Change Your Diet to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease causes loss of brain function. Like other organs of the body, the brain too requires a supply of nutrients to maintain optimum health. The ideal diet that is good for both brain and heart should include 40% proteins, 40% complex carbohydrates and 20% beneficial fats. Here is a list of food items that [...]

Change Your Diet To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Change Your Diet To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

7 Foods That Reduce Your Alzheimer’s Risk

The best thing you can do to keep your brain working the way you want it to: exercise, and eat right. “Nutrition is very, very important to brain health,” says Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist and member of scientific advisory board for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “Surprisingly, the brain is made up of [...]

Healthy Diet May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Healthy Diet May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Examining the Health of Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease for its victims — but it can also take a toll on a patient’s caregiver. Led by epidemiology professor Joan Monin, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have conducted a study evaluating the ways in which Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers maintain stable and trusting relationships. Caregivers are [...]

Alzheimer's Caregiver Health Examined Alzheimer's Caregiver Health Examined

Study: Exercise Lowers Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

Being in good shape during your 40s may help lower your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in your senior years. And the better shape you’re in, the lower this risk may be, a large new study suggests. Nearly 20,000 healthy people took a treadmill test to measure their fitness levels when [...]

Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

Heart Problems Tied to Early Signs of Dementia

Older women with heart problems may be at greater risk for mental changes that are thought to signal the beginnings of a type of dementia, a new study shows. Called vascular dementia, it is a type of mental decline that’s thought to be caused by problems in blood flow to the brain. It is believed [...]

Heart Problems Tied To Dmentia Heart Problems Tied To Dmentia
Change Your Diet To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Change Your Diet to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

April 17th, 2013 admin 2 Comments »

Alzheimer’s disease causes loss of brain function. Like other organs of the body, the brain too requires a supply of nutrients to maintain optimum health.

The ideal diet that is good for both brain and heart should include 40% proteins, 40% complex carbohydrates and 20% beneficial fats.

Here is a list of food items that are good for your brain health.

  • Walnuts: These are rich in polyphenols, omega 6 fats and omega 3 fatty acids. These are all essential to improve brain health. Walnuts are also effective against blocked arteries, and can boost the blood supply to the brain. If you do not like walnuts, you can try pistachios, hazelnuts, mix nuts, and dried fruits like apricots and sultanas.
  • Oysters: Studies have confirmed that low levels of Vitamin B12 in foods are related to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Researchers have also found out that seafood like oysters, shrimps, clams and mussels are good for the brain.
  • Foods with Vitamin E and Vitamin C: Vitamin C provides a powerful boost to the immune system. And vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which protects the cell membranes and prevents the body from the damaging effect of the free radicals. Vitamin C is found abundantly in bright fruits like oranges, pepper and kiwifruit. Vitamin E sources include sunflower oil, wheatgerm and seeds.

Vitamin C Can Help Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease

  • Red Grapes: The skin of red grapes consists of a particular flavonoid called resveratrol, which is a potent antioxidant. You can help yourself with a glass of red wine everyday to keep your heart and brain in the best condition. Also, you might be surprised to know that red grapes secrete a chemical in their skins when exposed to UV rays from the sunlight. This chemical is thought to preserve youth.
  • Chocolate: Dark chocolate, or cocoa, can boost the blood flow to the brain. Dark chocolate is also composed of the amino acid tryptophan, which is a natural antidepressant. Now you know the secret why chocolate is so great at making one happy. Obviously, the happier you are, the better your brain will be.
  • Fish: Fish, especially those caught from the sea, are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which boosts memory and concentration. Try fish like salmon, trout, tuna and herring.
  • Green Vegetables: The folic acid in green vegetables combats memory loss. Asparagus, spinach, green beans, kale and peas are good folic acid sources. Spinach is also a good source for iron.
  •  Blueberries: These also consist of large amount of antioxidants.
  • Avocados: They contain both Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acid.

The foods good for the brain are often popular foods, like fish, chocolate, and wine.  So, what are you waiting for? Include more of these foods in your daily diet and live a healthy life as long as you live.

Citation: Living Green Magazine. “Change Your Diet to Boost Your Brain and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.” Living Green Magazine. Living Green Magazine, 17 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

 

Healthy Diet May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

7 Foods That Reduce Your Alzheimer’s Risk

March 4th, 2013 admin 2 Comments »

The best thing you can do to keep your brain working the way you want it to: exercise, and eat right. “Nutrition is very, very important to brain health,” says Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist and member of scientific advisory board for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “Surprisingly, the brain is made up of 60% fat–it’s the fattest part of our body–and that fat insulates the nerve tracks. Without that fat we slow down mentally,” Dr. Nussbaum says.

The crucial thing to know: The kinds of fats and foods you eat, can have a real impact on the health of your brain. Trans fats and sugar aren’t great for your brain health. What foods are good and can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s? Consider eating these good-for-your-brain foods:

1. Walnuts (and almonds, pecans, hazelnuts)

Walnuts might be small in size, but they pack a big nutritional punch. They are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids, the good kind of fat your brain needs. A study from the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities found that mice given a diet including walnuts showed improvement in memory and motor coordination. Walnuts also contain vitamin E and flavonoids, which can help protect the brain.

2. Salmon (and mackerel, sardines, other fatty fish)

Also high in Omega-3s, fatty fish like salmon can lower blood levels of beta-amyloid, a protein thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s. A Columbia University study found that the more Omega-3 fatty acids a person eats, the lower their blood beta-amyloid levels. Dr. Nussbaum suggests eating 8 oz. of fish per week–fresh fish is best, but you can also talk to your doctor about taking a fish oil supplement.

3. Berries

“Antioxidants are like taking out the broom in the spring and sweeping the garage,” Dr. Nussbaum says. “Antioxidants are the body’s broom.” Berries contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant which helps stop inflammation and allows brain cells to work better. A Tufts University study found that berries can reverse slow-downs in the brain’s ability to process information.

“You can’t go wrong if a food has the word ‘berry’ in the name,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “Strawberries, blueberries, cranberries– they’re all good for your brain.”

Healthy Food Helps Reduce Alzheimer's Risk

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4. Spinach (and kale, other leafy greens)

Full of antioxidants and fiber, leafy greens should be a diet staple. In a national study, women in their 60s who ate more leafy vegetables over time did better than their non-greens-eating counterparts on memory, verbal, and other tests. And new studies show that high levels of vitamin C, which is found in spinach, may help with dementia prevention.

5. Turmeric

Break out the curry! A host of studies have shown that turmeric, the spice used in curries, and its main active component curcumin, can help prevent Alzheimer’s. In one such study, researchers from UCLA found that vitamin D3, taken with curcumin, may help the immune system to get rid of the amino acids that form the plaque in the brain that’s associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. So the next time you cook, incorporate this healthy spice.

6. Coffee

Now you don’t have to feel guilty about pouring yourself another cup. Researchers from the University of South Florida and University of Miami found that people older than 65 who drank three cups of coffee a day (i.e. had higher blood levels of caffeine) developed Alzheimer’s disease two to four years later than their counterparts with lower caffeine levels, and that caffeine had a positive impact even in older adults who were already showing early signs of Alzheimer’s.

7. Chocolate

If you haven’t already switched from milk chocolate to dark, now you have one more reason to. Compelling research already shows that dark chocolate, which contains flavonoids (a plant compound that helps with the body’s circulation), can help combat heart disease, but flavonoids may also help slow down the effects of dementia. In an Italian study, older adults who had mild symptoms of dementia drank cocoa with high, medium and low amounts of flavonoids. Those who consumed high amounts outperformed those who consumed low doses on cognitive tests.

And a study is currently underway by the National Institute on Aging to see whether resveratrol, a compound found in chocolate, red wine, and grapes, can prevent dementia. One tip: A healthy choice is dark chocolate that has a 70% or higher cocoa content.

Citation: Klein, Rebecca. “7 Foods That Reduce Your Alzheimer’s Risk.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 23 Feb. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2013.


Alzheimer's Caregiver Health Examined

Examining the Health of Alzheimer’s Caregivers

February 13th, 2013 admin 1 Comment »

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease for its victims — but it can also take a toll on a patient’s caregiver.

Led by epidemiology professor Joan Monin, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have conducted a study evaluating the ways in which Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers maintain stable and trusting relationships.

Caregivers are typically spouses or other family members who provide day-to-day support to Alzheimer’s patients including feeding and entertaining them. The study, published in the October issue of the Aging & Mental Health journal, found that inconsistent or detached caregiving can cause Alzheimer’s patients to lose trust in their loved ones, exacerbating physical symptoms of the disease.

“Physicians have to look out for the emotional environment their patient is in,” Monin said. “That’s why it’s important to provide support to family members of people with Alzheimer’s.”

Because many Alzheimer’s patients are not able to communicate their emotions effectively, Monin’s research team worked with patients of fairly advanced cognitive functioning. Researchers surveyed and interviewed the patients and caregivers at various stages of the disease treatment, asking each to report on levels of trust they felt toward one another.

“Imagine how it feels to be married to someone who is slowly forgetting who you are,” Monin said. “The relationships between spousal caregivers and patients have the potential for emotional stress.”

Examining The Health Of Alzheimer's Caregivers

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Monin’s team found that relationships lacking in trust could be classified as either “attachment anxiety” or “attachment avoidance” relationships. Attachment anxiety is a relationship characterized by insecurity and lack of trust, and attachment avoidance is a relationship in which the caregiver intentionally distances himself from the patient emotionally. Both exacerbate the physical symptoms of Alzheimer’s, which can include impaired speech and language skills, compromised motor skills and loss of bladder control, according to the National Alzheimer’s Association.

Morin is one of the first researchers to evaluate caregiver-patient relationships. Because her field of research is relatively new, Morin said her findings could have significant implications for physicians treating Alzheimer’s, potentially leading to interventions such as couples’ therapy for the patient and caregiver.

“Evaluating an Alzheimer’s patient’s emotional responses is not something traditional pharmaceutical companies were ever interested in,” said Geoffrey Kerchner, a behavioral neurologist at Stanford who treats Alzheimer’s patients.

Though Morin is one of the first scientists to evaluate caregiver-patient relationships, the practice of treating caregivers’ health was established several decades ago. Maria Tomasetti, south central regional director of the National Alzheimer’s Association, said that in the past 20 years, researchers and medical service providers have increasingly realized that improving caregivers’ emotional health benefits the physical health of patients with Alzheimer’s.

“People who are caring for someone with dementia tend to think they can do it all on their own,” Tomasetti said. “But caregiving is a long and unpredictable process. Sometimes the caregiver can actually become physically sick, and that takes a toll on the Alzheimer’s patient.”

Monin is continuing her research on caregiver health and is currently focused on understanding how a patient’s suffering impacts the psychological health of their family members.

As many as 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Citation: Goldberg, Emma. “Alzheimer Caregiver Health Examined.” Yale Daily News. Yale Daily News, 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.


Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

Study: Exercise Lowers Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

February 7th, 2013 admin No Comments »

Being in good shape during your 40s may help lower your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in your senior years. And the better shape you’re in, the lower this risk may be, a large new study suggests.

Nearly 20,000 healthy people took a treadmill test to measure their fitness levels when they were middle-aged. Researchers then reviewed Medicare claims data to see who was diagnosed with any type of dementia in their later years. Follow-up lasted an average of 24 years, with patients assessed for signs of dementia at ages 70, 75, 80 and 85.

Those participants who were deemed physically fit via the treadmill stress test were less likely to develop dementia after age 65 than were their counterparts who were less fit, the study showed.

The findings appear in the Feb. 5 Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers can’t say for certain that it’s the exercise or fitness level that protects brain health based on the results of this study. They also can’t say how much exercise is needed to reap any benefits.

That said, “this paper tells us that the more fit one is at midlife, the less likely they are to develop dementia,” said study author Dr. Laura DeFina, medical director of research at the Cooper Institute, in Dallas.

Most major medical groups recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, or some combination thereof, she said. “The needle has not been pushed far enough on physical activity,” DeFina said. “We are not a moving nation at this point, and this is another bit of evidence to encourage people to exercise.”

Exactly how exercise may preserve brain function is not fully understood but, “we know that anything we can do to keep our heart healthy is critical to keeping our brain healthy,” she said.

Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Disease Risk

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Still, DeFina said, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before you begin a new exercise regimen, especially if you have any health issues.

Study co-author Dr. Benjamin Willis, an epidemiologist at the Cooper Institute, added: “It’s never too late to start exercising.”

The new findings help solidify the “move-it-or-lose-it” message, according to experts not affiliated with the new study.

Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer’s division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said: “Based on most recent data, we know that the brain changes that lead to dementia occur 20 to 30 years before the onset of symptoms, so that is the time to make lifestyle changes. If you are worried about developing Alzheimer’s or dementia, the time to make healthy lifestyle choices and changes is now.”

This includes engaging in regular exercise, eating a healthy low-fat diet and making sure blood pressure and cholesterol levels are where they need to be, he explained.

“There is no magic bullet that will prevent Alzheimer’s, but we have evidence that you can reduce your risk,” Isaacson said. “This is an excellent study because it uses an objective measure of fitness: the treadmill test,” he said.

These results show how fit a person is, not just how much they exercise, he noted.

Dr. Sam Gandy, the associate director of the Mount Sinai Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, in New York City, agreed that exercise can help keep a brain healthy.

“Three 30-minute sessions per week of either brisk walking or weight lifting is the standard recommendation for delaying or preventing dementia,” Gandy said. “This is very, very important. The first thing I tell all my patients is to find an exercise they like and do it.”

Citation: HealthDay. “Study: Exercise Lowers Alzheimer’s Risk.” NewsmaxHealth. HealthDay, 04 Feb. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2013.


Heart Problems Tied To Dmentia

Heart Problems Tied to Early Signs of Dementia

February 1st, 2013 admin No Comments »

Older women with heart problems may be at greater risk for mental changes that are thought to signal the beginnings of a type of dementia, a new study shows.

Called vascular dementia, it is a type of mental decline that’s thought to be caused by problems in blood flow to the brain. It is believed to be different from the loss of memory and function that happens in Alzheimer’s disease, which is linked to the buildup of proteins in the brain.

The study, which is published in the journal JAMA Neurology, followed 1,450 men and women in the Rochester, Minn., area. At the start of the study, all participants, who were in their 70s and 80s, were free of memory loss or thinking difficulties. Researchers gave them tests to measure brain function every 15 months.

After about four years, 348 people in the study had developed some form of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This can include problems such as memory loss, having trouble making decisions, coming up with the right words, or navigating a familiar neighborhood.

Heart Problems Tied To Early Signs Of Dementia

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Of those people, 94 had developed the type of mild cognitive impairment linked to vascular dementia. This type does not include memory loss, but does include the other problems such as with decision making, reasoning, and visual-spatial relations.

Heart health did seem to influence the risk of developing these types of mental changes. Even after researchers took into account other factors known to raise the risk of dementia (like family history, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and exercise) having heart problems — including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and heart failure — nearly doubled a person’s risk for developing mild cognitive impairment without memory loss.

The link was particularly strong in women. Women with heart problems were about three times more likely to develop it than women without heart concerns. The link was not significant in men.

Advice to Patients

Researchers say preventing heart disease, through regular exercise and a healthy diet, is the first step. For people who’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease, regular checkups to make sure diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol are under control may be important for brain and heart health.

“If we reduce the risk of the conditions that lead to cardiac disease, hopefully we can reduce the risk of developing MCI, and thereby reduce the risk of developing dementia,” says researcher Rosebud Roberts, MD, professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Citation: Goodman, MA, Brenda. “Heart Problems Tied to Early Signs of Dementia.” WebMD. WebMD, 29 Jan. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2013.


What is Alzheimer's and what can be done?

Alzheimer’s 101: What Is It And What Can Be Done?

January 25th, 2013 admin No Comments »

According to the National Institutes of Health, Alzheimer’s disease occurs when there is a loss of brain function and is a type of dementia that worsens over time. In particular, the disease can affect cognitive functions like memory and thinking. The risk of Alzheimer’s increases as a person becomes older, has a close blood relative who has suffered the disease in the past, or has specific genes that have been connected to Alzheimer’s in the past.

Alzheimer’s can also be divided into two forms, early onset Alzheimer’s and late onset Alzheimer’s. With early onset Alzheimer’s, people start showing symptoms before they turn 60 years of age. While early onset Alzheimer’s is less common than late onset, it becomes worse quickly. Late onset Alzheimer’s is the most common type of Alzheimer’s, with factors such as the environment or genes playing a role in the development of the disease. At this time, the cause of Alzheimer’s is still unclear.

Those who are concerned about the onset of Alzheimer’s can look out for various symptoms. The Mayo Clinic provides a report on the symptoms that one may notice, including forgetfulness and confusion. A person who has memory loss related to Alzheimer’s may repeat statements and questions continuously, forget things like events or conversations, misplace objects routinely, or even eventually forget the titles of objects or names of family members. This memory loss may make an individual feel disoriented, causing him or her to forget time (i.e. what day it is, what year it is, where he or she is in life currently) or location (i.e. where he or she is spatially).

What is Alzheimer's disease?

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Gradually, the disease can affect a person’s ability to speak, the ability to write coherently, as well as the ability to problem solve and judge things objectively. For example, a person with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty finding the right ways to express thoughts or participating in a discussion. Furthermore, individuals may have issues with concentrating and thinking about abstract issues; examples of problems that may arise include difficulties in working with numbers, balancing checkbooks, managing finances, or keeping track of what bills need to be paid. Most of all, routine activities like bathing or dressing will seem confusing and become more of a struggle.

Besides these various symptoms, brain changes related to Alzheimer’s can affect a person’s personality and behavior. Those with Alzheimer’s could experience emotions like anxiety, depression, irritability or aggressiveness, moodiness, stubbornness, and difficulty sleeping.

What is the treatment for Alzheimer’s?

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, people with the illness can be treated by slowing the development of Alzheimer’s, managing symptoms, or taking advantage of medication. Those who are interested in taking medications should first speak with a doctor or nurse to understand the potential side effects related to medication, the risks the medications pose, as well as the best time to take the medication.

What resources are available for Alzheimer’s patients?

There are a number of support groups for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s as well as caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association provides care and support for those dealing with Alzheimer’s with the help of professional staff members, online resources, and the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.

Citation: Ho, Connie K. “Alzheimer’s 101: What Is It And What Can Be Done?” Red Orbit. Red Orbit, 21 Jan. 2013. Web. 24 Jan. 2013.


Tips For Helping Your Brain Stay Healthy

Is It Alzheimer’s Disease? Check For These Impostors First

January 22nd, 2013 admin No Comments »

Worried that a loved one’s forgetfulness, confusion and fuzzy thinking may herald the onset of Alzheimer’s disease? You owe it to him or her — and yourself — to get a quick check for brain-draining health conditions. Many of these mind-altering problems are treatable and even reversible.

A recent report looked at nearly 1,000 people with dementia and found that up to 30 percent didn’t have Alzheimer’s disease; many had what are treatable medical conditions or negative reactions to medication. Those include:

Vitamin deficiencies: Extremely low levels of folic acid, niacin or vitamins B-1, B-6 or B-12 can cause Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. Blood tests can determine deficiencies. The elderly are at particular risk for low levels of B-6 and B-12, and may need regular “booster” shots to maintain healthy levels. (If you give extra B-12 to someone who has both memory loss and normal levels of B-12, you can reduce memory problems.)

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): Caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, NPH symptoms include difficulty walking, incontinence and trouble concentrating and making decisions. Draining the fluid via a shunt can relieve pressure on the brain and, frequently, return a person to his or her former self.

Depression: Insist on a depression evaluation before your doctor makes an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Thinking and recall can improve with treatment for depression, though not for those with depression plus Alzheimer’s.

Urinary tract infections: A chronic or frequent bladder infection may trigger delirium in the elderly. Treat the infection, and the mental symptoms go away.

An underactive thyroid: A metabolic slowdown due to an underachieving thyroid gland can leave you fatigued, weak, depressed and forgetful (20 percent of women and 5 percent of men over 60 suffer from this). Blood tests of thyroid hormone levels can reveal the true cause: hypothyroidism, not Alzheimer’s.

Healthy Diet Reduces Memory Loss

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Reaction to anticholinergic drugs: Some medications used to treat depression, anxiety, acid reflux, Parkinson’s disease, allergies and overactive bladder may trigger dementia-like side effects. These drugs block acetylcholine, a brain chemical that helps send signals between neurons. Alzheimer’s patients also have depressed levels, which contributes to their confusion and memory loss. (That’s why some medications that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s work by boosting acetylcholine.)

Reaction to digoxin: A medication used to slow your heart rate if you have atrial fibrillation or heart failure, digoxin has been known to reduce brain function; this may trigger dementia-like symptoms.

In addition to getting a proper diagnosis and prompt treatment for symptoms of confusion or memory loss, you can take these six steps to keep your brain cells humming a happy tune:

1. Walk 30 minutes daily. Regular physical activity is the most important step you can take to prevent dementia — more effective than all other approaches combined.

2. Cultivate calm with meditation, yoga, journal writing, breathing exercises or guided imagery. Take your pick.

3. Pack your diet with fresh produce and brain-friendly omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, trout or 900 milligrams of supplemental DHA daily. Protecting your cardiovascular system keeps the brain supplied with the nutrients and oxygen it needs and reduces the risk of stroke.

4. Aim for brain-friendly levels of cholesterol (HDL above 60, LDL below 100, triglycerides below 100), blood pressure (115/75) and blood glucose (90-100 fasting). A low-sodium diet, meditating 10 minutes a day, avoiding saturated and trans fats, and daily physical activity will help you hit those targets.

5. Bolster memory skills by playing brain games and being a lifelong learner. Try learning a new language, tackling a new project or interacting with new people and new situations as often as possible.

6. Guard against head injuries: Avoid standing on rickety chairs or ladders, teetering high heels or cluttered stairs, and always wear a seatbelt. And if you do bump your noggin good and hard and then down the road have symptoms of confusion or memory loss, get to a doctor, pronto.

Citation: King Features Syndicate Inc. “Is It Alzheimer’s Disease? Check For These Impostors First.” The Sun Herald. The Sun Herald, 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Jan. 2013.


Difficult Behaviors Of Alzheimer's Patients

5 Familiar (and Difficult) Behaviors of Alzheimer’s Patients

January 16th, 2013 admin No Comments »

Alzheimer’s can be tough on caregivers, especially when difficult behaviors like aggression or wandering occur. Read about five common Alzheimer’s behaviors and what you can do to respond effectively.

Alzheimer’s disease leads to progressive deterioration in the brain, which causes problems with memory and cognition. Even more heartbreaking, these changes to the brain can cause a range of behavioral issues. Caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients may find their loved ones acting in unfamiliar, even disturbing or violent ways. Sometimes the behavior is so severe that families place Alzheimer’s patients in nursing homes or dementia care facilities.

Fortunately, there are plenty of coping strategies available to help families develop an understanding of what their loved one is going through, as well as helping them manage the behavioral effects of dementia. Read about five common Alzheimer’s behaviors and what you can do to respond effectively.

1. Angry Outbursts and Physical Aggression

Verbal or physical aggression, which can be quite alarming, is common in patients with Alzheimer’s. It is key for caregivers to remember that the disease is triggering these behaviors, and that the patient isn’t acting this way deliberately. Another important strategy is identifying whether there is an immediate cause for the behavior, such as physical discomfort or over stimulation.

2. Hand-wringing, Pacing and Rocking

Dementia makes it very difficult to process stimuli and new information, causing many people with Alzheimer’s disease to become anxious. This anxiety often manifests itself in the form of restlessness, pacing, hand-wringing, and rocking. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that anxiety is often triggered by very specific details in the environment, so try to identify what’s causing your loved one to become anxious and then divert his or her attention, for example by taking a short walk, listening to music or singing a song.

Familiar Behaviors Of Alzheimer's Patients

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3. Accusing Loved Ones of Wrongdoing and Hallucinating

Caregivers may feel at a loss when an Alzheimer’s patient exhibits behavior that is clearly not grounded in reality: either hallucinations—perceiving something that isn’t really there—or delusions, which are false beliefs that can lead to suspicion of those around them, even loved ones. Sometimes simple distraction can help bring an Alzheimer’s person back to the present, but severe hallucinations or delusions should be brought to a doctor’s attention.

4. Repeating Stories and Leaving the House Unassisted

The memory problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease can lead to a range of distressing behaviors, including repetition of words or activities, disorientation even in familiar places, and, in severe cases, confusion about the purpose of items or even the passage of time. Most important, says the Alzheimer’s Association, is for caregivers to stay calm and be patient. Memory aids such as notes or photos may also help.

5. Sleep Problems and Sundowning

It’s not well understood why sleep disturbances occur in many Alzheimer’s patients, but it’s common for them to experience nighttime restlessness and changes to their sleep schedule. The symptoms, referred to as sundowning, can aggravate behavioral issues and create misery for caregiver and senior alike. The Family Caregiver Alliance suggests plenty of structured activity during the day and a healthy diet that limits sugar and caffeine intake. Experts also recommend that you make sure your loved one is not over-napping in the day, which can cause night-time over activity.

Though these are not the only problem behaviors common to Alzheimer’s patients — issues with dressing, bathing, and eating are also distressingly frequent — they are some of the most prevalent. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, we want your input.

What has been the most difficult behavioral issue you’ve encountered? What are your coping strategies?

Citation: Stevenson, Sarah. “5 Familiar (and Difficult) Behaviors of Alzheimer’s Patients.” A Place for Mom. A Place for Mom, 14 Jan. 2013. Web. 16 Jan. 2013.


United States National Alzheimer's Plan

United States Lags in Alzheimer’s Disease Support

January 15th, 2013 admin No Comments »

This month, the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging released a report examining how five nations — the United States, Australia, France, Japan and Britain — are responding to growing numbers of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Every country has a strategy, but some are much further ahead than others. Notably, France began addressing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in 2001 and is in the midst of carrying out its third national plan.

By contrast, the United States released its first national plan to address Alzheimer’s in May.

The Senate report highlights several trends under way in all five countries, including efforts to coordinate research more effectively, diagnose Alzheimer’s disease more reliably and improve training in dementia care by medical practitioners.

Most relevant to readers of this blog is another trend with increasing international scope: an accelerating effort to keep patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at home and arrange for care and treatment there, rather than in institutions.

Anyone who’s followed reader response to Jane Brody’s column this week on aging in place knows the burden that this can place on families, especially if government support for home-based services (companions or home health aides who help with bathing, dressing, toileting and other tasks), adult day care or respite care is scarce or nonexistent, as is the case for most middle-class families in the United States.

Is care at home for patients with Alzheimer’s necessarily more humane? Only if caregivers have the resources — financial, physical and emotional — to handle this draining, exhausting, immeasurably difficult job. And only if the institutions that serve people with more advanced forms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are so poorly financed, staffed and operated that we wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving loved ones in their care.

Three charts in the new Senate report underscore the extent to which the United States differs from other countries in what is expected of family caregivers. The first, on Page 60, shows countries’ support for paid long-term care services for residents age 65 and older. This includes all residents who need long-term care, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia and other disabling chronic illnesses. Not included are services provided by unpaid family caregivers.

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Look at where the United States ranks compared with Australia, Japan, France and the 30 other developed countries that belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Paid support for long-term care is much less in our country than in theirs.

The second chart, on Page 64, gives a sense of how much paid support for long-term care is provided in people’s homes. Again, the data is not specific to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, although these are primary reasons older adults need long-term care.

And again, the United States falls short in terms of the amount of paid care it provides in home settings, even though older people tend to prefer these settings over institutions.

The third chart, on Page 75, brings results in the other two down to the level of families. When paid long-term care support is scarce or unavailable, you would expect a heavier load to fall on unpaid caregivers, and this is what the chart shows. Look at the number of caregivers in the United States who put in 10 to 19 hours a week (34.2 percent) or 20 hours or more a week (30.5 percent), and compare those with similar figures for France, Australia and Britain, all of which provide more paid long-term care than we do. Where are informal caregivers working the hardest? Right here at home in the United States.

For me, the take-away is clear. Other countries with which the United States is closely aligned have embraced long-term care as an essential social responsibility while we have not. Unless and until we do so, caregivers here will be among the most harried, stressed and burdened among wealthy, developed countries in the world.

Citation: Graham, Judith. “United States Lags in Alzheimer’s Support.” The New Old Age. New York Times, 28 Dec. 2012. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.

What's The Difference Between Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia

What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?

January 4th, 2013 admin No Comments »

In a nutshell, dementia is a symptom, and AD is the cause of the symptom. When someone is told they have dementia, it means that they have significant memory problems as well as other cognitive difficulties, and that these problems are severe enough to get in the way of daily living…..

Too often, patients and their family members are told by their doctors that the patient has been diagnosed with “a little bit of dementia.” They leave the doctor’s visit with a feeling of relief that at least they don’t have Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

There is great confusion about the difference between “dementia” and “AD.” The confusion is felt on the part of patients, family members, the media, and even healthcare providers. This article provides information to reduce the confusion by defining and describing these two common and often poorly understood terms.

What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

“Dementia” is a term that has replaced a more out-of-date word, “senility,” to refer to cognitive changes with advanced age.

Dementia includes a group of symptoms, the most prominent of which is memory difficulty with additional problems in at least one other area of cognitive functioning, including language, attention, problem solving, spatial skills, judgment, planning, or organization. These cognitive problems are a noticeable change compared to the person’s cognitive functioning earlier in life and are severe enough to get in the way of normal daily living, such as social and occupational activities.

A good analogy to the term dementia is “fever.” Fever refers to an elevated temperature, indicating that a person is sick. But it does not give any information about what is causing the sickness. In the same way, dementia means that there is something wrong with a person’s brain, but it does not provide any information about what is causing the memory or cognitive difficulties. Dementia is not a disease; it is the clinical presentation or symptoms of a disease.

There are many possible causes of dementia. Some causes are reversible, such as certain thyroid conditions or vitamin deficiencies. If these underlying problems are identified and treated, then the dementia reverses and the person can return to normal functioning.

Difference Between Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia

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However, most causes of dementia are not reversible. Rather, they are degenerative diseases of the brain that get worse over time. The most common cause of dementia is AD, accounting for as many as 70-80% of all cases of dementia.

Approximately 5.3 million Americans currently live with AD. As people get older, the prevalence of AD increases, with approximately 50% of people age 85 and older having the disease.

It is important to note, however, that although AD is extremely common in later years of life, it is not part of normal aging. For that matter, dementia is not part of normal aging. If someone has dementia (due to whatever underlying cause), it represents an important problem in need of appropriate diagnosis and treatment by a well-trained healthcare provider who specializes in degenerative diseases.

In a nutshell, dementia is a symptom, and AD is the cause of the symptom.

When someone is told they have dementia, it means that they have significant memory problems as well as other cognitive difficulties, and that these problems are severe enough to get in the way of daily living.

Most of the time, dementia is caused by the specific brain disease, AD. However, some uncommon degenerative causes of dementia include vascular dementia (also referred to as multi-infarct dementia), frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Contrary to what some people may think, dementia is not a less severe problem, with AD being a more severe problem. There is not a continuum with dementia on one side and AD at the extreme. Rather, there can be early or mild stages of AD, which then progress to moderate and severe stages of the disease.

One reason for the confusion about dementia and AD is that it is not possible to diagnose AD with 100% accuracy while someone is alive. Rather, AD can only truly be diagnosed after death, upon autopsy when the brain tissue is carefully examined by a specialized doctor referred to as a neuropathologist.

During life, a patient can be diagnosed with “probable AD.” This term is used by doctors and researchers to indicate that, based on the person’s symptoms, the course of the symptoms, and the results of various tests, it is very likely that the person will show pathological features of AD when the brain tissue is examined following death.

In specialty memory clinics and research programs, such as the BU ADC, the accuracy of a probable AD diagnosis can be excellent. And with the results of exciting new research, such as that being conducted at the BU ADC, the accuracy of AD diagnosis during life is getting better and better.

Citation: Stern, Robert, Dr. “What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?” Alzheimer’s Reading Room. Alzheimer’s Reading Room, 14 May 2011. Web. 04 Jan. 2013.


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