Spring Arbor Living Blog

As our population ages, people with chronic cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation (or irregular heartbeat), are living longer. In a study reported in the journal Heart Rhythm (Volume 7, page 433) researchers reported that atrial fibrillation may be associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Over 37,000 people, average age 60, from the ongoing Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study database were evaluated for signs of atrial fibrillation and for Alzheimer's disease or vascular, senile or nonspecific dementia. During an average of five years' follow-up, 4 percent developed dementia and 27 percent developed atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation was associated with each of the four types of dementia, independent of other cardiovascular diseases. The youngest group with atrial fibrillation (under age 70) had the highest risk of dementia; dementia is linked to older age, so this finding suggests the relationship between atrial fibrillation and dementia is particularly strong. Atrial fibrillation was also linked with the highest risk of death.

Take away: Because subjects with atrial fibrillation were identified as having higher risks of dementia and death, people with cardiovascular diseases -- who are urged to consider measures like diet, exercise, medication and avoiding tobacco for their heart disease -- might want to take these steps also to prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer's.

All the facts you need to make informed decisions if you have to confront Alzheimer's disease -- the most common cause of dementia

Written by Dr. Peter V. Rabins, director of the Division of Geriatric and Neuropsychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Medical Editor of the Johns Hopkins Memory Bulletin, Diagnosing and Treating Alzheimer's Disease is an indispensable resource for anyone concerned about Alzheimer's disease. This new report provides all the facts you need to make informed decisions if you have to confront Alzheimer's disease. You'll learn how Alzheimer's is currently diagnosed ... the existing drugs that are used to treat it ... and various new therapies that may someday provide better treatment.

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 |

A new test developed by Belgian researchers, using spinal fluid, is 100% accurate in identifying those with MCI (mild cognitive impairment), a condition that precedes Alzheimer's disease. The test looks for 3 "biomarkers" in the cerebrospinal fluid which are also found in Alzheimer's patients.

This is both good news and bad news. The bad news is that, even with a test that can detect Alzheimer's disease in the early stages, there is currently no cure for the disease. The good news is that this diagnostic breakthrough could allow patients to take preventive measures before the disease has progressed to an advanced stage where there is no hope of recovery. In addition, it could encourage the development of new drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease in the early stages, when drugs may be more effective.

The authors of the study, published in the August 2010 issue of The Archives of Neurology, conclude: "The unexpected presence of the Alzheimer's disease signature in more than one-third of cognitively normal subjects suggests that the Alzheimer's pathology is active and detectable earlier." With this new test, early detection could provide a "window of opportunity" for Alzheimer's prevention before the disease is irreversible. Just as we now take preventive steps if a blood test shows high levels of cholesterol, we may soon be able to do the same for Alzheimer's disease, turning it into a "manageable" condition just like heart disease.

Unfortunately, because supplements, a healthier diet and regular exercise will not likely be the focus of an extensive, long-term study due to cost considerations, there may never be conclusive proof of their effectiveness. But there is a growing body of research that strongly indicates preventive measures could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's by as much as 70 percent. With those odds, prevention makes a lot of sense. As Ben Franklin said over 200 years ago, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Be sure to contact us today if you have any questions about Alzheimer's or the custom care plans we offer individuals with the disease.

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

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming.  In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers. For the family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s, even routine daily events, such as hearing or seeing evening newscasts, can be truly terrifying. As a result, Spring Arbor is dedicated to creating an environment for the loved one which is as safe and nurturing as possible.

With children, the term is “childproofing.”  For those with Alzheimer’s disease, there is no similar term, but the concept is the same. Many things around the home that pose no danger to people in full possession of their mental faculties can be major hazards for people with Alzheimer’s. There are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of your loved one getting into things he/she shouldn’t, or reduce the risk of injury. We have a few tips that we find work very well and we'd like to share with you all:

• Limit distractions and control noise.
• Play radios softly, and turn the telephone ringer on low.
• If your loved one watches TV, choose humorous or happy sitcoms, game shows and musical shows.  These types of shows can make the individual laugh and/or stimulate positive memories.
• Maintain consistency and organization
• Don’t rearrange rooms. Instead, maintain consistency by keeping furniture in the same place.  Keep the individual’s bedroom and living areas well-organized and keep pathways clear. In addition, clutter may confuse or upset people with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Encourage activities that are success-oriented and that make the individual feel productive.  Many individuals with Alzheimer’s enjoy outdoor activities.
• Lock up hazardous materials
• Keep all medicines, cleaning products and sharp utensils up or out of reach.
• Don’t forget, everyone needs a little TLC

With all the responsibilities and problems involved in caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s easy to forget how important a loving touch can be. A pat on the back, back rubs, foot massages, hugging or holding hands are calming, and they communicate love and safety in a way everyone can understand.  Several studies show that massage exerts a calming influence and minimizes behavior problems in Alzheimer’s care. Contact us today should you have any questions about living with Alzheimer's and steps to take.

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

As many break throughs in the research of dementia and Alzheimer's continues researchers are getting closer and closer to find a proper medication for this terrible affliction. Recently some medications were approved that help with Alzheimer's. Although current medications cannot cure Alzheimer’s or stop it from progressing, they may help lessen symptoms, such as memory loss and confusion, for a limited time.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of medications — cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, Cognex) and memantine (Namenda) — to treat the cognitive symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and problems with thinking and reasoning. While these are no cure it is still a huge step in helping to rid patients with Alzhiemer's

As Alzheimer’s progresses, brain cells die and connections among cells are lost, causing cognitive symptoms to worsen. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer’s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen or stabilize symptoms for a limited time by affecting certain chemicals involved in carrying messages among the brain's nerve cells. Doctors sometimes prescribe both types of medications together. Some doctors also prescribe high doses of vitamin E for cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease. If you know a loved one who has suffered from this illness, contact us today and we'll be happy to help with any questions or do what we can for you and your loved one.

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

As we all may know, dealing with Alzheimer’s is a serious task. But did you know that the disease can affect younger individuals as well? It’s not just for people who are older anymore. We came across this magazine article, one of which was an older issue of U.S. News & World Report from December of 2006. Now we know that this was 4 years ago, but it was shocking to see the cover and then the details inside were grim. On the cover there is a photo of a relatively young woman who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The title of the article is “The New Face of Alzheimer’s,” and it talks about why more younger people are being diagnosed with this devastating disease.

Before reading it, we had expected to hear about people in their lower 50′s being told they have Alzheimer’s.  But upon further reading we became shocked to learn that even some people in their 30′s are being given the grim news. The article says “It afflicts people in their 50′s, their 40′s, and even in their 30′s.”  More and more younger people are showing up at doctor’s offices and support group meetings than ever before. Some of the individuals had it to the point where they were actually being put into assisted living homes because the disease was moving so rapidly.

The article spotlights several people at various (mostly younger) ages, and describes their daily lives, and how they are coping.  The article also talks about hopeful new medications and therapies that will attempt to tackle this disease head-on, including Secretase modulators, immunotherapy, and others that are currently being tested for safety and effectiveness. It had talked about how the disease being spotted to early in younger people were able to remedy it faster but still there has been no cure or any kind of progress. The only thing that seemed to be going for these younger people was that they were in good health and their bodies and brain were still able to fight off diseases easier than someone in their later years.

This was a sad article to come across, but nevertheless this information must be brought to people's attention. Ignoring this dreadful disease will not make it go away. We do our best to help as many people as we can and take pride in what we do. If you know a loved one who is afflicted with this disease and feel as tough things are grim, contact us and we will be glad to help.

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

Recently a new study of 300 people found that those who walked at least six miles a week had less age-related brain shrinkage compared to people who walked less. The study published in Neurology was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.

The study had participants, free of dementia, keep track of how much they walked. Nine years later scientists took brain scans to measure their brain volume and then four years after that cognitive testing was conducted to identify impairment or dementia.

Those who walked six to nine miles a week halved their risk of developing dementia relative to those who walked less. The authors indicate their results are in line with other data showing aerobic exercise induces a spark of grey matter volume.

Brain size shrinks as we get older and this can relate to memory problems. Walking may be one approach to protect the brain or delay onset of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Authors of this study are encouraged by the results and indicate well controlled studies of physical exercise in older adults should be conducted as a viable approach for preventing dementia. Regular exercise across the lifespan, particularly in midlife, appears to be a reasonable and suggested activity for brain health.

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

Our memories are a primary determinant of who we are as people.  Our values, ethics, and priorities are all products of lessons learned over our entire lifetime.  It is memory (be it conscious, subconscious, or a combination of both) that define who each person is today and frames who they will be tomorrow. It is our intent at every Spring Arbor Living location to strengthen memory retention of our dear residents who suffer from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Every memory in life, every experience we undergo, effects who we are no matter how insignificant the experience may seem. Every person you meet or pass on the street becomes a part of you even if you only glimpse at him or her for a second. This is true, for even if you do not consciously recall their presence.

We can consider a memory as a fraction of our being.  Every time we remember an environment, situation, or emotion, that memory enters our existence and becomes part of us forever. To think of this in another way, you can think of each memory as a person. Some people pass right by, only affecting you for a second, but SOME, stick around for a long time. You may not see that person every day, however, every time you see that person you re-experience their company, and they become a greater part of you. A memory is like a person that is still in your life, and even though we may not think about it every day, memory keeps us company. Dementia suffers are at maximum need for company.

Remembering a traumatic experience is something that is very difficult to deal with. However, that memory does not always have to be negative, as one can look at it as a way they learned and grew. When we are unable to handle the memory, or the experience, that is when it begins to tear us apart. Dementia patient caregivers need to work exceptionally hard to identify the positives embedded with traumatic memories and labor to reinforce those positives.  Unfettered emphasis on negative thought is damaging to the psyche, the soul, and the brain.  

This is why your Spring Arbor Living staff invests so much time and energy blogging about various mental exercises.  We seek to empower dementia patient caregivers with a means to help promote memory retention.  It makes all of us richer human beings.   

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