Republished from http://www.acl.gov/Get_Help/BrainHealth/docs/MedAgeBrain-FactSheet.pdf
Aging Care, LLC is an experienced care management company providing assistance and guidance to individuals and families throughout Central Connecticut and outlying areas. Directed by Joanne Foss, a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience, our goal is to coordinate the right care delivered by the right person at the right time.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
Medications and the Aging Brain
Even if we’ve taken a certain medicine for years, the aging
process can cause our bodies to begin reacting to it in new ways. Although
the changing reactions can be physical, they can also be cognitive. That is, we
may notice that the medication affects how we think, understand, learn, plan,
and remember. Because of this potential for a change in the way
medicine can affect us, it is important for older adults to discuss their
medications and the possible side effects with their health care professionals.
In partnership with scientists at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, and the National Institutes for Health, ACL has developed a
three-part set of materials on medications and the aging brain. The
materials describe the kinds of medicines that affect cognition in older
adults, and suggest questions patients can ask their health care professionals.
The materials are written in plain language, and are designed for use by staff
and volunteers at senior centers, area agencies on aging, health departments,
local clinics, and other community organizations. In addition, ACL’s Brain
Health Resource contains a wealth of information, some in Spanish, about many
other brain health topics.
The Medicine, Age, and Your Brain set includes a power point
presentation, a brochure for educators, and a one page handout for consumers.
v
The PowerPoint presentation
helps people learn about the impact some medicines can have on an older
person's brain and emphasizes the importance of talking with a doctor about.
v
The Educator Brochure
offers additional information for presenters to share with audiences.
v
A one-page handout for the
audience covers some medicines' potential impact on brain health.
Please find the materials by clicking on the "Brain
Health" banner at http://www.acl.gov/
Reprinted from April 13,
2016 issue of Administration for Community Living Updates
Friday, March 18, 2016
Caregiver Stress
Caregivers bew-are! The
impacts of caregiver stress
By Sheila Goodman
I am a medical social worker for a hospice agency. As I
walked into a patient's home for my weekly hospice visit, I called out to her
caregiver but there was no response. Entering the family room, I saw my hospice
patient resting comfortably on the couch. But slumped nearby in an easy chair
was her caregiver, unconscious. I called 911. The paramedics arrived quickly
and loaded into the ambulance the last person I had imagined would need help.
The caregiver was hospitalized and treated for a probable heart attack.
Later, after he had returned
home, I asked what had happened. Apparently, he hadn't felt well for days but
didn't tell his family because he thought no one could take care of his
mother-in-law as well as he could.
Caregiver Stress a Mortality Risk
Unfortunately, for those who work with clients nearing the
end of life, caregiver illness is a common situation and the number of
caregivers experiencing detrimental effects is growing. Caregivers develop
physical and emotional health problems due to the stress of caregiving, which
then lead to increased mortality risk. According to Schulz and Beach in their
1999 prospective population-based cohort study published in JAMA (282:23; http://goo.gl/KdNJlQ) , primary caregivers have
a 63 percent increased risk of dying; compared with non-caregivers. Prolonged
caregiver stress not only endangers the caregiver's health, but also the health
of the care recipient.
The medical system as we know'" it cannot meet all of a
patient's needs, thus more and more family members are taking on the role of
primary caregivers for their dying family members, and enrolling them in
hospice care. In 1982, hospice served approximately 25,000 patients.
By 2008, this number had increased to 14.5 million patients,
according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (http://goo.gl/OCMN6c), and is expected to
consistently increase as the baby boomers age.
'Primary caregivers have a 63 percent increased risk of dying.'
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, in 2009
there were 43.5 million caregivers nationwide, and this number is climbing
(http//goo.gVKd9Lby). The growing number of caregivers for terminally ill
patients, and the related threat to caregivers' health, requires professionals,
especially social workers, to teach caregivers the best practices possible to protect
themselves while caregiving.
Patients on hospice care live longer, according to Meyers and Grey in Oncology Nurse Forum
(28:73, 2001), so family caregivers are spending more time than expected in a
caregiver role and reporting a decreased quality of life. According to Bialon
and Coke in the American Journal of
Hospice & Palliative Medicine (19:3, 2012; http://goo.gl/isccpB),
caregiver and physical reaction to the imbalance of demands placed on the
caregiver by various factors, including personal time, multiple roles, physical
and emotional states, financial resources, and formal care resources."
In addition, caregivers tend to engage in unhealthy
behaviors-poor diet, substance abuse and decreased self-care; these take a toll
on caregivers' physical and emotional well-being, according to Newell and
colleagues in the Journal of
Gerontological Nursing (38:19, 2012).
Tired, anxious or frustrated caregivers also may treat their
loved ones with less patience and compassion. A chronically stressed caregiver
can contribute to their charge's declining health-and sometimes even premature
institutionalization.
Minimizing Caregiver Burden
How can social workers minimize care-giver burden?
Qualitative research studies have identified four ways.
First, when hospice social workers perform an initial
assessment of newly admitted patients, they must educate the caregiver about
preventive measures for avoiding personal health issues. Such measures include
a eating a healthy diet, exercising, participating in a support system, maintaining
a spiritual connection and seeking outside assistance (e.g., respite care) when
needed.
Second, the social worker must inform caregivers that
research has substantiated that caregivers' conflict about this role and
caregiving's effects on other relationships serve as stressors impacting caregivers'
quality of life. Social workers need to help caregivers identify the
appropriate available resources to maintain their important roles.
Caregivers need information, education and training on preventing and
ameliorating stress.
Third, research shows that caregivers are concerned about
their lack of knowledge around how to physically care for their care recipient.
Caregivers need training on lifting patients (e.g., body mechanics), performing
personal hygiene tasks, dispensing medication and managing symptoms.
Last, research has indicated that many caregivers lack a
spiritual connection. Those having a spiritual connection experienced lower
levels of stress and a deeper sense of meaning in their caregiver role.
Social workers treating end-of-life clients must educate and
assist caregivers in managing caregiver stress and minimizing caregiver burden.
They also should inform other professionals who work with caregivers providing
end-of-life care about these four empirically identified areas.
Fortunately, my client's caregiver received medical
treatment and was fine, however, with specific education and support, his
chances of a recurring health scare can be minimized. •
Sheila Goodman is an
M.S.W. candidate at the USC School of Social Work in Los Angeles, Calif, and a
hospice worker for Cadence Hospital in Orange, Calif
Reprinted from: Aging
Today March-April 2016 issue
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Typical age-related memory loss and other changes compared to Alzheimer's
|
Signs of Alzheimer's
|
Typical age-related
changes
|
|
Poor judgment and decision making
|
Making a bad decision once in a while
|
|
Inability to manage a budget
|
Missing a monthly payment
|
|
Losing track of the date or the season
|
Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
|
|
Difficulty having a conversation
|
Sometimes forgetting which word to use
|
|
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find
them
|
Losing things from time to time
|
When you see your doctor
|
"It took my mother having a
stress-related heart attack before we quit dismissing my father's progressing
dementia to 'senior moments' and got him a proper diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
Had we paid attention to the warning signs of this disease, a lot of
prevention could have been in place."
-Brent
|
Your doctor will evaluate your overall health
and identify any conditions that could affect how well your mind is working.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist such
as a:
as a:
- Neurologist – specializes in
diseases of the brain and nervous system
- Psychiatrist – specializes in
disorders that affect mood or the way the mind works
- Psychologist – has special
training in testing memory and other mental functions
- Geriatrician – specializes
in the care of older adults and Alzheimer's disease
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2016_01_13&utm_source=enews-aff-28&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2016-01-13#typical
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Last 5 warning signs of Alzheimer's:
6. 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 (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
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 (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's a typical age-related
change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to
retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What's a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8. 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, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Making a bad decision once in a while.
Making a bad decision once in a while.
9. 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 the changes they have experienced.
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 the changes they have experienced.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
10. 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.
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.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2016_01_13&utm_source=enews-aff-28&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2016-01-13#signs
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
5 out the 10 warning signs of
Alzheimer's:
1.
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 over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
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 over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2.
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3.
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.
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.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4.
Confusion
with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5.
Trouble
understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.
What's a typical age-related
change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
Vision changes related to cataracts.
Stay tuned for our Feb 1st
blog for the rest of the 5 Warning Signs of Alzheimers.
reposted from: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp?WT.mc_id=enews2016_01_13&utm_source=enews-aff-28&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2016-01-13#signs
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