BRIGHTSTAR CARE OF APPLETON

BELIEVES EVERY NURSE DESERVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION

FOR

THEIR VAST CONTRIBUTIONS

AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT THEY MAKE EVERY DAY

THANK YOU TO ALL NURSES!

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At BrightStar Care of Appleton we’re celebrating our Nurses! Our Director of Nursing provides full client oversight, including clinical and environmental assessments, supervision of our RNs, LPNs and CNAs, and comprehensive case management to make sure you and your loved ones receive the highest quality of care.

Our Nurses Provide:

• High-tech Nursing
• Assistance with medical machinery, including ventilators
• Central and peripheral intravenous drug therapy, such as chemotherapy
• Administration and maintenance of catheters
• PICC line dressing changes
• Total Parental Nutrition (TPN), G-tube or other feedings
• Epidural mediports
• Wound care
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
• Blood draws and injections
• Medication management
• Monitoring of health status
• Rehabilitation
• Assessment and management of care
• Teaching of self- or family-care techniques
• Hospice assistance

Each BrightStar Care Nurse is making our clients lives better, and truly making more possible for them every chance they can. We are proud to honor them and recognize our Nurses for all their contributions to our caregiving team!

Learn more about how we recognize our Nurses excellence each and every year through our Nurse of the Year program – CLICK HERE

About National Nurses Week

In 1993, the American Nurses Association declared May 6-12 as the national week to celebrate and elevate the nursing profession. National Nurses Week is a time for everyone – individuals, employers, other health care professionals, community leaders, and nurses – to recognize the vast contributions and positive impact of America’s 4 million registered nurses. Each year, the celebration ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

We hope you will join us in the celebration!

For More Information About BrightStar Care Please Click Here To Visit BrightStar Care of Appleton

https://www.brightstarcare.com/appleton-fox-cities-amp-waupaca-area/home-care/alzheimers-dementia-services

Alzheimer’s Research Looks To Define Senior Conditions In Order To Find A Treatment

Many questions strike at the very definition of Alzheimer’s disease. If you can’t define the condition, how can you find a treatment? Research provided in a New York Times article titled “The Diagnosis Is Alzheimer’s publishes some new interesting findings about how dementia is Probably Not the Only Problem.”

Please read the full article for more conclusions, but studies show that plaques and tangles, and other potential villains found in the brains of people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s include silent strokes and other blood vessel diseases, as well as a poorly understood condition called hippocampal sclerosis. Potential culprits also include an accumulation of Alpha-synuclein, the abnormal protein that makes up Lewy bodies. And some patients have yet another abnormal protein in their brains, called TDP-43.

No one knows how to begin approaching the multitude of other potential problems found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. So, until recently, they were mostly ignored. “I wouldn’t say it’s a dirty little secret,” said Dr. John Hardy, an Alzheimer’s researcher at University College London. “Everybody knows about it. But we don’t know what to do about it.” In interviews, some experts said they had been reluctant to talk much about mixed pathologies for fear of sounding too negative. But “at a certain point we have to be somewhat more realistic and rethink what we are doing,” said Dr. Albert Hofman, chairman of the epidemiology department at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The problem began with the very discovery of Alzheimer’s disease. In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist and neuroanatomist, described a 50-year-old woman with dementia.

On autopsy, he found peculiar plaques and twisted, spaghetti-like proteins known as tangles in her brain. Ever since, they have been considered the defining features of Alzheimer’s disease.

But scientists now believe this woman must have had a very rare genetic mutation that guarantees a person will get a pure form of Alzheimer’s by middle age. Patients with the mutation appeared to develop only plaques and tangles, and no other pathologies. So for decades, plaques and tangles were the focus of research into dementia.

To Read The Full Article Please Click Here

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/08/health/alzheimers-dementia-stroke.html

For More Information About BrightStar Care Please Visit BrightStar Care of Appleton

https://www.brightstarcare.com/appleton-fox-cities-amp-waupaca-area/home-care/alzheimers-dementia-services

 

Appleton Seniors with Alzheimer’s or Dementia Can Still Enjoy Reading With These Fun Publications

BrightStar Care of Appleton Recommends The Following Picture Books For Aging Alzheimer Adults

Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia might still enjoy reading, but often find regular books and magazines frustrating. To solve this problem, we found 4 engaging books that were created specifically for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Fun, engaging activities like reading improve quality of life and can reduce agitation, challenging behavior, and bad moods.

It’s important that activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other types of cognitive impairment are specially designed to make them feel successful. For example, it wouldn’t be fun for someone with dementia to struggle with a story from a regular book or magazine. It would be a frustrating, negative experience. That’s why these Simple Pleasures for Special Seniors picture books work so well.

BrightStar Care of Appleton recommends reading the following picture books aloud, or with your loved ones to help boost their memory and brain activity.

1. Fun Foods, by Dan Koffman
2. Hand Tools, by Dan Koffman
3. Life In the US Military, by Dan Koffman

BrightStar Care of Appleton suggests that in order to get the most out of these picture books help your older adult out by try the following tips:

• Be patient – linger on the pages
• Look for facial responses: eyes widened, smiles, thoughtfulness
• Listen for responses: laughter, any sound, a comment
• If they linger or smile at a particular image, use that as a cue to ask a simple question like:
  • What do you see?
  • What thoughts does this picture give you?
  • What feelings does this picture give you?
  • Tell me a story about a ‘peach’ (or whatever the picture is)

To Read More About Other Fun Senior Picture Books For Aging Appleton Dementia Care Patients Please Click Here

Source: https://dailycaring.com/3-perfect-picture-books-for-alzheimers-and-dementia-patients

For More Information Please Visit BrightStar Care of Appleton

https://www.brightstarcare.com/appleton-fox-cities-amp-waupaca-area/home-care/alzheimers-dementia-services

 

BrightStar Care Educates Appleton, WI Seniors The Reality Of Dementia

Aging Appleton Seniors Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia

When people think of dementia, they usually associate it with memory loss. In reality, it involves far more than that. Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It seriously alters a person’s brain functions.

People with dementia can lose the ability to do normal activities, like eating or getting dressed. Their personalities can change, and they may be unable to control their moods and emotions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

As you age, your brain changes, just like the rest of your body. Many people often notice gradually increasing forgetfulness—for instance, it may take longer to think of a word or to recall a person’s name. But consistent or increasing concern about memory or mental performance, or memory loss that disrupts daily life, is not a part of normal aging.

Alzheimer’s disease, which affects over 5.4 million Americans, causes a progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. In its later stages, it can cause people to lose the ability to do everyday tasks, speak, and even recognize family members and friends.

Symptoms and warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

Alzheimer’s disease usually begins after age 60, but it can occur sooner. If you or someone you love is experiencing any warning signs, talk with your primary care doctor about a referral to a specialist.

You may be referred to a clinical neuropsychologist, who will administer a neuropsychological assessment. This assessment comprehensively evaluates cognitive abilities using objective measures of brain functioning to diagnosis and differentiate types of dementia. Learn more about neuropsychological assessment.

Treatment Options

While there are currently no known cures for Alzheimer’s disease, some treatments help to improve symptoms. Our BrightStar Care providers and staff will give you or your loved one an accurate care assessment and provide comprehensive treatment, education, and support, through the end of life when contracted. Please talk to your primary care doctor about care options and what is best for your family needs.

Therapy Groups and Events

Group sessions can help caregivers cope with the stresses of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Get an idea of what therapy groups are like.

To read more about Alzheimer’s disease please Click Here

Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/appleton-fox-cities-amp-waupaca-area/home-care/alzheimers-dementia-services

Two new studies now suggest that a noninvasive eye scan could soon be used to catch Alzheimer’s disease early

When will Alzheimer’s eye scans be available in Appleton?

The world’s population is aging rapidly and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise. For this reason, the need for efficient dementia screening methods that can be applied to millions of people is dire. Current diagnostic practices are either invasive or ineffective.

For instance, brain scans are costly, and spinal taps — or lumbar punctures — are invasive and potentially harmful. Specialists currently diagnose Alzheimer’s disease using memory tests and by tracking behavioral changes. However, by the time that the symptoms appear, the disease has already progressed.

For these reasons, researchers are hard at work trying to devise newer and better diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s. For instance, some scientists are trying to use a “sniff test” as a way of assessing whether someone has dementia.

Now, researchers at Duke University in Durham, NC, say that Alzheimer’s could be diagnosed in seconds just by looking at a person’s eyes, and scientists at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel concur.

What do the signs of Alzheimer’s disease look like in the retina?Doctors use a technique called optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to examine the link between the eyes’ retinas and Alzheimer’s disease. OCTA lets ophthalmologists examine each of the retina’s layers, mapping them and measuring their thickness noninvasively. The technique uses light waves to take photos of the retina. Doctors found that people with Alzheimer’s have lost small blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye, and a certain layer of the retina was thinner in people with Alzheimer’s than in those with MCI or people who did not have any form of cognitive impairment.

The scientists speculate that the changes in the retina reflect the disruptions in the brain’s blood vessels that Alzheimer’s causes. This is a valid hypothesis, they say, given that the optic nerve connects the brain with the retina.

This project meets a huge unmet need. It’s not possible for current techniques like a brain scan or lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to screen the number of patients with this disease. Almost everyone has a family member or extended family affected by Alzheimer’s. We need to detect the disease earlier and introduce treatments earlier, as this is great news for continued studies in Alzheimer’s disease detection, with hopes one day to find more treatments.

To read more about the findings of this new study on Alzheimer’s disease detection by the retina please Click Here

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323515.php

The Three Most Common Types of Dementia For Appleton Seniors Explained

It’s not uncommon to hear the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” used interchangeably, but the two are quite different. Research shows an important difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a general term for a severe loss of memory and other cognitive capacities caused by physical changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of several types of dementia Appleton seniors experience.

Below are three of the most common dementia types:

Please note that while some cognitive impairment is normal with advancing age, in the case of dementia, symptoms are usually severe enough to interfere with everyday activities.

1. Alzheimer’s Disease

Accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It arises when plaques and bundles of proteins build up between nerve cells in the brain, causing atrophy and, ultimately, brain cell death.

While Alzheimer’s begins well before the first symptoms register for a Boulder/Broomfield senior, the earliest detectable signs include trouble with memory, such as struggling to remember names and conversations, apathy, and depression. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms—including impaired communication, poor judgment, and disorientation—emerge.

2. Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia accounts for roughly 10 percent of dementia cases. Befitting its name, vascular dementia is associated with damaged and blocked blood vessels in the brain. This leads to decreased blood flow to areas of the brain and, as a result, dead tissue. The severity of a case will depend on the location, number, and size of the damage or blockages.

3. Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

One of the most common types of dementia after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, DLB results when abnormal clumps of protein (called Lewy bodies) develop around the cortex. Like Alzheimer’s patients,  Charlotte seniors with DLB often experience memory loss and cognitive issues. However, they are more likely to suffer initial symptoms such as sleep disturbances, visual hallucinations, and imbalanced gait, similar to those with Parkinson’s.

For more information on the differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s please Click Here

Aging dementia and Alzheimer seniors cope with chilly, Appleton, WI weather

7 tips recommended by The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to help keep aging Appleton Seniors safe

Ice and cold weather patterns during the winter months in Appleton, Wisconsin can be a difficult challenge for aging seniors coping with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Care giving to our loved ones during the winter months can be hard to dial in the exact things needed to keep the blood circulating while keeping our clients happy. Therefore a few useful tips to get the right level of care in providing, and learning new safety suggestions from the AFA can help suggest caregivers with valuable winter tips. Here are a few we recommend this winter while giving care.

The AFA suggests the following safety tips for family caregivers this 2019 winter season:

1. Be aware of Hypothermia. Hypothermia is a concern for everyone in a winter storm, but persons living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia can be at an even greater risk. Some individuals living with a dementia-related illness may find it difficult to detect temperature and weather changes. To help keep that person safe, make sure you know the signs of hypothermia. Look for shivering, exhaustion, sleepiness, slurred speech, memory loss and clumsy motor skills.
2. Be aware of electric space heaters. Electric space heaters can pose a fire risk especially when used with extension cords or if they get knocked over. To keep individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia safe use space heaters that automatically turn off when they reach a set temperature or tip over.
3. Be aware of electric blankets. An electric blanket could burn the skin of those living with dementia without them even realizing the blanket is too hot. While most people can tell when they start to get too warm from an electric blanket, those with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia may be less sensitive to changes in temperature. To keep the person safe, it is better to remove all electric blankets from their home.
4. Be aware of carbon monoxide. Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased with the use of the furnace and other heating methods used to keep your house warm. The odorless, tasteless gas can quickly build up to dangerous levels without your knowledge. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause a dull headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness, blurred vision, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness. Check the heating system at least once a year and install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home.
5. Be aware of ice and ground hazards. Increased risk of slips and falls with snow and ice covering the ground. Persons living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia may also have vision issues that can make it harder to see ice or realize that a walkway is slippery. Keep all stairs, walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice by shoveling often and using rock salt. However, make sure to not over use the salt as this can cause traction issues.
6. Be aware of elder wandering. Wandering in the winter can be extremely dangerous for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease as they may become lost when not always dressed appropriately. If your loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementia does wander off, make sure you have a plan of action. Use a permanent marker or sew identification into their clothes with your contact information.
7. Be aware of fast changing weather patterns. If a storm is approaching, ensure that the person has enough food and water to last until the storm passes and road conditions improve. Be mindful of dehydration, which can cause delirium and death. Make sure their cell phones and tablets are charged in case the power goes out. Flashlights (not candles), blankets and other warm clothing should also be easily accessible in case of power failure. If you don’t live near your loved one, see if there is someone who lives nearby that can check up on them before and after the storm. Inform them of emergency contacts and where important medical information can be found, such as their insurance card.

Cold weather, storms or extreme weather may impact home care service.  Inquire with your loved one’s home care representative about what the backup or contingency plans are to deliver the best services needed this 2019 winter season here in the Wisconsin area.

 

Source: https://alzfdn.org/alzheimers-foundation-america-offers-winter-weather-safety-tips-families-whose-loved-ones-dealing-alzheimers/

The Power of Light and Space in Alzheimer’s-Dementia Friendly Environments

Start the new year off with a bit of winter cleaning. Dementia and Alzheimer’s care is complex and can be challenging to manage. So how is it possible that lighting and space construction aspects help seem to make a difference? The answers may surprise you.

Bio dynamic lighting allows seniors with dementia to harness daylight’s biological effects even in an environment with artificial lighting. These biological effects are profound. Reduced exposure to daylight can lead to sleep problems, mood disorders and chronic fatigue. Meanwhile, bio dynamic lighting allows us to mimic the variations of natural daylight through intentional design and light management. From a design and construction perspective, opportunities are all around.

First, it’s important to note how lighting is shown to make a significant difference in the lives of senior living residents, in particular residents with dementia. As a care professional BrightStar recommends the following tips as some recommendations for designing and building a dementia-friendly environment.

• Maximize exposure to daylight during the day, but especially in the morning
• Evenly illuminate spaces, to minimize contrast and especially shadows
• Minimize exposure to blue-rich light sources after 8 p.m.
• Use amber, or warm light sources, after sunset
• Create dark environments for sleeping
• Avoid using artificial light sources during the night
• Be mindful of quality of life over quantity of light

As a start to the new year try some of these new arrangement ideas and you’ll find that they may help your loved one or care patients in creating order within the structures of their lives.

 

Source: https://communitylivingsolutions.com/the-power-of-light-and-space-in-dementia-friendly-environments