The term Alzheimer’s is dreaded amongst families and caregivers, yet many are not certain exactly what it involves. By way of a definition, it is important to realize that Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable brain disorder that will become progressively worse. Attacking the memory centers of the brain, the illness gradually progresses to a point where a patient’s memory, ability to reason and make sound judgments, as well as her or his ways of communicating with others is seriously compromised.
Advanced cases of Alzheimer’s disease are often defined by a patient’s increase in anxiety, aggressiveness, as well as hallucinations. Sadly, very often as the disease progresses those closest to the patient find that they are no longer able to provide the overall care needed to not only keep the patient safe, but to also ensure that she or he will experience an improvement in their quality of life. For this reason, long-term Alzheimer’s care facilities are very often the answered prayer, yet sometimes loved ones are unsure how to approach a facility to find out whether or not they are a good fit for the patient.
Very often it appears overwhelming to a caregiver, yet with a few well-placed questions much of the details will be worked out well before your loved one will need to transition from the home environment to the long-term care facility. Here is a list of ten questions that will get you started:
1. Speak about money. The facility should have an established rate sheet that explains the fees for services rendered as well as the incidental charges that may be incurred. For instance, a basic monthly fee should include room and board, etc., while regular incidentals could include the monthly visits of a licensed cosmetologist for hair and nail care.
2. Who will be the attending physician? Facilities general have one or two attending physicians who will visit each patient once a month and oversee the immediate care as well as prescriptions. Yet perhaps you and your loved one will prefer your own doctor to be the attending physician, in which case you will need to make sure the facility will accommodate your wishes.
3. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Sure, the lobby will almost always be clean, but ask to see the lunchroom, the adjacent restrooms, etc. Are they clean? Is the floor slippery? Are electrical outlets covered with intact plates? Are there handrails in the restrooms?
4. Is entertainment provided? Most often there will be a lounge with a television set, but what else is there? Take a look around and ask for a schedule. There should be group activities, perhaps some crafts, scheduled outings, and maybe even some spiritual events. ...
Read more: Alzheimers Facilities: What Do You Have to Know when Choosing One of Them
July 13, 2009
July 06, 2009
What Are The Most Common Forms of Dementia
Dementia is one of a number of illnesses causing a continuous decline in the mental abilities of a person. There are several different forms dementia can take on, and the term is used to describe a large amount of symptoms, including a loss of memory, the ability to think rationally, a decline in social skills, a loss of intellect, and changes to what would be normal emotional reactions.
The first and most well known form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for somewhere between fifty and seventy percent of all the cases of dementia. It’s a degenerative disease that aims straight for the brain, and with subtle symptoms, it may not be detected until it is too late. First of all, the early symptoms include memory loss, getting confused or lost in a conversation, and routine tasks become longer and more difficult. The changes continue to progress, until in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease the sufferer is unable to think for themselves, and requires around the clock supervision.
The second type of dementia is vascular dementia, and it is the second most common form of dementia. Most of the problems associated with vascular dementia have to do with blood circulation. To start with, there will be general problems for blood trying to reach the brain, which will cause strokes. This inevitably results in the decline of mental abilities. Vascular dementia may seem to be similar to Alzheimer’s, as vascular dementia is usually associated with strokes, which contribute to a decline in mental abilities. Since these two forms of dementia are similar, it can be difficult to pinpoint which one a patient has, and in the worst cases there may even be a mixture of the both.
Parkinson’s disease is essentially a disorder of the central nervous system. Generally, people who have Parkinson’s will have difficulty performing any physical movement, and they may also have a speech impediment of some sort. Their limbs and joints will be stiff as well. Medication has been known to improve the physical problems associated with Parkinson’s disease, but it can have drastic side effects that go as far as hallucinations and confusion.
Large amounts of people who are diagnosed with dementia have been found to have Lewy bodies in the nerve cells in their brain. These Lewy bodies are considered to be a catalyst for the death of the cells, which in turn brings on dementia. In this type of dementia, the symptoms will fluctuate wildly in severity from day to day – some days there will be no symptoms at all, and other times the symptoms will be so strong it’ll be difficult to function. Lewy bodies can occur with any of the other forms of dementia, most notably Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. ...
Read more: The Most Common Forms of Dementia
The first and most well known form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for somewhere between fifty and seventy percent of all the cases of dementia. It’s a degenerative disease that aims straight for the brain, and with subtle symptoms, it may not be detected until it is too late. First of all, the early symptoms include memory loss, getting confused or lost in a conversation, and routine tasks become longer and more difficult. The changes continue to progress, until in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease the sufferer is unable to think for themselves, and requires around the clock supervision.
The second type of dementia is vascular dementia, and it is the second most common form of dementia. Most of the problems associated with vascular dementia have to do with blood circulation. To start with, there will be general problems for blood trying to reach the brain, which will cause strokes. This inevitably results in the decline of mental abilities. Vascular dementia may seem to be similar to Alzheimer’s, as vascular dementia is usually associated with strokes, which contribute to a decline in mental abilities. Since these two forms of dementia are similar, it can be difficult to pinpoint which one a patient has, and in the worst cases there may even be a mixture of the both.
Parkinson’s disease is essentially a disorder of the central nervous system. Generally, people who have Parkinson’s will have difficulty performing any physical movement, and they may also have a speech impediment of some sort. Their limbs and joints will be stiff as well. Medication has been known to improve the physical problems associated with Parkinson’s disease, but it can have drastic side effects that go as far as hallucinations and confusion.
Large amounts of people who are diagnosed with dementia have been found to have Lewy bodies in the nerve cells in their brain. These Lewy bodies are considered to be a catalyst for the death of the cells, which in turn brings on dementia. In this type of dementia, the symptoms will fluctuate wildly in severity from day to day – some days there will be no symptoms at all, and other times the symptoms will be so strong it’ll be difficult to function. Lewy bodies can occur with any of the other forms of dementia, most notably Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. ...
Read more: The Most Common Forms of Dementia
July 01, 2009
The Signs of Dementia
Dementia is best described as a loss of intellectual or cognitive (thinking) functions within the human brain. Those who suffer dementia are, quite frequently, confused and easily irritated. They may not be able to recognize their family members of friends, they become lost, even in surroundings should be familiar to them, and they gradually lose the skills, which they need, in order to live independently.
The first signs of dementia tend to be very subtle and are hard to differentiate from normal signs of aging. The most ordinary of these is the characteristic loss of memory, which so many associate with Alzheimer‘s disease and dementia. In the initial stages of this disease, it may be barely recognizable; the occasional slip of a name, getting directions twisted around, forgetting how to spell something - just little inconveniences that didn’t harm anyone. As the disease progresses, however, the signs become far more evident.
During the secondary stages of dementia, the forgetfulness the patient suffered previously has become something intense enough so as to it interferes with day-to-day life. The patient may very well forget familiar faces of family and loved ones. Surroundings may, at times, seem strange and upsetting, and people who attempting to help are regarded with fear, anger and paranoia. Step by step, their life becomes a prison and those that love them become strange, unwilling jailers.
Along with the obvious forgetting of faces, it suddenly becomes increasingly difficult for the one suffering from dementia to perform easy tasks. Simple steps are suddenly forgotten or items misplaced, like car keys being stored in a bag of flour or the patient forgetting to put lunchmeat on their sandwich and just eating two pieces of bread with mustard in between them. Surroundings frequently warp, with the victim easily able to lose themselves even with home just around the corner, regardless of how many times they’ve taken the exact same route. ...
Read more: The Signs of Dementia
The first signs of dementia tend to be very subtle and are hard to differentiate from normal signs of aging. The most ordinary of these is the characteristic loss of memory, which so many associate with Alzheimer‘s disease and dementia. In the initial stages of this disease, it may be barely recognizable; the occasional slip of a name, getting directions twisted around, forgetting how to spell something - just little inconveniences that didn’t harm anyone. As the disease progresses, however, the signs become far more evident.
During the secondary stages of dementia, the forgetfulness the patient suffered previously has become something intense enough so as to it interferes with day-to-day life. The patient may very well forget familiar faces of family and loved ones. Surroundings may, at times, seem strange and upsetting, and people who attempting to help are regarded with fear, anger and paranoia. Step by step, their life becomes a prison and those that love them become strange, unwilling jailers.
Along with the obvious forgetting of faces, it suddenly becomes increasingly difficult for the one suffering from dementia to perform easy tasks. Simple steps are suddenly forgotten or items misplaced, like car keys being stored in a bag of flour or the patient forgetting to put lunchmeat on their sandwich and just eating two pieces of bread with mustard in between them. Surroundings frequently warp, with the victim easily able to lose themselves even with home just around the corner, regardless of how many times they’ve taken the exact same route. ...
Read more: The Signs of Dementia
June 23, 2009
Do Memory Problems Necessarily Representing Alzheimer’s Disease?
Many people equate memory slips and Alzheimer’s disease with old age, and yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Granted, as we age, memories tend to fade and we often forget details, but Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease; a condition that continues to steadily worsen until it takes its victim’s life. While people are often quick to jump to conclusions, memory loss does not always mean that a person is a victim of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are lots of people who experience lapses in their memory; some of them being serious, while others are not. Those who suffer from serious changes in their personality, memory, and/or behavior may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or any other number of forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is just one of many forms of this disease. Simply because a person is forgetting things, however, is not reason enough to suspect Alzheimer’s disease. There are far more reasons, rather than just Alzheimer’s.
Dementia describes a condition where a number of symptoms are caused through changes in the brain’s ability to function. Those who are suffering from dementia may do things like forgetting familiar faces or becoming lost in familiar surroundings, being unable to follow directions for even the most simple of tasks, or experience severe disorientation in regards to people, places, and time. Those who have dementia may also neglect their own personal safety, their nutrition, and their own personal hygiene.
Many different things can cause dementia. Some conditions that cause dementia can be reversed, while others cannot. Furthermore, many different medical conditions may cause symptoms that seem like Alzheimer's disease but are not. Some of these medical conditions may be treatable. Reversible conditions can be caused by a high fever, poor nutrition, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, some varieties of alcoholism, allergic reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or head trauma.
Lapses in memory can also be caused by such things as stress and anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, metabolic diseases such as those of the thyroid gland, lung, liver or kidney failure, diabetes, vitamin b12 deficiency, and infections such as meningitis or encephalitis which affect the brain or nerves surrounding it. Drugs (both prescription and over the counter) can also cause notable lapses in memory. ...
Read more: Memory Problems: Do They Necessarily Representing Alzheimer’s Disease?
There are lots of people who experience lapses in their memory; some of them being serious, while others are not. Those who suffer from serious changes in their personality, memory, and/or behavior may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or any other number of forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is just one of many forms of this disease. Simply because a person is forgetting things, however, is not reason enough to suspect Alzheimer’s disease. There are far more reasons, rather than just Alzheimer’s.
Dementia describes a condition where a number of symptoms are caused through changes in the brain’s ability to function. Those who are suffering from dementia may do things like forgetting familiar faces or becoming lost in familiar surroundings, being unable to follow directions for even the most simple of tasks, or experience severe disorientation in regards to people, places, and time. Those who have dementia may also neglect their own personal safety, their nutrition, and their own personal hygiene.
Many different things can cause dementia. Some conditions that cause dementia can be reversed, while others cannot. Furthermore, many different medical conditions may cause symptoms that seem like Alzheimer's disease but are not. Some of these medical conditions may be treatable. Reversible conditions can be caused by a high fever, poor nutrition, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, some varieties of alcoholism, allergic reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or head trauma.
Lapses in memory can also be caused by such things as stress and anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, metabolic diseases such as those of the thyroid gland, lung, liver or kidney failure, diabetes, vitamin b12 deficiency, and infections such as meningitis or encephalitis which affect the brain or nerves surrounding it. Drugs (both prescription and over the counter) can also cause notable lapses in memory. ...
Read more: Memory Problems: Do They Necessarily Representing Alzheimer’s Disease?
June 16, 2009
Eight Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
There is no precise line between what distinguishes normal aging tendencies and the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. A good idea is to check with a doctor should the suspected Alzheimer’s patient begin to vary from their basic behaviorisms, regular routines, or if their level of functioning seems to change. What are some regular signs that you can look for; when you suspect Alzheimer’s disease and how do you differentiate them from normal behavior? There are 8 different signs can help determine if a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease.
1. Memory Loss - Problems with the short-term memory and forgetting recently learned information is one of the more common, early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Unhappily, with normal aging, it’s also quite common to forget names or miss appointments on occasion. People with Alzheimer’s disease begin to forget more and more often and are unable to recall the information at a later date. Another good way to determine if this is Alzheimer’s related or simply a sign of aging is that it’s common for people to forget parts of events, whereas the Alzheimer’s patient will commonly forget the event in its entirety.
2. Difficulty Following Routines - Those suffering from dementia frequently finds it difficult to perform tasks should be familiar to them. What might have once been common routine now seems strangely alien. While it’s normal to forget why you’ve entered a room, or what it was that you intended to tell someone, people with dementia often lose track of steps in things that come as second nature, like dressing, preparing a meal, or the act of changing the channels on the television.
3. Problems With Language Or Numbers - People having dementia often find difficulty verbalizing their thoughts, forgetting words, or they substitute other words for what they mean. This often makes their speech and writing difficult to understand. Likewise, numbers also give them trouble, making it hard to figure out what the numbers are used for or finding they are unable to add up even the simplest of sums. A person who is suffering from Alzheimer’s may very well demand “the black thing” when referring to a comb, or “food” when they really want a drink.
4. Disorientation - This is a very common symptom of advanced dementia. People with Alzheimer’s disease have frequently become confused and lose track of time or are easily lost. They may get turned around in their own neighborhood and have no idea where they are. They may forget regular routes, like how to get to the grocery store, even if they have taken the same path for years.
5. Poor Judgment - Alzheimer’s patients tend to suffer from a poor or, at least decreased, sense of judgment. They may not dress warm enough for a cold winter’s day, or they may put on layers and layers of clothing to go take a walk on a hot summer’s day. They easily fall victim to scam artists and telemarketers, and may even try to give large sums of money away to televangelists, charities, or the homeless man on the street, leaving them with no money to live. While all people may, at one time or another, make doubtful or questionable decisions from time to time, the Alzheimer’s patient will commonly fall victim to colossal blunders if they are not carefully watched. ...
Read more: 8 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
1. Memory Loss - Problems with the short-term memory and forgetting recently learned information is one of the more common, early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Unhappily, with normal aging, it’s also quite common to forget names or miss appointments on occasion. People with Alzheimer’s disease begin to forget more and more often and are unable to recall the information at a later date. Another good way to determine if this is Alzheimer’s related or simply a sign of aging is that it’s common for people to forget parts of events, whereas the Alzheimer’s patient will commonly forget the event in its entirety.
2. Difficulty Following Routines - Those suffering from dementia frequently finds it difficult to perform tasks should be familiar to them. What might have once been common routine now seems strangely alien. While it’s normal to forget why you’ve entered a room, or what it was that you intended to tell someone, people with dementia often lose track of steps in things that come as second nature, like dressing, preparing a meal, or the act of changing the channels on the television.
3. Problems With Language Or Numbers - People having dementia often find difficulty verbalizing their thoughts, forgetting words, or they substitute other words for what they mean. This often makes their speech and writing difficult to understand. Likewise, numbers also give them trouble, making it hard to figure out what the numbers are used for or finding they are unable to add up even the simplest of sums. A person who is suffering from Alzheimer’s may very well demand “the black thing” when referring to a comb, or “food” when they really want a drink.
4. Disorientation - This is a very common symptom of advanced dementia. People with Alzheimer’s disease have frequently become confused and lose track of time or are easily lost. They may get turned around in their own neighborhood and have no idea where they are. They may forget regular routes, like how to get to the grocery store, even if they have taken the same path for years.
5. Poor Judgment - Alzheimer’s patients tend to suffer from a poor or, at least decreased, sense of judgment. They may not dress warm enough for a cold winter’s day, or they may put on layers and layers of clothing to go take a walk on a hot summer’s day. They easily fall victim to scam artists and telemarketers, and may even try to give large sums of money away to televangelists, charities, or the homeless man on the street, leaving them with no money to live. While all people may, at one time or another, make doubtful or questionable decisions from time to time, the Alzheimer’s patient will commonly fall victim to colossal blunders if they are not carefully watched. ...
Read more: 8 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
April 29, 2009
How to Lessen Chances of Alzheimer’s Disease (2)
Helping to ward off Alzheimer’s is the theory that one should maintain a healthy lifestyle. So you should eat a healthy and well-balanced diet every day, and should avoid eating fatty or sugary foods in excess. Tobacco should be avoided, especially since studies have shown that smoking causes a lack of oxygen to the brain and can result in irreversible damage. For this same reason, one should also avoid drinking in excess.
Be socially active also helps to lower the risks of Alzheimer’s disease, the interaction with other people helping to stimulate the brain. Additionally, it’s important to keep both the mind and the body well exercised and fit. Workouts stimulate the cardiovascular system help to promote good overall health, as well as good mental health. Some of the strongest evidence, to date, connects the health of the heart with health of the brain. For reasons yet unknown, Alzheimer’s disease appears to be increased by a wide variety of conditions affect and do damage to the heart and blood vessels. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and high cholesterol have all been found to be conditions often go hand-in-hand with Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the more evident symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is the patient’s having trouble with figures and language usage and comprehension. For this reason, it’s highly suggested that those who are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease do what they can to promote a well exercised mind, as well as body. Numerical puzzles and word searches help to exercise the brain, as do crossword puzzles. Have you taken the time, recently, to read a good book? How about discussion groups or poetry readings? There are just many opportunities to stimulate the brain that it is often overlooked, in favor of just reclining in front of the television. Set aside time to appreciate the arts or enjoy some classical music. Any one of these things will help to stimulate the brain, as well as providing unique and stimulating conversation throughout the week.
Alzheimer’s disease is best avoided by doing one’s best to live a healthy and productive lifestyle. While this is no guarantee that a person will not get Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, it lessens the risk, as well as helping to avoid other health related issues.
Be socially active also helps to lower the risks of Alzheimer’s disease, the interaction with other people helping to stimulate the brain. Additionally, it’s important to keep both the mind and the body well exercised and fit. Workouts stimulate the cardiovascular system help to promote good overall health, as well as good mental health. Some of the strongest evidence, to date, connects the health of the heart with health of the brain. For reasons yet unknown, Alzheimer’s disease appears to be increased by a wide variety of conditions affect and do damage to the heart and blood vessels. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and high cholesterol have all been found to be conditions often go hand-in-hand with Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the more evident symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is the patient’s having trouble with figures and language usage and comprehension. For this reason, it’s highly suggested that those who are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease do what they can to promote a well exercised mind, as well as body. Numerical puzzles and word searches help to exercise the brain, as do crossword puzzles. Have you taken the time, recently, to read a good book? How about discussion groups or poetry readings? There are just many opportunities to stimulate the brain that it is often overlooked, in favor of just reclining in front of the television. Set aside time to appreciate the arts or enjoy some classical music. Any one of these things will help to stimulate the brain, as well as providing unique and stimulating conversation throughout the week.
Alzheimer’s disease is best avoided by doing one’s best to live a healthy and productive lifestyle. While this is no guarantee that a person will not get Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, it lessens the risk, as well as helping to avoid other health related issues.
April 22, 2009
How to Lessen Chances of Alzheimer’s Disease (1)
Alzheimer’s disease is a disastrous degeneration of the memory and thinking portions of the brain. Characterized by tangled fibers and protein clumps only detectable after the patient passes on, Alzheimer’s disease commonly attacks people aged 65 and older. Up to now, there isn’t a cure for this disease, no way of slowing its destructive path, nor is there any method of reversing the damage that it does. The main question, however, is whether or not Alzheimer’s disease is preventable. Do you want to know how to lessen the chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease? While the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is debatable, recent research has been working on finding out how to prevent this form of dementia.
There are many risk factors can be attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Age, genetics and family history are risk factors cannot be helped, nor can be change. Some of the best information has been uncovered in recent years, however, has been gathered from studying identical twins; those who have the same genes and are of the same age, but who have experienced life in different styles. These twin studies have shown: when one twin develops Alzheimer’s disease, the other will be at an increased risk of contracting the disease, but won’t necessarily develop it.
Other studies shows - even in cases where both twins have Alzheimer’s, the age where symptoms begin to appear could vary significantly. Even though there may be a strong genetic influence in Alzheimer’s disease, other factors also seem to play a major role. These other factors are aspects we can alter and what we have to focus on, while examining methods of lowering risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease attacks the nerve cells in the brain. Maybe for this reason, there appears to be a strong relation between Alzheimer’s patients and those who have suffered severe head trauma. Even without the risk of Alzheimer’s taken into consideration, it’s a good idea to protect the head from injury. For this reason, it’s important you wear a helmet when bicycling, you should fall-proof your home and practice caution and always use your safety belt, when riding in a vehicle.
There are many risk factors can be attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Age, genetics and family history are risk factors cannot be helped, nor can be change. Some of the best information has been uncovered in recent years, however, has been gathered from studying identical twins; those who have the same genes and are of the same age, but who have experienced life in different styles. These twin studies have shown: when one twin develops Alzheimer’s disease, the other will be at an increased risk of contracting the disease, but won’t necessarily develop it.
Other studies shows - even in cases where both twins have Alzheimer’s, the age where symptoms begin to appear could vary significantly. Even though there may be a strong genetic influence in Alzheimer’s disease, other factors also seem to play a major role. These other factors are aspects we can alter and what we have to focus on, while examining methods of lowering risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease attacks the nerve cells in the brain. Maybe for this reason, there appears to be a strong relation between Alzheimer’s patients and those who have suffered severe head trauma. Even without the risk of Alzheimer’s taken into consideration, it’s a good idea to protect the head from injury. For this reason, it’s important you wear a helmet when bicycling, you should fall-proof your home and practice caution and always use your safety belt, when riding in a vehicle.
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