Spring Arbor Living Blog

We expect our joints and lungs to slowly decline as we age, but the thought of our minds doing the same is scary. Here are some ideas to help prevent brain decline.

Scientists are starting to think that regular aerobic exercise may be the single most important thing you can do for the long-term health of your brain. While the heart and lungs respond loudly to  the treadmill, the brain is quietly getting fitter with each step, too. For mental fitness, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every other day.

Too much or too little energy throws a kink in the brain’s delicate machinery. A low glycemic diet — high fiber, with moderate amounts of fat and protein — is broken down more slowly in the body. A steady pace of digestion in the gut gives a more reliable flow of energy to the brain, optimizing the organ’s long-term health and performance.

Largely preventable diseases — such as Type II diabetes, obesity and hypertension — affect your brain. System-wide health concerns have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and memory impairments. Keeping your circulatory system in working order by avoiding cigarettes and saturated fat, lessens the onslaught of age-related brain wear and tear.

When we don't sleep, proteins build up on synapses, possibly making it hard to think and learn new things. Furthermore, chronically sleeping poorly (in contrast to not enough) is linked to cognitive decline in old age, although the relationship may not be causal.

Growing evidence suggests a caffeine habit may protect the brain. According to large longitudinal studies, two to four perk-me-ups a day may stave off normal cognitive decline and decrease the incidence of Alzheimer's by 30 to 60 percent. It is unclear whether the benefits come from caffeine or the antioxidants found in coffee and tea, but that latte may improve cognition this afternoon and several decades from now.

Some theories credit the introduction of fish into the human diet with the evolution of our tremendous cognitive ability. Fatty acids, such as Omega 3s, are critical to brain function and are proving beneficial for treating such brain-sapping ailments as depression. Studies on the efficacy of Omega 3 supplements, however, have had mixed results, so get doses from food sources, such as flax seeds, fatty fish and grass-fed animals.

Stress takes a toll on the brain by washing harmful chemicals over the hippocampus and other brain areas involved in memory. Some scientists suspect that living a balanced lifestyle and pursuing relaxing activities such as yoga, socializing and crafting may delay memory impairment by reducing stress.

Whether crossword puzzles, sudoku and other brain teasers actually keep your brain in shape, has not been well-established. However, lack of education is a strong predictor of cognitive decline. The more you've tried to learn, the better you'll be at mental sit-ups in old age. 

Information from Live Science

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Though a cure for Alzheimer's disease remains elusive, experts believe earlier and more accurate diagnosis will aid efforts to discover effective therapies. Marilyn Albert, Ph.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, answers the question: "Why is early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease important if no treatments currently exist to delay progression of the disease?" 

Early and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is important in helping us develop a better understanding of the biology of the disease. This, in turn, will help researchers design and test new drugs that will intervene earlier in the disease process. 

We use the term Alzheimer's disease to talk about people who are demented, but there are many people with it who aren't yet demented. In fact, one third of all older adults show Alzheimer’s disease pathology in their brains, though they may not yet show symptoms. 

We know that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease progress gradually over many years. People with Alzheimer’s disease don’t go from normal to demented overnight. Instead, the disease is a continuum, and earlier diagnostic procedures will help us treat it as such. 

For instance, we understand that high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke. So, when we go to the doctor and find out that we have high blood pressure, we start to treat it right away, years before a stroke might occur. The same should apply to Alzheimer’s disease. 

We want to identify those who are at risk years before dementia occurs, because we are working hard toward the day when we can diagnose and treat those risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in the earliest stages -- just as we might treat high blood pressure or cholesterol.

From Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

In this excerpt from a recent issue of Health After 50, Marilyn Albert, Ph.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, talks about current methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's Dementia.

•   Traditionally, how has Dementia been diagnosed? How accurately can it be diagnosed today?

Research now tells us that Dementia progresses over time and likely begins years or decades before symptoms first appear. But right now, we can only diagnose Dementia late in the game. 

To diagnose Dementia we rule out other potential causes for cognitive decline, such as stroke, tumor or metabolic syndrome (a combination of medical disorders that raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke that may also increase the risk of dementia).

We then run a battery of cognitive tests and brain scans to rule out other neurological disorders and to determine whether the pattern of symptoms seems consistent with Dementia. If these things match up, we can give a probable diagnosis of Dementia. At major medical centers, a probable Alzheimer's Dementia diagnosis can be 80 to 90 percent accurate.

•   What are biomarkers, and how will they help with earlier, more accurate diagnosis of Dementia?

"Biomarker" is a term that describes a measurable change in a person that will give us information about what is going on in his or her brain tissue. For example, the signature of Alzheimer’s disease includes amyloid plaques [abnormal accumulation of amyloid proteins] and neurofibrillary tangles (deposits of defective tau proteins, a type of protein abundant in the brain).

The proteins related to the plaques and tangles are present in the spinal fluid of patients with Dementia. They’re also present in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) -- slight problems in thinking, learning and remembering that sometimes progress to full-blown dementia.

The proteins serve as biomarkers of the progressive changes taking place in the brain. In clinical research, tau and amyloid have been shown to predict the progression of patients with MCI to Dementia and ultimately Alzheimer's.

In other words, measuring these proteins allows us to say more accurately and at an earlier stage of disease that we are pretty sure this person is going to develop Alzheimer’s dementia. Imaging procedures, such as PET (positron-emission tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), also can provide information about the pathology present in the brain. For example, amyloid can now be measured with PET.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Many boxers have developed the disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. But CTE has received greater attention recently. More and more athletes -- professional athletes as well as recreational players and weekend warriors -- have been found to have it.

Though chronic traumatic encephalopathy is most common in boxers and football players, it has been found in other people who suffer repeated head trauma: mostly hockey, soccer and rugby players, wrestlers and equestrians, but also domestic abuse victims.
 
The outward symptoms of CTE will sound familiar to anyone who has experience with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias: memory problems, disorientation and difficulty concentrating are the earliest signs. As chronic traumatic encephalopathy progresses, people begin to show poor judgment, erratic behavior, significant memory loss and some degree of Parkinson's disease (impaired speech, difficulty with motor skills, slow movement and a loss of balance). In more advanced stages of CTE, patients experience tremors, full-blown Parkinsonism, a staggering gait, deafness and dementia.
 
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is also commonly associated with psychological problems like depression, agitation, aggression and violence, loss of inhibitions, sexual compulsiveness, euphoria, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.
 
The substance-abuse death of 42-year old football coach Mike Borich highlights these aspects of the disease. Borich's life had become a swirl of alcohol and drug abuse, and violent mood swings were complicated by bouts of disorientation, depression and forgetfulness. Examination of his brain after his death showed that he had suffered from CTE.
 
The symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy usually show up a few years after an individual has stopped playing a sport, and some researchers believe that the severity of the disease may correlate with the length of time spent in the activity. Sadly, a 2009 analysis of 51 chronic traumatic encephalopathy sufferers revealed that the average lifespan of people with the disease is just 51 years.
 
Original Article was written for Johns Hopkins Health Alerts

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

As Alzheimer's progresses, often there is a noticeable increase in aggressive behavior. Alzheimer's patients often tend to shout and become physical with loved ones. This is more common in men with Alzheimer's than women, but it often occurs suddenly, and for no apparent reason. Because we are often confused about what kind of thoughts our loved one is having, it's easy to become frustrated. Though, however difficult, patience and understanding is necessary to calm them.
 
Aggression can have many causes such as physical discomfort, poor ability to communicate or an uncomfortable environment. When your loved one becomes aggressive, try to see if you can understand the source of their anger, see if you can make them more comfortable and less upset. Maybe they are tired, hungry, or uncomfortable. Does it seem as though they are in pain? There could be environmental factors that are bothering them as well, such as noise or smells.

Keep in mind, that these feelings would make anyone frustrated, but Alzheimer's patients can be overwhelmed easily and often their only way to cope is to lash out. Also, they may become aggressive over their frustration in their inability to communicate their discomfort to you. Remember not to ask too many questions or talk about too many things at once. If you yourself are irritable, remember, they can pick up on that as well, just as you could if you were interacting with someone who was in a bad mood. It is possible that they may be picking up on your own mood.

The best way to respond to the aggression in an Alzheimer’s patient is to remain calm, reassuring, and understanding. Try to identify what is causing the behavior and focus on them, not the facts. It is very important for them and for your own health that you don't take their behavior personally. Perhaps suggest a more relaxing activity and limit their distractions so they can concentrate on remaining calm. Unless it is absolutely necessary, always avoid using force, this may cause them to become more upset. Normally, the anger does not last long. 

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Recent research by Johns Hopkins and Utah State University has found that a person is more likely to develop dementia if his or her spouse has dementia. Here's what the research suggests.
 
One thousand two hundred twenty-one married couples age 65 and older were selected from the Cache County Study on Memory and Aging, a trial that began in 1995. Couples were followed for up to 12.6 years, with a median follow-up time of 3.3 years. Dementia was diagnosed in 255 of the 2,442 participants.

Individuals whose spouses were diagnosed with dementia had a six-fold greater risk of dementia, even after adjusting for other factors, than individuals whose spouses showed no signs of dementia. Husbands had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia than wives.
 
Bottom line: The physical and mental burden of caregiving, the emotional stress associated with watching a loved one struggle with dementia, shared environmental risks like similar diets, or homogamy (similar individuals are more likely to marry) are among the possible reasons. More research is needed to pinpoint the cause and find the best way of keeping one spouse from sharing the fate of their husband or wife.
 
Reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Volume 58, page 895)   

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Unfortunately, it is presently incurable. With every stage issues crop up, and it is very challenging to care for someone with this disease as their condition deteriorates. However, there are some activities to keep Alzheimer patients engaged and to assist them in coping with this disorder. Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s need care, motivation, support, encouragement and patience. The following activities will help.

• Puzzles and crosswords that are simple and easy will stimulate their brains and help slow down degeneration. These cognitive activities will help in reducing memory loss.
• Crafts and activities with little complication like maintaining a photo album, sorting photographs, making collages, or writing small notes to relatives can be engaging for these patients. It is important that the task is well described, sequenced and easy to handle.
• Reading a story aloud to them that has pictures will enable them to comprehend and answer relevant questions. This will also strengthen the bond between the caregiver and the patient. Alzheimer’s patients have a better chance of remembering information about the caregiver through activities they did together.
• Household work should be encouraged. Alzheimer's sufferers should perform their daily chores. This will create lesser dependency and will assist them in remembering things better.
• Gardening and keeping busy weeding, planting, and watering will enable them have a better approach to cope.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

It is finally time to make the difficult decision that you have dreaded for so long. Your elderly parent or parents are not able to live in their own home anymore and they must move. Realize, while this will be challenging for you, it will be difficult for them to make the move. There are four very prevalent reasons or emotions that make it difficult for your aging parents to move out of their old house, and it is important for you understand where they are coming from and how they feel. When you understand their challenges and difficulties you will find it easier to relate to them and easier to talk to them about the move.  When you are able to talk and communicate about it, the entire process will be easier for you and your family.
 
Grief is a very strong emotion which is difficult to handle and is very common in seniors whenever they feel as though they are losing something that they value.  When an elderly parent has to go through losing what they have always thought of as their home, they will experience grief. They are not only moving away from their home, but also their neighborhood and many of their possessions that were a part of their lives for many years.

Of course they are also experiencing a loss of independence and control. As long as your mother and or father lived by themselves they were independent and had control over how they ran their lives. Inevitably they will feel anxiety over their perceived loss of that control when they move out of their homes, regardless of where they move too. This is very difficult for them to deal with, but once moved into an assisted living community, this emotion will pass more quickly.

All of this is very overwhelming. Moving, at any age, is one of the highest stressors. Inevitably it entails throwing things out, selling things, closing bank accounts and selling their home. Combined with all the other emotions, this gives them a sense of ‘where do I start?”

Understand and remember that this is not only hard on you and your family or siblings, but it is very hard on them as well. There are many reasons emotionally and physically why it is difficult and for elderly parents to move out of their house.  Once you understand the reasons you will be able to lessen the difficulties that your parents are experiencing.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

Alzheimer’s symptoms grow worse as time progresses, the disease may have unpredictable changes; making it an extremely difficult task to care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. For both the person with Alzheimer’s and the caregiver, arranging basic activities of daily living can be difficult. Eating, talking, sleeping, and finding things to do: all these things become difficult as the disease becomes more severe.  There are many ways to help manage these difficulties.

Nighttime can seem like a blessing for some, but for those with Alzheimer’s it can be difficult. Most people with Alzheimer have become restless and irritable around this time. Putting the person to bed may require some advance planning.

Limit daytime napping and encourage exercise during the day, but still allow for a sufficient amount of rest during the day. Try to schedule more physical activities such as bathing earlier in the day. And in the evening set a peaceful, quiet tone to encourage sleep. Make certain that the lights are dim and the noise is down to a minimum. In some cases playing soothing music may help, but only if the person enjoys it. Try to keep the person’s bedtime routine. NO caffeine late in the day.  If the person gets frightened or disoriented use night lights around the halls and bathroom. Spring Arbor knows that caring for a person with Alzheimer's takes time and patience which is why if you know someone with Alzheimer's and have any questions or wish you explore our communities, please contact us today.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |

In the field of elder care, music has been explored as a way to encourage social interaction, encourage self-expression, and enhance the overall well-being of assisted living residents who fight illnesses such as Alzheimer's, dementia, memory loss, and other cognitive impairments. So through music, Spring Arbor has found that residents with these health conditions are able to live more fully. They are not defined by their conditions or their need for medicines and skilled medical care. They become engaged members of a supportive community that encourages emotional growth, sharing, and self-worth. This can be vitally important to seniors who experience a number of difficult life events such as retirement, the death of a loved one or spouse, and the need for help with common tasks.

So far, experts know of no other single activity that stimulates the entire brain. In addition to this, music increases dopamine levels, and dopamine can cause a corresponding positive sense of well-being. So what does it mean to say that music promotes well-being? Well-being is characterized by a sense of affiliation. Seniors feel connected and have an increased sense of belonging. Music also brings about a feeling of self-competence and independence in seniors. They enjoy life day-to-day and gain a greater sense of fulfillment.

Many research studies indicate that musical activities have several positive benefits. Patients are reported to have better moods, be more sociable, eat better, and react more calmly to stress. Experts say it’s the “cognitive workout” for the brain that brings on these positive traits. Feel free to contact us to learn more about assisted living and how life at Spring Arbor can be relaxing fulfillment.

Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Permalink |