Does Mental Exercise Really Make a Difference?
Have you heard the phrase, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Recent research appears to agree, although rather than an apple and a doctor, it's mental stimulation keeping cognitive declines away. A study published in the online journal Neurology outlines the research study that was conducted.
The study measured cognitive performance over several years as 294 people aged and found that those who spent more time reading, writing and doing other cognitively stimulating activities demonstrated reduced signs of cognitive decline. Cognitive activity across the lifespan but specifically in the younger years and in late lif...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - July 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
The Challenge of Reversing Roles with Your Parents
Sometimes, it's a health crisis that suddenly shoves us into making decisions for our parents. For others, it's a gradual morphing that began with a small suggestion here or there and now somewhat resembles a parent-child relationship, but upside down.
The switching of roles with our parents is one of those strange yet very common developments that those who have older parents, or parents with health concerns, may experience. It's also one that can trigger different reactions for both the parents and the adult children.
Some parents welcome the assistance gratefully and try to be conscious of not relying too heavily on t...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - July 6, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
How Can Fido Help Someone Living with Dementia?
It turns out, Fido, Fluffy or Buster really may be a man's best friend, especially if that man (or woman) has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia.
Many research studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions for people with dementia. One type of interaction that consistently demonstrates several benefits is pet therapy.
Multiple studies have shown that pet therapy (also called animal-assisted therapy) can improve moods, promote a calm environment, decrease challenging behaviors, and even improve eating. The studies included pet therapy conducted with dogs, cats, birds and even fi...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - June 30, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Challenges in Dementia: Is Getting Dressed in the Morning a Battle?
Do you know a family member or patient with Alzheimer's disease who struggles with getting or staying dressed? Or with choosing appropriate clothes for the weather?
Dressing is one of the many areas that can be affected by Alzheimer's disease, as well as other kinds of dementia such as frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular and more.
I've seen people choose the same clothes every day, put clothes on in the wrong order, be unaware that their clothes were in dire need of washing, and want to go outside in a blizzard while dressed in shorts. Others remove clothing in inappropriate settings which can result in uncomfortable s...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - June 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Is Hospitalization Helpful for People with Advanced Dementia?
If your loved one with late stage Alzheimer's or another dementia begins to decline or develops a respiratory illness, she should go to the hospital for treatment, right? Maybe, and maybe not. While we all want the best for our loved ones, and want to honor their wishes in medical decisions, it's not always that clear.
The answer to the hospitalization question first of all depends on what our family members have previously expressed as their wishes in a living will or verbally told their power of attorney for healthcare. If they've said that they would like aggressive treatment and care throughout their life, regardless...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - June 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Know Someone with Dementia? Don't Forget these Summer Safety Tips
School's out, frost warnings are finally ending, and summer is almost here. It's time to re-introduce ourselves to the neighbors and spend some quality time outdoors.
As we enjoy the warmer weather, it's important to think about how this season of heat, sunshine and open windows may affect a loved one or neighbor with Alzheimer's disease or other kind of dementia. Sunlight and fresh air are a bonus for everyone, with several benefit for our bodies, our moods and our minds.
There are, however, some safety risks for people with dementia that increase in the summer. One of those areas to consider is the possibility of a lov...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - June 8, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Bleepin', Bleepity Bleep Words in Dementia- Why Is She Saying THAT?
Some of the world's nicest people are those that have dementia. They're the ones described as "pleasantly confused" in the medical charts, and they go with the flow, smiling at all who walk by. They don't know your name but it doesn't matter- it's just all good.
Then there are those who are some of the world's formerly nicest people who now have dementia. They were patient and kind-hearted, hard-working and pleasant. They would've died a thousand deaths before uttering a swear word. Then, enter Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia.
Suddenly, family members are cringing, ap...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - June 1, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Why Should You Get Your Thyroid Levels Tested?
How long has it been since you've had your thyroid levels checked? Do you know what the results were? And why, on a site that discusses all things dementia and Alzheimer's, am I asking about your thyroid?
Turns out, your thyroid is important for many different functions. Along with many other areas, thyroid levels can affect your heart rate, weight gain or loss, and body temperature. Of specific interest to me is that thyroid functioning can also affect your ability to remember things, recall the correct word, and think clearly. In fact, some people have wondered if they have mild cognitive impairment or are in the early ...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - May 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Should You Choose Palliative Care or Hospice for a Loved One with Advanced Dementia?
As Alzheimer's and other dementias progress into the later stages, some people opt for additional support and care through home health care, a facility such as a nursing home, or hospice care. However, another less known choice also exists: palliative care.
Many people assume that palliative care is the same as hospice care, but that's not quite true. They're similar in that they both focus on the care and comfort of the person. Hospice care, however, includes the decision to opt out of aggressive care. It's appropriate for someone who, in the opinion of the physician, has less than six months to live and does not...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - May 19, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
How to Respond to Grandma's Hurtful Comments When She Has Alzheimer's
Recently in our Alzheimer's About.com forum, a reader described hurtful comments made by his or her Grandma who has Alzheimer's disease. The question asked was, "How should I respond to Grandma?"
A couple of other people wrote in with some great ideas. One suggested coming prepared to steer the conversation towards "safe" subjects and topics of interest to Grandma. Another encouraged the reader to continue to visit regardless and to try not to take those remarks personally. It's powerful when readers share their own in-the-trenches experiences and others come along side to encourage them.
I was thinking about that questi...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - May 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
How Can Video Games Be Good for Your Brain?
If you were a fly on the wall of my house, chances are you'd hear, "Too much tv and video games will rot your brains!"
Turns out, I may have to revise that opinion.
A study published online in the journal Plos One has demonstrated a pretty surprising (at least, it's surprising to me) effect of a video game on cognition.
The study involved 681 participants who were categorized according to their ages: 50-64 and age 65 & over. They were then randomly assigned to one of two different groups:
A control group of people who worked on crossword puzzles online for a total of 10 hours
A group of people who were split into 3 ...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - May 5, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Feeling Guilt or Grief After Placing Someone in a Nursing Home?
Have you ever heard someone say, "I can't wait for the time when I can't care for myself so I get to live in a nursing home!"? Nah, me either. Yet, that's the reality for many.
Emotions can swirl at the thought of turning over the care of a loved one to a facility like a nursing home. For some, that's their worst nightmare. For others, it's an evil necessity- a last resort. Some feel a relief in getting help with care that was too taxing. For still others, it becomes a blessing that allows them to return to the role of a wife or son. Sometimes, it may feel like it's a mix of all of the above, and more.
Having been in t...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - April 28, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Does Alzheimer's Disease Affect Personality?
Alzheimer's disease can affect memory (both short-term and long-term), word-finding abilities, and the decision-making ability of the person with the disease. But, does Alzheimer's change someone's basic personality?
The answer? Sometimes. In some cases, the person who has always been easy-going, gentle and caring remains so, even as Alzheimer's progresses into the middle and later stages.
Others with Alzheimer's develop significant changes in their personality which can make it especially difficult for family and friends to cope with and watch. It can feel like their loved one is being taken away from them but by bit. R...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - April 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Why Share Life Stories of People Who Have Dementia?
Back when we started our dementia unit at the facility where I work, the one thing we wanted at the top of all the priorities was the people who would live there. Yes, the environment was important, the staffing and activities were critical, and the dementia training for the employees had to be top-notch. But, how to keep the residents at the center of it all?
While there are several ways to do this, we chose to assist the residents and family members in developing life stories. A life story is a way to share some of the important aspects of someone's life with others around her. It often contains those pieces of informat...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - April 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What Causes Forgetfulness?
Ever forget something? Nope, me either. Unless I'm forgetting that I forgot where I hid the early birthday present I bought, where I parked my car at the mall or the name of the new neighbor I met last week. Nah, not me.
But, if I were to forget something, it turns out there's many causes for that phenomenon. Some, like stress and distraction, are things that we can manage or reduce, and thus improve our memory's functioning. Others, like Alzheimer's and other diseases, are more difficult to curb.
It's important to recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, receive an early diagnosis and begin treatment accordingly...
Source: About Alzheimers Disease - April 7, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
