helping to treat Alzheimer's earlier and with younger people. According to The Alzheimer's Association, the average Alzheimer's sufferer dies within eight years of the first symptoms.

"The study lays open possibilities for screening, early detection and intervention. The earlier we can intervene with people vulnerable to eventual dementia, the greater the chances of preventing or delaying the disease onset. Although we cannot be certain that these middle-aged people will go on to get dementia, the results are important" -- Professor David Bunce of Brunel University in London.

Source: AOL News

Which vitamins are important for seniors to take?

posted on 12:10 AM in Alzheimer's, Arthritis, Cancer, Cholesterol, Dementia, Food and Nutrition, Glaucoma, Heart Disease, Medicine, Seniors' Health, Stroke, Vision and Sight with 0 comments

As we age, certain health conditions arise that require daily medication. For instance, if you have hypertension, you take a blood pressure pill daily. If you have high cholesterol or another ailment, medication can be taken to keep your symptoms under control. What we sometimes forget that is very important, is that many of these medications can affect the absorption of vitamins into our bodies.

The Cleveland Clinic claims that, “deficiencies in vitamins exist in about a third of the elderly.” However, there are over-the-counter vitamins that we can take to correct these deficiencies such as, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Folate.

Vitamin D is especially important to take because it treats those with osteoporosis, which is common among seniors. Taking vitamin D regularly keeps calcium levels high and lessens the bone loss that occurs with kidney failure.

Vitamin A is another essential supplement as it helps with good eyesight and a healthy immune system. As noted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Vitamin A “is used in the treatment for cancer and to prevent heart disease.”

Vitamin C, on the other hand, works to limit the development of dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, glaucoma, arthritis and stroke, according to the U. S. National Library of Medicine.

Vitamin B-12 helps to maintain our energy levels. Folate, which is another type of vitamin B, helps with preventing stroke, heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer for seniors.

Now that you have a rundown of all the important vitamins seniors should consume, remember to consult with your doctor first before you start taking any new supplements.

Courtesy of Home Care Blog

Sports concussions worry neurologists; risk of Alzheimer's and dementia

posted on 12:30 AM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Fitness, Mental Health, Prevention with 1 comments

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) released on Monday broad recommendations on how sports can deal with the issue of concussions. The AAN stated that sports where athletes have concussion risks should have a qualified athletic trainer on the playing area at all times - even for children's games and for practices. Currently, only 40% of high schools in the United States have certified trainers and many younger-aged programs do not have certified trainers at all. The AAN recommends avoiding contact sports entirely in your school if a certified trainer cannot be hired. However, the Academy recognizes that this is merely a golden standard to strive towards and may not be feasible. Rick Bowden, the assistant executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, called the AAN's recommendations "a laudable goal" but added that "there is no way that could happen."

We understand completely that is undoable in today's environment, but we think that is a correct way to organize our priorities -- Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, chair of the AAN's sports neurology section

The group said that an athlete with concussion symptoms should be evaluated by a specialist and should not take the field until medically cleared. Concussion symptoms include unconsciousness, unsteadiness, memory or concentration problems, dizziness and headaches. College football and professional football leagues have already taken greater measures towards dealing with concussed players even before this announcement by the AAN. This season, professional players - in particular quarterbacks - must pass a set of test before even being allowed to practice. The NFL has also increased fines and suspension time for helmet-to-helmet hits which often cause concussions. These changes are in the face of overwhelming evidence that concussions have long-term ramifications to the health of athletes. Research has shown that repeated concussions on NFL players may increase the likelihood of dementia and Alzheimer's. Kutcher pointed out various long-term consequences of concussions such as decreased mental ability, depression, anxiety, and personality changes. Last week, a 17-year-old football player from Kansas collapsed on the sidelines and later died. While his cause of death has not been found, the boy had not been cleared to play by a doctor after suffering a concussion earlier in the season. In March, the National Hockey League banned shoulder hits to the head from the blind side.

It has long been known that repeated head blows can cause brain degeneration in boxers however more information is coming in on concussions in other contact sports such as football and hockey. Kutcher believes that standards for dealing with concussions will improve as society changes and that the new rules in the NFL and NHL are a good head start which will hopefully transcend down the the younger players.

Source: NPR

Maria Shriver: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's

posted on 11:48 PM in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Home Care, Seniors' Health with 0 comments

New findings regarding elder care have been released by the Families and Work Institute. Findings were such that 42% of the U.S. workforce — nearly 54.6 million employees – have cared for an elderly parent or relative over the past five years. That means that approximately one in five people are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other neurological disorder.

The Families and Work Institute highlights Maria Shriver’s report: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s, which was created with the Alzheimer’s Association. The report goes on to say that “the annual per patient cost of Alzheimer’s is $56,800, with 60% of those costs being borne by families. The estimated societal cost is $300 billion a year.”

The Shriver Report further supports past research that women are more likely to provide care - 44% of women compared to 38% of employed men provide care on a regular basis rather than on an intermittent basis.

In the coming years, an increasing portion of the workforce will be providing care to parents and other family members, so it is important to start factoring this into future plans.

Courtesy of Home Care Blog

Seniors use video games to stay sharp

posted on 11:43 AM in Alternative Health, Alzheimer's, Balanced Care Method, Brain Health, Fitness, Mental Health, Muscle Pain, Parkinson's, Seniors' Health, Technology with 0 comments

As individuals age, their cognitive skills tend to decline. However, some seniors have taken to video games to stay sharp and fit in a fun way. Here are just four of the ways that video games can help your cognitive performance.

1. According to Psychology and Aging, playing complex video games after receiving training may improve the cognitive function of seniors.

2. Aside from improving their cognitive functions, video games, which require seniors to juggle multiple tasks, may also improve their ability to perform other everyday tasks.

3. Research conducted in the past indicates that Nintendo Wii games can be successfully used to help treat seniors with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses of a psychological or psychosocial nature.

4. Preliminary studies have shown that video games with a strategic element may help older adults keep their brains sharp.

So while the common image of playing video games appears dormant and mind-dulling, studies seem to show the contrary. More and more research is coming out just as fast as Wii games are selling out proving that certain video games can legitimately improve senior’s health by keeping them active, both physically and mentally.