These ideas are from Candice Miele the Social Worker at Fairview Park Senior Center. Thanks Candice for your contribution.
1. The Reality Check System: This is something I have devised and used with my seniors who get scammed by people who want them to send money for various reasons. They need to have a designated person to be their "Reality Check Person." When they are asked for money (except for ongoing bills they are used to paying), they need to call that person. They will tell the person what they are being asked to donate money to or invest in. That trusted person (a close friend or family member) will tell them whether they think it is a scam or a worthy cause. Seniors have, for the most part, generous hearts and they help support many of the great causes that keep research and treatment going. However, I have encountered more and more cases where they are being intimidated and coerced to send money to scam artists. Since the decline of the economy, the problem has become so much worse. Tell them never to send money without a reality check first!
2. How do you get a person with Alzheimer's disease or any form of Dementia to take a bath or shower with the least resistance? The best way I have found (and this has been tried and true in many of my past cases) is to have the bathing assistant (formal or informal caregiver) use a matter-of-fact tone, and state boldly ahead of time (a few hours before, then again a couple minutes before the event - repeat as necessary) that it is time for the bath or shower. Then, as the time approaches, just keep the stance that this is a routine event that must be done. Most people with dementia welcome this kind of firm but caring guidance. They usually just go along with the program. The first couple times may be the most difficult, but once the scheduled bathing day comes along every week for a few weeks, they will store it in their long-term memory and they will just think of it as part of their week.
A second suggestion related to bathing is to ask the person: "Would you like to take a shower now, or in five minutes?" The usual response, especially for resistant people, is "five minutes." Then, you must be consistent. Watch the clock with them and count down the five minutes and follow through with the bath or shower at that time. This helps them maintain control and the power of limited choice.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
High Blood Pressure May be to Blame for Mental Confusion, Study Reveals
High Blood Pressure May be to Blame for Mental Confusion, Study Reveals
By Geoffrey Moore from the Home Instead Senior Care office in North Olmsted
Q. My 79-year-old father seems to be getting more confused all the time. I’m very worried he is getting Alzheimer’s disease and, since he lives alone, I don’t know what to do. Help!
First, don’t jump to conclusions. Various reasons could explain your father’s disorientation and there’s no reason to panic until you know the medical facts. Ask your dad to make an appointment with his doctor. Or, if he balks, suggest that you help him set that up. Maybe he is fearful of finding out the truth as well.
There could be a logical and medically treatable explanation. For instance, diabetes can cause disorientation. And, according to a study from North Carolina State University, high blood pressure spikes can lead to a decline in mental function.
In fact, increased blood pressure in older adults is directly related to decreased cognitive functioning, particularly among seniors with already high blood pressure, research reveals. This means that stressful situations may make it more difficult for some seniors to think clearly.
Dr. Jason Allaire, an assistant professor of psychology at North Carolina State, who co-authored the study, explains that study subjects whose average systolic blood pressure was 130 or higher saw a significant decrease in cognitive function when their blood pressure spiked.
However, Allaire notes, study subjects whose average blood pressure was low or normal saw no change in their cognitive functioning – even when their blood pressure shot up.
Specifically, Allaire says, the study shows a link between blood pressure spikes in seniors with high blood pressure and a decrease in their inductive reasoning.
Depending on what his doctor says, your dad might also want to heed this advice from Asenath LaRue, a senior scientist at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). While there aren’t many controlled clinical trials on ways to keep your brain in shape, she says a variety of observational studies point to three main preventive actions: be physically active, challenge your brain and stay socially active.
By Geoffrey Moore from the Home Instead Senior Care office in North Olmsted
Q. My 79-year-old father seems to be getting more confused all the time. I’m very worried he is getting Alzheimer’s disease and, since he lives alone, I don’t know what to do. Help!
First, don’t jump to conclusions. Various reasons could explain your father’s disorientation and there’s no reason to panic until you know the medical facts. Ask your dad to make an appointment with his doctor. Or, if he balks, suggest that you help him set that up. Maybe he is fearful of finding out the truth as well.
There could be a logical and medically treatable explanation. For instance, diabetes can cause disorientation. And, according to a study from North Carolina State University, high blood pressure spikes can lead to a decline in mental function.
In fact, increased blood pressure in older adults is directly related to decreased cognitive functioning, particularly among seniors with already high blood pressure, research reveals. This means that stressful situations may make it more difficult for some seniors to think clearly.
Dr. Jason Allaire, an assistant professor of psychology at North Carolina State, who co-authored the study, explains that study subjects whose average systolic blood pressure was 130 or higher saw a significant decrease in cognitive function when their blood pressure spiked.
However, Allaire notes, study subjects whose average blood pressure was low or normal saw no change in their cognitive functioning – even when their blood pressure shot up.
Specifically, Allaire says, the study shows a link between blood pressure spikes in seniors with high blood pressure and a decrease in their inductive reasoning.
Depending on what his doctor says, your dad might also want to heed this advice from Asenath LaRue, a senior scientist at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). While there aren’t many controlled clinical trials on ways to keep your brain in shape, she says a variety of observational studies point to three main preventive actions: be physically active, challenge your brain and stay socially active.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Old Age or Not?
I was touring a couple the other day, it was an adult child and his wife looking for his parents. As we started to talk about the needs of each of his parents his wife added that the mother was having some memory issues. The husband became very defensive. Adding that it was just a part of old age. I thought he could really use some education about Alzheimer's. Sometimes it is just the aging process and sometimes it's not. Below is a list I have download from www.alz.org this is the official site of the Alzhiemer's Assoc. There is so much information available to you. One bit of information that helped me over years is, when I first started working in senior care our nurse was talking about a resident that was having some confusion. It wasn't normal for this woman. She stated she was going to have a urine check done because it might be a UTI (urinary tract infection). I asked her what does that have to do with anything. She educated me that seniors with UTI's can show signs of ALZ. Over the years I can't tell you how many residents have had a UTI and onset confusion and after a round of antibiotics they are back to their selves. I hope this helps and please utilize the ALZ Association they have a great staff to help with any questions or resources.
Memory loss.
Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.
What's normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps to prepare a meal, place a telephone call or play a game.
What's normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.
Problems with language.
People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find their toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth."
What's normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Disorientation to time and place.
People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.
What's normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.
Poor or decreased judgment.
Those with Alzheimer's may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers.
What's normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.
Problems with abstract thinking.
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used.
What's normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
Misplacing things.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
What's normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
Changes in mood or behavior.
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.
What's normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
Changes in personality.
The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
What's normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.
Loss of initiative.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.
What's normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations
Memory loss.
Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.
What's normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps to prepare a meal, place a telephone call or play a game.
What's normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.
Problems with language.
People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find their toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth."
What's normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Disorientation to time and place.
People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.
What's normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.
Poor or decreased judgment.
Those with Alzheimer's may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers.
What's normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.
Problems with abstract thinking.
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used.
What's normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
Misplacing things.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
What's normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
Changes in mood or behavior.
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.
What's normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
Changes in personality.
The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
What's normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.
Loss of initiative.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.
What's normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations
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