The Zen of Eating Cream of Wheat: A Journey Into Dementia

As a bedside hospice volunteer in San Francisco, I always have the choice of whether or not to accept an assignment. Some, I immediately know are right for me, such as sitting with a man my age who was estranged from his family and desperately wanted to reconnect with them. With others, especially those with advanced Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, I occasionally question whether the assignment makes sense-but not anymore.

Joe was in this 80′s, his wife and son and died and the only relative was a grandson whose schedule rarely allowed for visits to the care facility where his grandfather lived. The first time I sat with Joe, I watched him eat Cream of Wheat for 30 minutes. Not once did you say a word or look at me. The next week, he talked about what he saw immediately out of his window: “I see five yellow cones going straight,” “Tree limbs are twisting in the wind,” and others that were observations on what was happening at that moment. As I watched him struggle to get a wrapper off a cup, I asked if I could help. He shrugged his shoulders as if anything other than what was happening in the moment was superfluous. Without answering, he went back to his cereal and took 20 minutes to scoop out the last three grains on to his spoon. Was it just a laborious attempt to coordinate a failing mind with fingers that were loosing motor control? Or was there an unintended lesson here for me?

I remembered a story that was told as early as the third century. A rich and powerful man in India realized he had everything he ever desired except knowing what was the meaning of life. He was told that a wise old master, who lived 150 days from his palace, could tell him. He immediately packed up his belonging and with 50 of his servants began the journey. When he arrived at the recluse’s cave, he found him deep in meditation. Not wishing to disturb him, the rich man sat next to him and waited to be acknowledged. After two hours of being ignored he decided to interrupt the master’s meditation.

“Wise master,’ he said in a loud voice, “Tell me the meaning of life.”

The recluse didn’t move. Then, without opening his eyes, he wrote with his finger attention on the dirt floor and resumed his meditation. The rich man was confused. After looking at the word for 15 minutes and unable to understand its meaning, he decided to interrupt the recluse again.

“Wise master, I’ve traveled for 150 days to see you, please, is that all there is to the meaning of life?”

The old man sighed heavily. Still deep in meditation, he smoothed out his dirt message pad and wrote attention attention.

Now the rich man was becoming angry. “Look, I am the wealthiest man in the region and I have traveled far to see you. I can buy anything I want and I have powerful friends. I know there is more to life than what you have written. Now, please, I will ask only one more time, what is the meaning of life?”

The recluse opened his eyes and stared at the rich man. He smoothed out his last message and slowly wrote deep into the dirt, Attention! Attention! Attention! Then he closed his eyes, resumed meditating, and never again acknowledged the man.

We often spend our time searching for the meaning of life. Some endlessly attend retreats, others read everything written on enlightenment, and many hop from guru to guru, believing enlightenment is possible if only the right words are heard or they can sit in the presence of a person who is renowned for his or her knowledge. Yet, if we accept the words of the wise recluse or just watch my dementia patient eat breakfast, the secret is life is revealed. Attention! Attention! Attention!

Stan Goldberg, Ph.D.. author of 6 books,100′s articles on end-of-life, grieving, and the recovery of joy. His book, Lessons for the Living was awarded the 2009 Best New International Book at the London Book Festival and an excerpt was the lead chapter in McClead’s Best Buddhist Writings of 2010.

Alzheimer’s Facility Long Beach California

Alzheimer’s is a disease that first affects one’s cognitive functions. This is the reason why patients suffering from it have to not only be given the right care, but also should be provided with sufficient activity and preoccupation for health purposes provided for in specialized nursing homes like Alzheimer’s facility Long Beach CA.

The professional caretakers here work at improving and maintaining the patient’s health by giving them activities to take part in everyday. They know that seniors tend to get frustrated when they lose their self confidence and when they can’t remember the rules of a game or find it difficult to do something right.

This is why the activities the professionals at Alzheimer’s facility Long Beach CA make Alzheimer’s patients do are the activity’s goals itself, and does not lead to any specific outcome. Some of the activities performed here are repetitive ones, as they are good for people whose cognition function is affected.

Activities stimulate Alzheimer’s patients:

The caretakers at Alzheimer’s facility Long Beach CA make their patients perform activities using skills they had retained from the start of the disease. These activities may look simple and interesting to others; however it’s perfect for those suffering from Alzheimer’s as they create a sense of achievement to the patient.

Research also suggests that those suffering from cognitive dysfunction need some mild physical activity as it helps increase the oxygen to the brain. The benefit of this is that it helps in slowing down the progress of the disease, and in the process, helps improve a senior’s mood while promoting relaxation in their body.

Inactivity in Alzheimer’s disease only leads to the senior’s susceptibility to depression as they start feeling unproductive in life. They feel that they cannot do a task mainly because they are not encouraged to do it.

Patients do simple, repetitive tasks:

Caretakers in Alzheimer’s facility Long Beach CA know this, and thus keep their patients’ bodies and minds occupied by sensing what each of them are capable of doing. In fact, they encourage their patients to do simple and repetitive activities like sweeping, mixing, walking, polishing and folding towels and laundry to reduce anxiety in the patient. The reason is because these repetitive activities tend to reduce the need for memory and judgment, and in the process, give the senior a sense of usefulness in life.

However while giving seniors activities to do, it is important that they are given activities they can do as over-stimulation only leads to memory difficulty, and is frustrating to both the seniors and Alzheimer’s facility Long Beach CA caregivers. These activities will only lead to the senior withdrawing from doing anything else to avoid further embarrassment and frustration.

Keeping all this in mind, some of the activities Alzheimer’s facility Long Beach CA caretakers make their seniors do are watering plants, baking cookies, dusting, polishing, simple games, puzzles, cooking, reading aloud, simple conversation, playing with dough and gardening. Caretakers here aim at maintaining the pace and removing expectations from their Alzheimer’s patients to add quality to their lives.

Brittany House, Alzheimer’s Facility Long Beach California, has all the necessities to ensure a safe and healthy environment for your loved ones.

When the Ground Shakes: A Need For Structure

Yes, I’ve become stuck in my morning routine of making coffee, reading emails and puttering around the house. When everything else in my life is falling apart, it’s good to do the same thing every day. There is always a semblance of order in the routine, the mundane. But it always wasn’t that way.

Years ago, if I wasn’t in constant motion I felt my life wasn’t going anywhere. I not only needed to be doing “something,” but I also was looking ahead for the next “something” I would be involved with. It was a pattern that always confused my mother. Stability and “sameness” became important to her as she aged.

That’s why I was concerned when I came home and couldn’t find my mother. The back of the house has a steep incline off the deck that leads to a forested area. When I saw that the gate leading down the stairs was open, concern turned to panic.

At that time she was in her mid-sixties and often became confused when situations or discussions were anything other than linear. I raced down the stairs expecting the worst.

There, emerging through a stand of trees I saw her carrying a handful of leaves and twigs, smiling as if she just solved a complex puzzle.

“Mom, what are you doing?” I said.

“Straightening out the forest.”

When she saw my bewildered look, she started explaining. “From inside the house, it looked so messy. I thought it would be nice to clean it up a little.”

“But Mom,” I said, “It’s a forest.” She stared at me as if I just couldn’t understand what she was doing. And she was right.

Now, 20 years after she died, as I’m approaching the same age she was, I think I finally understand. I believe I confused “just being Mom” with the early signs of dementia. She died from a heart attack before the symptoms could develop into anything definitive.

As I deal with an increasing number of hospice patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, I think back to my mother’s efforts at tidying up the forest. I’ve come to realize that a need for structure increases as those elements that allow us to make sense of our lives gradually, or sometimes suddenly, disappear.

I’ve seen families and healthcare staff misinterpret older people’s behaviors or the behaviors of people who are near death as the inexplicable result of loosing their minds, rather than understanding that it may be an attempt to regain a sense of structure that allowed them to map out what was familiar in their lives.

With various forms of dementia and many terminal diseases, the ground-that base which allows people to know where and who they are-continually shifts, pausing occasionally to give a false sense that it’s frightening progression has finally stopped.

Straightening out the forest is just another way of making the ground shake less.

Stan Goldberg, Ph.D.. author of 6 books,100′s articles on end-of-life, grieving, and the recovery of joy. His book, Lessons for the Living was awarded the 2009 Best New International Book at the London Book Festival and an excerpt was the lead chapter in McClead’s Best Buddhist Writings of 2010.

Alzheimer’s Facilities Long Beach CA

When Alzheimer’s disease affects an individual, the entire family suffers. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s affects the mental capacities of its victims. Loss of memory, behavioral and emotional problems, and reduced language skills, can cause the family member to act in ways that are incongruent with his/her normal behavior. This can cause sudden fear and confusion to a once close knit family.

Often times, the only option for a family is to find 24/7 care for its elderly family member. Even if that family has the time to care for its loved one, professional, round-the-clock care is often the only sensible alternative. What’s a family to do? There are many options available, if you do the research.

When a family chooses to be the primary caregiver of an Alzheimer patient, there is invaluable help at your disposal. Respite Care is an option that is available through Alzheimer’s facilities in Long Beach, Ca. It provides many relief options for families who need rest and assurance during those tough times. Short term stays can bring relief through an option of time lines. One month, two weeks, or one week can provide a safe, home-style, social accommodation for the elderly loved one. Advanced reservation and evaluation is necessary, but may be just the right reprieve for some families. There are many benefits to this type of option. The primary caregiver can resume a life of normalcy and regroup, so to speak, before welcoming its elderly member back into the household. Clarity can then return to assist in making new and important health related and financial decisions.

Another option is seeking an Alzheimer’s facility in Long Beach, Ca for your loved one. In order to choose the right facility for your family, there are many things to consider. Is there a 24 hour activity program designed specifically for those with memory loss? Will someone escort those residents, to each meal or activity, who need the special care? Is there an R.N. on duty for those who need one?

Make certain to find Alzheimer’s facilities in Long Beach, Ca, who promise to enhance the life of each of its residents by providing quality care and services. A facility who also promises to provide peace of mind for the loved ones, along with the promise to provide a rich and fulfilling life for its residences should bring great relief.

You’ll also want to find a facility that promises to provide compassion, support, and a homelike community to make each resident feel as close to home as possible. Only consider an Alzheimer’s facility that encourages your involvement in the daily life of your loved one. You should always be able to visit at any time of day that you choose. Whether it is to sit down at any given mealtime, or to observe and participate in any social activity, a surprise visit should always give you satisfaction that you have chosen the perfect home for your elderly loved one. Only then will you be able to rest knowing you’ve made the right decision.

Brittany House has grown to become one of the top Alzheimer’s Facilities in Long Beach CA

The Benefit of a Lift Chair For People Suffering From Alzheimer’s

There is nothing harder than watching a loved one slowly lose their memory to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Many medical experts believe that Alzheimer’s is the result of the stimuli in a person’s brain slowing. The slower the stimuli becomes, the harder it is for the person to recall recent events and to perform simple tasks. Most of the time the Alzheimer’s develops as the person ages, only showing up when they are quite elderly; however, some young people have developed the condition after a traumatic head injury.

Side Effects

Often the first signs that a person is developing Alzheimer’s are subtle; forgetting an appointment, not being able to remember names, and loosing car keys. Over time it usually becomes obvious that the person’s short term memory is faltering.

While most people are familiar with the mental effects of Alzheimer’s, there are usually physical side effects that go along with the condition, side effects few people think about until they are responsible for the care of someone who has been diagnosed with the condition. As a person’s Alzheimer’s progresses they often become apathetic. Since they are moving less, the person looses muscle tone and their joints will often start to become stiffer. When the person does start to walk, they will often move very slowly, as if they are unsure of their footing. It is not uncommon for a person suffering with Alzheimer to tremble when they move. As time goes on, the person’s physical condition will continue to deteriorate.

Helping with the Physical Side Effects

One of the best things a family can do when one of their loved ones has been diagnosed with Alzheimer is to purchase a lift chair.

Lift chairs are designed in such a way that the person who is sitting on the chair can choose whatever position they can sit in. Even more importantly, the position of the chair can be changed while the person is sitting in it. This means that even if a family is unable to convince their family member to actually get up and move around, the chair position can be moved, which in turn will help keep the person’s joints from stiffening and swelling.

The other advantage of the lift chair is the prevention of bedsores. Bedsores are painful and can become infected, which leads to additional stress and risk. Each time the position of the chair is changed, even if it is just a small change, a different part of the person’s body will be pressed against the back of the chair. Each time the pressure is relieved from one body part, the risk of the person developing a bed sore is reduced.

Introducing the Lift Chair

Since Alzheimer robs a loved one of their short term memory, many people find that it is very hard to convince their loved ones to start using the lift chair. The person simply doesn’t understand what has happened to their favorite recliner, and will sometimes refuse to use the new chair. The simplest way to work around this particular obstacle is by purchasing the lift chair as quickly as possible, like if the chair is purchased when the loved one is still in the early stages of the disease. By purchasing the chair early, it allows the loved one time get themselves in the habit of using the chair while they are still cognitive.

Jill Stark is a technical writer for several online retailers of mobility aids and medical supplies, such as lift chairs. To begin shopping for your own luxury lift recliner, visit All-Lift-Chairs.com.

Memory Loss In Alzheimer’s Disease

Memory loss in early Alzheimer’s can be difficult to detect at times. Is it just forgetfulness, or is there a real problem going on?

The things we’ve done in the last hours, days or even weeks are placed in our short-term memory. In early stages of Alzheimer’s, the most recent memories go first, but it is easy for people to manage to cover that up.

But as Alzheimer’s disease becomes more severe, past memories become affected as well. At this point, people around them will be more aware of the possibility of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Having Alzheimer’s disease is often equated with losing ones memory. So much so that jokes are made about it. They are sometimes funny, until you get old enough to wonder if maybe you may be experiencing a touch of Alzheimer’s.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, the jokes are no longer funny as you see the downhill progression of their memory and ability to care for themselves.

This memory loss problem is very real and can be tested for. Many times just a simple set of questions are asked. The questions commonly asked in the doctors office have to do with both how the short term and long term memory works.

Questions commonly asked included

* What day is it today?

* What month are we in?

* What year is it?

* Where are you now?

* Who is the President?

* Count backwards from 20-1

* I am going to tell you three things, you repeat it back to me after five minutes, when I ask.

If you cannot answer all the questions, or have forgotten something, it does not prove that you or your loved on has Alzheimer’s disease, but it does show that perhaps further investigation is needed.

If you feel someone has Alzheimer’s, be sure to have other tests run such as brain imaging such as CAT scan or MRI scan as these can help rule out other possible causes and help confirm the dementia or Alzheimer connection.

Many of the conditions being manifested in the early stages can be reversed or halted. So it is important not to ignore the memory problems, but get in to be thoroughly checked out.

Want to find out more? Confused if someone has it or not? It is important to learn all you can about Alzheimers. Pick up your copy of

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Scientists still don’t fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, but a great deal of research is being conducted around the world, and a lot of progress has been made, particularly in the past 5 years.

The research into the causes and possible cures for Alzheimer’s Disease are very important areas of research. Understanding the causes should lead to more effective, targeted treatments and additional options for treating the disease in the future.

At this stage, scientists generally agree that there is unlikely to be a single clear cause for Alzheimer’s.

What is clear is that Alzheimer’s develops as a result of a very complex cascade of biological processes that take place over many years inside the brain.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive form of pre-senile dementia. Symptoms are typically first noted in a person’s late forties or early fifties. As the disease takes effect, it will first impact memory. Impaired thought and speech will follow with the patient eventually becoming helpless.

Alzheimer’s is a truly horrible disease because it robs a person of their ability to function. The disease is also damaging to family and friends as it is very difficult to watch a parent, brother, sister or friend progress to the point where they don’t recognize anyone. The burden of caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is significant. At some point in time, a family will have to look for assistance with the care.

Most "board and care" and "assisted living facilities" are willing and capable of providing for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s. These facilities are similar to nursing homes, but with less of an institutional atmosphere. If, however, a senior becomes increasingly disoriented, perhaps even occasionally wandering away, they may require a facility with a dementia waiver.

Despite the name, a "dementia waiver" is an indication that a facility and staff have additional training and licensing for the care of patients with dementia. On top of the additional training, the actual facility may be secured with a perimeter to keep patients on the grounds.

Alzheimer’s disease leaves a mark on family and friends as well as the victim. There are, however, facility options that can at least take the care burden off of you.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior, judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people may still be able to function relatively well until late stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s disease causes severe mental and functional problems and eventually results in death.

Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.

Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health – especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).

The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.

Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited – so family history is a big risk factor. The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.

Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the progression of the disease.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists still don’t fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, but a great deal of research is being conducted around the world, and a lot of progress has been made, particularly in the past 5 years.

The research into the causes and possible cures for Alzheimer’s Disease are very important areas of research. Understanding the causes should lead to more effective, targeted treatments and additional options for treating the disease in the future.

At this stage, scientists generally agree that there is unlikely to be a single clear cause for Alzheimer’s.

What is clear is that Alzheimer’s develops as a result of a very complex cascade of biological processes that take place over many years inside the brain.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive form of pre-senile dementia. Symptoms are typically first noted in a person’s late forties or early fifties. As the disease takes effect, it will first impact memory. Impaired thought and speech will follow with the patient eventually becoming helpless.

Alzheimer’s is a truly horrible disease because it robs a person of their ability to function. The disease is also damaging to family and friends as it is very difficult to watch a parent, brother, sister or friend progress to the point where they don’t recognize anyone. The burden of caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is significant. At some point in time, a family will have to look for assistance with the care.

Most "board and care" and "assisted living facilities" are willing and capable of providing for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s. These facilities are similar to nursing homes, but with less of an institutional atmosphere. If, however, a senior becomes increasingly disoriented, perhaps even occasionally wandering away, they may require a facility with a dementia waiver.

Despite the name, a "dementia waiver" is an indication that a facility and staff have additional training and licensing for the care of patients with dementia. On top of the additional training, the actual facility may be secured with a perimeter to keep patients on the grounds.

Alzheimer’s disease leaves a mark on family and friends as well as the victim. There are, however, facility options that can at least take the care burden off of you.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior, judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people may still be able to function relatively well until late stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s disease causes severe mental and functional problems and eventually results in death.

Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.

Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health – especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).

The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.

Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited – so family history is a big risk factor. The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.

Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the progression of the disease.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists still don’t fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, but a great deal of research is being conducted around the world, and a lot of progress has been made, particularly in the past 5 years.

The research into the causes and possible cures for Alzheimer’s Disease are very important areas of research. Understanding the causes should lead to more effective, targeted treatments and additional options for treating the disease in the future.

At this stage, scientists generally agree that there is unlikely to be a single clear cause for Alzheimer’s.

What is clear is that Alzheimer’s develops as a result of a very complex cascade of biological processes that take place over many years inside the brain.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive form of pre-senile dementia. Symptoms are typically first noted in a person’s late forties or early fifties. As the disease takes effect, it will first impact memory. Impaired thought and speech will follow with the patient eventually becoming helpless.

Alzheimer’s is a truly horrible disease because it robs a person of their ability to function. The disease is also damaging to family and friends as it is very difficult to watch a parent, brother, sister or friend progress to the point where they don’t recognize anyone. The burden of caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is significant. At some point in time, a family will have to look for assistance with the care.

Most "board and care" and "assisted living facilities" are willing and capable of providing for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s. These facilities are similar to nursing homes, but with less of an institutional atmosphere. If, however, a senior becomes increasingly disoriented, perhaps even occasionally wandering away, they may require a facility with a dementia waiver.

Despite the name, a "dementia waiver" is an indication that a facility and staff have additional training and licensing for the care of patients with dementia. On top of the additional training, the actual facility may be secured with a perimeter to keep patients on the grounds.

Alzheimer’s disease leaves a mark on family and friends as well as the victim. There are, however, facility options that can at least take the care burden off of you.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior, judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people may still be able to function relatively well until late stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s disease causes severe mental and functional problems and eventually results in death.

Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.

Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health – especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).

The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.

Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited – so family history is a big risk factor. The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.

Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the progression of the disease.

As a person ages, a certain amount of memory loss and confusion is quite normal. Personally, I’ve been known to invoke the clich

When is a nursing home appropriate for the Alzheimer’s patient?

 

Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient can be a huge burden. When it becomes too hard and too time consuming for you to take care of your loved one, it may be time to look for a nursing home.

When you feel comfortable, then you can start planning ahead which will help avoid crisis situations later. You may not ever need a nursing home, but act in a proactive manner just in case the day comes. It is well known that making decisions in a crisis situation can be very difficult and stressful on everyone, so make sure you plan ahead of time.

You may find information and a list of nursing homes in your area from your local Alzheimer’s Association, or an elder law firm. They are most likely to have a list of facilities that offer dementia care or at least a dementia unit.

When you find the nursing home that will be the most appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer’s, make sure you check the following:

What is Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, a group of brain disorders that impair a person’s mental functioning, especially memory, thinking, and behavior.

The term dementia literally means loss of mentation or thinking. Dementia is a broad term which describes the loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions.

Most people with dementia are older, but it is important to remember that most older people do not get dementia. It is not a normal part of the ageing process. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common in people over 65 years of age. People in their 40′s and 50′s can also develop dementia.

There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 50% and 70% of all dementia cases.

At the current time, Alzheimer’s is progressive and irreversible. However, a great deal of research is being conducted, and a range of treatments are already available.

For a person suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, abnormal changes occur in the their brain over time, and the effects of these changes worsen as time goes by. Eventually, Alzheimer’s interferes with many aspects of brain function.

As people age, brain cells die and the substance of the brain shrinks. In Alzheimer’s sufferers, abnormal material builds up as tangles in the center of the brain cells and plaques outside the brain cells, disrupting messages within the brain and damaging connections between brain cells. Chemical changes also occur in the brain, leading to the eventual death of the brain cells.

Alzheimer’s Disease advances in stages, progressing from mild forgetfulness to severe loss of mental abilities.

Short-term memory loss is one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, followed by long-term memory loss, and then a gradual decline in other intellectual, thinking, and problem solving abilities. Changes may also occur in personality or behavior.

In advanced Alzheimer’s, people become dependent on others for every aspect of their care.

The time course of the disease varies by individual, ranging from five to 20 years. The most common cause of death is infection following the decline of the person’s immune system. This is a symptom of old age, and is not caused by Alzheimer’s.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of progressive, degenerative dementia that disables behavior, memory and thinking abilities. Alzheimer’s disease varies from person to person, and may progress at different rates.

Common risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease is having a family history, longterm high blood pressure, head trauma history, heightened levels of homocysteine, and female gender.

Alzheimer’s disease is known to destroy nerve cells (neurons) that subsequently causes a descrease in neurotransmitters. When the correct balance is not maintained by neurotransmitters, the brain’s functioning becomes critically improvised.

Some early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include the following:

• Difficulty performing tasks
• Disorientation in familiar surroundings
• Disassociation of names for common objects
• Lack of interest in usually enjoyable activies
• Misplacement of items
• Repetitive statements
• Though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Diseease, there are options for treatment that can slow the disease progression, help manage behavior problems, and assistance with family counsel.

Aside from medications and lifestyle modifications, alternative supplements such as ginkgo biloba and Vitamin E are helpful as well.

Taking routine walks with a friend or caregiver, bright light therapy, music therapy, animal intervention like a pet cat or dog, relaxation techniques and regular massages are also superb remedies for persons suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, visit the National Library of Medicine. To locate a practitioner or physician with your own health concerns, feel free to peruse our consumer and holistic resources directories today.

For most people, driving is a necessity as well as a symbol of independence. There are very few people that will easily give up their independence and give you the keys to their vehicle. Yet for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, driving a vehicle can pose serious risks and endanger themselves or others. The decision of when to stop driving is one that Alzheimer’s patients and their families often face.

There are many opinions concerning the issue of driving for the Alzheimer’s patient. If he trusts his physician, the doctor may have more success than the primary care giver in letting the patient know when to stop driving. The physician may be trusted by the patient and be able to explain to him that his medical condition may interfere with his driving. This scenario is good for the caregiver as it takes the responsibility off you and puts it on the medical condition, with the physician being the messenger.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimers

 

It’s not uncommon to occasionally forget dates or lose items, and these events tend to become more common as we grow old.

However, while occasional memory slippage may be a normal consequence of getting older, Alzheimer’s disease is not. If memory problems interfere with one’s day-to-day activities, it may be time to seek a doctor’s help.

It’s important to understand and be vigilant for the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and to seek a professional medical diagnosis if several symptoms are noticed.

Often, at the early onset of Alzheimer’s, a family member or close friend will notice a change in a person’s behavior or mood. These people should ensure that the person gets immediate medical care.

Are You at Risk for Getting Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior, judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people may still be able to function relatively well until late stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s disease causes severe mental and functional problems and eventually results in death.

Causes

Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.

Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health – especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).

The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk Factors

Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.

Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited – so family history is a big risk factor. The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.

Relationship to Aluminum

Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms and Cures

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the progression of the disease.

Amyloid plaques are waxy and translucent protein-polysaccharide complexes that are deposited in organs or tissues during certain diseases. These deposits cause the degeneration of the organ or tissue involved. Amyloid plaques are associated with a number of conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Hodgkin’s disease and Osteomyelitis.

While this may be a principal cause of Alzheimer’s, I have noticed many other contributing factors. With some, it is a tendency towards stoicism and aloofness, with others there is the tendency to carry many of their loved one’s emotions with them. It is not possible in the space of this article to cover all of the related emotional and psycho spiritual factors contributing to Alzheimer’s.

Your physical body through the symptoms of disease will communicate to you when something in you life is out of order, needs attention or care. Your body gives many early warning signs. These messages are not always dangerous. Many times they are just your body saying, hello, please pay attention. By listening to these messages you will have an early start on preventing illness, having healthy relationships, and avoiding dangerous situations.

Our bodies are sensitive and complex intuitive receptors. Many of these messages go unheard each day. We have been socialized to live from the mind, and to ignore the rest of the body. If we have a problem, we take a pill and it goes away, right?

There is now a rapidly growing body of medical literature documenting the physical effects of emotions on the body. To create optimal health, we need a basic understanding of how, why, where and when specific emotional and mental patterns can set the stage for physical illness. We also need to understand how intuition comes to us through unique changes in mood, anxiety, attention, dreams, images, and physical symptoms in our body.

Other Possibilities / Causes

Alzheimer’s may not cause memory loss and other problems with cognition, mood, and personality.

Other possible causes of these kinds of symptoms include:

• Side effects of medication,
• Certain illnesses such as small strokes or brainvascular disease,
• Thyroid gland problems,
• Depression,
• Fatigue,
• Grief,
• Vision or hearing loss,
• Infections,
• Alcohol or drug use, and,
• Chronic stress.

Many of these are treatable or even reversible.

 

It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on the planet

loves sugar and sweet foods. Processed sugar is in many products

and is a key ingredient for baking. It seems that everyone has a

sweet tooth for some sugar food in one way or another. Most

people know to limit their intake of processed sugar, however,

what most people don’t know is that sugar is one of the worst

ingredients to put into your body. The chemical reaction of

sugar in the body acts as a poison. Studies show that sugar has

drug like effects in the body.

Processed sugar has many harmful effects throughout the body and
can cause major imbalances in the organ systems. You could say
that sugar tends to throw off the homeostatic balance of the
whole body by increasing the production of adrenaline by many
times. In essence, sugar stimulates the nervous system by
inducing a flight or fight response

Types of Dementia

 

There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 50% and 70% of all dementias.

The effects of the different types of dementia are similar, but not identical, as each one tends to affect different parts of the brain.

Here are the most common forms of dementia :

• AIDS related dementia
• Alcohol related dementia
• Alzheimer’s disease, has two forms :
  • Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD), also known as Early Onset Alzheimer’s or Younger Onset Alzheimer’s.
  • Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease, also known as Late Onset Alzheimer’s.
• Dementia with Lewy bodies: Another common form of dementia, sharing many similarities with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Down syndrome: Research has established a link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Frontal lobe dementia, including Pick’s disease.
• Vascular Dementia: The second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease.

Some of these other types are discussed further below.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular Dementia is the second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, this form of dementia was known as multiinfarct dementia.

Vascular Dementia is associated with problems in the circulation of blood to the brain causing a deterioration of mental abilities as a result of multiple strokes, or infarcts, in the brain.

A stroke refers to the death of a piece of brain tissue because the blood vessels which supply it are blocked or interrupted.

These strokes may cause damage to specific areas of the brain responsible for speech or language as well as producing generalized symptoms of dementia.

Therefore Vascular Dementia may produce similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s Disease. A mixture of Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia is a common cause of dementia, and it can sometimes be difficult to separate the two.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system, characterized by:

• Tremors
• Stiffness in limbs and joints
• Speech impediments
• Difficulty in initiating physical movements

Late in the course of the disease, some people may develop dementia. Drugs may improve the physical symptoms, but can have side effects which may include hallucinations, delusions, and a temporary worsening of confusion and abnormal movements.

Dementia With Lewy Bodies

A significant number of people diagnosed with dementia are found to have tiny spherical structures called Lewy bodies in the nerve cells of their brains. It is thought these may contribute to the death of brain cells.

The symptoms of this form of dementia are often mild at the outset and can be extremely variable from day to day. Common symptoms include :

• Fluctuation in the condition
• Visual hallucinations
• Extreme sensitivity to classical anti-psychotic medications leading to marked symptoms of stiffness, tremor and restriction of movement

Dementia with Lewy bodies sometimes occurs with Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia.

Pick’s Disease

Pick’s Disease causes progressive and irreversible decline in a person’s abilities over a number of years. It is a rare disorder of the frontal part of the brain which can be very difficult to diagnose. The disease usually appears between 40 and 65 years of age.

Disturbances of personality, behavior and language may come before, and initially be more severe than, memory defects.

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s Disease is an inherited degenerative brain disorder which affects the mind and body.

Huntington’s Disease affects approximately 7 in every 100,000 people in the western world. The disease usually appears between 30 and 50 years of age.

Huntington’s Disease is characterized by intellectual decline and irregular, involuntary movement of the limbs or facial muscles. Other symptoms include:

• Personality change
• Memory disturbance
• Slurred speech
• Impaired judgment
• Psychiatric problems

There is no treatment available to stop the progression of this disease, but medication can control movement disorders and psychiatric symptoms.

Dementia occurs in the majority of Huntington’s Disease cases.

Alcohol Related Dementia: Korsakoff’s Syndrome

Too much alcohol, particularly if associated with a diet deficient in thiamine (Vitamin B1) can lead to irreversible brain damage. This dementia is preventable.

If people don’t drink, or they drink at a safe level, then they cannot develop Alcohol Related Dementia. The most vulnerable parts of the brain are those used for memory, and for planning, organizing and judgment, social skills and balance. If drinking stops drinking there may be some improvement. Taking thiamine appears to help prevent and improve the condition.

Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease – Mad Cow Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease is also known as Mad Cow Disease.

An extremely rare and fatal brain disorder caused by a prion, which is a protein particle. The disease occurs in one in every million people per year.

The early symptoms of this disease include:

• Failing memory
• Changes in behavior
• Lack of coordination

After which, the disease progresses rapidly, resulting in :

• Pronounced mental deterioration
• Involuntary movements appear
• Person may become blind
• Develop weakness in the arms or legs and finally lapse into a coma

This disease can jump species barriers, and can affect cows, humans, and other animals.

The Australian Red Cross (and other Red Cross organizations around the world) expressly forbid anyone who lived in the United Kingdom between the years of 1980 and 1998 to donate blood, because of the higher than average possibility that they consumed beef from slaughtered Mad Cows that entered the human food chain in the UK (in spite of promises and guarantees from numerous UK politicians). It is feared that these people will go on to develop Mad Cow Disease later in life, and if they were allowed to donate blood, that the recipients of this blood could also develop the disease.

CoQ10 levels decline as we age. This is significant because evidence suggests that a vast number of diseases including dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Neurological disorders and certain cancers are not only treatable with CoQ10 but may in fact be caused, at least in part, by a deficiency in CoQ10.

Trends for Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Today, it is estimated that about five million* Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and that approximately 350,000 people are newly diagnosed every year in the USA.

Because the population of the U.S. and many other Western countries is aging, the number of people with Alzheimer’s will continue to rise unless something can be done to stem the rise or treat the disease.

At current rates, experts believe that as many as 16 million Americans will have the disease by the year 2050.

Alzheimer’s affects about 10 percent of people ages 65 and over. In addition, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s doubles roughly every 10 years after age 65. As such, half of the population over 85 of age may have Alzheimer’s.

On a global scale, this means that there could be 10′s or even 100′s of millions of people of people in the world suffering from Alzheimer’s.

The financial cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease can be overwhelming and is estimated to be about $50,000 per year just for the direct medical expenses.

For five million (the estimated number of people in the USA with Alzheimer’s), this means that Alzheimer’s Disease has direct medical costs of more than US$250 billion per year.

When indirect costs such as lost wages and decreased productivity of sufferers and their care-givers are included, the annual costs of Alzheimer’s rise astronomically – high enough to potentially bankrupt the nation’s entire healthcare system.

*Sources:

• Evans D., International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, July 22, 2002.
• Evans et al, The Milbank Quarterly, 1990.
• Brookmeyer et al, American Journal of Public Health, 1998.

Treatment for of Alzheimer’s Disease

 

By reducing or eliminating as many of the risk factors above as possible, should be possible to greatly reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Studies on the results of various treatments have been mixed and more research is needed. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment for Alzheimer’s (even for over-the-counter treatments), as some of these may even be harmful in certain circumstances.
When diagnosed and treated for Alzheimer’s, you will need to have regular follow-up visits with your health care team. In addition to regular checkups for overall health, your doctor will also want to regularly assess your level of daily functioning, mental status, mood, emotional state, and the status of your caregiver(s).
Emotional and psychological support is also very important for those affected by Alzheimer’s. Ask your health care provider to recommend Alzheimer’s support groups in your area.
It is worthwhile to maintain a positive attitude. While, currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, new drugs and treatments are regularly becoming available. Research is continuing all around the world, and the next breakthrough may be just around the corner.

Non-Medical Treatments

Research conducted over the past decade indicates that a healthy lifestyle and regular physical and mental activity may help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition, you will reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Physical activity, good nutrition, and social interaction are important for keeping Alzheimer’s patients as functional as possible.
Maintaining a calm, safe, structured environment also helps patients feel better and remain independent longer.

A Healthy Lifestyle

Although researchers do not yet understand many of the cellular processes that lead to Alzheimer’s, it appears that a healthy lifestyle can at least help delay its onset. For example :

Alzheimer’s Disease – Ten warning signs

 

Please note: If you have several of these symptoms, you should see a qualified physician for a complete examination as soon as possible. It may or may not be Alzheimer’s, but it is always best to seek early treatment.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, which means that symptoms get worse as time progresses. How fast the disease progresses and what pattern the symptoms follow variable from person to person.
The 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s include:

• Memory loss: One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information. While its normal to forget appointments, names or telephone numbers, those with dementia will forget such things more often and also they will not remember them later.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks: People with dementia often find it difficult to complete mundane, everyday tasks that are so familiar to us that we usually do not think about how to do them. For example, a person with Alzheimer’s may not know the steps for preparing a meal, using a household appliance, driving a car, or participating in their lifelong hobbies.
• Problems with language: Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with Alzheimer’s often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making his or her speech or writing hard to understand. If a person with Alzheimer’s is unable to find his or her toothbrush, for example, the individual may ask for that thing for my mouth, because they may not remember what a toothbrush is called.
• Disorientation to time and place: Its normal to forget the day of the week, the current date, or where you are going. However, people with Alzheimer’s can become lost, even in the street that they have lived in for many years. They can forget where they are and how they got there, and they may not know how to get back home.
• Poor or decreased judgment: No one has perfect judgment all of the time. However, those with Alzheimer’s may dress without regard for the weather, wearing several shirts or blouses on a hot day or very little clothing in cold weather. People with dementia often show poor judgment about money, giving away large amounts of money to telemarketers or strangers, or paying for home repairs or products that they don’t need.
• Problems with abstract thinking: Balancing a checkbook or checking your credit card statement or phone bill can be difficult for all of us at times. However, someone with Alzheimer’s could completely forget what numbers mean or how to add up.
• Misplacing things: Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. However, a person with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places. For example, they may put the toaster in the freezer, or their keys in the vegetable draw of a fridge.
• Changes in mood or behavior: Everyone can become sad, angry, or moody from time to time, especially in today’s world. Indeed, it is the people who never become sad or moody that you really need to watch out for! However, a person with Alzheimer’s can show rapid mood swings from calm to tears to anger for no apparent reason.
• Changes in personality: A person’s personality may gradually change as they age. However, the personality of a person with Alzheimer’s can change a great deal very quickly. For example, they may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.
• Loss of initiative: It is perfectly normal for people to occasionally tire of housework, business activities, or social obligations. However, a person with Alzheimer’s may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do their usual or favorite activities.

Excess sugar consumption will eventually effect every organ in

the body. Primarily, sugar is stored in the liver as glucose.

Since the liver’s capacity to store sugar in this form is

limited, the liver will start to expand almost like a balloon

with continued daily sugar intake. When the livers’ capacity has

been filled, the excess glycogen (glucose) is returned to the

blood in the form of fatty acids (fat). The fatty acid compounds

are then taken to various parts of the body and are stored as

fat deposits in the buttocks, belly, breasts and hips since

these are the most inactive body parts.

The consumption of excess processed (refined) carbohydrates has
the same effect on the body. Eating foods with refined white
flours and other enriched products can cause the same
physiological effects. Consuming excess pasta, rice, chips,
pretzels, and other high processed carbohydrates can lead to fat
deposits on the body.

Symptoms by Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease

 

At each stage of the Alzheimer’s Disease, there are symptoms common to most sufferers.
The symptoms commonly seen in each stage are summarized below, however, it is important to realize that there may be some overlap among the stages. In addition, every Alzheimer’s sufferer may not experience all of the symptoms at each stage.

The symptoms for each Alzheimer’s stage – mild, moderate, and severe – are:

Mild Symptoms

• Confusion and memory loss.
• Disorientation; getting lost in familiar surroundings.
• Problems with routine tasks.
• Changes in personality and judgment.

Moderate Symptoms

• Difficulty with activities of daily living, such as eating and bathing.
• Anxiety, suspiciousness, agitation, and withdrawal.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Wandering, pacing.
• Difficulty recognizing family and friends.

Severe Symptoms

• Loss of speech.
• Loss of appetite; weight loss.
• Loss of bladder and bowel control.
• Total dependence on care-giver.

Learning how to communicate with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s Disease is often a difficult task for families. It can be heartbreaking and confusing to witness a loved one exhibit behavior that is far from their usual temperament. In order to sustain relationships and enhance coping abilities, family members and caregivers must learn how to communicate with their loved ones in ways that can enhance the quality of life for the individual. Techniques for Communication Learning how to successfully communicate with your loved one can help to keep undesired behaviors like agitation and wandering to a minimum as well as improve their quality of life. There are a few basic techniques caregivers and family members should keep in mind when communicating with their loved one.

First, approaching a person from the front can be helpful in reducing the potential of surprise. The element of surprise can be fear-producing and disorienting for someone with Alzheimer’s. Second, face the person as you talk with them, and avoid spending time in a setting with a lot of sensory stimulation. Too much surrounding noise or movement can be confusing and affect your loved one’s ability to communicate. Third, if a situation looks like it might get out of hand, distraction can be helpful to diffuse the situation. For example, introducing another activity such as a walk or drive can help to redirect their attention. Lastly, speaking slowly in a low-pitch and remembering to ask only one question at a time can help your loved one understand and minimize confusion. The above are a few basic keys to communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s. More information regarding communication can be found at ElderCare Online (www.ec-online.net). Helpful Interventions Sometimes prescription medications are appropriate for those with Alzheimer’s to alleviate psychotic symptoms or enhance memory and cognitive functions. However, there are other interventions that caregivers and family members can take in order enhance their relationships and quality of life for the individual.

Family members can help to preserve their loved one’s skills and strengths by identifying areas of satisfaction and pleasure. Enabling your loved one to participate in activities which they have enjoyed their whole life can help to reduce agitation, improve their ability to cope with the disease, and increase their sense of dignity. For example, if your loved one used to enjoy painting or gardening, set time aside to participate in these activities in a way that is safe and manageable. Activities that are as simple as being around pets, going for walks, and listening to music can help to positively structure time and enhance quality of life.

Lastly, watching video biographies are a great way to spend time with your loved one. Video biographies are old photographs that are videotaped and narrated by family members. These videos can often help to reduce agitation during a visit and possibly help to spark the memory of the person suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. There is a lot of room for creativity in constructing video biographies as well as the opportunity to include multiple generations of family members in the process.

Many people do not understand how eating excess pasta or rice

can cause weight gain since these foods has very minute

quantities of fat and calories in them. The secret is.it is not

that important how much fat or calories a food has. The real key

is what biological effect does a food have in the body.

When the inactive body parts have become filled with fat then
eventually the excess fatty acid deposits will become stored
around major organ systems such as the heart and kidneys. This
leads to the degeneration of these organs and in turn will cause
poor health. This can result in poor immune response, poor
circulation, high blood pressure, and can even impact brain
functioning.

Support Groups for Alzheimer’s families.

 

Various support groups may exist in your area to help you and your family cope with caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease :

• These groups are usually designed for people in the early stage of dementia, together with a family member of friend.
• Initially, a six to eight week group program is held (two hour sessions, one day a week).
• Ongoing support groups are then offered (usually monthly).
• In each case two groups are conducted, one for people living with memory loss and the other for a family member of friend.
• People with memory loss can attend alone if they wish.
• These groups exist in various metropolitan and country locations.
• Groups are free of charge.

At group sessions, the following topics are discussed :

• Symptoms and diagnosis
• Adapting to changes
• Research and new drug treatments
• Practical strategies
• Relationships with family and friends
• Looking after yourself
• Planning for the future
• Community services
• Legal issues
• Where to from here?

The benefits of attending these group sessions include :

• Obtain information
• Have questions answered
• Talk confidentially with others in a similar situation
• Discuss experiences and express feelings in a safe environment
• Focus on maintaining and enhancing skills and abilities

Explore ways of managing now and into the future.

You can find Support Groups for people with Alzheimer’s and their families online.
All you need to do is use your search browser and search for "Alzheimer’s Support Groups" and even add your city or country and you’ll sure get the information. We recommend you to search at Google (http://www.google.com)

Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease

 

It is highly likely that the Alzheimer’s result from a highly complex and interrelated combination of genetic and non-genetic factors.

These so called risk factors influence a person’s risk to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, each of these risk factors is the subject of a great deal of research around the world.

Genetic Risk Factors

A person’s genetic make up can directly influence the chances for the onset and development of Alzheimer’s. A person’s genes are inherited from their biological parents and passed along family lines to their biological children.

The so-called genetic risk factors are discussed below.

Family Links

There are two main types of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD): is a very rare form of Alzheimer’s disease, which runs in families. Also known as Early Onset Alzheimer’s or Younger Onset Alzheimer’s.
• Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease: is the most common form of Alzheimer’s Disease, but researchers are still trying to work out how this develops. Also known as Late Onset Alzheimer’s.

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD) – Early Onset Alzheimer’s

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD) is a very rare form of Alzheimer’s, and runs in very few families. If a parent has a specific mutated gene, then any children have a 50% chance of inheriting and developing the disease.

The presence of the specific mutated gene means that the person will eventually develop Alzheimer’s disease, usually in their 40′s or 50′s .

This form of Alzheimer’s affects a very small number of people. The total known number of FAD cases worldwide is about 200 people.

All instances of FAD that have been studied so far have a much earlier onset, and as many as 50 percent of FAD cases are now known to be caused by defects in one or more of three genes located on three different chromosomes inside the person’s cells :

• Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Mutation: Some families have mutations in a gene called amyloid precursor protein (APP), which causes an abnormal form of the amyloid protein to be produced.
• Presenilin 1 Mutation: Other families have mutations in a gene called presenilin 1, which causes an abnormal presenilin 1 protein to be produced.
• Presenilin 2 Mutation: Presenilin 2 is a gene very similar to presenilin 1, and when this gene is mutated, then it causes an abnormal presenilin 2 protein to be produced.

Any of these mutations are believed to cause FAD.

Furthermore, even if only one of these mutations is present, and it is present in only one of the two matching genes inherited from their parents, then the person will still inevitably develop FAD. This type of genetic inheritance is known as autosomal dominant inheritance.

There is no evidence at this stage that any of these mutations play a major role in the far more common sporadic (i.e. late-onset) Alzheimer’s.

Scientists are striving to reveal the normal function of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and the presenilin proteins to determine how mutations of these genes cause the onset of FAD.

Sporadic Alzheimer’s – Late Onset Alzheimer’s

Sporadic Alzheimer’s, also known as Late Onset Alzheimer’s, is the most common form of Alzheimer’s by far, and tends to occur much later in life than FAD. That is, it can affect adults of any age, but it usually occurs after age 65.

This form Alzheimer’s can affect people who may or may not have a family history of the disease.

There is currently no evidence that autosomal dominant inheritance of mutated genes causes Sporadic or Late Onset Alzheimer’s. However, genetics does appear to play a significant role in the development of this far more common form of the disease.

Different variations, or alleles, of particular genes produce variations in inherited characteristics, such as height, skin color, eye color, blood type, and so on.

In the early 1990s, researchers at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, found an increased risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s in people who inherited one or two copies of a particular variation of a gene called apolipoprotein E (APOE) – the variation known as APOE e4.

Apolipoprotein E is a protein that has various functions, such as helping the blood to carry cholesterol throughout the body.

This protein was found in neurons and other supportive brain cells (called glia) of healthy brains, but it is also found in excessive amounts with the plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
Researchers are particularly interested in three common alleles of the APOE gene: e2, e3 and e4.

APOE e2

There is evidence to suggest that the relatively rare APOE e2 allele may protect some people against the disease because it seems to be associated with a lower risk for Alzheimer’s and a later age of onset if the disease does develop.

APOE e3

The APOE e3 allele is the most common version of APOE found in the general population and current evidence suggests that it plays a neutral role in Alzheimer’s risk.

APOE e4

The discovery that increased an risk is associated with the inheritance of the APOE e4 allele has helped explain why there are some of the variations in age of onset of Alzheimer’s disease based on whether people have inherited zero, one, or two copies of the APOE e4 allele from their parents.

The more APOE e4 alleles inherited, the lower the age of disease onset.

The inheritance of one or two APOE e4 alleles does not guarantee that the person will definitely develop Alzheimer’s.

That is, unlike early-onset FAD, a person can have one or two APOE e4 alleles and still not get the disease.

In addition, a person who develops the disease may not have any APOE e4 alleles.

APOE e4 seems to increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but it does not cause the disease.

The ways in which APOE e4 increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s are not currently known with any certainty. However, APOE e4 does facilitate beta amyloid buildup in plaques and this seems to contribute to lowering the age of onset of the disease.

Other theories involve interactions with cholesterol levels and effects on nerve cell death that are independent of its effects on plaque buildup.

Other genes

Studies over the last few years indicate that there are additional risk factor genes for late-onset Alzheimer’s, and candidates continue to be identified in this area of research.
Using high blood levels of beta amyloid as a marker of a genetic defect, several research groups have reported compelling evidence that a region on chromosome 10 may contain another gene linked with Alzheimer’s.

Planning Ahead

 

Alzheimer’s affects people differently. One person may begin to lose the ability to handle money matters or make competent business decisions at an early stage, while another may keep these skills much longer. However, sooner or later, the abilities of all people with Alzheimer’s will decline and they may be unable to make their own decisions about their financial and legal matters.
Planning ahead can save a lot of pain, hassle, and friction later on.
Planning ahead can make it easier for families and carers to manage the affairs of the person with dementia. Planning ahead also means that the person with dementia will be able to participate in the planning to make sure their wishes are carried out.
In addition, it is important to plan ahead while the person with dementia can still participate in the discussion and planning, and is still legally competent to sign any documents.

Bank Accounts and Money

If a bank account is in joint names, the partner of the person with dementia can continue to operate it without any change in arrangements. However, problems can occur if the person with dementia uses the account inappropriately or has accounts in their name only.

To avoid these difficulties, the person with dementia can give authority, to another person to operate the account. Such an authority will only be valid if the person is legally competent.

Some of the other activities you should consider are :

• Having joint signatures on all bank, building society and credit union accounts.
• Discussing financial affairs with a financial adviser.
• Arranging how and when a person with dementia can access their finances.

A bank manager, solicitor, or financial adviser can help advise you on these matters.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney enables another person to act on your behalf in financial, property, and other matters

A person can only sign a Power of Attorney if they are legally competent at the time of signing. An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal arrangement for another person to look after their financial affairs.

Many people set-up Powers of Attorney regardless of any illness or diagnosis. However, most Powers of Attorney are setup so that someone else can manage your financial affairs if you should become unable to do so yourself.

One of the benefits of a Power of Attorney is that it allows the person with dementia to choose someone to act on their behalf when, in the future, they are no longer able to do so themselves.
The Power of Attorney document should be filed in a safe, secure place.
A solicitor can help set-up a Power of Attorney, and advise you on these matters.

Wills

A will gives instructions as to how the estate of a deceased person should be distributed. A will is only legal if the person making it understands its implications, so it is essential that wherever possible, the person with dementia makes, or updates their will while they are still legally competent to sign.
The will should be filed in a safe, secure place.
A solicitor can help set-up a will, and advise you on these matters.

Guardianship and Administration

In many parts of the western world, a court or tribunal exists which can appoint a guardian or administrator for a person who is no longer able to make decisions for themselves.
If there are problems dealing with the affairs of the person with Alzheimer’s, or if there is conflict in the family about the person’s best interests, an application for the appointment of a guardian or an administrator may need to be considered.
Contact any Alzheimer’s Associations in your country to discuss how and where such an application may be lodged.

Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s

disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several

factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause
Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross
the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the
brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and
leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta
protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta
protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and
more mentally disabled.

Non-Genetic Risk Factors

 

Non-genetic risk factors include a range of diverse factors, including :

• Age
• Food and Diet,
• Consumption of Metals,
• Weight, Blood Pressure, Heart Disease and Cholesterol,
• Smoking,
• Diabetes,
• High Homocysteine Levels,
• Head Trauma History,
• Education Level,
• Early Life Experiences, and,
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Each of these risk factors is discussed below.

Age

As a person ages, their brain undergoes a number of changes :

• Some nerve cells, called neurons, in various regions of the brain die, although the neurons most important to learning usually live on.
• Some neurons, and the fibers that connect them to other neurons, shrink and degenerate. This tends to especially occur areas of the brain that are important to learning, memory, planning, problem solving, and other complex mental activities.
• Twisted fibers, called tangles, develop within neurons and protein plaques (see Glossary of Terms on page 60 ) develop in the areas surrounding neurons.
• Tiny structures inside neurons that metabolize energy for cell functions become more susceptible to damage.
• Inflammation (swelling) of the brain increases, which cause damage to nerve cells.
• Oxidative stress increases. This is caused by the release of special molecules, called free radicals, from normal cellular processes. This can lead to nerve cell damage and death.

In healthy older people, the impact of these changes may be modest, resulting in various degrees of age-related memory decline. In people who have Alzheimer’s, however, some of these changes are much more extreme, with devastating consequences. Determining how the brain changes under normal aging conditions and what relevance these have to Alzheimer’s is an important area of research.

Food and Diet

There is a growing pool of evidence that suggests that what you eat is very important to your brain. A range of recent studies have reported a link between dietary habits and specific nutritional factors to the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and/or cognitive decline.

In particular, the benefits to the brain of a low-fat diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamins E and C throughout life are becoming clearer.

Here’s what some of the latest research studies have found :

• A diet rich in foods containing vitamin E may help protect against Alzheimer’s in some people, according to a study conducted at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago and reported in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Such foods include vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains. Furthermore, the protective effect was NOT seen when study participants took vitamin E supplements, as opposed to getting more of the vitamin from foods. The most significant protective effect was found among those who had the highest dietary intake of vitamin E (which averaged 11.5 International Units per day); their risk of developing Alzheimer’s was 67 percent lower than people who consumed the least amount of vitamin E from food sources.

In addition, the researchers found that vitamin E is associated with protection against more general cognitive decline. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating whether vitamin E might be useful as a treatment for Alzheimer’s, and if it can be used to help prevent the disease.

• A study reported at the 2002 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease found that a low-fat, antioxidant-rich diet was associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, an association that held up even in people who carry the APOE-4 gene, the only known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s.
• Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that people who ate primarily lean meats (fish and poultry) and fruits and vegetables during midlife had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s than people who ate a diet higher in fat and sugar and consisting of larger amounts of red and processed meats.
• A Netherlands study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), reported a link between high dietary intake of vitamins E and C and protection against Alzheimer’s disease in certain people. Both vitamins have antioxidant properties that experts believe may help reduce damage to nerve cells caused by oxidative stress, which occurs throughout the body as a natural consequence of aging and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease in ways that are not fully understood.
• Two studies point to the importance of B vitamins and levels of homocysteine, a compound found in the blood that has been linked to increased risk of certain cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and damage to the arteries.
• The first study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that people with increased levels of homocysteine and deficiencies in vitamin B-12 and folic acid, another B vitamin, achieved lower scores on cognitive tests.
• A second study, reported at a major Alzheimer’s conference, found elevated homocysteine levels and low levels of vitamin B-12 in African-Americans with Alzheimer’s disease.

Taken as a whole, these and many other studies support the idea that eating the right food throughout your life is just as important to long-term cognitive health as it is to heart health.
A number of long-term, prospective clinical trials are now underway to test the effectiveness of vitamin E and other antioxidants in preventing or postponing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Several are funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Consumption of Metals

Aluminum

One of the most alarming and controversial hypotheses about the potential risk factors for Alzheimer’s concerns aluminum, which became a suspect when researchers found traces of this metal in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

This is indeed a grave concern because many people use aluminum pots and pans for cooking, and aluminum canteens for drinking in the world.

Many studies since then have either not been able to confirm this finding or have had questionable results. Aluminum does turn up in higher amounts than normal in some autopsy studies of Alzheimer’s patients, but this certainly doesn’t occur in all. In addition, the aluminum found in some studies may have come from substances used in the laboratory to study the brain tissue after death.

Moreover, various other studies have found that groups of people exposed to high levels of aluminum do not have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

On the whole, scientists can say that it is still very debatable whether exposure to aluminum plays any role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Zinc

Zinc has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease in various studies.

Some research reports suggest that too little zinc may be a problem, while other studies suggest that too much zinc is an issue.

Too little zinc was suggested by autopsies that found low levels of zinc in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients, especially in the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in learning and memory.

However, other studies suggest that too much zinc might be the problem. In laboratory experiments, zinc caused the formation of soluble beta amyloid from cerebrospinal fluid to form clumps similar to the plaques seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers.

Current experiments with zinc are continuing, with new laboratory tests that closely mimic conditions in the brain.

Weight, Blood Pressure, Heart Disease and Cholesterol

There is growing evidence that many of the well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, may also be risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain infracts, heart disease and mid-life hypertension increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia.

A large study by researchers in Finland supports this thinking. Among the study population of 1,449 people, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure seemed to be even more strongly linked to the eventual development of Alzheimer’s than did carrying APOE-4 gene, the only known inherited risk-factor for the most common form of the disease.

Those people who carried the APOE-4 gene were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with no genetic risk. However, if those APOE-4 carriers also had high blood pressure, then they were up to five times as likely to develop the disease.

When high cholesterol was also present, the risk jumped to eight times greater than those without APOE-4.

This and a number of other studies around the world are strongly indicating that what’s good for the heart – keeping weight, cholesterol and blood pressure in check – may also be good for the brain.

Cholesterol is essential for healthy brain function – it is a component of cell membranes (structures that enclose nerve cells), and it is required for the repair and establishment of new connections between nerve cells. However, studies have shown that high cholesterol in mid-life and late-life can significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Subsequent studies have indicated that cholesterol lowering drugs may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Smoking

Smoking, another well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has also been identified as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s .

Diabetes

Recent studies have found that having diabetes also seems to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by up to 65%. This risk can be reduced by careful management of diabetes with medications that maintain blood glucose levels within a healthy range.

High Homocysteine Levels

Homocysteine is a by-product of many metabolic reactions occurring in our body. Some studies have found that high homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Adequate intake of vitamin B and folate can help reduce homocysteine levels.

Head Trauma History

Some studies have found that Alzheimer’s occurs more often in people who have suffered traumatic brain injury earlier in life. For example, people who have received a number of concussions from motorcycle or horse riding accidents seem to be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s later in life.

A study of World War II veterans also indicated that moderate to severe head injury increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Other studies have found that this risk is further increased if the head injury resulted in loss of consciousness.

Some sports, such as boxing, also have definite links with Alzheimer’s, especially where a person has been forcefully punched over a number of years and knocked out on one or more occasions.

Further research is required to further study this potential link.

Education Level

Other research suggests that people with more years of formal education are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Some experts theorize that longer education may produce a denser network of synapses in the brain. Synapses are the nerve-fiber connections in the brain that enable neurons to communicate with one another.

A dense synapse network may create a kind of "neural reserve" that enables people to compensate longer for the early brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s.

However, there could be other answers to this. Further research is required.

Early Life Experiences

Unsurprisingly, the environment in which a person lives – especially early in life – has been implicated as a risk factor for many chronic adult diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

However, a recent study has linked a surprising selection of environmental, socio-economic, and early life experience factors to Alzheimer’s. For example :

• An increased number of siblings was associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
• A rural residence in childhood, combined with fewer than six years of school, was associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s.
• Growing up in the country, rather than in the suburbs, was associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s.

These findings were not explained by patients’ educational level or whether they carried the APOE gene that is associated with Alzheimer’s.

Such results appear to support a possible link between socio-economic or environmental variables and altered brain growth and development, which in turn may affect the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

A number of researchers have conducted these types of epidemiological studies to learn about the various factors that can have an impact on the development of Alzheimer’s.

Though such findings can be suggestive and interesting, they can also be conflicting or incomplete and highly controversial, because different teams of investigators may use different study methods and because of the complexity of the issues and the mind-boggling number of variables involved.

For example, low educational attainment may actually be a result of other socio-economic or environmental influences in childhood.

Further research is definitely required.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Several studies indicate that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may help delay the onset of dementia in women.

However, these findings have recently been contradicted by the large Women’s Health Initiative study which found that HRT, when given later in life, may have a negative effect on cognition.

The findings of these studies are further complicated by suggestions that the effect of HRT may be dependant on recipient’s genetic make-up or other factors. For example, it is possible that HRT has a negative effect on cognition of women who carry ApoE4 allele.

Nutrients and plant devivatives may help prevent and treat the
progression of impaired brain function. Antioxidants and B
Vitamins help reduce inflammatory damage to the central vervous
system. Essential fatty acids such as fish oil, flax seed oil,
and evening primrose oil help nourish the brain. Lecithin
contains choline which stimulates the production of
acetylcholine and may help with memory function. Suggested
doasage is 100 mg. three times a day with meals. Lecithin comes
in granules or softgels. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) has shown an
improvement in long-term memory impairment, and has been
researched since the 1950′s as a treatment for Parkinson’s
Disease and Alzheimer’s. Alpha Lipoic Acid can reduce damage to
neurons caused by toxic substances that are products of
inflammatory processes. ALA is also involved with numerous
metabolic functions, including glucose metabolism, liver
function, energy production in muscles and nervous systme
function, which ultimately affects the brain.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

 

The term Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI, is increasingly being used to describe a syndrome of memory impairment that does NOT significantly impact daily activities and is not accompanied by declines in overall cognitive function.

Researchers have found that between 6 and 25 percent of people with MCI progress on to Alzheimer’s, which has raised questions about whether MCI might represent some kind of "transitional stage" between normal aging and dementia.

Many experts currently believe that MCI, as well as age-related memory loss, may always be an early form of Alzheimer’s, and progression to symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease may be only a matter of time.

However, in some people, the progression may be very slow, so the person may die of other causes before displaying the full spectrum of Alzheimer’s symptoms.

MCI is recognized as a clinical condition that requires ongoing assessment and possibly treatment to delay its progression.

Research into MCI is continuing.

Vitamin E combined with Vitamin C. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that should be taken by nearly all people, not just those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants help remove so-called “free radical” oxygen that is harmful to cells, especially nerve cells in the brain. It turns out that Vitamin E is more potent in the body when taken simultaneously with Vitamin C. These two vitamins have a synergistic effect

Losing a love one to Alzheimer’s

 

AD is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of an older woman who had died of an unusual mental disease. He found abnormal clumps ( amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers ( neurofibrillary tangles). Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered signs of Alzheimer’s.

Today, the only definite way to diagnose Alzheimer’s is to find out whether there are plaques and tangles in brain tissue. To look at brain tissue, however, doctors usually must wait until they do an autopsy. Therefore, doctors can only make a diagnosis of “possible” or “probable” AD while the person is still alive.

Many older people worry because they forget the things more frequently, and think that the bad memory is the first signal of the disease of Alzheimer.

Before one thought that the loss of the memory and the confusion was a normal part of the aging process. Nevertheless, nowadays the scientists know that most of the people they stay alerts and have a good use of their faculties as they age, although is possible that it takes them a little more time to remember things.

Slowly, the disease attacks the nervous cells in all the surrounding parts of the crust of the brain, as well as some structures, deteriorating patient capacity to control the emotions, to recognize errors and patterns, to coordinate the movement and to remember things. Later on, the afflicted person loses all memory and mental functions.

Approximately half of the people in the hospices and almost half of all the people older than 85 years suffer of the Disease of Alzheimer. It is now the fourth main cause of death in the adults and, unless the prevention and the treatment are developed to effective methods, the Disease of Alzheimer will reach epidemics proportions.

With the advance of the disease the judgment capacity is affected seriously and the impossibility to execute the motor functions in spite of conserving the function to neuromuscular get worse; (need to use diapers) is a lack of control of sphincters and the impoverishment of the speech arrives at the absolute autism (aphasia). All of this leads a dependency state, until reaching a vegetative. The death happens habitually by the complications that arise in the evolution (pneumonia by aspiration when failing the deglutition mechanisms, infections by the appearance of position ulcers, falls, etc.)

The National Institute on Aging, part of the Federal Government’s National Institutes of Health, has primary responsibility for research on AD and age-related decline in cognitive abilities (such as thinking, decision-making, and language skills). This responsibility is part of a larger mission to understand the nature of aging and find ways to help people stay physically, emotionally, and cognitively healthy for as long as possible.

Several years ago, NIA, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke launched The Cognitive and Emotional Health Project, which has begun to identify and describe the diverse lifestyle factors that possibly affect the emotional health and cognitive abilities of older adults. Further research on the most promising factors will be necessary to determine whether any will result in strategies that can help people remain mentally and emotionally vibrant as they age. The hope is that successful strategies will also contribute to our knowledge of what goes wrong in the brain during the development of neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

These days, it seems that newspapers, magazines, and TV are full of stories about ways to stay healthy, eat right, and keep fit. Lots of people are concerned about staying healthy as they get older. They wonder whether they can do anything to prevent diseases that happen more often with age, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD has no known cure, and the secrets to preventing it are not yet known. But research supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and other public and private agencies offers tantalizing clues about the origins and development of AD. These findings are raising hopes that someday it might be possible to delay the onset of AD, slow its progress, or even prevent it altogether. Delaying by even 5 years the time when AD symptoms begin could greatly reduce the number of people who have the disease

Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease

 

The Sufferer

Many, but not all, people facing the onset of Alzheimer’s are aware that something is wrong. The diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s can come as somewhat of a relief, as they now know what is causing the problem.

Alzheimer’s affects people in different ways and each person will find their own approach to managing with the changes which occur.

There are some good reasons to tell the person with dementia about the diagnosis:

• Early intervention can enhance quality of life.
• Knowing about the condition can allow for planning for the future.
• Access to information, support and new treatments are helped when the person knows about their condition.
• Knowing about the condition allows for an honest and open discussion of the experience of dementia between family and friends.

Social – Friends and Family

Alzheimer’s can have a very significant and sudden impact on the family and friends of the sufferer

Work

Being diagnosed with dementia means that there are a number of matters to consider in planning for the future. If you are still working you will need to consider how dementia affects your working life and start thinking about future changes, which may be needed.

You may have already noticed the effects of dementia on your work. Some of the changes might include:

• Difficulty communicating your thoughts to colleagues or clients,
• Trouble concentrating for as long as you used to,
• Forgetting important meetings or appointments,
• Difficulty managing several tasks on the go at one time,
• Having problems with larger groups and possibly preferring to work alone,
• Losing confidence in your work abilities, and / or,
• Feeling uncertain about making important decisions

If you are having problems at work they are quite likely a result of the changes of dementia. The changes are not something you have control of, but you can take control of how you manage the situation. Sometimes simple strategies or changes in the environment can help you at work. Some people initially renegotiate their working hours and duties to reduce workplace pressures. Like anyone with a serious illness you are entitled to special consideration in the workplace.

The key to making employment decisions is to take early control, plan and be realistic and try to keep things in perspective.

Sometimes simple strategies or changes in the environment can help you at work.

From the start, you should seek guidance and support. Apart from your family and trusted friends, this support can come from:

• Your doctor or medical specialist,
• Your trade union or professional body,
• An Alzheimer’s Association in your area (see section 15.2 below),
• Legal and financial advisors,
• A counselor, and / or,
• Anti-discrimination advocates,

These people can help you think things through, and support you to make decisions needed for the future.

Leaving Work

At some point it is possible or even likely that you will decide to leave work. Try not to make a spur of the moment decision. Make sure that you are fully aware of all your benefits and entitlements. This can be a very complex area, so ensure that you get good financial advice.

Depending on your situation this might include guidance from:

• A financial counselor
• A solicitor
• Your trade union or professional body
• An Alzheimer’s Association in your area (see section 15.2 below),

Before you make any final decisions about leaving work find out about :

• Your superannuation policy and entitlements
• Any sick leave or long service leave entitlements
• Disability or sickness benefits
• Any income protection insurance or other insurances that may have a
• disability component
• Any government benefits for which you might be eligible after leaving work

In is important that your take time to carefully discuss things and make an informed decision. After all, this is about your future and the future of your family. There are people who will help you with your journey.

Take your time, discuss your options, and make an informed decision.

Driving a Car

Alzheimer’s can affect driving ability in a number of ways including :

• Finding your way around
• Remembering which way to turn
• Judging distance from other cars and objects
• Judging speed of other cars
• Reaction time
• Hand-eye coordination

The issues of driving ability and safety can be very difficult ones, both practically and emotionally, for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and their families.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s does not necessarily mean that a person must cease driving immediately. However, any changes in a person’s ability to drive will indicate a need for this to be considered.

Most of us are unaware of just how complicated a process driving is. We simply take the activity for granted. Alzheimer’s can cause loss of memory, limited concentration, loss of sight, and a range of other problems. This will eventually affect a person’s ability to drive safely.

Some people may recognize their declining abilities, others may not.

Doctors will often recommend that a person should stop driving or they may refuse to approve a driver’s license renewal, particularly if they have been alerted to any problems.

If there is any doubt about the abilities of the person, it is possible to have an objective assessment of a person’s driving. This test will assess an individual’s driving ability and whether it is appropriate that they continue to do so.

If you have any concerns about a person’s driving, the best way to proceed is to talk to them openly about the situation, consult with their doctor, and consider the need for an assessment. If the person refuses to heed the advice, then you should may contact the traffic authority in your area, and they will be able to advise you of further steps that can be taken.

It is important to remember that any decision that results in a person’s loss of license is made solely for safety reasons – the driver’s safety and the safety of others.

Eventually, Alzheimer’s will affect a person’s ability to drive. Some people decide to voluntarily relinquish their license. Doctors will sometimes recommend a person stop driving.

Some people find giving up driving one of the hardest things to do. Your car may be an important part of your independence and without it your life may change. As a result, you may feel angry, frustrated or upset about this change. Talking about these feelings, or asking a trusted family member, friend or counselor for information, may help.

If the decision is made that a person can no longer drive then it is essential to explore other means of transport. These can include:

• public transport – buses, trains, trams, and so on.
• utilizing friends or family for rides
• walking
• taxis

Remember, there are benefits in no longer driving. The alternatives may be less stressful than driving, the costs of the alternative transport is usually less than running a car, and the scenery can be enjoyed along the way.

B Bitamins are essential for mental health. Deficiencies may

manifest themsleves as cognitive impairment or psychosis. B1

(thiamin) deficiency is associated with a psychotic disorder,

and B3 (niacin) deficiency is associated with dementia, memory

deficits and delirium. Studies indicate that abnormally low

levels of vitamin B 12 are also associated with Alzheimers

Disease.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid present in large
amounts in brain tissue and the component of all cell membranes.
Suggested dosage is 300 mg. three times a day with meals. Zinc
prevents zinc depletion which has been linked to a number of
brain disorders. Ginkgo Biloba ia an herb that has been well
documented to improve cerebral blood flow, and exhibits
antioxidant activity on nerves. It may also reduce age-related
decline of neurotransmitters and receptors. Ginko may also slow
the progression of Alzheimers by improving blood flow and reduce
blood vessel inflammation.

History of Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Discovery and Pioneering Research

In 1906, a German physician, Alois Alzheimer, described the plaques and tangles around and inside nerve cells in the brain of a person who had died following a severe bout of dementia. The disease was named after Alzheimer to honor his discovery and work.

Since then, a great deal of further research and investigation has been undertaken into the condition, particularly in the following areas :

• Documenting the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s sufferers.
• Understanding what causes or triggers Alzheimer’s.
• Identifying the different types of Alzheimer’s.
• Investigating the changes to brain tissue and brain chemistry that occur during the onset and development of Alzheimer’s.
• Attempting to find a cure for the disease.

To date, scientists have not managed to find any cure or prevention for Alzheimer’s Disease.

However, a great deal of research has been conducted, and incredible strides have been taken over the past 100 years.

There is a great deal of hope that a cure or prevention will be found for this disease in the future.

Genetic Research

The discovery of the genes associated with Alzheimer’s initiated the modern era of Alzheimer’s research.

This pioneering research was primarily funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Scientists and researches are carefully monitoring a range of proteins made by various genes, and slowly unraveling the clues to the biological sequence of events in the development of Alzheimer’s.

By understanding the proteins produced by various genes and the pathways through which these proteins are processed, researches are able to design treatments targeted to the early events that underlie the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.

By interfering and interrupting the disease early on, it is hope that this approach will eventually lead to treatments that can arrest the development of the disease before it affects brain function and causes irreversible clinical symptoms.

A major advance made possible by this genetic research was the development of the first transgenic animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, which were created by inserting mutated human APP genes into mouse eggs and raising the mice to adulthood.

Scientists could then observe the formation of amyloid plaques in the mice, and the development and onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms as the mice aged.

Since then, numerous transgenic animal models of Alzheimer’s disease have been developed, allowing scientists to better understand how a complex array of pathways both inside and between various cells can interact to affect the production of Alzheimer’s plaques.

These transgenic animal models are also beginning to provide a way to test a variety of different treatments that aim to reduce the build-up of these plaques and slowing or halting the development of Alzheimer’s.

For Alzheimer’s treatment,some recommend a morning and evening dose of 500 mg of Vitamin C. Then Vitamin E, which is sold as an oil contained in softgels, should be taken as two 400 I.U. (international units) or possibly one large 1,000 I.U. softgel, once a day, either in the morning or the evening. We have large pill containers for the morning and regular size containers for the evening. As a result, I give my mother the Vitamin E – Vitamin C combination in the morning, but for years I previously gave her the combination at night and found the same effect. It is important to check with your doctor first.

Drugs and Medication

 

Modern drugs can help sooth agitation, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness, and may also help boost participation in daily activities. Newer medications are also becoming available that can improve or preserve thinking skills, at least temporarily.
Please note: Regular reassessment is required while you are on any of these medications. This helps doctors determine if the medicines are being tolerated without troublesome side effects. These regular visits are also to make sure the patient is responding to the medication appropriately.
It is important to note that consumption of some nutritional supplements or medications can have serious side effects or interfere with other prescribed medications. Please consult with your doctor before using any nutritional supplements or medications.

Vitamin B, E, Folic Acid, and Others

Several studies have investigated whether nutritional supplements and certain medications may reduce the risk of developing dementia. Some of the findings are summarized below:

• It has been suggested that antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, may reduce the risk of developing dementia. Interestingly, the protective effect of these vitamins was enhanced when they were acquired through food, rather then through supplements.
• Adequate intake of vitamin B and folate can help reduce homocysteine levels, and this may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents

As inflammation correlates with brain damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease it has been suggested that some anti-inflammatory agents may help delay dementia. The effectiveness of anti-inflammatory agents in prevention has not been proven, but researchers now know that they are not very effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Alcohol

Some studies have found that moderate alcohol (1-3 drinks per day) and caffeine intake may have a protective influence. However, it is important to emphasize that alcohol and caffeine also have other negative effects that may outweigh their potential benefit in delaying dementia.

Diabetes Medications

Careful management of diabetes with medications that maintain blood glucose levels within a healthy range may also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Cholesterol Lowering Medicines

Cholesterol lowering drugs may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Cholesterol lowering medicines known as statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin, ginkgo biloba, and Eldepryl – a monoamine oxidase inhibitor – can also help a great deal.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Alzheimer’s causes the destruction of neurons (brain cells). It also destroys the important chemical messenger acetylcholine, which is responsible for memory and other cognitive skills. While no drug has yet been shown to completely protect the brain against the effects of Alzheimer’s, drugs that protect acetylcholine from destruction appear to hold the symptoms at bay for a while longer.

These medications are known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and include :

• Aricept,
• Exelon, and,
• Reminyl.

For the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs, the dose of medication is started low and gradually increased to the recommended level. Tolerance (the drug no longer provides the same benefit) may occur. It is also important to know that these medications are expensive, averaging in the neighborhood of $130 per month. Your insurance or health cover may or may not cover the costs of this drug.

Reminyl Warning

In April 2005, Reminyl’s label was changed to include information about the deaths of 13 elderly patients who were taking the drug during a study. The deaths were due to various causes, including heart attack and stroke.

Side Effects

The acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are generally well tolerated by the human body, but some troublesome side effects may occur. These side effects include :

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea, and,
• weight loss.

Often, changing to a lower dose or switching medications solves the problems.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

The cholinesterase inhibitor, Cognex, is rarely used anymore due to serious liver side effects and the need for frequent blood testing.

Namenda

Another medicine, called Namenda, has recently been approved for use in the U.S. This medication has a different action than the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and the two types of drugs may be used together, at the same time. This may increase the effectiveness of therapy.

Flurizan

All of the FDA-approved treatments now available only provide relief of cognitive symptoms; they do not attack underlying disease.

A recent study found that patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease who take a drug called Flurizan were able to slow the disease-related decline in their activities of daily living (such as eating and dressing) by about 67 percent when compared with people on placebo.

Flurizan is the first of a new class of drugs known as selective amyloid beta- lowering agents, which are intended to affect the suspected underlying cause of the disease, a build-up of beta-amyloid protein.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg)

In a trial involving eight people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, researchers at Weill Medical College of Cornell University are trying to harness the body’s immune system to fight Alzheimer’s.

In this trial, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) seemed to increase the levels of anti-beta-amyloid antibodies in the blood to a greater degree than seen before resulting in an average 45 percent decrease ofamyloid. Six of the eight patients experienced improvement in cognitive function and none of the patients had declining function.

Previous studies had noted that levels of these antibodies seemed to be lower in people with Alzheimer’s. IVIg is derived from human blood and contains high concentrations of antibodies.

Researches are not yet sure how this occurs. For example, amyloid clearance might be due to a flushing effect (i.e., antibodies in the brain are working to flush out the protein) or a magnet-like effect (the antibodies are drawing or attracting the protein into the bloodstream).

Intranasal Insulin

Other studies have found that insulin delivered intranasally benefited individuals with both early Alzheimer’s and abnormal insulin regulation.

Previous research has indicated that people with high levels of insulin in their blood may be at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This is because insulin congregates in the blood vessels and fails to reach the brain, where it is needed for various regulatory processes.

Another way to get insulin to the brain is through the nose, and in this study, conducted at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Medical Center, insulin delivered intranasally did improve memory recall for Alzheimer’s patients. The participants were able to remember a list of words after taking a higher insulin dose, the researchers report.

Driving Ability Checklist

 

The following checklist may help people consider whether any changes are occurring in their driving ability.

When driving do you:

• Need direction
• Become lost in familiar areas
• Confuse left and right
• Make slower decisions at traffic lights, intersections or when changing lanes
• Have difficulty reading road maps
• Have difficulty interpreting traffic signs
• Drive more slowly
• Take longer to react
• Have difficulty responding to the unfamiliar
• Drive on the wrong side of the road
• Change lanes inappropriately
• Violate traffic laws
• Cause damage to the car which you are unable to explain
• Use the accelerator and the brake at the same time
• Brake inappropriately along main roads

If you have noticed any of these changes, then in the interests of your own and other people’s safety, you might need to consider giving up driving. If you are not sure, it is a good idea to have a driving test as an objective assessment of your driving.
These tests can assess your driving ability and provide feedback on your performance.
Even if you have not noticed any of these changes, you might like to ask friends or family members for their opinion of your driving skills.
While a person in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may retain the ability to drive a motor vehicle, as the disease progresses, the time is likely to come when he or she is no longer safe behind the wheel. At the same time, the person with Alzheimer’s disease will cling to whatever sense of independence he or she can.

The American Psychiatric Association says that some Alzheimer’s patients with moderate impairment and all severely impaired patients pose unacceptable risks to themselves and others behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Even those in early stages of the disease may be unable to drive even short distances safely. Depending on the individual, family members and others have a responsibility to assess the situation and, when necessary, step in and take away the keys.

Warning Signs

How do you know when to restrict driving privileges in a person with Alzheimer’s disease? Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable riding with him or her-or letting your children ride along-you may have unconsciously decided that the time has come. Another indicator is the person’s inability to follow a recipe or perform simple household tasks. These types of activities require some of the same mental abilities necessary for safely operating a motor vehicle.

Deterioration in the ability to concentrate, as well as impairment of judgment seen in people who have Alzheimer’s disease, add to the concern about such patients driving motor vehicles. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, some things to watch for include the following:

1. Getting lost.
Anyone can get lost in an unfamiliar area. Those with Alzheimer’s disease may become disoriented and be unable to find his or her way in familiar locales.

2. Ignoring traffic signals.
Failure to notice or obey stop signs, traffic lights or other highway markers may mean the driver didn’t notice them. In addition, the driver may have lost the ability to associate the sign with its meaning. He or she may see the sign, but not know what it means.

3. Lack of judgment.
Inability to estimate the speed of oncoming traffic, deciding whether to stop for a yellow light or slide through the intersection, or becoming confused at a four-way stop sign are some examples of poor judgment while driving. Being slow to make decisions-or making poor ones-when driving can result in accidents that can harm the driver, as well as others on the road.

4. Driving too fast or too slowly.
Erratic driving at inappropriate speeds can indicate a lack of concentration, as well as poor physical coordination. It may also indicate poor judgment.

5. Anger and confusion.
You don’t have to have Alzheimer’s disease to experience road rage. Frustration during driving can make anyone flustered or angry. If the driver has Alzheimer’s disease, however, watch for frequent occurrences of anger or confusion, as well as inappropriate or exaggerated reactions, while driving.

Taking Away the Car Keys

If your family member’s ability to drive is impaired, you have a moral responsibility to take action to keep him or her off the road. However, accomplishing this goal may not be easy. Any suggestion that car keys be relinquished could be met with resistance, frustration, anger, or hostility-especially when it comes from a family member who may already be providing care by assisting with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.

Ask the Doctor
Many Alzheimer’s families turn to the loved one’s physician for help with the issue. Your loved one may more easily accept advice not to drive from a health care professional he or she has an established trust relationship with. For one thing, a doctor is often seen as an authority figure. For another, such a third party can discuss the situation objectively and dispassionately with less chance of offending your loved one on a personal level. Many doctors understand the need for this intervention and will be willing to comply with requests of this nature from family members. In some cases, doctors will write the words "Do Not Drive" on a prescription slip. In others, you may need to ask the doctor to file a request for re-examination of your loved one’s driving abilities by the state driver’s licensing authority.

Contact the State Licensing Authority
All states have a system in place to require retesting of persons with mental or physical impairments. However, state laws and re-examination processes vary. They may include medical evaluation, as well as written and road tests. Laws also vary concerning who is authorized to request re-examination. They may include police officers, judges, state’s attorneys, physicians, family members, neighbors, friends, or other drivers. In some states, all older drivers must take driving tests for annual renewals. Check with your state’s driver’s licensing authority to see what rules and procedures exist for revoking driver’s licenses for impaired drivers.
If your loved one’s driver’s license is ultimately revoked, he or she should get a state issued photo identification card to use for check cashing, air travel, and other uses.

Protecting Insurance Coverage
Even with a doctor’s advice not to drive, or a driver’s license revocation, a person with Alzheimer’s may still get behind the wheel. He or she may forget that driving is no longer allowed. Or, stubbornness, anger, or frustration may encourage him or her to grab the keys and hit the road. If that happens and an accident occurs, serious consequences-beyond the risk of personal injury or death to the driver, passengers, or others-may result.

For example, although some state laws require insurance companies to honor claims involving insured motor vehicles, even if driven by an unlicensed driver, an insurance claim can be challenged. Insurance coverage may be cancelled. And future applications for motor vehicle insurance can be denied. In some states, insurance companies can cancel policies if a driver’s license is revoked, regardless of whether an accident has happened or not. Should a driver without coverage become involved in a motor vehicle accident, his or her assets will be at risk from claims by accident victims for property damage or personal injury.

These issues are particularly important for an unimpaired spouse of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Insurance cancellation will jeopardize the spouse’s insurability. Acceptance under a new policy may be difficult because of the spouse’s older age. And the new policy may cost much more than the previous one. State insurance laws vary, and some states have regulations pertaining to such situations.

One option is for the impaired driver to exclude himself or herself from the policy, enabling the unimpaired spouse to continue insurance coverage. But if the excluded driver drives anyway, a claim for personal injury or property damage to the driver’s car may not be honored to the full extent of the policy’s limits. (Liability claims by others would likely be paid, however.) If that happened, the policy would most likely be canceled.

Action Steps for Family Members

Depending upon your loved one’s abilities and desire to drive, regardless of driver’s license status or doctor’s orders, family members can take steps to prevent an impaired driver from operating the car. Here are six steps you can take:

1. Sell the car. If the car won’t be driven, it makes sense to sell it. However, Americans love their cars. Some even name them the way they would name a pet dog or cat. If your loved one is attached to his or her motor vehicle, your suggestion to sell it may meet strong objection, even if the impaired driver seems to understand that driving is no longer allowed. If the loved one wants to keep the car, or is comforted by seeing it in the garage or driveway, you can disable the car so it can’t be driven.

2. Hide the car keys. If the car remains in the family, someone must control access to all copies of the keys. Lock them in a safe place unknown to the impaired driver.

3. Replace the car key. If the impaired driver resists or refuses to hand over his or her set of keys, quietly replace the car key with one that looks like it, but that doesn’t work in the vehicle.

4. Remove the tires. Removing the tires will disable the vehicle, but in some residential areas, parking a car on blocks is not allowed, except-perhaps-in an enclosed garage. Check with your local jurisdiction before taking this step.

5. Disable the vehicle. Ask a mechanic to show you how to disconnect the car’s battery or how to disconnect the coil wire between the coil and distributor. If a spouse or other household member needs to use the car, reconnecting them is relatively easy.

6. Park the car elsewhere. Park the car down the street, around the corner, or out of sight in a neighbor’s garage to make it inaccessible.

Look for Alternatives

A person who has been driving for decades and who takes pride in his or her independence will likely resist attempts to restrict driving privileges. That independence is difficult to give up, especially in neighborhoods without good public transportation systems. The person may not want to burden friends or family to get where he or she wants to go.

In modern American culture, driving is important. For many, it involves self-esteem and status as well as mobility. For these reasons, those who have Alzheimer’s disease are unlikely to admit difficulties they are experiencing when driving. So, family members and physicians must balance the person’s convenience with the safety of the driver, as well as passengers and other drivers on the road.

When restricting driving privileges becomes an issue, you can ease the transition by investigating alternative methods of getting from place to place. Here are some choices you can make available to your loved one in place of a personal motor vehicle.

1. Friends and family.
Are you willing to provide all or part of your loved one’s transportation needs? What about other family members? If friends say, "let me know if I can do anything to help," suggest they give your loved one a ride to the grocery store, hairdresser, or doctor’s appointment. You can also ask for volunteers at your place of worship.

2. Public Transportation.
Gather information about bus routes, train schedules, and taxi services. See whether they offer discounts for older individuals or those with disabilities. Calculate round-trip fares from your loved one’s home to frequently visited locations, such as the grocery store, doctor’s office, barber shop, or library.

3. Government funded transportation.
Investigate availability of government-funded transportation for people with disabilities. Inquire about how to qualify for such programs.

4. Delivery Services.
To reduce the need for trips outside the home, look for pharmacies, office supply stores, restaurants, and other businesses and organizations that deliver goods and services to the home. Find a courier service that operates in your area, or see whether a taxi service will perform that function. Look into the Meals on Wheels program in your area.

For most people, driving is a necessity as well as a symbol of independence. There are very few people that will easily give up their independence and give you the keys to their vehicle. Yet for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, driving a vehicle can pose serious risks and endanger themselves or others. The decision of when to stop driving is one that Alzheimer’s patients and their families often face.

There are many opinions concerning the issue of driving for the Alzheimer’s patient. If he trusts his physician, the doctor may have more success than the primary care giver in letting the patient know when to stop driving. The physician may be trusted by the patient and be able to explain to him that his medical condition may interfere with his driving. This scenario is good for the caregiver as it takes the responsibility off you and puts it on the medical condition, with the physician being the messenger.

Below you will find some guidelines for approaching this sensitive issue with your family and your loved one. Ask your relatives to back you by being pleasantly supportive of your loved one. For a while, make sure he has a ride to familiar frequented places. Routine is so important.

Humor is almost always a positive way to cope with this situation. A fun way of approaching the subject is to tell him how lucky he is to have his own chauffeur!

However, knowing when to take the keys out of his hands can become tricky. Here are some warning signs that will help you make the decision:

• Car accidents
• Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason.
• Getting confused between the brake and the gas pedals
• Getting a ticket for moving violations
• Getting lost when places are familiar
• Getting agitated or irritated when they are driving
• Not anticipating dangerous situations
• Delayed responses to unexpected situations
• Driving at inappropriate speeds
• Incorrect signaling
• Getting confused at exists
• Switching into a wrong lane
• If some of the warning signs above are present, then it’s time for family members to gather and discuss the problem. Sometimes it is easier to be together to face a difficult decision and intervene at an early stage when signs of impairment are not yet critical

The accident rate for drivers 85 years old and over is nine times higher than drivers between ages 25 and 69. The primary care giver may perform routine exams to assess the ability and skills of the patient and conform to state and local restrictions and laws. If you are concerned about your loved one’s driving, take measures to keep him and others safe on the road.

You may find some additional information by finding a specialist in your area and you can contact the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (1-800-290-2344), www.driver-ed.org. Your local Department of Motor Vehicles may also be able to help you on this subject.

Many Alzheimer’s patients experience agitation in addition to
memory loss. In the early stages of the illness, people with
Alzheimer’s may encounter changes in their personality, such as
irritability, anxiety or even depression. But as the disease
progresses, these symptoms can worsen and become more difficult
to live with. They may include sleep disturbances, delusions and
hallucinations. Many times Alzheimer’s patients cannot get in
touch with or express their feelings. So when they experience
agitation, it is often difficult for the caregivers to
understand and to help.

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

 

At this time, there is no single test that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease. Doctors use a variety of assessments and examinations to make a final diagnosis.

• Memory testing
• Brain scans
• Laboratory & genetic testing

Each of these are discussed below.

Memory Testing

Doctors often use a range of tests to assess memory, problem solving skills, attention span, coordination, and abstract thinking abilities of a person. There are many different types of neuropsychological tests that can be used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and these can help doctors determine the type of dementia a person may have, and to measure the disease’s progression over time.

Additionally, these tests can provide a thorough description of the behavioral symptoms so that they can be appropriately managed and monitored.

The tests are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the medications prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Common tests include:

• Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
• Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive (ADAS-Cog)

The MMSE is the most commonly used test and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Patients may be tested a number of times over a longer time period (such as every 6 months) to determine the rate of decline in performance over time.

Brain Scans

Brain scans are sometimes used in the diagnosis of dementia. The most commonly used brain scans are :

• Computerized Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

CT and MRI scans both generate excellent images of the internal structure and condition of the brain. PET scans can be used to monitor brain activity but are not typically used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

While CT, MRI and PET scans can detect important changes associated with dementia, a diagnosis cannot be based solely on a brain scan. Sometimes brain scans will reveal no significant changes in the brain.

Brain Scan : Normal Vs Alzheimer’s Sufferer

Computerised Tomography (CT)

A Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner is a specialized form of X-ray machine. Unlike an ordinary X-ray machine, which sends a single X-ray beam though the body, a CT scanner simultaneously sends several X-ray beams from different angles to produce highly detailed, three dimensional images of the internal structure of the brain.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans use magnetic and radio waves, instead of X-rays, to provide very clear and detailed images of brain or other internal organs. MRI scans provide static three dimensional images of brain structure. Specialized MRI scans can also be used to monitor brain activity in areas of the brain where speech, sensation, memory and similar functions occur.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans detect special radioactively labeled tracers which are injected into a patient’s body before the imaging procedure starts. PET scans can be used to accurately monitor brain activity while a patient’s memory and cognition are being tested.

PET scans can determine brain activity and function by measuring differences in blood flow and the usage of glucose (sugar), both of which increase when an area of the brain is active. PET scans provide information about brain function and activity as opposed to brain structure, and are more typically used in research.

Brain Scans used in Research

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans produce a three dimensional picture of blood flow into particular regions of the brain. In the future, SPECT scans may be able to identify characteristic signs of Alzheimer’s disease and distinguish it from other types of dementia. For instance, studies have demonstrated that people with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have reduced blood flow into brain areas responsible for vocabulary and geographical information. SPECT scans are currently being evaluated in a clinical setting and are not generally available for diagnosis.

Functional MRI (FMRI)

Functional MRI (FMRI) scans are similar to a typical MRI scan but instead of providing a static image of the brain, they can assess the brain activity and blood flow. FMRI scans are used mainly in a research setting.

Laboratory Testing

Laboratory tests that can accurately diagnose dementia are not yet available.

However, doctors will investigate liver, kidney, and thyroid function, blood count, vitamin levels and glucose levels through laboratory blood and urine tests to help rule out the possibility that the symptoms are caused by something else may have some symptoms like Alzheimer’s.

See Other Possibilities / Causes on section 6.2 above.

Genetic Testing

While most cases of Alzheimer’s Disease are not directly caused by a gene, there are some identified genetic links. For a fuller discussion of the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease, see the Cause page.

There are genetic tests for these genes, but they are typically only necessary in cases where there is a family history of younger onset dementia.

Younger onset Alzheimer’s disease (onset before age 65) is known to be caused by at least three genes:

• APP (amyloid precursor protein) gene
• Presenilin 1 gene
• Presenilin 2 gene

There are genetic tests for these genes, but they are typically only necessary in cases where there is a family history of younger onset dementia.

The E4 sub-type of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene increases the risk of developing late onset Alzheimer’s disease, but does not cause the disease. It is important to emphasize that while the ApoE4 variant may increase risk of developing late onset Alzheimer’s disease, having the ApoE4 gene does not mean that a person will develop the disease. Therefore, while ApoE4 gene tests do exist, they are usually not recommended.

With the American population aging rapidly, diseases that affect
the health of the elderly are becoming increasingly important.
The prevalence of these conditions is increasing and is costing
both insurers and taxpayers billions of dollars each year. One
of the most widely-known such conditions is Alzheimers disease,
which is a condition that affects the neurological health of the
afflicted patient. Several studies have been done recently to
determine whether there is a valid link between drinking coffee
and reduction in the risk of Alzheimers disease. In mid-2002, a
hospital clinic in Portagul investigated to see if there was a
link between drinking coffee and the reduction of the risk of
developing Alzheimers disease. In particular, the researchers
sought to determine if the caffeine in coffee could protect
against the degeneration of the brain that is associated with
Alzheimers disease in the period before diagnosis. They studied
fifty-four patients with Alzheimers disease.

Behavioral Manifestations of Alzheimer’s Dementia

 

Alzheimer’s Dementia has a combination of cognitive and behavioral manifestations.
Cognitive impairment is the core problem which includes memory deficits and at least one of the following: aphasia or language problem, agnosia or problems with recognition, apraxia or motor activity problem, and impairment in executive functioning (e.g. planning, abstract reasoning, and organizing).
As the disease advances, the cognitive decline becomes associated with behavioral manifestations.

What are these behavioral manifestations of dementia?

Behavioral syndromes in Alzheimer’s can be grouped into two categories: psychological and behavioral.
Major psychological syndromes consist of depression, anxiety, delusions, and hallucinations. Depression in dementia is very common. Up to about 87% of patients develop some form of depression.
It is characterized by tearfulness or crying episodes, feelings of sadness, and neurovegetative signs and symptoms such as inability to sleep, lack of appetite, poor energy, and thoughts of death. Irritability is also common. Depression can occur even in the early or mild phase of the illness.

About 50% of demented patients show delusions or false fixed beliefs. Such delusions include beliefs that a relative is stealing, that a spouse is just an impostor or is having an affair with a neighbor, or that friends and relatives are conspiring to cause trouble. Moreover, many patients with dementia may experience hallucinations. Most of these hallucinations are visual – seeing strangers in the house, an animal or insects in the living room, people in the bedroom or on top of the TV set.

Occasionally, auditory hallucinations may be experienced – hearing footsteps or knocking on the door or even people singing church hymns. Regarding major behavioral syndromes associated with dementia, these problems include agitation, verbal outbursts, repetitive behavior, wandering, and aggression or even violence. Agitation can be manifested by pacing back and forth, restlessness, and inability to sit still. Verbal outbursts consist of day-long screaming or occasional yelling at someone.

Repetitive behavior is manifested by closing and opening a closet or a purse or a drawer. Asking questions repetitively for instance about a relative’s visit is very common. Wandering can happen especially at the late stages of the illness. If doors are left unlock, some patients wander away from the house. Hence, safety level becomes an issue. Aggression likewise may occur.

Hitting the caregiver or throwing things are some complaints. Destroying things although rare can also ensue.
A gentleman for example hit the wall with a cane and broke the window by smashing a chair. Although difficult to deal with, most of these behavioral consequences of dementia can be treated especially if recognized and addressed early.