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How big is your Lifespace? Could it be the deciding factor in Alzheimer’s disease?

05/032 Comments

Lifespace – How big is yours?

Dr. James R. Burke, director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at Duke UniversityMedical Center, said isolation could offer a clue to possible dementia problems before they become obvious. “This will be particularly important when disease-modifying therapies are available, so that evaluations can be started and interventions considered before there are significant cognitive problems,” Burke said.

“(Life space) is actually a measure that has come into vogue with gerontologists lately,” James said. “Mostly it’s been a measurement of mobility, figuring out whether people are getting around their environment, how much they’re seeing that’s different from their couch or bedroom or living room.”

This study was so interesting to me because my adult children have nicknamed me “the hermit.”  My children nag me constantly because I’d rather be home–than any place else. I have one grandson who takes after me  and also prefers to stay home with Nana than gallivant around town with his parents.

Now this study comes along and I have the family nagging me anew. It’s bad enough that I probably inherited the Alzheimer’s gene from my Mom but now I learn that being a hermit isn’t exactly good for me either.

 Great Group Games Electronic Catchphrase Play Crouquet Walk with a friend Play tennis with a Partner Ride with a friend Go Dancing Talk to Someone Visit a Friend Have a Party

During this study at the Memory Disorder Clinic at Duke University researchers followed 1,294 seniors from two separate studies of older adults whose health was being tracked over time. At the beginning of this study, none of the elders showed signs of dementia. Over an average of 4.4 years, 180 developed Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers found that people who reported that they never left their home environment during a given week were about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease in the five years of follow-up as those who traveled out of town. The research, James said, offers “a new way to see who’s going to be more likely to develop dementia in the future.”

The study also found that those who did not go beyond their driveway or front yard were also more likely to develop mild cognitive disorder, which can be an early manifestation of Alzheimer’s.

As the thinking goes, your “life space” is the area you travel. A healthy adult should travel often and far from his “home-base.”  Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally also. Enjoy your travels and take part in activities that may feel foreign at first. Read a new book, Learn a new language, Study a new subject that you weren’t interested in before.

In other words, a person who has an abundance of friends and family in many cities, who determines to travel and visit them often, staying informed about all their lives, including work and families-– will be much healthier than the person who sits home day in and day out with little more activity than watching the ten o’clock news broadcast.

I do recall, when my Mom’s husband passed away about 8 years before her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s, her life changed decidedly. Before then, they were a couple on the –“Go!”

With adult children on both sides of the country they were on-the-road more than  home. When Mom’s husband passed away, her travelling stopped abruptly and the world as she knew it changed. As I think about it now, how sad she must have felt to give up the fun and happy life she knew with her husband.

As muscles stay healthy with vigorous exercise or a good walking program, so too, our brain needs to be exercised daily. Perhaps, the old saying: “If you don’t use it–you lose it” may give us pause in this case.

I think I’ll take that hermit grandson of mine and get out of the house this weekend; a nice craft fair might be nice. Exercise for the body and the mind! Invite a friend over, play a game, have a party, work in your yard.

What Will you do to Expand your Life Space this week?

I’d love to hear your ideas on this topic! Comment and Share…

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 Read a Book Play a Game Write a Letter Call Someone

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Filed Under: communication, Healthy Aging Tagged With: Associate, communicate, healthy aging, life-space, Play, Stay Active

4 Easy Ways to Help the person with Alzheimer’s Dementia Get Dressed

01/125 Comments

How to dress the person with Memory issues

  • Don’t Rush –  Keep things calm. The less stress the better.

If you are in a hurry and issue a long list of things the person with dementia must do to get dressed; change your shirt, put on clean socks, be certain to get your best shoes, etc.

You can forget it!

They will sit on the side of the bed and do nothing. The person with dementia will have forgotten the instructions by the time you’re finished speaking.

Or, if you give a general order without specifics: “You need to get dressed this morning we’re going to the doctor,” the person with  middle stage Alzheimer’s dementia  may have no idea what you want him to do.

  • Use short, simple sentences and allow the person time to respond.

Speak slowly and suggest one article of clothing at a time. A task that seems simple to you can be quite complicated for the person with dementia. If the person’s response seems slow, do not rush to take over the task and dress him yourself. This will only embarrass a loved one or the person you are trying to help and serve to make him feel like a child. Allow the person time to think about your words and then respond.

  • Offer assistance if it appears they do not remember how to complete the task.

It is not unusual for someone with  middle stage Alzheimer’s to forget how to fasten a button, close a zipper, etc. If their response to your order is a look of confusion, you might expect that they’ve forgotten how to complete the task. Don’t insist that they remember, “You remember how to do it, you did it before……..” In all likelihood they don’t remember. And saying they Should remember only serves to make the patient feel inadequate and agitated.

  • Purchase easy to manage clothing.

Velcro closures are better than shoe strings, snaps, buttons, and even zippers. You can substitute velcro for almost any fastener. Purchase clothing that closes in the front, buy  pull-on pants and shirts. Purchase slip-on shoes or those with velcro closures. Trying to tie a shoe can be a daunting task for someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Remember that Alzheimer’s and Dementia is a progressive disease; they may be able to button their shirt today, but not tomorrow. Try to be kind and generous with your time. I remember that it isn’t always easy to be even tempered.

Helping my mom get dressed was one of the most frustrating things I did all day. And, I must admit–I allowed her to wear the same clothing for a couple days more than once. Sometimes you have to “choose your battles.” If Mom and I were both out of patience–changing clothes could wait for another day.

Be good to your patient–and be good to yourself, too
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Sometimes folks with dementia have other issues with clothing and bathing. Many folks are unable to clean their backs or feet properly. There are handy devices for many of the physical clothing and hygiene issues we do every day. Below are a few items that may make your loved ones life a little easier.

Nifty Nabber Pick-Up ToolSOCK AID Pull on SocksBottom Buddy Toilet Tissue AidFoot Cleaning BrushExfoliating Loofah Back Scrubber for Shower for Men and WomenShower Foot Scrubber – Shower Foot Scrubber

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BEST Non Slip Skid Yoga Pilates Socks with Grips Cotton for Women Pack of 4

I can’t say enough about non-skid socks. I’ve been in the hospital myself a couple times with COPD. The first time I came home with the no-skid socks, I was sock shopping the next week for more.

As we age, or have an illness or hospital stay, our muscles become weaker. Hence, we often find it a little more difficult to keep our balance.

If we accidentally slip or slide, it isn’t always easy to catch ourselves and prevent a bad fall or keep our balance. The no-skid socks are a great help.

They give you that extra second you need to catch yourself and regain your balance.

Non Skid Socks – Hospital Socks –Luvable Friends Kickproof Non-SkidSakkas Super Soft Anti-Slip Fuzzy SlipperNon Slip Skid Yoga Socks for Women Pack of 4Womens Noble Mount Soft Anti-Skid FuzzyMens Warm Slipper Socks with Rubber Non SlipSilicone Dot Cotton Non Slip Winter Yoga SocksThick Knit Slipper Socks Striped Non-skid

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Filed Under: Care Tips, Common Questions, communication, MIDDLE STAGE Tagged With: communicate, dressing, preferred clothing with dementia

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