Category: Alzheimer’s and Dementia

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or is faced with another serious memory loss condition, there is a good chance they will require professional memory care services at some point. Finding a continuing care retirement community (CCRC, or “life plan” community) with memory care will make life for the patient, loved ones, and caregivers more comfortable and enjoyable.

Many CCRCs and assisted living communities have memory care divisions within their nursing facilities, and today, more and more providers are adding these programs. Beyond this, nursing homes that work exclusively in memory care also are becoming more popular.

What is memory care?

Memory care is a unique type of care provided to patients with varying degrees of Alzheimer’s or dementia (or any other memory loss condition). This care involves a very structured and routine-based lifestyle in order to create a more comfortable and enjoyable day-to-day experience for the patient.

Days typically consist of a set schedule, maximized security, and activities that exercise the brain to reduce the many stresses of these diseases. The newest memory care centers are helping to make sure that their setting feels like a home, with common areas such as kitchens, large dining tables, and living areas.

Memory care communities also have a culture of recognizing the resident not merely as a person who has lost abilities but rather as someone who still has the ability to feel love, happiness, friendship, and caring. Of course, the degree to which this type of setting is most appropriate does depend in large part on the level of need and care required by the patient.

Choosing a memory care facility

Memory-loss conditions are mostly irreversible, especially Alzheimer’s. So, memory care programs or facilities are not cures, but they do strive to make life with these diseases much less daunting for patients, their caregivers, and loved ones.

Memory care works to slow the progression of the disease and provide the patient with a sense of purpose and identity—a reason to live and enjoy living. To achieve these goals, some important features to look for in memory care are:

Security: Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients often wander, and this can be dangerous. Look for a center that a) allows wandering to a healthy extent, and b) keeps wandering patients safe with extra security.

Support: Residents in memory care may become agitated. Look for memory care facilities that have ways of treating patients’ agitation with appropriate coping skills. Some even have sensory rooms that are designed to induce feelings of calm with weighted blankets, scents of lavender, and other calming tools.

Community: There are many levels of memory loss, and it is important for patients to interact with other patients who are at similar levels of memory loss. Similarly, patients should be engaging in activities that not only match their skill level but also their individual interests.

Medication control: Many dementia patients are over-medicated in assisted living facilities. To avoid this, find a facility with around-the-clock service from licensed nurses as well as trained caregivers. With more attention to everyday care, often less medication is required.

Sensory programming: While memory is decaying, the senses are still alive and well. Choose care centers that take this into account and capitalize on the use of senses in their day-to-day programs.

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Dementia is the loss of memory, cognitive reasoning, awareness of environment, judgment, abstract thinking, or the ability to perform activities of daily living. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia that involves slowly developing symptoms that get worse over time. Dementia resulting from vitamin deficiencies, or caused by underlying disease (such as brain tumors and infections) may be reversible. Other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, are not reversible, and are often treated with medications.

As dementia progresses, changes can occur that may affect someone’s ability to obtain adequate food and nutrients to maintain their health status. Such changes will vary depending on the type of dementia, as well as the stage of the disease. Some of these changes include:

• Altered sense of smell and/or taste
• Inability to recognize food or distinguish between food and non-food items
• Poor appetite
• Chewing difficulties (pocketing food, repetitive chewing, etc.)
• Swallowing difficulties
• Forgetting to eat
• Shortened attention span leading to a loss of interest in eating
• Difficulty using eating utensils
• Increase in pacing or walking
• Drug side effects

The symptoms of dementia vary, and the treatment and nutrition care should be determined by these symptoms. Some techniques to consider for continued delivery of food and nutrition include:

• Provide kind reminders to eat.
• Provide meals in a low stress environment, minimizing noise and visual
• distractions.
• Develop a meal routine that can be repeated over time, to provide meals at
• similar times, or even similar meals every day.
• Have someone eat with the individual to provide assistance and reminders
• on how to eat.
• Have family join the individual at meal times to encourage eating.
• Pay attention to other health issues, such as infections, fevers, injuries, or
• other illnesses, as these may increase food and fluid needs.
• Provide well-liked food and drinks to encourage eating.
• Limit the amount of food served at one time so as not to overwhelm.

Provide finger-type foods for individuals struggling to use utensils:

• Hamburgers
• French fries
• Carrot sticks

Check with a dietitian or doctor for any specific dietary needs.

It has happened to all of us — we forget where we put our car keys, we are talking and forget what we are saying mid-sentence or we see someone we know, but can’t for the life of it remember his or her name. We joke and say “oh.. just a sign of old age.” Or is it?

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and a great time to test our memory skills. Did you know that women are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s versus men? Doctors assume it is because they live longer, but recent research suggests that biological differences may be the reason that women are at higher risk than men. In fact, one study from Duke University linked hormonal or genetic factors to increased memory loss.

While some instances of early onset Alzheimer’s has occurred in people as young as 50 years of age, the average age for increased memory challenges usually hits around 60. If you have noticed some instances where your memory appears “off,” you are not alone. On October 27th, AARP announced the formation of the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) to bring together doctors, scientists, and leaders in academia and policy experts from all over the world to better inform people how to keep their brains healthy.

Below are ten questions crafted by brain health experts. This test is not meant to be diagnostic. If you have concerns, however, it is always a good idea to talk with your family physician. Each question should be answered with a “Yes” or ” No.”

1) Your kids or grandchildren show up for Sunday dinner—-and you completely forgot they were coming.

2) You run into a friend and start to ask about his daughter, but can’t remember her name–until later.

3) You sometimes look in the mirror and do not recognize yourself.

4) You always miss the turn on the road to your grandkids’ regular soccer field.

5) You find your glasses in the freezer, your watch in the sink or other objects in weird places.

6) Your friend told you some great news about his wife’s new job. You were certain he told you at lunch, but it turns out he told you over the phone.

7) You’ve always been a pro at budgeting expenses, but now your bills/checking account are a complete mess.

8) You made a doctor’s appointment months ago, but completely forgot to go.

9) Your spouse or partner tells you that you repeatedly ask the same questions.

10) Your mother recently passed away. You’re having trouble sorting through all of the papers.

Quiz Results:

If you answered YES to questions 2,4,6, 8 or 10, you are either showing signs of normal memory loss due to aging or another factor (stress, grief, lack of sleep) may be affecting it.

If you answered YES to questions 1,3,5, 7 or 9, trouble recognizing everyday objects, putting common things in unusual places or repeating the same question within an hour, these may be the warning signs of some serious memory loss. Family members are often the first to notice symptoms, so be open and listen to their concerns. And talk to your doctor about having your memory checked.

If you answered NO to all questions? That is amazing. Whatever you are doing is contributing to great brain health. Keep it up!

We all have those moments when we forget where we put our keys, why we walked into a room, and discover when we are at the supermarket that we’ve left the shopping list at home.  Everyone forgets things occasionally. Still, memory loss is nothing to take lightly. A strong memory depends on the health and vitality of your brain.

Research shows that by keeping your brain healthy with the right diet and exercising it to keep cognitive function strong, you can boost memory and brainpower. No matter what your age, learning new things, exposing yourself to new experiences and meeting new people can all help keep your mind in tip-top shape.  Here are some ways to keep your grey matter in shape.

·  Don’t skimp on exercise or sleep. Treating your body well can enhance your ability to process and recall information.  Physical exercise increases oxygen to the brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

·  Keep stress in check.  Stress is one of the brains worst enemies, over time, if left unchecked stress destroys brain cells and damages the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones.

·  Socialize regularly.  Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress.  Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends and others – especially if you live alone.

·  Feed your brain.  The food you eat has a direct effect on your brain, which is why it’s essential to eat foods that contain proper antioxidants for brain health.

·  Brain training games like Lumosity, Memorado or Countdown to name a few, are great brain teasers that help g keep you on your toes. If games are not something you enjoy, tackle a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.

If you’re worried about memory loss — especially if memory loss affects your ability to complete your usual daily activities, it could be time for a visit to your doctor.  He or she will likely do a physical examination, as well as check your memory and problem-solving skills.

Clearing clutter makes room for clarity.  Join Methodist Eldercare Services, Wednesday, January 28th, 2015, 9-10:30am for tips on downsizing and managing clutter. Presented by Paula Taliaferro at Reynoldsburg UMC located at 1636 Graham Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  Registration is required for lecture and respite.  Please contact Michelle Crum at 800-272-3900 or mcrum@alz.org to reserve your space.
Brain game links:

www.lumosity.com
www.memorado.com
www.aarp.org