Carol Brauer

New Drug Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia for Appleton Seniors

Posted on

Research into Synthetic Cannabis to Treat Dementia Agitation

NBC reports that a synthetic cannabis drug may help calm agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.  The drug is currently used to treat nausea in cancer patients.

Agitation is a symptom of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and can be difficult for a family member or caregiver to manage. Dementia patients are often prescribed antipsychotic drugs, and in extreme circumstances, they are physically restrained to treat agitation. For those seeking treatment for agitation with a sedative, anxiety drug or other medication, they are now looking at synthetic cannabis as an option.

“Agitation, aggression, sleep disturbances — all have a significant impact on both their quality of life and their caregiver’s quality of life,” said Heather Snyder, senior director of medical operations for the Alzheimer’s Association.

According to NBC, “Doctors have long been looking for a drug that could safely treat agitation in Alzheimer’s patients.”

“Currently prescribed treatments for agitation in Alzheimer’s do not work in everybody, and when they do work the effect is small and they increase risk of harmful side effects, including increased risk of death,” Krista Lanctôt of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and the University of Toronto, who led the research, said in a statement.

Read the full article here:  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cannabis-drug-eases-agitation-alzheimer-s-patients-n894111

For more helpful information on Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, please visit my website.

Alzheimer’s Disease Early Warning Signs for Appleton Seniors

Posted on

Appleton Seniors May Show Early Warning Signs for Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia

Your memory often changes as you grow older. But memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging, and it may be a symptom of dementia. Dementia is a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which results in the loss of brain cells and function.

Some early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Difficulty planning or solving problems
  • Forgetting how to do familiar tasks
  • Confusion with dates, time or place
  • Trouble with spatial relationships, including trouble reading words on a page, judging distances, or distinguishing colors
  • New problems with words while speaking or writing
  • Misplacing objects and the inability to retrace steps
  • Altered decision making, poor judgment, or relying on someone else to make decisions
  • Withdrawal from work or social situations, difficulty initiating activities, or lacking motivation
  • Mood swings and changes in personality, including depression, anxiousness, or paranoia

How to Determine if an Appleton Senior with Alzheimer’s is Safe to Be Alone at Home

Posted on

At a certain point if the life of a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, you will have to carefully evaluate whether they are safe to be home alone. Determine the answers to the following questions:

Does the person with Alzheimer’s:

  • Become confused or unpredictable under stress?
  • Recognize a dangerous situation, for example, fire?
  • Know how to use the telephone in an emergency?
  • Know how to get help?
  • Stay content within the home?
  • Wander and become disoriented?
  • Show signs of agitation, depression, or withdrawal when left alone for any period of time?
  • Attempt to pursue former interests or hobbies that might now warrant supervision, such as cooking, appliance repair, or woodworking?

You may want to seek input and advice from a healthcare professional to assist you in these considerations. As the Alzheimer’s disease progresses, these questions will need ongoing evaluation.

For more home safety tips, visit the Home Safety Checklist for Alzheimer’s Disease.

BrightStar Care of Appleton can help families with caregiving for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. To learn about our services, read about our In-Home Senior Care in Appleton.

Is There A Link Between Sugar and Alzheimer’s?

Posted on

Here is how a high-carb diet with high blood sugar is associated with cognitive decline

Is There A Link Between Sugar and Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease has been called “type 3” diabete for a reason.  A high-carb diet with high blood sugar is associated with cognitive decline.  A study that followed 5,189 people over 10 years and found the people with high blood sugar had a faster rate of cognitive decline than those with normal blood sugar.  And it found that the higher the blood sugar, the faster the cognitive decline!  Since Dementia is not curable, understanding the risk factors with sugar is important.

According to an article in the Atlantic by Olga Khazan, a professor at New York University reviewed studies connecting diabetes to Alzheimer’s.  The professor, named Melissa Schilling, wondered why people who have type 2 diabetes are almost twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s, and why do people who have diabetes and are treated with insulin also more likely to get Alzheimer’s.   She suggested that elevated insulin plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease.

There are many studies that have tied elevated insulin, or “hyperinsulinemia,” to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.  It is also worrisome that people with type 1 diabetes, who don’t make insulin, are thought to have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s also.  According to Khazan, “Schilling believes this happens because the insulin-degrading enzyme, a product of insulin that breaks down both insulin and amyloid proteins in the brain—the same proteins that clump up and lead to Alzheimer’s disease. People who don’t have enough insulin, like those whose bodies’ ability to produce insulin has been tapped out by diabetes, aren’t going to make enough of this enzyme to break up those brain clumps. Meanwhile, in people who use insulin to treat their diabetes and end up with a surplus of insulin, most of this enzyme gets used up breaking that insulin down, leaving not enough enzyme to address those amyloid brain clumps.”

Roughly 86 million Americans have blood sugar that is higher than normal and diet is one of the best thing to help prevent Alzheimer’s.   Stay healthy – eat healthy!

Source:  https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/01/the-startling-link-between-sugar-and-alzheimers/551528/

 

 

 

The Longest Day 2018 – Show Your Love

Posted on

Get ready to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s on June 21st

The Longest Day is all about love.  Love for all those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.  On the summer solstice, Thursday, June 21, teams across the nation will support the Alzheimer’s Association and select any activity they love — or an activity loved by those affected — to help end Alzheimer’s.  Together, we will raise funds and awareness for care and support, while advancing research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.

Watch Here to Get Inspired:

What to do?
Do something you love — or honor a caregiver, someone living with Alzheimer’s, or someone you’ve lost by selecting his or her favorite hobby. From swimming to scrapbooking, you’re limited only by your imagination.

RAISE MONEY TO MOVE THE CAUSE FORWARD
To advance research and provide care and support, let’s raise funds for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. Click HERE to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.

On The Longest Day, you’re part of a global movement to help end Alzheimer’s disease. Share your photos, stories and ask for donations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and show your love across the world by using the hashtags #TheLongestDay and #ENDALZ.

Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Posted on

Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: What You Can Do

Photo

Whether or not you have a 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 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.

10 Activities to Do With an Appleton Senior Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s

Posted on

10 Activities to Do With an Appleton Senior Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s

Activity Ideas for Appleton Seniors with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are progressive illnesses. It’s understandable then that when a loved one receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, many families respond with an urgent wish to spend more time together. However, finding healthy activities that take into consideration an Appleton senior loved one’s changes in memory, thinking, mood, and behavior requires some thought. As part of our ongoing series for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (organized by the Alzheimer’s Association), we’ve highlighted 10 simple activities the entire family can do together. Keep in mind that as Alzheimer’s symptoms progress, you’ll want to tailor activities to accommodate. For instance, for someone with late-stage Alzheimer’s, sensory activities such as describing a smell or petting a dog will be more appropriate than a complex game.
Reminisce Together Old family photos stir a treasure trove of memories. Sit side-by-side on the sofa or porch and invite loved ones to recount stories. These moments will in turn become the basis of precious memories for you and other family members in the years to come.
Go for a Walk The health benefits of walking are many, and it’s something the whole family can enjoy. As you walk, point out the sights and sounds of the season, whether the arrival of birds in the spring, or the changing colors of fall.

Tell Stories Children and grandchildren can practice new reading skills by reading aloud to an Appleton senior relative with Alzheimer’s. They might also try creating their own stories together. Start with a simple prompt, such as planning an imaginary day at the beach.
Listen to Music Music can calm as well as conjure old memories. It can also provide a basis for building new memories: choose songs with catchy melodies and simple lyrics and hold a singalong.
Try a Craft Crafting has a meditative effect. Ideas include stringing beads for a necklace, or Cheerios for the birds. Even just rolling yarn can absorb the attention of a relative with Alzheimer’s.
Put Together a Puzzle Large-piece puzzles provide an activity that’s both tactile and visual. Sorting through pieces for the right fit is engrossing and watching an image emerge can create a sense of accomplishment.
Play a Game Bingo requires only the ability to identify letters, numbers, and other basic symbols. By completing a row and calling “Bingo,” an individual can fell a sense of accomplishment.
Help with Household Tasks Invite a loved one to help with light tasks, such as washing produce or folding napkins. Praise their efforts and let go of imperfect results—involving them in daily chores can build confidence and a sense of normalcy.
Sort Items As symptoms progress, Alzheimer’s patients can engage their minds with sorting tasks. Give them a deck of cards to pile by suit. Or ask them to help sort socks from the dryer—again, asking them to assist with meaningful household tasks can inspire self-esteem.
Stimulate the Five Senses For family members with late-stage Alzheimer’s, activities will likely need to be pared back. Sit with them while they pet a dog or soft blanket, ask them to describe the scent of baking bread, or watch for birds together by the window.

 

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.

Detecting Alzheimer’s in Appleton Seniors

Posted on

Detecting Alzheimer’s in Appleton Seniors

Early Onset Alzheimer’s and the Appleton Senior

As Alzheimer’s is normally seen in older Appleton seniors, so many times, as one begins the aging process, they are not looking for early onset Alzheimer’s or dementia. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s can be a long and frustrating process. Symptoms may be incorrectly attributed to stress or there may be conflicting diagnoses from different health care professionals. People who have early onset Alzheimer’s may be in any stage of dementia – early stage, middle stage or late stage. The disease affects each Appleton senior person differently and symptoms will vary.

  • Have a comprehensive medical evaluation with a doctor who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease. Getting a diagnosis involves a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological exam and/or brain imaging.
  • Write down symptoms of memory loss or other cognitive difficulties to share with your health care professional.
  • Keep in mind that there is no one test that confirms Alzheimer’s disease. A diagnosis is only made after a comprehensive medical evaluation.

 

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.

Signs of Appleton Seniors Living with Alzheimer’s

Posted on

Signs of Appleton Seniors Living with Alzheimer’s

Knowing the Signs of Alzheimer’s for Appleton Seniors

As Appleton age, so do our bodies and brains. With age comes forgetfulness and slower thinking, Alzheimer’s and dementia are different. When it comes to Alzheimer’s, you lose new information. As the disease progresses, disorientation presents itself. Along with these memory and coherent struggles, if you have a loved one suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease, they may be in denial of the diagnosis. With this denial, angry reactions and emotions may present themselves. Do not be discouraged, you are not alone! Visit your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter for more information and community.

 

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.

Alzheimer’s Activities for Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area Seniors on New Year’s

Posted on

Appleton Seniors with Alzheimer’s: Activities for New Year’s

 

Seniors: 5 Alzheimer’s Activities for Them on New Year’s

New Year’s Eve typically gets associated with staying up late and going to big, raucous parties—not exactly the ideal activities for Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area seniors. That doesn’t mean that you and your elderly loved one can’t celebrate the holiday together. We’ve shared a few simple New Year’s activities below that are well suited to older adults. Try them out, and remember it’s smart to have your celebration at an alternative time, such as morning or afternoon, especially for seniors with dementia who may experience “sundowning” in the evening hours.

1. Share a Favorite Meal

Does your Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area senior loved one have a favorite dish? Make a plan to enjoy it together. If you’re cooking at home, give him or her simple cooking tasks, such as sorting ingredients, rinsing vegetables, or stirring batter. If you’re eating out, treat it as a special occasion and invite parents to get dressed up or even have their hair done.
2. Reflect on Years Gone By

Pick a few important years from your parent’s life, such as the year he or she got married, or when children were born. Sit down together to look at photos of those days and talk about what they were like.
3. Have a Singalong

Listening to music and sharing singalongs are two great activities for seniors with dementia in particular. Start by making a playlist with your loved one of all his or her favorite songs. You can do this online via YouTube or a free music service, such as Spotify. You can also skip this step and simply play your parent’s favorite CD’s or musical movie. The real fun is in singing along together.
4. Make a Party Hat

A custom party hat is an easy New Year’s craft that seniors of all cognitive and physical abilities can make. Help your parent measure a piece of construction paper to his or her head, then ask them to decorate it. Markers, stickers, stamps, and glitter pens are all great supplies to have on hand—there’s no right or wrong way.
5. Set New Year’s Intentions

For many, New Year’s resolutions trigger thoughts of weight loss or career goals, two topics that aren’t very relevant for Appleton Fox Cities and Waupaca Area seniors. Instead, come up with positive intentions for the coming year, such as spending time together, enjoying lifelong passions like music and art, or simply taking time to appreciate the little things, like the sound of birds or changing seasons.

 

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.