Carol Brauer

Alzheimer’s Prevention

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5 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease: 5 Helpful Tips for Prevention

As we age, so do our minds and memories. This does not necessarily mean that you have Alzheimer’s, but it may. This disease is a hard one to diagnose and while there is no current prevention, but Harvard Medical School has compiled a list of helpful ways to help fight against this disease, and make life easier for you and your loved one.
As is the case for overall health, staying in shape and having a healthy weight is the first word of advice to help fight against diseases such as Alzheimer’s. If you find yourself to be a few pounds heavier than you should, doctors encourage physical activity. To help you gauge, a healthy midsection size for men is 40 inches, and 35 for women.

Diet is very important in prevention of Alzheimer’s. Make sure to have a healthy eating habit full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein, and vitamins. Some suggestions would be: Fish, chicken, beans, tofu, and other healthy fats. If you have a sugar tooth, be mindful of tempering how much you include in your daily diet, along with refined grains, unhealthy fats, and your overall “over snacking” habits.
As in all weight loss and maintaining circumstances, incorporate daily exercise into your routine. This will not only help you stay physically fit, but will also contribute to your blood pressure staying healthy, as well as maintaining your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Some suggestions for seniors would be: swimming, biking, walking, and other forms of aerobics. Doctors recommend 2.5-5 hours of weekly exercise.

Again, as in all medical cases, communication is key. Ask your doctor what range level is healthy for your age and size, in regards to blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. Communicate about changing your eating habits, exercise routine, and if you need to be on any sort of medication regimen.

Do You Have Alzheimer’s?

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10 Signs You May Have Alzheimer’s

Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

The dangerous affliction causes loss of memory and severe cognitive illness. Sadly, most people with Alzheimer’s aren’t aware of it. That’s why it’s vital to look out for the warning signs. Here are 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information repeatedly or increasingly needing to rely on memory aids.
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
Confusion with time or place
This involves losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. Sometimes there is forgetting where you are or how you got there.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
Some with vision problems may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again.
Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money and may pay less attention to grooming themselves.
Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of their changes.
Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
If you or a loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s specifically and you have questions or need additional support, you can contact BrightStar Care of Appleton 24/7.

Communication Tips for Alzheimer’s Patients

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10 Tips on Communication With Alzheimer’s Patients

Tips on Communicating with People with Alzheimer’s

Through our specialized memory care program, BrightStar Connections, we are able to truly provide A Higher Standard of care and support to our clients living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition to taking great care of our clients living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s important to us to extend a hand to their families as well to let them know they don’t have to take this journey alone. One of the many ways we support families is by providing information, answering their questions and even in offering helpful tips.
Since November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, we have even more reason to share some thoughtful tips for communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia:
– Never argue, instead agree
– Never reason, instead divert
– Never shame, instead distract
– Never lecture, instead reassure
– Never say “remember,” instead reminisce
– Never say “I told you,” instead repeat/regroup
– Never say “You can’t,” instead do what they can
– Never command/demand, instead ask/model
– Never condescend, instead encourage
– Never force, instead reinforce
To learn more about the care and support we can provide to people with Alzheimer’s and dementia in the home, contact BrightStar Care of Appleton today.

Your Emotional Needs and Alzheimer’s

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Resources to Help Cope with Alzheimer’s

Living with Alzheimer’s: You are Not Alone

You receive the heavy diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Disease. You go through the beginning stages of emotions that follow. You then start to come around to the reality of the situation, and into acceptance. Now you are ready to move forward and get into a new normal routine in life. Just because you or a loved one is living with Alzheimer‘s does NOT by any means mean that you cannot live a successful and fulfilled life. Below are tips on how to help with this new life you are now living.

  1. Talk to your family and friends about it. They may also be dealing with it, and they may also feel afraid to talk to you about it, so make that first step.
  2. Journal: Start at the very beginning, and write down everything you are thinking and feeling.
  3. Share those feelings you have written down with loved ones and close friends. Grief is a part of the process of accepting Alzheimer’s, and grief is something to be shared about and being honest about what emotions you are processing.
  4. Talk to your doctor about seeking professional help. If you feel emotionally unstable, do NOT self diagnose. Talk to your doctor.
  5. Counseling: Seek professional help from a counslor or clergy member to help you to cope with everything that you are feeling.
  6. Support groups: Becoming a part of an early onset support group can really help you get your barrings as you settle into your new normal. Research your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter for more information on these types of support groups.
  7. Your emotional surroundings: Surround yourself with stability. Find a good support system in friends and family who are ready to walk this path with you, who understand it, and are ready and willing to help every step along the way.
  8. Continue the normal as much as possible. Continuing to do the daily things you have always loved will help keep spirits up and staying active will have a huge positive mental affect on you as you go through Alzheimer’s. Take the time to grieve the loss, but do not get stuck in it, and return to your life, because although different, it is still your life, and it is a good one.

A New Way of Living: Alzheimer’s

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Coping with Alzheimer’s

Emotions and Living with Alzheimer’s

Just because you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, doesn’t mean that you are isolated from the rest of the world. Rest in that there is a great community out there of support for every step of the way. People who are out that there that know exactly what you are going through, whether it be they themselves are suffering from Alzheimer’s, or they are dealing with a loved one suffering. One thing that you will most commonly hear from friends, doctors, support groups, is this: tackle the disease early. The second is to know emotional roller coaster it will be, and understand all of the stages of emotions that will be to come. The first emotion that usually comes with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is one of loss. Loss of the normalcy that life once was, loss of how easy life was, and loss of memories made in the past. Fear may not be far behind. Fear of the unknown future, fear of the future changes to come, fear of the lost memories, as well as fear of the loss to knowing the every day “routine” tasks.

To help whether it be you or a loved one suffering from Alzheimer‘s, below is a standard series of emotions that you will experience after a diagnosis:

  1. Depression: There will be a sense of sadness and hopelessness and helplessness to stop the changes that are to come.
  2. Denial: There will probably be a stage at the beginning where you cannot wrap your mind around it and may think that all doctors are wrong with their diagnosis. Hearing you have this disease can be overwhelming, and it may be easier to pretend at the beginning that it isn’t really there to avoid the drastic changes that you will have to eventually make in life.
  3. Sense of loss: As the disease progresses, you will have to mentally prepare yourself or  your loved one for grieving the life once lived before being diagnosed.
  4. Anger: As with most if not all medical diagnosis’, anger will be one of most early reactions to hearing you have Alzheimer’s. You do not have control over what is happening in your body, and you are being forced to completely changing your way of living. Plans will have to change, and the unknown future will be the dictator of many things moving forward.
  5. Resentment: The all too common “why” question will pop up. “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?”
  6. Fear: Fear of the unknown future, fear of how loved ones will respond, help, or not help.
  7. Isolation: You may feel like you do not have anyone to talk to, or that no one knows or understands what you are going through.
  8. Relief: You’ve known for sometime that something was wrong, and now you feel relief that you have a diagnosis and you have information moving forward on how to cope and live with this new way of life.

 

Alzheimer’s: The Signs (Part 2)

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Do You or a Loved One Have Alzheimer’s? (Part 2)

Signs You or Your Loved One May Have Alzheimer’s

A tell tale sign that a person may be suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia, is a compromise in judgement in regards to every day life choices and behavior. This could be something as simple as not being able to dress oneself properly, as far as how to put on a shirt or pants, or in regards to weather appropriate dressing. In most cases, seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s will start having trouble with money, and not making wise financial decisions, but will instead make erratic and impulsive spending patterns.  Simple tasks that you or your loved ones could accomplish without a second thought, now become more difficult. Planning a daily routine, making decisions, or even the simple task of deciding dinner, now will become a taxing chore that will take up energy and mind power that never happened before. Repeating words, concepts, and stories repeatedly is also common among Alzheimer’s patients. If a person is in a stressful situation, this could be the reaction they have to self sooth, or this could also be the reaction in a situation where they feel fearful or even bored.
A person with Alzheimer’s begins to struggle with their communication. As the disease worsens, so does the talking. A sentence may not get finished,  a word or thought may not be able to be communicated, and the person may have to use hand gestures to communicate. Comprehension of time and place is another tell tale sign of Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. Doctors will even comment that not having any concept of time, and being completely disoriented all of the time in that regard is a sure sign and problem with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s: The Signs (Part 1)

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Do you or a Loved One Have Alzheimer’s?

Signs You or Your Loved One May Have Alzheimer’s

You see some differences. You are not sure what it is. Should you be worried, or not? Doctors remind patients that just because you may have a symptom or two, this does NOT necessarily mean that you have Alzheimer’s. This also does not mean you have dementia, which is caused by Alzheimer’s about half to 80% of the time. Sometimes loss of memory can be attributed to a deficiency in B12, sometimes it can be caused by a malfunction in the liver, kidney, brain, or thyroid. To help more quickly diagnose if you have Alzheimer’s Disease, take a look to see if you have the following symptoms.

The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease is memory loss. This is different from forgetfulness. People of all ages can suffer from memory loss due to anxiety, depression, or stress. You make think that you are showing signs of dementia if these arise as you age, but that is not necessary true. Memory loss is a more severe and different scenario. An older person who is suffering from memory loss will not remember what happened two minutes prior, versus just forgetting a person’s name or a small detail in a pervious conversation. Memory loss is actually not a normal part of the aging process, but rather is a sign that something is not right.

Mood swings and agitation is another sign of Alzheimer’s in an elderly person who is usually even keeled and generally calm and cheerful. If a senior starts to become erratic in behavior and has builds up a habit of pacing to and fro, concentrated on details such as dates, places, and specific people, which in turn causes them to become confused and distressed on an extreme level, this could be a tell tale sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. If you are a caretaker of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, keep in mind that big change such as moving one from a home to a nursing facility, can be a trigger for anxiety and emotion.

If you are the loved one of a senior suffering from Alzheimer’s, a great way to care for them is to take control of their finances. As Alzheimer’s Disease takes over the brain, numbers of any kind, especially in regards to money, will become confusing to a person. This also applies to every day normal duties, such as cooking, cleaning, or any other household chores as simple as watering plants. But it is not just the chores that they may forget about. Playing a favorite game may become difficult, or other favorite pastime hobbies or actives.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Infection

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Infection and Alzheimer’s Disease: Possible Relation

The Relationship and Result Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Infection

 

For years, Alzheimer’s disease has been explained as combined “protein plaques”(made up of amyloid beta) that settle in the brain, and have do not have a specific functional role. As a result, they attack a person’s mind and memory.

Later studies have suggested that these “protein plaques” are meant to be useful in defense against infections. Alzheimer’s is just a sad alternative result in some people who have lower levels of amyloid beta. Instead of fighting off microbes, they combine together and form an attachment to the person’s microbes. It happens fast, and are very determined and strong in attaching themselves and not letting go.

This new study from “Science Translational Medicine” journal has been a game changer in how people think about Alzheimer’s disease, but applied solutions is still in the works and it will be some time before solutions/medications come into fruition. While any straightforward answers are a long ways off, researchers and doctors are excited about the new possibilities that are to come about. As time goes on and research becomes more in-depth and more answers appear, doctors believe that medications that are made specifically to attack this particular part of a person’s immune system will be well worth it, while not completely clearing the disease out completely, but rather fighting off the threatening plaques.

Free Ebook For Appleton Seniors: Identifying Alzheimer’s

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Free Ebook For Appleton Seniors: Identifying Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month and there’s no shortage of information and advocacy to not only find a cure for this disease that impacts the lives of millions each year, but also to promote awareness. And there’s no greater awareness than that of helping to identify and diagnose this disease so that individuals and their families can get the help that they need.

We’ve created a free ebook geared toward identifying the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, including

  • An overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • The signs and symptoms of mild to moderate dementia
  • The differences between this disease and age-related memory changes
  • And more!

Click here to download the ebook and pass it along to family and friends.

BrightStar Home Care of Appleton and Waupaca area proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including a passion for elder care companionship and supportive services in Outagamie, Waupaca, and portions of Winnebago, Calumet and Brown counties.  We are very proud of our Joint Commission  Accreditation to provide you the highest quality of care in the Appleton, Fox Cities and Waupaca areas.

Blog Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month for Appleton Seniors

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Alzheimer’s Awareness Month for Appleton Seniors

How Appleton Seniors can Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Whether or not you have an Appleton senior loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, chances are you’re aware of the devastating effects of these diseases. Indeed, with more than 47 million people worldwide affected (projections estimate this number to rise to 76 million by 2030[1]), it’s hard to stay ignorant. Yet spreading awareness is more important than ever. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only one in the top 10 that can’t be prevented, slowed, or cured[2]. BrightStar Care eagerly supports the Alzheimer’s Association in its organization of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this June. We’ll be blogging all month on ways to learn more and get involved, so keep checking back. This week, we share ways you can show support and honor Alzheimer’s sufferers.

Participate in the Longest Day

Monday, June 20 marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. In time with this, The Longest Day is a unique fundraising activity to honor those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, for whom every day is long and hard. Not simply a run or walk, the Longest Day invites participants to spend the day doing something they love, whether that’s kayaking, biking, or dancing.[3]

Go Purple

People can also foster Alzheimer’s awareness on the Longest Day by “going purple,” the color of the Alzheimer’s Association. A few ideas to get involved: wear purple, change light bulbs, or write #ENDALZ on your windows in washable purple window chalk. However you participate, make sure to share your pictures on social media and use the hashtag #ENDALZ.

Become an Advocate

Anyone can sign up at the Alzheimer’s Association website to join their network of Alzheimer’s advocates. Advocates receive regular emails with ways to help influence national policy and create widespread awareness—everything from joining support groups to writing letters to congress to serving on advisory boards.[4]

Take Care of Yourself

Perhaps one of the simplest, but most profound ways to honor Appleton senior Alzheimer’s sufferers is to live a healthy lifestyle. Though there’s no known way to definitely prevent Alzheimer’s, research shows that following a healthy diet and exercise plan, keeping social engagements, and fueling your mind with ongoing education and stimulating activities may all slow cognitive decline. [5]

[1] http://alz.org/abam/?_ga=1.84317712.865058079.1393898811#getTheFacts

[2] http://alz.org/abam/?_ga=1.84317712.865058079.1393898811#getTheFacts

[3] http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=8480&pg=informational&sid=22697

[4] http://www.alz.org/forum/experience.asp#advocateStoriesAnchor

[5] http://alz.org/abam/?_ga=1.84317712.865058079.1393898811#loveYourBrain

 

BrightStar Home Care of Appleton and Waupaca area proudly provides medical staffing, skilled nursing and non-medical in home care for seniors and children, including a passion for elder care companionship and supportive services in Outagamie, Waupaca, and portions of Winnebago, Calumet and Brown counties.  We are very proud of our Joint Commission  Accreditation to provide you the highest quality of care in the Appleton, Fox Cities and Waupaca areas.