Four Great Exercises Proven to Help Prevent Alzheimer"s

Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening affliction of the mind that is not yet fully understood. It can be a dangerous illness, as Alzheimer’s patients try to navigate their world with a changing mind. Fortunately, there are some ways you can reduce the risk or magnitude of Alzheimer’s disease by taking certain preventative measures. Exercises, both mental and physical, can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. These are four exercises you can use to keep your brain alert:

 

1. Puzzles

Puzzle games like crosswords, Sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles, help keep the brain alert. Not only are they challenging and fun, they’re excellent for keeping the mind occupied when you have extra free time. Keep a puzzle book with you when you’re in line at the DMV, the doctor’s office, or anytime you have a spare moment or two. Switch up the puzzle types for the best brain workout.

 

2. Memory Games and Trivia

These work especially well if you have friends you can play with on game night. Keep your mind sharp with board games that combine trivia with wordplay, drawings, and charades. Sarah Blige, a memory care specialist with Osprey Lodge, recommends playing with a group, as this pushes your mind to adapt to the clues and strategies of those you play with and provides an extra level of mental stimulation while you participate.

 

3. Current Events

It may seem odd, but staying on top of current events in the world around you is another great way to stay alert. Even tuning into public access radio helps keep you thinking clearly, and it certainly isn’t any worse than hearing the same Top 40 song for the third time in an hour. If you can, subscribe to a newsletter that will give you condensed versions of important current events in politics, entertainment, and your local area.

 

4. Combining Mental and Physical Exercises

Physical exercise has been shown to both delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and reduce its chance of developing. When you keep your body physically fit and healthy, your brain, which is an organ that needs training just as your heart or lungs, will stay healthy as well. Try to mix up cardiovascular and strength training exercises, combining physical exercise with mentally stimulating activities like archery, tennis, or hiking.

 

Alzheimer’s disease can be scary, but it is also preventable to a degree. Staying active using puzzles, games, and other engaging activities is a great way to reduce your risk. With regular activities like these, you can reduce the risk of developing severe Alzheimer’s and prevent its early onset.

Categories: alzheimer, alzheimers, brain alert, current events, exercises, mind, nbsp, physical, physical exercise, prevent

Stuck In the Past: Caring For Those With Alzheimers

Helping a loved one who has contracted Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult and emotionally draining experience. However, there are several techniques that you can utilize to help reduce the strain on everyone involved. As an added bonus, some of these techniques can even help the Alzheimer’s patient improve their quality of life and retain some of their most important memories for longer.

 

 

Top Tips for Alzheimer’s Care

 

1. Be Careful When Creating a Schedule – It is imperative to help an Alzheimer’s patient by developing a daily routine to reduce their level of confusion. For example, it is a good idea to schedule their meals at the same time each day. Additionally, it is likely that there will be certain times of the day when they tend to be in a calmer state. Once you have determined when these times are, you can use it to your advantage to schedule any necessary medical appointments and other difficult tasks.

 

2. Help Your Loved One Stay Involved – Many Alzheimer’s caregivers are tempted to simply take care of everything instead of involving their loved one. After all, this removes the necessity of getting the patient to cooperate with the task at hand. However, keeping them involved in almost every aspect of their daily life can actually help them with their memory and self-esteem.

 

3. Consider Moving Them into an Assisted Living Facility – Alzheimer’s disease is a heartbreaking condition that can be emotionally devastating for the patient’s family members. Additionally, many home caregivers are not properly equipped to meet all of the patient’s needs. Therefore, it is important to consider moving your loved one into an assisted living facility that specializes in Alzheimer’s care. Chateau Vestavia, an assisted living community in Alabama, offers a life enrichment program called Memory Care for residents who suffer from Alzheimers.

 

4. Remove Unnecessary Distractions – It can be extremely difficult for an Alzheimer’s patient to focus during conversations, mealtime and other essential components of their day if there is background noise or other unnecessary distractions. For example, you should never leave the TV on if you are attempting to have a conversation with your loved one.

 

5. Patience Is Key – It is understandable that dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful, but you should never allow yourself to lose your patience with them. Doing so would only confuse them, and it could also cause them to feel so stressed out that they no longer feel comfortable with you around. Therefore, if you feel like it is possible that you will lash out at them, you should temporarily remove yourself from the situation.

 

In most cases, it makes sense for an Alzheimer’s patient to move into an assisted living facility. After all, these communities offer a high level of specialized care that can help improve the quality of their life. Additionally, it will help remove your burden of being a personal caregiver, and this will enable you to focus your attention solely on having good experiences with your loved one. This can make the process of dealing with Alzheimer’s easier for everyone involved, and it can also help assuage any feelings of guilt you have that are associated with caring for them at home.

Writer Melanie Fleury has a grandmother-in-law that suffers from Alzheimer’s. She sees the heartbreak on the faces of her children when their great grandmother does not recognize them. Chateau Vestavia “embraces what science has proven effective in the fight against Alzheimer’s and Dementia”. The website of the Chateau was used to learn more about caring for those with memory conditions.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/see-through-the-eye-of-g/8368764205/

Categories: alzheimer, alzheimers, care, Caring, chateau vestavia, involved, living facility, nbsp, past, patient, unnecessary distractions

Experts Hold Hope in Alzheimer’s Research Even As Drugs Fail

Even as the looming impact of Alzheimer’s disease on society becomes a more and more dire health concern, wellness experts are still optimistic about the potential of research into the disease. Leading scientists on early detection and treatment for Alzheimer’s have even said that they are on the verge of substantial advances, with a large slate of Alzheimer’s drugs undergoing human trials.

 

A spokesman for the American Academy of Neurology Dr. John C. Morris, a professor and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, commented, ‘There has never been a period in which we had more potential drugs to alter the disease course of Alzheimer’s. We have lots of highly promising drug candidates.’ The main focus of these drugs is amyloid, which is a protein that clumps in your brain when your wellbeing has been affected by Alzheimer’s.

 

According to William H. Thies, chief medical and science officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, ‘Many scientists believe eliminating that accumulation will eliminate Alzheimer’s. We’ve seen amyloid accumulation as one of the key markers in the development of Alzheimer’s. It’s really the first step in taking the basic science of Alzheimer’s and using it to develop therapeutics.’ However, of the first anti-amyloid drugs to be tested in humans, three have failed to produce results. None of the AN-1792, Flurizan or tramiprosate treatments did anything to significantly improve the symptoms of people with Alzheimer’s.

 

Morris reasoned that these drugs were tested on people in the advanced stages of the disease, and so they might prove to be effective if you take them before your Alzheimer’s progresses too far. The problem with this justification, however, it that it means we need a way to detect Alzheimer’s disease early in its development or even to flag people who are at risk for developing the disease. Both Morris and Thies allow that, so far, the only means doctors have of diagnosing Alzheimer’s is wait for symptoms to appear, and by then the damage has already been done.

 

Nonetheless, hope is still at hand as scans and tests are in development that could lead to the early detection of Alzheimer’s. Morris noted that researchers are identifying substances that bind with amyloid deposits and make them visible to imaging scans, as well as discovering genetic and biological markers that could indicate that a person is at increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s. He asserted, ‘The excitement in the field is, yes, new imaging technology, and studies of amyloid beta in the spinal fluid of elderly and middle-age people do seem to identify people who, if they continue to live, will develop dementia. This will set the stage for targeting people at high risk of developing dementia if they live long enough.’

 

Thies weighed in, ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that, as an effective therapy emerges that slows downthe course of the disease, we will find the marker for it. The two are linked almost arm-in-arm and will develop together. Advances in one will drag the other along.’ But what about those wellness experts who question the direction of research? Given the failures of early trials, many are concerned that efforts have been too tightly focused on eliminating amyloid from the brain. Thies responded, ‘People who work in the field raise the question, “Should we be doing all this amyloid work?” but it’s the most mature of the ideas so you have to follow it through.’ He added, ‘With the aging of our population, we are going to have an immense increase in Alzheimer’s disease over the next 40 years. If we don’t deal with this, it could bankrupt our government and wreck our health-care system.’

Categories: alzheimer, Alzheimer's Disease, amyloid, Amyloid Drugs, Disease, drugs, early detection, people, Research, wellness experts

What’s The Difference Between Forgetfulness And Dementia?

As you get older, one of the biggest threats to your mental/emotional health is memory loss. It can be difficult, however, to work out whether what you are experiencing is the dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease, or whether it is the normal decline in cognitive wellness and wellbeing leading to age-related memory loss.

 

Forgetfulness is a normal part of the ageing process, but severe memory loss is not something that should be ignored, as it can be linked to more serious conditions. To use an example, forgetting where you have put your watch is a normal thing that can happen to most of us, but if you find you have forgotten how to tell the time, this is a more serious thing altogether. If you are forgetting major events or chunks of memorised information or abilities, there is a good chance that you could be suffering from dementia, caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

 

For World Alzheimer’s Day this year, the theme is ‘faces’ and the ideas is to emphasise to people that there are normal people behind every dementia patient. This is to help people understand a bit more about the disease, and understand that it can affect anyone – their parents, aunties, cousins, friends, famous people and, of course, themselves.

 

Startling figures have shown that Alzheimer’s disease affects 35.6 million people worldwide. It is predicted that this figure will rise to 65.7 million people by the year 2030, and 115.4 million people by the time it gets to 2050. Another report shows that men are more prone to dementia than women.

 

People who suffer from Alzheimer’s often seem to live in a ‘world of their own’ and are not aware of what is going on around them. They can often not remember their own names, let alone where they live or even whether they have eaten that day.

Categories: alzheimer, alzheimers, Dementia, memory, memory loss, million people, people

Exercise Could be an Important Weapon Against Alzheimer’s

A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Diseases has revealed that fitness could be the way to improve the wellness and well-being of Alzheimer’s patients, and stave off the debilitating disease for as long as possible.

 

Researchers based at the University of Maryland School of Public Health carried out the study, which showed that exercise could help improve brain function in those who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. It is thought that this exercise could help to improve the efficiency of the brain.

 

There were 17 participants involved in the study, and all of them were suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which is another way to describe the early memory loss that is usually associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. There were also 18 other people used in the study as the control subjects. Both of the groups were of a similar gender, age, education and genetic risk and they were all on the same or similar types and doses of medication.

 

All of the participants in the study had to take part in a 12 week programme of exercise, which consisted of walking every day on a treadmill at a moderate intensity setting, and were supervised by a personal trainer at all times.

 

All participants in the programme had to carry out a full memory test both before and after the 12 weeks of exercise. The first was a famous ‘name memory’ task and the second was a ‘list learning’ task that involved recalling words. Results showed that both the dementia and non-dementia group had improved fitness levels. The important result, however, showed that the fMRI tests that were taken before and after showed increased brain activity in patients with early onset dementia.

Categories: alzheimer, alzheimers, exercise, fitness, memory, nbsp, study

Home Physical Therapy:It Helps Alzheimer’s Disease Patients?

Undeniably, alzheimer’s is considered as a common ailment affecting many seniors these days. Researchers continue conducting studies about this illness to impart some knowledge and tips on how to deal with alzheimer’s. These studies have helped a lot of people carry out certain preventive measures to avoid the risk of getting this health problem.

 

 

Indeed, there are several activities associated to reducing the detrimental effects of Alzheimer’s. And one of them is home physical therapy. Some studies have shown that physical exercise has notable benefits to Alzheimer’s disease patients. On the other hand, many might wonder how it can help the afflicted ones considering that Alzheimer’s is primarily connected to memory disability. The thing is this health problem can impact certain part of the brain that control language and mind.

 

 

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s to Seniors

There are three (3) different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Here are few of the many symptoms you might notice at home.
First Stage:

Sudden forgetfulness

Poor insight

Difficulty in finding words to say

Misplacing things

Repeating questions or statements

Disoriented
Second Stage:

Deterioration of memory worsen

Inappropriate usage of words

Lack of proper hygiene

May experience hallucinations

 

 

Third Stage:

Incontinent

Uncomprehending

Bedridden

 

 

Benefits of Home Physical Therapy to Patients

Doing physical therapy session helps improve motor skills, strengthen muscles, increase endurance and decrease risk of falling. A therapy might involve different physical activities, such as walking, jogging, water aerobics, dancing and even gardening. Performing any of these activities can help the patients somehow remember certain movements. Thus, they are sharpening their memories by simply recalling the actions.

Some therapy sessions include massage specifically on the leg part of the patients. With the pressure applied on the legs, it can help the muscles relax and improve blood/oxygen circulation. Strong legs help maintain balance preventing the patient from fall or stumble. Seniors are prone to falling; it is undeniable fact. And falling is very dangerous specifically if it happens in places like bathroom, kitchen and stairs where they could get serious injury (but falling anywhere is really risky). That is why therapy plays a vital role in strengthening torso and lower extremity.

 

 

Another benefits of physical therapy is improving patient’s behavior and communication skills. Obviously in doing the routine exercise programs, patients need to communicate with the therapist. Some patients might be moody; but if you have a good therapist, these patients might change their behavior eventually. As the session continues, patients will likely improve their conversing ability this is affected by Alzheimer’s.

 

 

Why Physical Therapy at Home?

The best thing about physical therapy is that it can be executed anywhere. But for seniors, it is practical to have it at home for convenience. Physical therapy at home brings a sense of familiarity to seniors. It is never difficult to perform any routine in a familiar place. For instance, if your senior lives in a community like Lincoln Military Housing, it will be easier for them to move around in the whole neighborhood because they know the place and the people. Senior can jog or walk around with less possibility of getting lost. In addition, physical therapy at home enables the seniors to rest in their favorite place right after the session.

 

 

Considerations:

Make sure home is safe for your senior. Keep in mind essential safety precautions to avoid any mishap during the physical therapy. Home should be free from clutter and trash. This way, Alzheimer’s disease patients can truly benefit from physical therapy at home. And most importantly, choose the best physical therapist for your senior. Why this is critical? It is simply because you can rest assured that your senior is in good hand.

 

 

Author Bio:

Ashley O’connor is a blogger who aspires to promote healthy family and taking care of every member. She aims to continue spreading helpful tips to other people specifically for children and seniors through her write ups. Follow her on Twitter at @AshleyOconnor82, Google+ or add her on Facebook.

Categories: alzheimer, Physical Therapy, Symptoms

Turmeric and Almond Oil: Spices Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

One day, drinking a glass of milk and munching on cheese and crackers will be all you need to guard your wellbeing against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This is according to Dr. Mahesh Narayan, associate professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at El Paso, whose recent studies have led him to suggest that everyday spices could prevent neurodegenerative diseases from damaging mental health, as well as overall wellness.

Dr Narayan has recently undertaken studies, in which he found that everyday spices such as turmeric, most commonly found in Indian food, neem, almond oil and the creosote bush may contain key neurodegenerative disease-preventing ingredients. Narayan, a native of India, explained, ‘The long term prospect for us is to actually lace everyday food, such as potato chips, milk, cheese, etc., with these ethno-pharmaceuticals, and then have them neuro-protect you without you even knowing.’

A brain process called “protein misfolding” is the most commonly known to cause many neurodegenerative diseases, and Dr Narayan’s experiments with curcumin, a polyphenol in turmeric, show the potential of these kitchen table ingredients to intervene in this process. Free radicals help to spread Alzheimer’s [AD] and Parkinson’s [PD], and Narayan explained that polyphenols are good at scavenging free radicals. This helps to prevent the progress of the pathogenesis of AD and PD.

Narayan is currently working with Dr Edward Castaneda, chair and professor of psychology, and Dr Manuel-Arrango, assistant professor of biological sciences, at UTEP, with the shared goal of moving on to animal studies. Commenting on his future contributions to Narayan’s research, Castaneda said, ‘If you develop a drug that is useful for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, you don’t know if it will be useful unless you investigate the behavioural effects of that drug.’ The researchers aim is to explore an animal model, and the effects that polyphenols have in diminishing and or preventing the animal’s neurodegenerative diseases.

Narayan commented, ‘The more we exploit the more possibilities.’ None of the spices studied are related to one another, but each of them contain polyphenols-rich extracts. Narayan noted, ‘The ingredients are mild. We hope they are incorporated into diets and the general population is neuro-protected without them having to do much about it.’

Turmeric and Almond Oil: Spices Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Categories: almond oil, alzheimer, Alzheimer's Disease, Disease, dr narayan, everyday spices, Free Radicals, narayan, neurodegenerative, neurodegenerative diseases, Research, spices