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26 Sep 2008 at 10:46pm HealthDay - FRIDAY, Sept. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Cognitive and social activity in midlife may significantly reduce men's risk of dementia, says a U.S. study that followed 147 male twin pairs for 28 years. |
by Alzheimer's Notes 13 Oct 2008 at 4:00am AlzheimersNotes.com “Take pictures of my Alzheimer’s family member! I’d never want to do that,” you say. However, this can be enjoyable, both for you and your Alzheimer’s patient. I’m pleased I have now, a series of photos of Mother and Auntie during those years. Many of Mother’s I’ve placed in a scrapbook, calling it Legacy of Love. Included are photos of my grandchildren visiting their great grandmother and participating in activities and special events with her at the nursing home. The photos bring back special memories for them. Also, at the nursing home, the staff took photos of the residents (with the families permission). When I coordinated a scrapbooking program with some of the residents, we used these photos. How much fun they had looking at and recognizing (for the most party) the photos of themselves as we selected them for inclusion in this project. So, keep your camera handy. You may find you enjoy having these photos for projects and memories. (Amazon image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimer's photos, Alzheimers, alzheimers-activities, camera, Caregiving, digital photography, photographyShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 12 Oct 2008 at 7:33pm AlzheimersNotes.com In my Alzheimer’s Word of the Week post last week, I wrote about nursing homes and mentioned some people didn’t like to mention the word. Alicia, blogger at Mental Health Notes, wrote a very enlightening comment, which I think gives insight into the varying reactions to this term. The term “nursing home” always strikes different emotions from different people, doesn’t it? I think it’s due to a variety of reasons (the poor reputations some nursing homes have, the idea that putting your loved ones in a nursing home is neglectful and selfish, the sad fact that some people actually do “dump” their loved ones in nursing homes and fail to visit them, etc.). It’s sad that, because of these things, those of us who’ve solicited the help of experienced, round-the-clock care are frowned upon by some people. When really, nursing homes are the only responsible options many people have. The media, in their reports, often focus on the neagative aspects of nursing homes and mention those that may not measure up. Many nursing homes do a great job, as I found with Mother and Auntie. These ladies were well cared for in their respective nursing homes, a fact that gave me peace of mind when I could no longer care for them adequately. Then when I visited Mother and Auntie, I could relax and enjoy them, bringing them joy, too, I hope. (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimer's Word of the Week, Alzheimers, caregivers, Mary Emma Allen, Mental Health Notes, Nursing HomesShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 11 Oct 2008 at 7:09am AlzheimersNotes.com In a previous post, How Do You Feel About Yourself & Your Alzheimer’s Caregiving, I discussed that research shows caregivers do better when they feel good about themselves. However, sometimes this takes effort when you’re dealing with the frustrations of caregiving and often the differing opinions of family members. Nevertheless….take time for yourself. Have your hair styled. Do something entirely different that makes you feel grand. Do your nails. Choose something outrageous! Go to a movie when someone else will stay with your Alzheimer’s patient for a couple of hours. Lunch out with a friend. Select something different from the menu. Take a walk and notice something new along your route. Find a support group. Buy yourself some flowers and arrange them prettily in a vase. Then set them where you’ll see them often. What do you do to make you feel you’re special and not simply dragging along from day to day? Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, alzheimers-caregiving, caregivers, Caregiving, Mary Emma AllenShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 10 Oct 2008 at 12:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com As I consider the activities used with Alzheimer’s patients of my mother’s era, as well as movies shown and music played, I realize these may change as a younger generation, essentially Baby Boomers, reach the Alzheimer’s stage. They won’t recognize some of the movies and music, will enjoy some of the same activities, but many different ones, too. I recall visiting Mother and finding the residents entranced by World War II era and earlier movie stories. They sang songs that Mother sang to us as children and from her earlier years. Languages May Differ Also, languages spoken in nursing homes may vary, too. There will be more residents from other countries, who have learned English here, but still recognize their native tongues which are different from the earlier generations. The staff may need to have knowledge of languages other than English to communicate. Already nursing homes find there are differences with the newly admitted residents over those of 10 or more years ago. What have you found, if you work in a nursing home? ©2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, alzheimers-activities, alzheimers-care, baby-boomers, caregivers, Mary Emma Allen, Nursing Homes, World War IIShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 9 Oct 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com WORD OF THE WEEK Nursing Home - a place that provides care and a residence for people (frequently older ones) who cannot care for themselves or who are extremely ill. Many people don’t like to say the term, admit to the term, especially if an older person in their family is living there. However, when I could no longer care for Auntie and Mother, in their advanced Alzheimer’s, I was thankful there was some place where they received excellent care. I was fortunate that the homes where they lived, Auntie in NYS and Mother in NH, provided very good services and care. I always felt the staff was concerned and cared for the wellbeing of my mom and aunt. (Amazon image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, Caregiving, Mary Emma Allen, nursing home, Word of the WeekShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 8 Oct 2008 at 7:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com How you feel about yourself may have an effect on your feeling overburdened and overwhelmed as you care for your Alzheimer’s family member. Even caregivers in nursing homes and hospitals can get burnout. According to an article at qimr.edu.au and Alzheimer’s Daily News, a recent study revealed the factors determining carer burden lay not in the severity of dementia among sufferers, but instead on caregivers’ feelings about themselves. Become involved in activities that will help boost your confidence. Find ways to relieve your stress. Read books and listen to music that will raise your spirits. What do you do to feel better about yourself? Do you need a boost in confidence and moral? (Amazon image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregiver health, caregivers, Caregiving, health, Mary Emma Allen, men's health, women's healthShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 6 Oct 2008 at 7:23pm AlzheimersNotes.com According to an article in Alzheimer’s Weekly, Presidents, Stem Cells & Alzheimer’s, Barack Obama is misleading the public with an ad claiming stem cell research would cure Alzheimer’s…an ad in which he criticizes John McCain for opposing this research and thus blocking cures for diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s. According to the article (originally appearing in LifeNews.com), researchers say embryonic stem cell research will “likely never yield a cure for Alzheimer’s.” In the emotional climate of desiring a cure for Alzheimer’s and other diseases, do we sometimes take ads and political speeches at face value instead of looking into the accuracy of the statements and the meaning behind them? This article does contain some interesting facts about stem cell research and Alzheimer’s. (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimer's Research, Alzheimers, Barack Obama, embryonic stem cells, health, men's health, mental health, Obama, political ads, stem cell research, women's healthShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 3 Oct 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com Yesterday I explained Sundowning in Word of the Week. I began thinking about Mother’s sundowning experiences. This wasn’t a big problem with her, but some crisis situations did occur in late afternoon. I found her sundowning activities usually were connected to something she customarily did in late afternoon in her earlier life. When I delve deeper into other patients’ sundowning, I’ve realized this often is connected with an afternoon event of former days. *Feeding chickens - When I was growing up on the dairy farm, we also raised chickens and sold eggs. We fed the chickens mid-morning and again in later afternoon. After we discovered Mother regularly feeding invisible chickens in her back yard during her Alzheimer’s days, I finally realized the timing was that of her chicken raising days. *Catching the bus - One day Mother slipped out of the nursing home and went to a nearby fast food restaurant where they also had a tourist information booth. She tried to buy a bus ticket (of course, this wasn’t a bus stop) for her hometown. Upon considering this, I realized that she often caught the bus home from her first teaching job on Friday afternoons after school was out. She spent the weekend with her family, then returned by bus Sunday afternoons. *Sneaking out of the nursing home -Another time she stuffed some clothing into her suitcase and eased out the back door of the nursing home. Again this was late afternoon and she was looking for a bus to go home. (After that, they hid her suitcase!) Does your sundowning family member have an agenda that ties in with something they did at that particular time of day in earlier years? (Amazon image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, Caregiving, health, Mary Emma Allen, memory-loss, men's health, Sundowner, sundowning, women's healthShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by SharpBrains 3 Oct 2008 at 7:18pm I have fallen behind on answering a few excellent recent comments -on cognitive training overall, Posit Science and Alzheimer's Australia, gerontology and the brain, the value of videogames-, so let me address them here: 1) Nicks says (Brain Fitness Programs For Seniors Housing, Healthcare and Insurance Providers: Evaluation Checklist) "This report is interesting and it addresses many very important questions that cognitive neuropsychologists, such as myself have. I feel that many of the products on the market now make claims which are generally unsubstantiated. I find it concerning that many of these programmes have been marketed to target older adults in particular without making any specific statement on whether the activities are beneficial and have been supported with empirical research. i have recently conducted a cognitive intervention study which used a large array of outcome measures which focus on a number of different cognitive functions. The measures investigated both objective and subjective behaviours. The results confirmed that attempting cryptic crosswords for one hour per day increased subjective awareness of older adults own memory. However there was no evidence of a tangible increase in episodic, verbal memory with both recall and recognition. There was also no evidence of increases in metacognition. It is important to note that the intervention period was only six weeks. However this demonstrates that there is a need for products to be clear on what functions the activity will promote and whether it is affected by any confounding variables. For example we found that the beneficial effects were more apparent in individuals with a lower number of years in education. This is important because it is likely that people who purchase such intervention products will tend to have a higher socio-economic status and significantly more developed educational background. Overall, there is a need in psychology for an overhaul of how we measure cognitive interventions. We also need to ensure that we use the correct methodology (i.e. within subjects designs) and that we used the sorrect sample population. Unfortunatly many of the previous research which the cognitive reserve hypothesis and use-it-or-lose-it theory are based on have not done so." My comment: Nick, I mostly agree. I will send you an email to learn more about your research. I find it concerning that people buy things without understanding what they are buying. But I also find concerning the number of people who have already done one million crossword puzzles and think that the single most important thing they can do next for their cognitive health and memory is...one more crossword puzzle. I find it even more concerning that, when I recently asked a group of around 200 assisted living professionals how many of them did offer menntally stimulating activities other than playing bingo and social receptions to their residents, less than a third of them raised their hands. We only learn by trying things. Clinical trials are a superb way of learning. Initiatives like Alzheimer Australia's (promoting a particular cognitive training program) can also be very useful, if they use independent measures of cognition and quality of life. We also see many seniors housing facilities conducting pilot studies that will never be published as scientific research but help them find what tools may be helpful in their particular environments. I could not agree more that a critical part of the puzzle, now largely missing, is the availability of inexpensive and high-quality cognitive assessments. And that will facilitate a more informed use of the growing array of options. Fortunately, we see very interesting signs that this may change sooner than many people think. 2) David says (Posit Science Program Classic and InSight: Alzheimer's Australia): "Alzheimer's Australia WA enlisted Curtin University Centre for Research on Ageing to conduct a literature and provider review into neuroplasticity and memory enhancement in older people. The result of a two year process of investigation and review by our organisation identified Posit Science as the only provider who had a significant body of clinical trial evidence to support the efficacy of their products. Alzheimer's Australia supports the Posit Science programs as one way of staying mentally active (a dementia risk reduction strategy that we clearly support) that also provides proven individual benefit to memory and cognitive function in people experiencing age-related memory loss. The organisation does not promote these programs to people with dementia, nor on the basis that using them will delay or prevent dementia. Very preliminary pilot study evidence indicates they may have some therapeutic benefit for people with early dementia or MCI, and Alzheimer's Australia WA is currently engaged with Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities here in Australia to undertake pilot studies to explore this further. We are also undertaking an 18-month government-funded demonstration project to trial the use of these programs in residential communities, senior's fitness groups and the workplace, and evaluation of both individual benefit and the sustainability of each group model will be undertaken as part of this process." My comment: David, great to read about the research initiatives you mention at the end of your comment. That is exactly what is needed-but I would advice you to compare more than one computer-based cognitive training method. In our view, it makes little sense to compare a computer-based training program with watching TV as the control group, for example. You may want to compare Posit science's 2 programs (which focus on clearly separate and narrow cognitive domains) with wider interventions (such as MindFit and Dakim mPower), and perhaps even with Nintendo Brain Age. From an delay of Alzheimer's symptoms, and even cognitive decline, point of view, continued and frequent use in the real world are likely to be very important based on the available evidence, and it is far from clear than the Posit Science programs' strengths lie there. People in Australia may find it a bit confusing that something actively endorsed and sold by an Alzheimer's Association brings the disclaimer "The organisation does not promote these programs to people with dementia, nor on the basis that using them will delay or prevent dementia". I'd assume that is what people think they are buying from you. Which is why I said in my post that, first, I think it is a great initiative to offer a mentally stimulating activity but, second, given the limited amount of long-term research, it would be a superb opportunity to add an independent cognitive assessment component, to measure the potential impact of one (or several) interventions and to start explaining to people how the brain works, what cognitive functions are, and how different lifestyle factors, such as physical exercise, contribute to cognitive health. You are endorsing two products by Posit Science, one of which (Classic) has one published study behind (and controversial, given that it is not clear the level of peer-review it received), the other one (InSight) with, objectively, no direct clinical validation behind (InSight is a fundamentally new product, launched in March 2008 with 6 exercises: five are brand new, and one had been tested before on a variety of situations with very impressive results. There has been no correlation study done to date, to our knowledge, to validate whether X hours devoted to InSight produces same, better, or worse results as X hours devoted to that one exercise). Facing a similar situation, Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution in the UK and Alzheimer's expert, chose to endorse MindFit last year. A number of agencies and communities in the US are choosing Dakim's system. I also hope you are aware of a number of working memory training programs that can be of much value to older adults. A couple of days ago I published an interview with an executive from Allstate: they are using Posit Science Insight program as a research study first, to measure its effectiveness on improving driving safety of older adults, which makes for a beautiful initiative. In short: at this point it is a judgment call, informed but not fully determined by the existing evidence, what program may benefit people most, Which is why 1) the most independent cognitive assessments we use to establish baselines and measure progress, the better, 2) informing consumers and professionals about the value and limitations of different approaches may be, in my view, what is really needed. Especially if it comes from an Alzheimer association, and with the kind of disclaimer you offered in your comment, 3) research initiatives like the one you outline are really needed, and I commend your association for taking the lead there. The easy way out would have been "because research is not perfect, we opt to do nothing or little". Given what we know, it is good to try-and measure. 3) Dr. Thibeault writes (Brain Training and Cognitive Health: September News) - "#3 above as it relates to gerontology. Come visit MENTAL GYMNASTIC classes in Oxnard, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks, Calfornia. With more than 220 "students' there is widespread interest." My comment: I know there is a lot of interest in mental fitness related classes among lifelong learners, in fact I do teach such classes at several San Francisco Bay Area universities...but that was not really the point. The problem we identified was that many gerontology masters programs (this is, the training ground for the gerontologists of tomorrow) didn't seem to offer any brain/ cognitive-related classes, in a n obvious disconnect with one of the main areas of concern for people over 50. Btw, I hope to visit one your classes soon! 4) Charlie asks (Playing the Blame Game: Video Games Pros and Cons) "Could you direct me to a link which has the Olson/Kutner study? I'm doing a paper for grad school and would love to include a reference to this work. Thanks for a very helpful and enlightening article. ck " My comment: Olson & Kutner maintain a good website including research references. See grand theft childhood. 5) Jean writes (same post) "I am still firmly on the fence and more than a little distressed about the time taken away from reading. However, I must admit that when we played cowboys and indians or police and thief, the gun (toys, supplied by some adult) played a large part. Our movies were westerns, which by todays standards would have been heavily rated for violence and cultural inappropriateness. Yet most of us turned out okay. So I suppose given the right parenting environment, these children will be okay too." My comment: You raise a good point... I appreciate the fact that the first thing that the researchers mentioned in the article did was to immerse themselves in several games, in order to analyze reality, not preconceived notions. I also agree that "most of us turned out okay"! Enjoy the weekend! Alzheimers, Alzheimers Australia, Assisted Living, brain, cognitive, cognitive assessments, Cognitive Training, crossword puzzle, Dakim, Dakim mPower, Games for Health, gerontology and brain, heathcare, insurance, MCI, memory enhancement, mental gymnastic, mild cognitive impairment, MindFit, neuroplasticity, neuropsychologists, Posit Science, Posit Science Insight, Posit Science Program Classic, Prevent Alzheimers, Serious Games, Susan Greenfield, videogames (Source: SharpBrains) by Alzheimer's Notes 2 Oct 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com SUNDOWNING Sundowning refers to the agitation and wandering that occurs with Alzheimer’s patients in late afternoon, about the time the sun goes down. For some reason that researchers don’t completely understand, Alzheimer’s patients frequently tend to become agitated about this time of day. Some have a greater tendency to wander in late afternoon, too. So they have to be watched more carefully at these times for their safety. Have you experienced sundowning with your Alzheimer’s patient? (Here’s an abstract about sundowning from the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 9/22/07.) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimer's safety, Alzheimer's wandering, Alzheimers, health, Mary Emma Allen, memory-loss, sundowningShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 1 Oct 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com If you or your family members entertain thoughts of writing, either for pure fun, to write stories for school lessons, or to record your thoughts about Alzheimer’s caretaking, you might enjoy the series I’ve begun at One Book Two Book, Mary Emma’s Writing Tips. Although the weekly tips, prompts and activities are slated for young writers, they will work for anyone. These will appear at One Book Two Book each Sunday. I also will suggest books and web sites where you can find help and inspiration, too. I’ve often written about my journey through Alzheimer’s with my mom and aunt in hopes of giving others encouragement. Simply writing down your thoughts in a private journal often helps you cope with the frustrations of this time in your life. Related Posts: Mary Emma’s Writing Tips for Young Writers Mary Emma’s Writing Activities for Young Writers Mary Emma’s Weekly Writing Tips -Scary Stories (Amazon image; click on book) (c)Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, journaling, Mary Emma Allen, One Book Two Book, writing, writing about Alzheimer'sShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 30 Sep 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com Breast cancer is no respective of persons or conditions, so Alzheimer’s patients and family members can be victims. Learn about Lee National Denim Day at Pink Ribbon Review and wear denim this Friday to raise awareness of breast cancer. It’s also a way to raise funds. You also can be part of the Pink Ribbon Review Team. It’s coordinated by b5 blogger, Karen Lynch. (Amazon image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, health, Mary Emma Allen, Pink Ribbon Review, women's healthShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by SharpBrains 30 Sep 2008 at 6:01pm Here you have the twice-a-month newsletter with our most popular blog posts. Please remember that you can subscribe to receive this Newsletter by email, simply by submitting your email at the top of this page. Quick, Are videogames good or bad? That's an impossible question. Good or bad for what? What specific games are we talking about? More importantly, what are they substituting for, given time is a limited resource? Contributor Jeremy Adam Smith, managing director of Greater Good magazine, offers an in-depth review on the trade-offs videogames present in: Playing the Blame Game. News Round-Up Math Innovation in UK Schools: a recent (and unpublished) study seems to support the potential role for "Serious Games" in education. Learning and Teaching Scotland reports significant improvements in pupils' concentration and behavior, on top of math skills, after using Nintendo Brain Training game. Alzheimer's Australia endorses Posit Science programs: this announcement brings to surface a genuine public health dilemma - do you, as an association, promote programs before they have been shown to have long-term effects on Alzheimer's progression and prevalence, or do you wait until you have "perfect" research, and then perhaps lose 10-20-30 years or useful contribution to thousands/ millions of brain's Cognitive Reserves? In our judgment, it may well be worth offering options today, as long as they are accompanied by independent measurement of the cognitive benefits. More September News: September has brought a wealth of additional worldwide media coverage on cognitive health and brain fitness topics, including the role of schools in nurturing student's executive functions, the importance of baseline neuropsychological testing in sports, the need for gerontology as a discipline to incorporate brain research, how walking can enhance brain function, and the value of brain fitness programs for long-term care operators. Resources for Brain Fitness Navigation Wellness Coaching for Brain Health and Fitness: will Wellness Coaches expand their role and become "Brain coaches"? We have partnered with Sutter Health Partners, the pioneering coaching group of a major health system, to train their wellness coaches on the implications of emerging brain research for their work: focus on the 4 pillars of brain health -balanced nutrition, physical exercise, stress management and mental exercise. Evaluation Checklist for Organizations: many healthcare and education organizations are already making purchase decisions which involve evaluating different programs that make "brain training" or "cognitive health" claims. Here we present our 10-Question SharpBrains Checklist to help organizations make informed decisions. Evaluation Checklist for Consumers: if you are an individual interested in programs for yourself and/ or a loved one, you can use this checklist. The starting point is to recognize that no program is a "magic pill" or "general solution", but a tool to be used in the appropriate context. Learning to Lead, and To Think Roundtable on Human Resources and Leadership: several bloggers discuss latest news around leadership, social intelligence, applications of brain research, and more. Helping Young and Old Fish Learn How To Think: David Foster Wallace gave a masterful commencement speech on Life and Work to the 2005 graduating class at Kenyon College. Worth reading, with full attention. Brain Teasers Seven Brain teasers for Job Interviews: A recent CNN article explains why a growing number of technnology and consulting companies use brain teasers and logic puzzles of a type called “guesstimations” during job interviews. What are they looking for? Good executive functions. Here you have a few typical questions. Enjoy! Alzheimers Australia, baseline testing, brain coaches, brain fitness gym, brain fitness program, brain fitness programs, Brain games, brain research, Brain teasers, Brain Training, cognitive benefits, games for education, Games for Health, gerontology, gerontology and brain, Leadership, Learning and Teaching Scotland, Logic Puzzles, long term care, neuropsychological testing, nintendo brain training, Posit Science, public health, Serious Games, Social Intelligence, videogames, wellness coaches (Source: SharpBrains) by Alzheimer's Notes 29 Sep 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com Art often is as an activity for Alzheimer’s patients. This might include acrylic or water color painting, shaping with clay, coloring with crayons or markers, quiltmaking, sketching, and mixed media. It depends on the stage of the patient whether they can do much or even comprehend. However, many patients in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s find enjoyment and relaxation in this form of creativity. Many do amazingly well with assistance. Are you preserving this art? But it’s not good, you think. It doesn’t have value. However, it has memories and leaves a legacy. My mother-in-law didn’t have Alzheimer’s but was nearly blind. We didn’t realize until after her death how many water color paintings she had done during group activities at the assisted living home. And how lovely they are. One a grandson framed. Another my daughter used as a design for a quilt hanging. Others we’re copying so family members can have their own. Also, we’re considering making notepaper and postcards of all of them. These will give her children, grandchildren, and great grands something of her artistic legacy. Mum had never done any painting before. So we’ve seen a facet of her through this that we wouldn’t have. So…preserve the legacies that come as serendipities. (Amazon image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: , Alzheimer's art, Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, alzheimers-activities, artist, Mary Emma AllenShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) by Alzheimer's Notes 28 Sep 2008 at 11:00pm AlzheimersNotes.com As autumn weather sparks appetites, you might like to try some new recipes from the Food Bloggers. We even have a post about wedding cakes! Pumpkin Cookies A delicious treat for a harvest or Halloween party. Black and White Wedding Cakes These cakes put a beautiful spin on a classic wedding theme. Busy Family Meals It’s not too late to grill! Try an onion marinade for lamb before the north winds blow! Creole Jambalaya Celebrate the holidays New Orleans style with this traditional Creole recipe Foods that Boost Your Metabolism You can rev up your metabolism, burn more calories and even lower high cholesterol by including certain foods in your diet. Read more here. Moroccan Beef with Bulgur Try this dish for an exotic and hearty fall entree Traveling, Meeting Authors & Finding New Foods On a recent trip to Wisconsin and Michigan I enjoyed having tea with author friends and learning about new recipes from another friend. ENJOY! Let us know which ones you try. Do you have some autumn favorite recipes and food ideas you’d like to share with us and other caregivers? (Amazon Image) (c)2008 Mary Emma Allen Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, Alzheimers, caregivers, diet, Food Bloggers, health, Mary Emma Allen, recipesShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) |
13 Oct 2008 at 9:00am Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis with tumor causes psychosis, memory problems, study says 10 Oct 2008 at 7:00pm Blood pressure, brain oxygen levels might modify severity of some deficits, study says 10 Oct 2008 at 8:16am Remembering what you learn appears to be tied to the body's circadian rhythm, a new study suggests. 9 Oct 2008 at 12:02pm Author and Alzheimer's expert P. Murali Doraiswamy answers readers' questions in this article from USA Today. 9 Oct 2008 at 8:56am Terminally ill patients and their caregivers may benefit from talking openly about death, a new study suggests. 6 Oct 2008 at 4:00pm It's unclear whether this is linked to dementia, scientists say 2 Oct 2008 at 3:17pm A reporter talks to experts about how consumers can weigh the evidence gleaned from different kinds of medical studies to help them decide which treatments may--and may not--work. 30 Sep 2008 at 10:05am Enduring the constant stress and tension of taking care of an Alzheimer's patient can cause "compassion fatigue" in some caretakers, one expert says. 26 Sep 2008 at 1:00pm Home, family, club activities appear to enhance creation of new brain cells, study finds 26 Sep 2008 at 10:27am A Japanese company has developed an airbag system that people who are prone to falls can wear to help them prevent injury. 26 Sep 2008 at 10:16am Experts say that traditionally women have carried the main burden when it comes to caring for aging relatives. 25 Sep 2008 at 5:55pm Alzheimer's advocates and patients are expressing outrage at a comment made by British philosopher Baroness Mary Helen Warnock. 25 Sep 2008 at 3:00pm Finding could help develop new drugs to treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's diseases 23 Sep 2008 at 12:00pm Study finds shorter survival time, reduction in learning, memory 22 Sep 2008 at 4:26pm Advances in stem cell research offer a new way of studying human disease, allowing scientists to move beyond fruit flies and lab mice to see how human cells go awry and how drugs and other therapies might help, U. S. researchers said on Monday. by Dorian Martin 8 Oct 2008 at 6:20am Words - and how you say them - can make a big difference in how an elderly loved one with Alzheimer's responds. As I mentioned in a 2006 blog, I learned that my strong-willed mother's reaction was often directly tied to the approach of the person making the request (or demand). Thus, I'm not surprised by a New York Times article entitled "In ‘Sweetie' and ‘Dear,' A Hurt for the Elderly" that describes the impact of... by Dorian Martin 3 Oct 2008 at 9:46am On Tuesday, I got my flu shot (complete with a Garfield bandage). I started this ritual when Mom moved near me in 2005. As a caregiver, I couldn't afford to get sick while Mom needed me; now, with my 80-plus year-old father living near me, I still want to be proactive in maintaining my health. So I was very interested in a Health Magazine story, "How Some Women Never Get Sick," on CNN's website that described seven secrets that... by Dorian Martin 30 Sep 2008 at 8:52am As I sit here trying to write this sharepost to mark the one-year anniversary of Mom's death, I'm listening to the pitter-patter of afternoon raindrops on my patio. I'd like to believe that Mother Nature also is saddened by this anniversary and these natural tears from heaven are being shed to match the ones that slowly are making their way down my cheeks. Yes, it's been quite a rollercoaster ride since that 2:30 a.m. phone call on Saturday... by Dorian Martin 24 Sep 2008 at 12:41pm It would have been very easy for my relationship with my brother, Steve, to have been damaged during the two-year period that I was a caregiver for Mom. We had our moments when it was easy to fuss about his lack of involvement. Steve didn't often call the nursing home to talk to Mom. Instead, I often had to be the scheduler and arrange to call him from my cell phone when I was visiting Mom so they could converse. And when Steve forgot Mom's... by Dorian Martin 19 Sep 2008 at 11:35am Dad and I had a long conversation last night about Mom's diagnosis. Prompted by the HealthCentral producer's request for shareposts about Alzheimer's Day and the importance of early screening for Alzheimer's, Dad and I came to an agreement: Mom actively avoided being diagnosed. Having taken care of her own mother (who had the disease) and seen her grandmother also succumb to dementia, Mom was terrified of following in their footsteps. And being... by Dorian Martin 17 Sep 2008 at 9:10am Frankly, I'm really getting tired of listening to the presidential campaign as the candidates get mired in trivial mudslinging (such as what was meant when Sen. Obama talked about "lipstick on a pig"). I believe there are important issues to be discussed - like each candidate's health care platform and what each plans to do about looming health care issues, such as Alzheimer's. However, by keeping the slime flying, the candidates can avoid... by Dorian Martin 13 Sep 2008 at 12:30pm My dad has been after me to consider taking out long term insurance since it seems like there's a history of dementia on my mom's side of the family. But what should I look for when selecting this type of insurance. Thanks to the September 15 issue of Time magazine, I have a better idea of what to look for. The article, Thinking Long Term by Daniel Kadlec, suggests the following: Be aware of your family's health history. Kadlec notes... by Dorian Martin 9 Sep 2008 at 11:28am The New York Times ran an interesting article last week by Benedict Carey about a new study on the brain which may lead to a new line of research into Alzheimer's and dementia. In the study, which was just published in the journal of Science, scientists found that they can identify individual brain cells that are in the process of summoning a spontaneous memory. The study involved placing tiny electrodes into the brains of 13... by Dorian Martin 3 Sep 2008 at 9:07am My mother made her final wishes darn clear - she wanted to be cremated and she wanted her ashes spread in the Colorado Rockies. What Mom didn't make clear was who should do this, but then again, I always assumed that this rite of passage should fall to family members. Yet reading an Associated Press article written by Steve LeBlanc in Sunday's Houston Chronicle has left me dumbfounded in how family members may not know that spreading a loved... by Dorian Martin 28 Aug 2008 at 2:00am I was watching the evening news Wednesday and managed to catch the moment when Sen. Barack Obama was officially nominated. I could feel tears well in my eyes as Sen. Hillary Clinton called for his nomination by acclimation. And those tears started flowing as the CBS News reporter interviewed an African American lady who is a delegate from South Carolina. She talked about how her father had experienced segregation during his life, but now... by Jacqueline Marcell 3 Oct 2008 at 2:23pm When my mother had a heart attack and was in a coma for months, the doctor told us that she was without oxygen for far too long and that we should “pull the plug” because if she ever came to, “she’d just be a vegetable.” My father and I were so stunned and furious to be told such a thing and flatly refused. We decided to try an around-the-clock vigil talking, lightly massaging and grooming her. I remember the doctor... by Jacqueline Marcell 22 Sep 2008 at 2:10pm I have spent eight years promoting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of dementia and am certain that misinformation, denial, and untrained GP’s are still the biggest factors preventing families from getting elderly loved ones properly evaluated. The mild and intermittently odd behaviors that gradually increase year after year continue to get chalked up to advancing age and nothing more. And even when it becomes very... by Jacqueline Marcell 30 Jul 2008 at 9:29am When people hear about what I went through during the year of caring for my elderly parents, they often ask what I would do differently if I had to relive the experience with the knowledge I have now. I sigh and say, "Ohhh, if only I could! I'd know exactly what to do to help my parents much sooner and I would be able to save so much time, money, and a fortune in Kleenex!" If you are heading into the eldercare years, please learn from my... by Jacqueline Marcell 15 Jul 2008 at 9:12am Alzheimer's Disease makes up 65% of all dementias, but there are many other diseases that cause dementia which can mistakenly be diagnosed as Alzheimer's. Therefore, a thorough evaluation by a dementia specialist is important to assure an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Here are the most common diseases that have been misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's: 1. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): A rare, fatal brain disease caused by... by Jacqueline Marcell 3 Jul 2008 at 11:38pm Are you one of millions experiencing those pesky senior moments, which seem to occur more frequently with each advancing year? We whisper to our friends with a gallows laugh about the silly thing we have done now, secretly worrying we may be starting to get Alzheimer's or something. Then there's that anxious moment waiting for our friends to validate our experience by sharing their own senior moment, which makes us feel so much better that we... by Jacqueline Marcell 30 Jun 2008 at 3:01pm Always screen your calls and never pick up when your elder calls with a nasty demanding tone. If you never give in to moaning and groaning, they will eventually stop trying that approach. But if you eventually give in, you are teaching them that all they have to do is continue pushing harder and harder because you will eventually cave in. Never allow yourself to be manipulated. Set reasonable but strict limits of when you can be... by Jacqueline Marcell 6 Jun 2008 at 10:36am My mother was an absolute 10 when she was young, and I don't mind saying that I don't hold a candle to her. One fateful day as she walked down the street with her friend Mary, looking for Mary's boyfriend, a dashing fellow drove by and Mary yelled, "Hey, Jake, have you seen my Buck?" Jake stopped, instantly mesmerized and said, "No, but hop in girls and we'll go looking for him." Apparently, my mother hopped in and never hopped out... by Jacqueline Marcell 5 May 2008 at 10:25am I received this question today: "I am so afraid of using aluminum products, because I believe it caused my mother's and her best friend's Alzheimer's. They worked together in an aluminum plant for most of their lives and they died together too. I am wondering if that connection has been proven yet?" Hi, so sorry to hear about your loss. It is interesting that the Aluminum/Alzheimer's connection continues to persist for... by Jacqueline Marcell 21 Apr 2008 at 10:33am Since the phenomenal success of "The Secret" DVD, I have noticed there are many more books out now about the power of visualization, "living in the moment", focusing on gratitude, and using positive affirmations. Even Oprah and the talk shows are doing more programs about the "new" innovative concepts-which have actually been around forever. The other day I watched a program about famous people down through the ages who... by Jacqueline Marcell 2 Apr 2008 at 9:47am I am a long-time member of the LifeSharers organ donation program, mainly because I was shocked to learn that every year Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs. That means about 8,000 Americans die needlessly every year just waiting for an organ. As of March 31, 2008: * LifeSharers has 11,096 members, representing a 35% increase in a year. There are members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto... |
by Lippa, C. F. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am by LoConte, N. K., Gleason, C. E., Gunter-Hunt, G., Carlsson, C. M., Siebers, M. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Little is known about screening used in clinical practice to assess driving and firearm safety among patients with dementia. A case-controlled study was performed, including 22 patients with dementia seen in a geriatric evaluation and management clinic and 22 matched patients with dementia seen in a memory assessment clinic. Data about prevalence of firearm use and driving were obtained. In geriatric evaluation and management clinic, 57.9% of patients had dementia, compared with 71.0% in memory assessment clinic, and more patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer dementia in memory assessment clinic (P = .005). In geriatric evaluation and management clinic, 65% of patients had driving screening compared with 100% in memory assessment clinic (P = .07). Four percent in geriatric evaluation and management clinic were screened for firearm access versus 100% in memory assessment clinic (P < .001). In memory assessment clinic, 31.8% had firearms access and 50% were driving. Many patients continued to drive and have access to firearms. The use of templates for the progress note was effective in increasing the screening rate. by Powers, B. A., Watson, N. M. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Objective: To describe the meaning and practice of palliative care (PC) for nursing home (NH) residents with dementia at end of life (EOL). Design: Concurrent mixed methods (quantitative retrospective chart review and qualitative field study). Setting: Three NHs with varying approaches to EOL care: in-house non-Medicare hospice, Medicare hospice by outside agency, and Medicare hospice by outside agency plus specialized staff and comfort care unit. Results: Residents' course fluctuated between curative and comfort care, with a noticeable increase in symptoms right before death. Hospice care was short. Most died of complications of dementia. Families found care decisions based on residents' uncertain disease course difficult. Conclusion: The role of PC for NH residents with dementia at EOL is complex and poorly understood. As they are in a residential setting, decisions need to be made about how residents live, as well as how they die, thus balancing quality of living/comfort with disease management. by Stepaniuk, J., Ritchie, L. J., Tuokko, H. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am In this study, the relations between cognitive status and neuropsychiatric impairments in nondemented older adults in cross section and over time is examined. Using data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA), a longitudinal, nation-wide study in which data were collected 3 times (ie, CSHA-1, CSHA-2, CSHA-3) at 5-year intervals, individuals were classified with (n = 240) and without (n = 386) cognitive impairment at CSHA-2. Loss of interest, changes in personality and mood, and depression were reported by a knowledgeable informant (ie, family or friends) more frequently for those with cognitive impairment than for those without cognitive impairment. After controlling for initial cognitive status, loss of interest and depression contributed significantly to the prediction of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease over time. These findings suggest that these neuropsychiatric impairments play significant roles throughout the course of cognitive decline and should be taken into consideration even before cognitive impairment is evident. by Suzuki, M., Kanamori, M., Yasuda, M., Oshiro, H. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am For the present research, a 1-year follow-up study was conducted on elderly group-home residents with dementia (n = 13). This research compared the cognitive function and behavioral disorders of the elderly group-home residents with dementia with a control group (n = 13) of elderly patients with dementia in a dementia care ward. Thirteen residents of a group home were observed for 1 year, following the establishment of the group home in January 2003. The subjects in the control group were matched for the sex and dementia type of the group-home residents. The present results suggest that cognitive function among elderly group-home residents was maintained in comparison with elderly patients in a dementia ward. In addition, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were not observed in either group. Furthermore, these findings suggest that behavioral disorders significantly improved in the group-home residents because of the incorporation of activities combining basic and instrumental activities of daily living. by Ozkan, B., Wilkins, K., Muralee, S., Tampi, R. R. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am The aim of this study is to systematically review the published literature on pharmacotherapy for inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia. Literature search of the 5 databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and COCHRANE collaboration) and the analysis of the data available for the pharmacotherapeutic treatments of inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia were carried out.There are no published randomized controlled trials of pharmacotherapy for inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia, but available data from uncontrolled trials, case series, and individual case reports suggest efficacy for antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, hormonal agents, cimetidine, and pindolol for the treatment of these behaviors. Although there are no controlled data for the treatment of inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia, available data suggest efficacy for some commonly used pharmacotherapeutic agents. by Kelsey, S. G., Laditka, S. B., Laditka, J. N. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Our study examined the process of transitioning residents of assisted living facilities (ALFs) who have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder to memory care units (MCUs). In-depth surveys with 10 ALF administrators in South Carolina were conducted. Grounded theory identified major themes; thematic analysis organized content. Most administrators used a preadmission screening process to assess cognitive status. About half reported that they discussed the possibility of future transfer to another level of care with the family at admission. Most administrators said that their facilities had transfer policies in place; of these, only two-thirds discussed their policies with families on admission. Transfer triggers included leaving the facility without anyone's knowledge, disturbing behaviors, and increased care needs. Challenges included family resistance and greater costs of MCUs. Assisted living facilities that were part of continuing care retirement communities used more multidisciplinary transfer decision-making than free-standing ALFs. Suggested improvements stressed educating families about dementia and MCUs. by Banks, S. J., Weintraub, S. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a form of dementia caused by frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Unlike aphasia due to stroke, in which the association between particular aphasia profiles and insight has been well characterized, this relationship has not been investigated in PPA. Reduced insight is seen in other neurological conditions, but tends to involve right hemisphere damage, whereas PPA is predominantly a left hemisphere disorder. The aim of the current study was to examine whether fluent aphasia with less meaningful speech output, associated with diminished insight in stroke, is also characteristic of PPA patients with reduced insight. Fourteen PPA patients were studied. Results indicated that reduced information content in speech and poor performance on a nonlanguage test, the Pyramids and Palm Trees test, predicted reduced insight. This study has implications for the anatomical network involved in insight and clinical implications in terms of selecting interventions appropriate for individual patients with PPA. by Milev, R. V., Kellar, T., McLean, M., Mileva, V., Luthra, V., Thompson, S., Peever, L. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Background: Dementia in the elderly is a common, debilitating condition. Residents in long-term care facilities present with a number of challenging behaviors. Pharmacological management is not always helpful. Alternative approaches are needed. Methods: Multisensory stimulation (MSS) was developed to address sensory stimulation imbalance. In this pilot 24-week single-blinded, randomized controlled study, the authors examined the effect of MSS when given for 12 weeks in either 1 or 3 sessions per week with a control group. Results: There is a trend for better outcomes as measured by daily observation scales (DOS) or Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) with the increase of sessions of treatment per week. This became statistically significant at weeks 8 (DOS) and 12 (CGI). This difference continued for 12 additional weeks after treatment ended. Conclusions: MSS may be a useful addition to the care of elderly patients with dementia. A larger double-blind randomized control study is required. by Chan, A., Remington, R., Paskavitz, J., Shea, T. B. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Clock-drawing tests are simple and rapid screening devices for dementia. It was observed that individuals <60 years of age showed similar performance with a digital prompt (" . . .make the clock read 12:45") or an analog prompt (" . . .quarter to 1"), whereas individuals >70 years of age showed improved performance with an analog prompt. The digital prompt has routinely been used to force participants to recode the prompt via conceptualization. Differential scoring across a range of ages has likely derived from the advent and increase of digital clocks with the younger segment of the population. This implies the need for as-yet undetermined alteration in the nature of prompts to force recoding as the current younger population ages. by Burgener, S. C., Yang Yang, , Gilbert, R., Marsh-Yant, S. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Theories supporting the existence of a use-dependent neuroplasticity in the older brain were used to guide this pilot study. A repeated-measures randomized design was used to test the effectiveness of a multimodal (Taiji exercises, cognitive-behavioral therapies, support group) intervention on cognitive functioning, physical functioning, and behavioral outcomes in persons with dementia. The treatment group (n = 24 persons with dementia) participated in a 40-week intervention, with outcomes assessed at 20 and 40 weeks to assess optimal treatment length. Control group subjects (n = 19 persons with dementia) received attention-control educational programs. At 20 weeks, differences between groups were found for mental ability and self-esteem, with gains in balance being evident. Also, stability in depression and physical health were evident at 20 and 40 weeks for treatment group subjects. Continued improvement in outcomes was not observed at 40 weeks. However, findings support further testing of the intervention along with potential for achieving positive outcomes in early-stage dementia. 3 Oct 2008 at 12:00am Seniors who complained of memory problems showed significant loss of gray matter. Senior fitness linked to a healthy memory. Obese adults scored worse on cognitive tests. Vegetables, whole grains, fruits, fish, and wine may boost cognitive health. Supplements did nothing for more serious disease. Active ingredient in “pot” helps preserve brain function. DHA, a natural substance found in fish, was linked to a lower risk of dementia. Emotional support and a broad network of family and friends can all ease stress of caregiving. Targeted counseling and support prolongs the time that Alzheimer’s sufferers can be cared for at home. Management of Alzheimer’s has progressed in the last century, though the search for a cure continues. Stimulating Internet-based program provided a boost to those taking Alzheimer’s medicines. For an illness like Alzheimer’s, years of caregiving service may call for extra compensation. Scientists have uncovered markers that may identify people living with Alzheimer’s. Sessions aimed at memory, reasoning, and speed boosted ability to perform day-to-day tasks. A chemical called FDDNP allows doctors to peer inside the brain. |
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