It's common to have many questions when a loved one has dementia.

You will find answers here for many of your questions.

Lesser Known Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Lesser known early signs of Alzheimer’s you must know

One of the greatest impairments of the human faculties is the loss of cognitive function. Difficulty or inability to recall information, performing regular tasks such as walking, tying shoelaces or buttoning shirts, and gradually higher order tasks such as writing or problem solving, could be signaling the signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The disease mostly affects adults of 65 years of age and above, though the symptoms could appear as early as 40 years. Here’s what you need to know about some of the lesser known Early Signs and Symptoms .

Alzheimer’s disease progressively limits and incapacitates the brain to remember and retain information, and perform functions that are otherwise simple and ordinary or second to human nature. This could be very frustrating for the one affected by this disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common of all cases reported of dementia, a wider term used for degenerative functions and diseases of the brain.

Despite advancements in medical science, prevention and cure, there is still no conclusive study or research on what causes Alzheimer’s and how to cure it. It becomes highly important to be aware of the subtle signs that could be indicative of Alzheimer’s disease. Seek the doctor’s advice if you notice any of the symptoms below in yourself or your loved ones.

Mood swings and behavioral issues
One of the lesser known symptoms or signs of Alzheimer’s are mood swings – or sudden changes in behavior. Signs could include feeling depressed, irritability, overreacting to minor issues, or showing an unusual lack of interest in activities that were otherwise enjoyable. Occasionally, individuals may seem withdrawn from life activities and may remain silent or unresponsive. Patients have been reported to undergo a phenomenal change in personality and behavioral responses especially once they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia. Such signs should not be dismissed as normal or part of the aging process, it is important to consult with a physician to identify conditions.

The failing sense of smell
Perhaps the most suitable of all indicators and commonly unnoticeable, is the failing olfactory function, or sense of smell. Research is suggesting that patients could show a distinct inability to identify scent, recall the experience, and associate or distinguish between various smells, as an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. Since the disease is degenerative in impact, the human faculties including the basis sense of smell could be impaired.

Increasing confusion and inability to solve problems
Patients are also reported to experience anxiety and demonstrate an inability to solve simple problems such as following given steps to complete an action, deciphering meaning and implications of words, making connections, and repeating an otherwise ordinary task. This could also include patients getting confused about what day it is, whether they locked the door, or recall what they were doing an hour ago, or on a particular day or vacation. This state of confusion could progress into more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. Although not conclusive, these are classic symptoms of the onset of the disease.

Sleep disorders and disorientation
Some research is corroborating that patients suffering from sleep disorders could develop Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia in later life. Therefore, a healthy and balanced lifestyle adds great value to general well-being and strength, and the absence of it could lead to cognitive impairments of various kind. Patients may often experience disorientation, e.g. what direction to take, which words to choose to convey a message, and how to respond to different situations.
These disorientations clubbed together with occasional to frequent memory loss, such as, where the car keys were last kept, where the superstore is located and how to reach it, significantly impact the quality of life and contribute to anxiety and depression among patients, and even family members and caregivers.

Lifestyle and preventive measures
While available research suggests that Alzheimer’s is incurable or the effects irreversible, a preventive approach could keep the disease away. There is always hope. A healthy lifestyle has far reaching effects and impact on the quality of life. One must be aware of what productive actions to take for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and identify the routines and regimens that promote and support overall well-being.

The preventive approach advocates for consistent routines in
• regular exercise
• positive and productive social engagements and interactions
• managing stress and sleep schedules
• eating healthy and avoiding alcohol and substance abuse

Much of what we eat determines our general health and well-being. Taking the right nutrients and supplements adds value to the consistent routines of managing a good and healthy lifestyle. Be wise! Start today!
Diagnosis and planning for the future

While the different symptoms reported are indicative, experiencing any one or all of them may not always conclude one has Alzheimer’s. Be very focused in your approach to understanding the disease and read articles and books, and use mobile apps, to get the right information. However, do not ignore and overlook symptoms if they persist and affect the quality of life. Often patients are unable to identify these changes in themselves and deny symptoms, which are otherwise noticeable to family and close friends. A complete medical assessment is required to diagnose any degenerative disease of the brain.

A positive mindset. A positive outlook towards life.
While a healthy lifestyle and increased opportunities of engaging in cognitive activities could prevent degenerative diseases of the brain, none of the symptoms, if persisting, should be ignored. Be attentive to changes in your loved ones and yourself. Answer these concerns and learn more about the disease. Establish a healthy lifestyle and exercise the brain with mind relaxing exercises, and other various activities like crosswords, solving riddles and puzzles, and, engaging in rich discourse on topics of interest with friends and family, and such like. Seek medical advice to rule out the symptoms as Alzheimer’s. Remember, there is always hope and ways to manage the quality of life by developing coping mechanisms, accepting support and care from family and friends, and accepting the changes to plan for a better future. Keep well!

Author: Alma Causey
Alma is a mother, wife and a professional blogger. She writes frequently on health, technology and management. Her time is divided between writing and creating exotic cuisines in the kitchen. She loves to discover new places and you’ll often find her globe-trotting with her twins. Find her on Twitter: @Almacausey

6 Warning Signs in Elderly Should Never be Ignored

06/243 Comments

6 Warning signs in Elderly that should never be ignored

Taking care of a senior is very critical and we must always be alert for health warning signs. As people advance in age, especially when in advance stages of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, they may appear to be more childlike. If an elderly person has dementia, there may be specific things that he/she take special interests in while losing focus on other important things in their life. We must be aware of any Health Warning Signs.

Older folks generally require special attention, and there are times when as a caregiver you will notice that they have started to develop changes or new behaviors. Depending on age, you may notice that some older folks forget minor things and have a low concentration on what they are doing. Others may develop new sleeping habits while some have difficulty sleeping which makes them restless. As a caregiver, there are six signs you should never ignore at all cost.

Throbbing tooth

This happens mostly when you serve a cold meal. They may feel a sharp twinge or dull throb. This warning sign is primarily associated with a damaged tooth nerve due to cracking or rotting of the pearly white surrounding. If you ignore this, the bacteria continue to develop, and it can infect the inner nerve system right from the mouth down the entire body. Instead of taking the older adult through a hard time trying to treat an already spread problem, a simple regular cavity check is necessary. It will help eliminate the problem with minimum side effects.

Sharp side pain

A sharp, consistent pain on the right side can lead to severe problems and should be considered a warning sign. This may be an appendicitis problem or ovarian cyst. This pain is developed when something blocks the way where the appendix empties into the colon. As the organ gets dangerously inflamed, it can cause a dangerous and terrible pain. The inflammation may even lead to the organ bursting. The ovarian cyst or twist can block the blood flow to the ovaries within few hours. If this is the case, you may be looking for a possible emergency surgery. If you ignore the on and off right side pain in an old person, the damage may become unbearable.

Severe head pain

Often, the headache has been a normal problem with both old and young people. When you take long hours under direct sun heat, you are likely to feel the head pain. Another common reason for head pain is when you have excessive pressure to perform and deliver an individual task, but you don’t have the relative credentials to meet your target. This does not raise the alarm.

However, if you notice extensive severe head pain, accompanied by other symptoms like a visual aura, a headache could be a warning sign. It can be a signal for a brain aneurysm. If this is the case, then the risks of the weak spots tearing or leaking may bring a severe headache. This problem can even block the blood supply to specific tissues due to escaping blood. At such times, you should ensure that you keep the old person under immediate physician watch to make sure that the problem is regulated before it gets out of control.

Excessive back pain

Most seniors face back pain. This is a problem that you will often note after extreme seating or bending. When the old person gets into activities that involve seating, bending or jumping up and down, you will find that they are not actively engaging in the activity. Back pain problems also are attracted to an issue with the bones. If you note such issues, the appropriate thing to do is engage the person in activities such as body massage.

Sudden memory loss

Old people tend to have a short concentration span. This problem gets intense for those with Alzheimer’s dementia as they may even forget where their rooms are or what they were supposed to do within a particular time. Other older folks may not remember their name or other basic things like if they have eaten or taken a shower. The best way to help the person with their memory is by introducing short-term activities that will keep their brain more active.

Loss of appetite

As a caregiver at Stroke rehab home, you should be able to tell when a senior within your watch does not eat. Often, loss of appetite can be a warning sign associated with symptoms of being sick. However, lack of appetite can also mean the person wants a change of diet. Therefore, you should always ensure you find out the problem behind the appetite loss.

Author: Edward Francis is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge of this field. Edward also works for care homes and retirement villages.

Alzheimer’s Care : 4 Ways to Save Big as Caregiver

03/17Leave a Comment

Alzheimer’s Care: 4 Effective Ways to Save Big Bucks

Medical treatments, prescription pills, personal care supplies—these are just some of the common expenses that make up the cost of Alzheimer’s disease. However, it does not stop there. Family members and loved ones also have to contend with home modification costs, facility care fees, and insurance claims.

Understandably, many family caregivers get overwhelmed and frustrated with the situation. After all, so many of them are struggling to build a stable retirement fund for themselves. And on top of that, the rise in the costs of living has already overtaken income growth. It is a difficult circumstance to be in, and yet it is impossible to say no to Mom or Dad when one of them needs help.

On a bigger scale, the cost of Alzheimer’s also delivers a significant blow to the nation’s finances. In fact, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are expected to cost the nation $259 billion in this year alone.

With this in mind, family caregivers can surely benefit from all the budgeting tips they can get their hands on (we certainly would).

Long Term Care Tax Deductions

Family caregivers are no stranger to the financial weight that comes with caring for a parent. This is why they can certainly gain from tax breaks. In order to do so, adult children must be able to claim their parents as their dependents. Qualifications are detailed on the IRS website, but here are the preliminary criteria:

• Family caregiver must not be a dependent of another tax payer
• The dependent must be a resident of the US, Canada, or Mexico
• The dependent cannot file a tax return with his or her spouse

Take Advantage of Apps and Devices

Assistive technology can improve both the person with Alzheimer’s and the family caregiver’s the quality of life. Not only does it help maintain independence and autonomy, it can also help reduce the risk of accidents and falls.

Instead of paying for an extra pair of hands or adult day care services, you can make use of devices and apps that monitor the activities at home. Some are designed to track medications and detect falls. Having these gadgets installed in your home not only feels like you have an extra pair of eyes but they can also help you save more money in the long run.

Track All Costs of Alzheimer’s

Setting a budget and sticking to it can save household substantial money. However, you must have a good overview of all your expenses and income to make the budget you set realistic.
Remember never to underestimate the importance of a well-organized overview of all your expenses.

Equip Yourself for the Aftermath

Often, the cost of Alzheimer’s is not just financial. Family caregivers sacrifice their emotional, physical, and social well-being to meet the demands of care. Studies show that caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias are 3.5 times more likely to say that the greatest challenge of their task is that it creates or aggravates their own health problems.

Once the dust settles, family caregivers can end up needing long term care services themselves. However, those who have provided financial support to their loved ones with Alzheimer’s are likely to have depleted nest eggs. This makes covering the high costs of long term care close to impossible.

This situation is why family caregivers are called to invest in long term care coverage as early as possible. After all, the aftermath of caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be devastating.

Author: Samantha Stein is an online content manager for ALTCP.org. Her works focus on key information on long term care insurance, financial planning, elder care, and retirement. In line with the organization’s goal, Samantha’s work highlights the importance of having a good long term care plan, which includes requesting a long term care insurance quote online to securing comprehensive coverage.

Do You Know someone with Alzheimer’s dementia?

12/134 Comments

Do You Know someone with Alzheimer’s dementia?

and How to treat them?

Dementia is a broad medical term that describes severe mental ability decline. In most cases, the patient begins to experience memory loss, that may become Alzheimer’s Disease (one of the most widespread types of dementia). If you know a loved one or someone else struggling with dementia, it is fundamental to know how to treat them. Even though the disease is incurable, there are treatments and drugs that might help.

First, you need to spot the signs and make sure your relative or family member actually has Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Forgetfulness is common, and many seniors deal with mild memory loss daily. However, if you notice that your grandmother can no longer remember your name, or your dad forgets what year it is, then it’s a reason to worry and search for the best treatment.

Signs of dementia

Dementia is a degenerative disease which usually occurs in people over the age of 50. It’s not a specific type of disease, but rather a general term describing a range of symptoms linked to memory decline. Vascular dementia, for instance, may occur following a stroke. Common signs of dementia include:

• Severe forgetfulness
• Difficulty finding the right words to communicate
• Depression
• Apathy
• Difficulty performing daily tasks
• Confusion

How do we treat the person with dementia?

Even though dementia is an incurable disease, there are ways to make the lifestyle of a loved one easier. It is important to know the type of dementia your parent or loved one suffers from. Your next more is to consult with a physician and settle on the best treatment. Here are some suggestions.

• Vitamins – many people struggling with dementia have vitamin deficiencies. In this case, the best treatment is supplementation. When Vitamin B12 are low, the patient is prescribed medication; he’s either given a pill or an injection. Then the blood levels are tested to settle on the appropriate dosage.
• Surgery – to reduce brain pressure, the patient may have to undergo surgery and have their tumor removed
• Depression medication – many people suffering from Alzheimer’s, or any other form of dementia, also suffer from depression. This health condition can severely affect the quality of their lives.
• Palliative care – at some point there’s nothing a physician can do. This means that the best treatment is palliative care. It’s more like an attempt to help the patient accept the disease. The goal is to improve life quality in the mind, body and spirit.

The main goal of continuous dementia treatment is to make sure that the patient feels safe at home for an undetermined period. It is important to provide the sufferer with as much care and attention as possible; but without being overly persistent. Close relatives often become caregivers, but if that’s not possible, you should hire a professional. Furthermore, the patient must visit a physician once a week, to assess the progress of the disease and possible receive new medication.

Is assisted care the best solution?

There’s no way of knowing what’s best for your loved once until you’ve tried everything. If you can afford to become a caregiver, then that’s fine. But be aware that it will become a full-time job. Little by little the patient will get worse, and the disease will become almost unbearable. Caregivers may even have to help with dressing, bathing, eating, and more.

An authorized nurse or caregiver knows what sort of treatment to provide to the patient, as well as in what quantities. Assisted living facilities are not just meant to work as temporary housing for your loved one. Such nursing homes feature activities that the patient may need to feel comfortable.

Socializing, playing games, walking, and interacting with other people are fundamental to keep the brain active and postpone the onset of the disease for as long as possible.

Bottom line is, dementia can be treated in many ways. Sadly, it can’t be cured. The best thing that you can do is assess your options carefully. A care home might be the best option, because no one can look after your loved one better than a professional with proven medical experience. Do what’s best for mom or dad and offer them the care that they need to live a comfortable, relaxed life.

Author: Edward Francis is interested in writing about health and fitness related issues. He has a deep knowledge of this field. Edward also works for care homes and retirement villages.

World Alzheimer’s Day

10/14Leave a Comment

World Alzheimer’s Day: September 21

How Close Are We to Finding a Cure?

World Alzheimer’s Day is an annual, international event held yearly on September 21. On this day, different Alzheimer’s organizations around the globe concentrate their efforts on both educating and raising awareness of this disease – which affects approximately 5.3 million Americans. Because family members provide a whopping 80% of the care and supervision required (the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that friends and relatives of Alzheimer’s patients provided 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care last year alone) it is often referred to as a “family disease.”

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and today we continue to lack a comprehensive cure.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, confusion, and a declining ability to perform daily tasks.

In its early stages, it is often mistaken for other conditions like depression or Parkinson ’s disease. As a result, only 10% of Alzheimer’s patients typically receive an early diagnosis – an unfortunate statistic, because treatments are most effective when implemented as soon as possible.

New imaging technologies, which are now able to identify deposits amyloid beta – a substance that has been linked to the progression of the disease – do provide a glimpse of hope for improved diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer’s, but there is still a long way to go.

While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, doctors and researchers do know it is associated with two types of nerve damage: amyloid plaques that build up in the brain and tangled nerve cells called neurofibrillary tangles (tau). When neurons die off and can no longer communicate, brain tissue begins to atrophy, further impairing various mental functions. Research has also found that people with certain conditions like high blood pressure and stress are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. In fact, cardiovascular problems in general tend to increase the risk of developing dementias in general, simply because the brain needs the nourishment provided by blood.

It’s important to remember that Alzheimer’s is an international problem – as such, research is being carried out all over the world to help influence the success of future treatments. Many scientists look for treatments to improve vascular health in order to stop the degeneration of the nervous system. Australian scientists, for example, have been working with an ultrasound technology that can clear away the amyloid plaques. They have tested it on mice, and it has so far completely restored the memory function in 75% of them. After more animal trials, they plan to test it on humans in 2017.

English scientists have been working on a drug called “solanezumab”, which has delivered some success in slowing Alzheimer’s symptoms. However, recent announcements around the medication have stated that this drug will may truly assist those who receive an early diagnosis. Like the Australian ultrasound, it targets the amyloid plaques in the brain. Current Alzheimer’s treatments help nerve cells communicate more efficiently, but they lose their effectiveness as the nervous system continues to deteriorate. Treatments that slow or halt the degeneration itself could keep the patient healthy and independent for a longer time – but we are still working our way towards such discoveries.

A team of American researchers attempted to make a vaccine that would stimulate the patient’s immune system into attacking the plaques, Scientists stopped, however, when some participants developed acute brain inflammation. Today, most immunization studies focus on administering antibodies against beta-amyloid from outside sources instead of via an individual’s own immune system.

This year in May, the American government announced that the National Alzheimer’s Project Act intends to find a cure for Alzheimer’s by 2025. This is all well and good of course, but most families are eager to learn what they can do to help their family member right now. Looking on the bright side, there are numerous developing technologies that help Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers stay on top of the debilitating effects of this disease. Location services, provided by wearable tech with GPS functions, can help caregivers find family members who are lost and disoriented. Companies like Bay Alarm and ADT have made home alert systems tailored to seniors, which provide security, smoke and fall detectors — and they can call a doctor in the event of an emergency. These systems, in and of themselves, cannot provide medical treatment or prevent the disease from worsening, but the can help cut back on the cost of a full-time care home while keeping an Alzheimer’s patient comfortable in their familiar surroundings.

As more baby boomers enter their “golden years”, experts expect the number of Alzheimer’s patients to triple to 13.8 million by 2050. These individuals will need daily assistance, and their caregivers will need all the help they can get. For those whom Alzheimer’s “Day” is a year-round endeavor, finding a cure will change everything.

Author: Beth Kelly is a technology and security blogger, who primarily covers topics pertaining to healthcare tech, energy efficiency, and home security. You can follow her on Twitter at @bkelly_88