Alzheimer Treatment: New Advances

On Aug. 8 a report published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Researchers reported they have discovered a link between three degenerative eye diseases and Alzheimer's disease.

Their findings may eventually lead to new ways to identify people at high risk for Alzheimer's.

The study does not mean people with these eye conditions will get Alzheimer's disease," the finding maybe a new development in determining risk for developing the disease.

"The main message from this study is that ophthalmologists should be more aware of the risks of developing dementia for people with these eye conditions and primary care doctors seeing patients with these eye conditions might be more careful on checking on possible dementia or memory loss," Lee explained in a university news release. Early detection can lead to earlier treatments which may forestall some of the advances of dementia symptoms. Families should also be aware of these conditions so they can alert their family doctors of changes in their loved one’s condition

The study although rather small involved 3,877 randomly selected patients, aged 65 and older. They were tracked over the course of five years, during which time 792 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma had a 40 to 50 percent greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those without the eye conditions, the researchers said.

"What we found was not subtle," said Paul Crane, a professor of medicine at the university. "This study solidifies that there are mechanistic things we can learn from the brain by looking at the eye."*

Living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

If you suspect a loved one is showing signs of dementia and Alzheimer's, seek medical care immediately. Getting an early diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s will come as a shock, no doubt, but early detection offers treatments for dementia that can help your loved one maintain optimal functioning. Even if you have been half expecting a dementia diagnosis, it will come as a blow. Getting support and reassurance will help with the initial upset. However, there is much that you can do in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia that will help make life easier and more enjoyable - now and in the future.

Sadly, as the disease progresses a lot of sufferers will require care in a memory care facility or group home as the level of care continues to increase the more the disease progresses. When it becomes necessary to have your loved one reside in a memory care facility or group home they will get all the assistance they need which will allow you to go back to being their spouse or adult child instead of their caregiver which becomes an all-consuming task.

Caregivers

The year 2015 saw people – family and friends – provide unpaid care to the cost of $221.3 billion for approximately 18.1 billion hours for Alzheimer’s and other dementia sufferers. The toll on caregivers is devastating as the emotional and physical demands of caring for a loved one 24 hours a day over an extended period of time are overwhelming.

Getting your loved one into an assisted living facility specially designed for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other forms of memory loss becomes inevitable.

Residents of Phoenix and the surrounding towns can always get their loved ones admitted into an assisted living facility – they are not in short supply but budget can dictate available options. Many families struggle with making the move as they feel it is their responsibility to provide for their loved one’s care but once they do they realize they should have made the decision much sooner so they receive the proper care and attention they deserved. Alzheimer’s is a serious health issue in Arizona and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Care and treatment of Alzheimer’s patients in Arizona assisted living facilities is provided throughout the state in assisted living group homes, larger assisted living communities and memory care facilities.

Where to Get Help

Enlisting the support of healthcare professionals like the one at A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad) can be a life saver. They are licensed healthcare professionals and can help guide you in understanding the available options, the costs and differences between facilities and group homes in your area. Contact A Caring Hand for Mom today by calling 800-881-7706 and speak with a healthcare professional. There is no charge for our services to our clients so don’t hesitate to contact us.

* The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about Alzheimer's disease.

SOURCE: University of Washington, news release, Aug. 8, 2018

From forgetfulness to sudden mood changes, here is a peek at the early symptoms and what to do next. Throughout the world, there's something of a stigma surrounding dementia. That certainly isn't helpful, since the syndrome is very common. An estimated 47 million people globally are living with some form of dementia, per the World Health Organization, which number will likely grow to 75 million by 2030. Dementia may effect the mind in very different manners, and consequently, some people today ignore the early symptoms. Generally, dementia is progressive, so it gets worse over time, but early detection can greatly improve a persons quality of life. Here are some early warning signs, and some common misconceptions.

Memory loss is a frequent symptom, but distinct types of memory loss can mean various things. Memory loss is closely connected with dementia, so it's the symptom that most people consider when considering the diseases that lead to dementia--Alzheimer's, for instance. But, doctors now know that memory loss does not necessarily occur in the exact same way. With Alzheimer's type dementia, some of the first signs are short-term memory loss. That's what's responsible for asking the same question repeatedly within a few minutes, or hours, as your long-term memory may still be very sharp and intact into the more moderate to more complex stages (of Alzheimer's disease) . In contrast, other dementias will prevent the brain from remembering memories; the experiences are still in storage, but the individual won't have the ability to call them up. That is an integral factor that physicians consider when differentiating Alzheimer's from other dementias. Vascular dementia is your second-most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's. The difference is that with vascular-type dementia, memories continue to be encoded in the memory center of the brain. "With Alzheimer's type dementia, plaques develop and the neural fibers start to tangle, so they are not able to encode new information.

Mood changes can be extreme--and in some cases, frightening. Sudden mood changes may also indicate dementias, but they happen differently from person to person. Frequently, aspects of a person’s character will become exaggerated; a person who is normally very sweet will turn out to be excessively sweet, or a bossy person will become downright authoritarian. Other times, people with dementia will realize they are having trouble remembering or concentrating, so they will become quiet and depressed. Studies have shown that for some individuals in the earlier stages of Alzheimer's disease, there may be a kind of paranoia that develops, and eventually some agitation that goes with it. Alzheimer's sufferers often believe that folks are concealing or hiding things from them. Sometime these changes may be manageable through diet, exercise, and medication.

Confusion: Some individuals report an inability to follow directions. Since the brain degenerates or neural pathways become damaged, patients may have trouble concentrating on particular tasks. They may become confused easily and have difficulty getting from one place to another without constant advice. Individuals and their families, frequently ignore these symptoms in the beginning. In other cases, the symptoms become evident when an individual gets confused readily while trying to complete household activities. As the disease progresses many individuals may also have trouble identifying friends and family members.

Language changes can also occur. A person may have difficulty producing language or understanding others. This is known as aphasia, also it is especially common in stroke patients and Alzheimer's patients. In Alzheimer's patients, for example, aphasia frequently happens with no change in the individual's mind--they're just as intelligent and conscious as ever, but they have difficulty remembering words or listening to their own loved ones.

Medical tests can show particular kinds of dementia. Many dementia symptoms can result from other health problems such as blood clots, tumors, substance abuse issues, and thyroid problems that may also lead to the symptoms. When physicians try to diagnose their patients, they'll look at all accessible outward symptoms to make a determination. They may order imaging studies to look for brain damage, cerebrospinal fluid evaluations to find certain proteins associated with ailments like Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, early detection is so important, unfortunately many patients avoid their doctors because they are afraid of a diagnosis. That's a mistake, since things Dementia is not an inevitable part of aging, in spite of popular belief. So, seek medical advice from a physician don’t disregard the symptoms as long-term harm can come from not treating treatable illnesses.

Care Options range from care at home to assisted living communities and memory care facilities to group homes. So how do you choose the right alternative for yourself or your loved one? The answer to that question is a little more complicated since each person’s symptoms and desires will vary. For example, behaviors such as needing to frequently needing to walk or pace, likes or dislike socialization, wandering behaviors, outbursts, safety in an apartment setting versus a room or studio. This is where seeking help from a Senior placement agency like A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad) which is staffed by licensed healthcare professionals with extensive experience working with seniors can be very helpful and make the difference between the right decision or the wrong one.

Dementia deterred: Drink orange juice! 

Here is a new twist on an old favorite Orange Juice, it has been hammered in articles on healthy eating trends for its sugar content and substituted using greener and 'cleaner' fare at the hipster's breakfast table, the formerlyalways present OJ is having a crisis of confidence.  Just as the humble bowl of cereal has lost its heart-healthy standing, so the orange's zest in vitamin C is being crushed to a pulp.  However, if spinach smoothies aren't quite hitting the area, the most recent study is worth remembering.  Scientists at Tohoku University in Japan have discovered that daily consumption of citrus fruits may cut your risk of developing dementia by nearly a quarter.  That is because citric acid contains nobiletin.  Nobiletin is a flavonoid isolated from citrus peels. It is an O-methylated flavone that has the activity to rescue bulbectomy-induced memory impairment.  With anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial and anti-microbial properties which has also been proven to slow or reverse  memory impairment.  Dementia is a state you would be well advised to put the squeeze o, with experts predicting that  millions will be diagnosed with the disease by 2040. However, in news that could be bittersweet, most nobiletin is contained in the pith (the white sewing of the fruit).  So unless you're ready to juice your own, buy the variety with pulp'  for optimum benefit.  Couple your OJ with these basics to further bolster your brainpower and enhance mental sharpness.

Marmite: The University of York found daily servings upped the calming chemical messenger GABA, aiding healthy brain activity.  Marmiteis a concentrated yeast extract paste enjoyed at any time of the day.  Whether on toast for breakfast on a sandwich for lunch or added ingredient in stews and casseroles.

Coffee: A study printed in the Journal of Neuroscience says a cup disrupts adenosine - a significant culprit in neurodegeneration.

Walnuts: Add to porridge. The University of sukuba in Japan found that alpha-linolenic acid reduces the risk of dementia.

So whether you are just looking to stay healthy at home or are considering assisted Living options in Arizona you can apply these concepts to your daily lives.  If you are considering senior living alternatives it is important to consult with a senior placement advisor like the ones at www.acaringhandformom.com.  The staff consists of only licensed health care professionals so you can trust their advice so call them today at 800-881-7706.

Regardless of who or how, when an emergency strikes there are a few critical items that will make all the difference in the world for those left standing to pick up the pieces.  This information is not age dependent. 
 

• Keep a list of your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts in your wallet/purse and on your refrigerator.  (If you put your ICE contacts in your phone, that’s great as long as your phone is not password protected).  Go deep beyond just your spouse.  Add your children, a best friend, or neighbor – whoever your go-to is if and when you have a problem.  Have a back-up.  Couples get in accidents or serious situations together and then who else is there to notify?
   
• Keep a CURRENT list of serious afflictions and medications in your wallet/purse AND your refrigerator or cupboard, so it’s accessible for first responders.  Include anything you are allergic to – both medications and items such as nuts or shellfish.  Do this for your spouse/loved one too.  Children should keep a list of their parents’ medications with them as well, especially if they are the back-up person who will respond to an emergency.
   
• Include a tactful note sharing that your loved one has Dementia and cannot be left alone.  First responders will take spouses to the ER with them so there is supervision until family or a homecare agency can rescue them.
   
• Review your Power of Attorney information to make sure it is current, and your designees are both willing and able to fulfill the roles you have asked of them.  Make sure that your documents are in synch with Arizona law if they were prepared elsewhere.  Most attorneys will review these documents for free.

Being prepared is crucuial and can save your life  by giving those attempting to asses your current healthcare needs the tools they will need to properly assess your condition. We are here for you at " A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad)" we are here to help you so please visit our website www.acaringhandformom.com for more information and call us at 800-881-7706.

This information was originally written by Carol Poker-Yount and shared with permission