Saturday, May 30, 2009

Keep working 'to avoid dementia'

BBC News

Keeping the brain active by working later in life may be an effective way to ward off Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

Researchers analysed data from 1,320 dementia patients, including 382 men.

They found that for the men, continuing to work late in life helped keep the brain sharp enough to delay dementia taking hold.

The study was carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London.

It features in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Around 700,000 people in the UK currently have dementia and experts have estimated that by 2051, the number could stand at 1.7m.

It is estimated that the condition already costs the UK economy £17bn a year.

Brain connections

Dementia is caused by the mass loss of cells in the brain, and experts believe one way to guard against it is to build up as many connections between cells as possible by being mentally active throughout life. This is known as a "cognitive reserve".

There is evidence to suggest a good.......read the whole article

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Friday, May 29, 2009

Why Chimps, Monkeys Don't Develop Alzheimer's

ABC News
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter
Scientists have long noticed a curious phenomenon among primates: Humans get the devastating neurological disorder known as Alzheimer's disease, but their closest evolutionary cousins don't.

Even more inexplicable is the fact that chimpanzee and other non-human primate brains do get clogged with the same protein plaques that are believed by many to cause the disease in humans.

The answer to this puzzle could yield valuable insight into how Alzheimer's develops and progresses, and now researchers report they may have a clue. They report their finding in the latest issue of the journal Neurobiology of Aging.

They found that a "tag" molecule used to track plaque build-up latches easily onto plaques in human brains but not in those of apes and monkeys, suggesting that there is a basic structural difference between the two types of plaque.

Figuring out the difference, they said, could lead to ways to render human amyloid plaques as harmless in human brains as they are......read the whole article

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Board Games for Senior Citizens: Interview with Susan Berg

LoveToKnow

Many senior citizens love playing board games. While some games may be too confusing for older people, there are numerous games that can provide hours of stimulation and fun. Susan Berg is a long time activities director, author and dementia expert. She has written a book, maintains several blogs, and writes for Activity Director Today and Demand Studios. She discusses the importance of playing games with the elderly and gives tips and advice for choosing games that older citizens will enjoy playing.

What are some simple board games that the elderly might enjoy?
The elderly might enjoy Checkers, Sorry, Parcheesi. The State Capital Game looks like something they may enjoy Chutes and Ladders, Scrabble, and trivia games. There are probably more.

Why is it important that the elderly play board games?
It is important for the elderly to play board games because these games keep their minds active and they foster socialization with their piers, friends, and family.

Are there any games that should probably be avoided?
Each person is different. If a game is too frustrating for an individual, it should be avoided. I like to work with people's strengths and interests. For example, if a person is visually impaired, you would not want to play a game where he would have to read small print or use small pieces unless, of course, you can give him the assistance he needs. You want him to enjoy and feel good about himself while playing the game.

How can family members and friends help older people with the frustration of playing a new game?
Give them plenty of instruction.
Break the directions down into small simple steps.
Have them be......read the whole interview

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Dementia & Aphasia

Advanceweb.com
by Jason Mosheim

While the underlying causes of aphasia and dementia are distinctly different, the two conditions have a number of similarities. Clinicians may use the same therapy techniques for both patient populations, but the treatment goals will vary.

The root deficit of aphasia is a problem with access to the language system. Patients also may present with some cognitive deficits.

"This is a population with brain damage," said Scott Rubin, PhD, CCC-SLP, an associate professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. "It affects language as well as some of the things that might go along with brain damage, like attention and memory problems."

Rather than having trouble with words, patients with dementia may primarily have difficulty understanding and defining concepts. Primarily an intellectual disorder, dementia is rooted in cognitive deficits.

"We need to think about what we're treating," Dr. Rubin told ADVANCE. Clinicians cannot concentrate only on language and neglect subtle conceptual issues.

Both patient populations may use circumlocution to search for words or concepts. However, this self-cueing technique reveals differences between the two conditions. Patients with aphasia eventually may reach their target, while those with dementia frequently end up much further away from it.

"The person with aphasia can maintain the.....read the whole article

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Monday, May 25, 2009

Study makes first connection between heart disorder and Alzheimer's disease

EurekAlert
Contact: Jess Gomez
jess.gomez@imail.org
801-507-7455
Intermountain Medical Center

Study of more than 37,000 patients shows relationship between atrial fibrillation and development of Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City believe that they have made a breakthrough connection between atrial fibrillation, a fairly common heart rhythm disorder, and Alzheimer's disease, the leading form of dementia among Americans.

In a study presented Friday, May 15, at "Heart Rhythm 2009," the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society in Boston, researchers unveiled findings from the study of more than 37,000 patients that showed a strong relationship between atrial fibrillation and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

The study, which drew upon information from the Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study, a vast database from hundreds of thousands of patients treated at Intermountain Healthcare hospitals, found:

• Patients with atrial fibrillation were 44 percent more likely to develop dementia than patients without the heart disorder.

• Younger patients with atrial fibrillation were at higher risk of developing all types of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's. Atrial fibrillation patients under age 70 were 130 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer's.

• Patients who have both atrial fibrillation and dementia were 61 percent more likely to die during the study period than dementia patients without the rhythm problem.

• Younger atrial fibrillation patients with dementia may be at higher risk of death than older AF patients with dementia.

Intermountain Medical Center cardiologist T. Jared Bunch, M.D., the study's lead researcher, presented the findings at the scientific session.

"Previous studies have shown that patients with atrial fibrillation are at higher risk for some types of dementia, including vascular dementia. But to our knowledge, this is the first large-population study to clearly show that.......read the whole story

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Dimebolin Improves Clinical Course of Mild or Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: Presented at AGS

DG Guide

By Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk

CHICAGO -- Results of a 1-year, randomised, controlled trial show that dimebolin hydrochloride can improve cognition, function, and behaviour in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Rachelle Doody, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, presented the findings on May 1 at the 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS).

Dimebolin, an oral antihistamine used in Russia since 1983, is a small molecule that appears to inhibit brain cell death by enhancing mitochondrial function, increasing cell viability, and promoting neurite growth. Dimebolin is under investigation in the United States for the treatment for neurodegenerative disorders like AD.

In this 1-year, double-blind, placebo......read the whole article

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Friday, May 22, 2009

Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is launching "Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters," an unprecedented campaign designed to heighten awareness of the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and explain the benefits of early detection and diagnosis.
"Know the 10 Signs" encourages Americans to seek a diagnosis from a doctor if they exhibit any of the warning signs. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease allows individuals to consider treatment, plan for the future and enroll in clinical studies.
Funded in part by proceeds from the 2008 American Express Members Project, the "Know the 10 Signs" campaign launched on CBS stations Sunday, May 17. This morning on "The Early Show" on CBS Dr. Jennifer Ashton introduced the 10 Signs. Tune into "The Early Show" on Wednesday May, 20 and Friday, May 22 to see Dr. Ashton present additional segments and learn more about early detection. Video interviews with Alzheimer's Association Early Stage Advisors and caregivers will illustrate the signs through real-life experiences.
Educational materials related to the campaign are now available on www.alz.org/10signs. In the upcoming months, workshops will be held in communities across the country in order to reach a wider audience. Corporations are joining the effort by enrolling in the Alzheimer's Early Detection Alliance (AEDA) as an way to educate their employees and customers. Our hope is that through these actions, we will empower individuals to make important choices about their own health and future.
For more information about the benefits of early detection and the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, visit www.alz.org/10signs or call our toll-free line at 877-IS IT ALZ (877.474.8259). Spread the word to your friends and family

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Simple dietary steps may help prevent dementia

By Dr. Terry Gaff

Although there are lots of things about my memory and ability to think that I would like to change, they all involve a desire to improve brain function. The reality is, at my age, my thinking is more likely to get worse rather than better. Therefore, I want to make every effort to keep what I have and add a few things here and there to help make up for inevitable losses.

I am especially concerned about the possibility of developing frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This problem causes an inability to spot sarcasm or to read negative emotions in others and being more gullible than other people according to a study published in the journal Brain. I am concerned that if I cannot identify sarcasm, my ability to understand what my wife is saying to me will be greatly decreased.

The number of people suffering from dementia is expected to double over the next 30 years. Therefore, I keep an eye out for things I can do to avoid being part of that statistic.

Some people have suggested that more education might help to prevent dementia because you start with more knowledge. Therefore, it will take more time for that knowledge and thinking ability to melt away. Unfortunately, in a study of 6,533 people with an average age of 72 at the beginning of testing, researchers found that education does not protect against decline in thinking. However, it does delay the presentation of dementia. Then, when dementia occurs, it takes the typical progressive course. In fact, greater education was associated with slightly less rapid decline early in follow-up, but with faster decline later.

Since we are what we eat, it would make some sense that diet and medicines might affect our thinking abilities. The problem is that even “the experts” do not know what the best choices are......read the whole article

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Monday, May 18, 2009

How blood pills cut your risk of dementia

Mail Online

By Daily Mail Reporter

Drugs that lower blood pressure may also reduce the risk of dementia.

New research shows that men and women on blood pressure medication are less likely to develop Alzheimer's than people of the same age who are healthy and do not take the drugs.

High blood pressure has long been thought to be a risk factor for the disease, but this latest research suggests the drugs have some sort of protective effect beyond just keeping blood pressure down.

Around 400,000 people in the UK suffer from Alzheimer's.

In the latest study, U.S. researchers carried out post-mortems on nearly 300 brains, and found substantially fewer symptoms of Alzheimer's in those who had been prescribed the medication.

Further research is now required to find out whether the drugs could reverse, or even prevent, dementia symptoms

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Sunday, May 17, 2009

Age-related eye disease may be associated with cognitive impairment

EueekAlert
Tien Yin Wong, M.D., Ph.D.

Older adults with low scores on tests of cognitive function, including thinking, learning and memory appear more likely to have the early stages of the eye disease age-related macular degeneration, according to a report in the May issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—the leading cause of visual impairment in industrialized nations—has long been thought to share a common pathway with Alzheimer's disease, according to background information in the article. First, both conditions involve similar changes in the brain and eye, including the buildup of protein fragments known as beta-amyloid. "Second, clinical studies suggest that AMD and Alzheimer's disease share similar vascular risk factors, such as hypertension [high blood pressure] and cigarette smoking," the authors write. "Both....read the whole article

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Saturday, May 16, 2009

Eye Disease, Cognitive Decline Linked in Study

ajc

HealthDay News) -- Seniors who perform poorly on tests of language, memory and concentration are more likely to be suffering from the early stages of age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of vision loss, a new study suggests.

The finding stems from a look at the association between cognitive function decline and the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among approximately 2,000 Australian seniors between the ages of 69 and 97.

"We found that those who have memory impairment were more likely to have early stages of macular degeneration independent of the effects of age, education and vascular risk factors," said study co-author Dr. Tien Yin Wong, a professor in the department of ophthalmology within the Centre for Eye Research Australia at the University of Melbourne.

Wong and his colleagues published the findings in the May issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among the elderly. The researchers note that prior research has suggested that Alzheimer's disease and AMD share similar developmental pathways in terms of protein build-up and brain and eye changes.

The authors' current observations are drawn from an analysis of retinal photographs taken of study participants (more than 80 percent white and all enrolled in a larger cardiovascular health study), from which a diagnosis of early-stage AMD was made.

Those diagnoses were lined up against results of cognitive function and neuropsychological tests designed to assess each subject's abilities in terms of concentration, language, memory and orientation skills. Most were also tested for dementia and cardiovascular risk factors.

The researchers determined that nearly 16 percent of the participants had early AMD, while 135 and 86 patients were diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, respectively.

Having dementia and/or Alzheimer's was not linked to an increased likelihood for early AMD. However, the authors found that an AMD diagnosis was associated with having poorer scores on cognitive testing -- a trend deemed small but "significant."

"Our study suggests that....read the whole article

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Friday, May 15, 2009

Celebrate Forget Me Not Days

Alzheimer's Association
Angela Geiger
Vice President

Bankers Life and Casualty Company's Forget Me Not Days® is coming this weekend to neighborhoods all across America as volunteers hit the streets to spread awareness about Alzheimer's. Now in its seventh consecutive year,

Forget Me Not Days® has raised more than $1.4 million in the fight against Alzheimer's through corner collections and corporate donations.Spread the word by telling your family and friends to be on the lookout in their own community.

Or, you can be a part of Forget Me Not Days® virtually and plant a seed of hope online today!Thanks for being a valued champion as we strive for a world without Alzheimer's … and for spreading the word about Forget Me Not Days

Click here to participate

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Thursday, May 14, 2009

13 Foods To Avoid

What do you think?
Do you agree with the Doctor? Will avoiding these foods stave off dementia and other diseases?
Their comments are closed but mine are open

Hufffington Post
by Dr. M.J. Wegmann
As a doctor I have made it my mission to educate as many people about the philosophical pitfalls of believing "If it's on the shelf, it must be safe." In the US, we suffer from something called the "shortest healthy lifespan". That means we spend more years battling chronic disease than our peers from the 12 industrialized nations. There are many factors leading to this problem, but one of the obvious is how loaded our diets are with artificial chemicals
Here they are

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Monday, May 11, 2009

In their own voices: people with Alzheimer's disease

Chicago Tribune
Tonight, an extraordinary series of four documentary films about Alzheimer's disease debuts on HBO.

The first film, "The Memory Loss Tapes," showing this evening, took my breath away.

It's a look at seven men and women struggling with this devastating illness, which gradually robs people of their memories and independence. There is no narration; the people and their families speak for themselves.

The scenes caught on film are astonishingly intimate, often uncomfortably wrenching.

There is Joe Potocny, 63, once considered a computer genius, who is acutely aware of his mind deteriorating bit by bit. Think of watching a piece of meat being sliced at the grocery store; that's what it's like, he says.

In a heart-breaking scene, Potocny takes his granddaughter to the park and while she's swinging turns away, appearing to be lost, seemingly forgetful of the child. The camera lingers, making no effort to minimize the distressing lack of connection.

"When it gets to the point to where I feel that I'm stepping over the line, going to become totally a different person, then they will all be given a hug and a kiss and said goodbye to," he says, speaking of his family to a psychologist. The meaning is clear: suicide.

There is no judgment in this film, no attempt to layer context around the scenes that unfold. They speak for themselves.

We see Woody Geist, 78, lying on a bed with another resident, Cathy, in a home for people with Alzheimer's. She kisses him affectionately; they cuddle. Later, they are sitting happily together when Geist's wife and daughter come in to take him out for the evening. As Geist leaves, Cathy sits in the corner of the couch, alone.

How is it possible to blame Geist, who whistles as he walks around the home, clearly not knowing where he is? "Nothing there," we hear him say repeatedly as he wanders.

Earlier, we see Geist's wife looking at a photograph of her younger, handsome husband. "What a sweet man," she says, with regret. "Sometimes I can't look at [the picture] at all. I see how much I've lost."

Geist can barely put a sentence together but when he joins the members of his former singing group on a stage in a large room full of people -- this is the outing his wife has organized -- he can sing a solo, missing not a word. Not all is lost, clearly. But what remains is difficult to guess.

There are scenes of terror in this film. When Yolanda Santomartino, 75, screams at snakes crawling over her wheelchair -- they're only there in her imagination -- one has a sense of someone trapped in a horror house. "it's right on top of me," she wails, out of touch with reality. "It's coming after me."

Santomartino looks in the mirror in her room and thinks she.......read the whole story

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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Agents that Speed Up Destruction of Amyloid Beta Found

GEN News Highlights
A group of investigators report that it is possible to enhance insulin-degrading enzyme’s (IDE) ability to destroy amyloid beta (A-beta) with synthetic small molecules. In laboratory experiments, they found that one agent, dubbed Ia1, increased the activity of IDE by about 700%, while the second compound, Ia2, increased it by almost 400%.

The research, which is published in the April 22 online issue of PLoS ONE, was a collaboration between Mayo Clinic Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, and Harvard Medical School. The study is called “Small-Molecule Activators of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme Discovered through High-Throughput Compound Screening.”

IDE was the first degrading enzyme implicated in the imbalance seen between the production and elimination of A-beta in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, according to lead researcher, Malcolm Leissring, Ph.D., from Mayo's department of neuroscience. “We don't know why that balance is skewed in individuals that develop Alzheimer's disease, but one hypothesis is that as we age, activity of the enzymes that destroy A-beta goes down.”

The scientists thus screened tens of thousands of chemicals looking for ones that could bind to IDE and modulate its activity. That led to discovery and testing of Ia1 and Ia2. Dr. Leissring says that the success they achieved in their test tube experiments offers a new path for more advanced research.


---

Past Alzheimer’s Research

Researchers Develop Standard of Testing for.........read the whole article

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Preventing "brain aging"

Geriatric neurologist and author tackles what he calls the myths of Alzheimer's.

By SARAH MORAN Special to the Star Tribune

Alzheimer's disease is a 100-year-old myth that's over the hill. So says Dr. Peter Whitehouse, a geriatric neurologist and author of "The Myth of Alzheimer's: What You Aren't Being Told About Today's Most Dreaded Diagnosis."

Whitehouse, who played an important role in brain research that led to the first four medications designed to treat Alzheimer's, has replaced the term "Alzheimer's disease" with "severe brain aging." That distinction, he says, makes all the difference. He says we need to stop throwing money at searching for a cure to what he calls "age-associated cognitive challenges." Instead of medication, the focus should be on preventing brain aging through simple strategies such as exercise, reading and eating right, he says.

We talked with Whitehouse ahead of his visit to the Twin Cities this week.

Q What myths do you want to dispel?
.......read the whole article

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Do you need apple iphone accessories?

If you are a caregiver of a person with dementia, you need a gadget that is easy to use and stores a lot of information for you.

You need the apple iphone and necessary accessories.

I ran across this website, MobileFun.co.uk. It offers terrific
iphone accessories

For example, you can get InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector. This is needed because when you are living a person with dementia, He or she can take your things and put them in the most peculiar places.

Even if you try to hide your iphone, a loved one with dementia could find it. You want to protect your apple iphone with the best protection possible. The InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector is just what you need and MobileFun.co.uk is the place to get it.

The shield prevents scratches and actually makes the phone easier to use in my opinion.

Another of the apple iphone accessories you can get from MobileFun.co.uk is the Mercury Desk Stand. This stand is great because you have access to all the features of the phone while having it on a strong sturdy stand. It also has rubber feet so your desk or table will not get scratched. A side benefit is that it is pleasing to look at. Of course, MobileFun.co.uk has a great deal on this accessory.

In addition to the two accassories mentioned above, another of the iphone accessories is the
WildCharge Universal Wireless Charger & iPhone 3G Adapter. This item is actually not in stock yet. However this item is sure to be on the must have list. Of the apple iphone accessories this is going to be the most asked for. You will be able to get it at MobileFun.co.uk soon

If you do not want to go that high tech,you can get Apple iPhone 3G USB Sync & Charge Cradle. It is currently in stock and is not as costly.

You do not have to make up your mind right away. I know living with a person who has dementia is most challanging. You have one less thing to worry about though if you buy apple iphones and accexssories from MobileFun.co.uk

Monday, May 4, 2009

Making the move because of dementia

Sooner or later you, as a caregiver, will be faced with the task of moving someone with dementia. Whether you are moving his or her belongings into your home, into an assisted living facility or nursing home or a combination, the job will be most difficult.

You cannot rely on the help of a person with dementia because he or she will be unable to focus on the task. In fact he or she may fight you on the idea of moving.

Thus you will need a company that can do it all for you. I came across such a company in the United Kingdom. It is called Moveme.com.

Just as the name suggests, this company helps you with all aspects of the moving process. Of course. they will give you a free quote

What do these people do?
First they can plan and organize your move. This is key because you need someone who can organize things for you when you yourself have so much on your mind.

They can get localremoval quotes
This can be a headache, but these guys make it easy

They can also transfer the uilities if that is necessary.

There can also compare the prices of home services if this is something you need

What is really great is that they can find aman and van for you if you need a vehicle and a person to help move belongings

Do you have a moving company that was recommended to you? Do you want to see if they have the best deals? Well moveme.com can check out a moving company for you

They have the ability to investigate multiple moving companies for you as well

So if you need a removal company or want to have the chance to have many removal companies at your disposal, go to moveme.com

Remember before they do anything, you can get reliable removal quotes

So if you need a removal company or want to have a number of removal companies quotes available to you, moveme.com can get the job done.

Yes moveme.com can help you move a loved one with dementia with relative ease. There will be no guess work on your part. Make a hard job easier and contact moveme.com

Hippocampus vulnerable in Alzheimer's

Miami Herald
Q. Why does Alzheimer's disease cause more recent memories to disappear first?

A. According to the National Institute on Aging, www.nia.nih.gov:

Multiple areas of the brain are responsible for memory-associated functions such as processing information and creating and recalling memories. Deep within the brain, new memories are formed and stored in the hippocampus and associated structures. Then, in a process called consolidation, memories are stored for the long-term throughout the cortex, the outermost layer of the brain.

"Recent memory is affected first in AD because the hippocampus and nearby entorhinal cortex are the first brain areas damaged by the disease. As a result, a person with AD may remember every detail of a childhood event but be unable to recall something that happened yesterday or an hour ago. This pattern of damage also can lead to confusion about the past and present. A person may think a long-deceased relative is still alive, for example, because.....read the whole article

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Sunday, May 3, 2009

Have you gotten your mother with dementia a gift yet?

Here are some great ideas
Healthnews-stat.com
First on the list of gifts for mom is a book by Susan Berg called Adorable Photographs of Our Baby -- Meaningful, Mind-Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals, This book features baby photographs that seniors with dementia love. This book shares a plethora of idea sand resources for you.

Another gift a dementia mother will fancy is a classic musical video or DVD. Your mother will enjoy watching something from the good old days and singing the songs played throughout the picture.Here are a few suggestions: Singin’ in the Rain, Meet Me in St. Louis, or Shall We Dance

Next is a sing a long CD or audio cassette of their favorite songs. There is a series of these called, Old Time Favorites by Nancy Pitkin

You may want to get a sing a long video where you loved one can see and hear performers singing songs they love. A good one is, Sing-Along with Phil Bernardi: Songs We Know and Love

Here is another idea. Give your mom some...read the whole storyFor a great resource for those with dementia, caregivers and healthcare professinals, click here


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Friday, May 1, 2009

Ultimate Alzheimer's Rescue Program

Brian Willie

Paying for Alzheimer’s Care can be nearly as devastating as the disease itself, especially now from being sideswiped with dwindling account balances from this recession ... and it's probably one of the last things you want to think about ... but if you can spare a moment I’d like to show you ...

“How Alzheimer’s Families Can Immediately Stop Depleting Assets, Draining Nest Eggs And Finally Gain Back Your Control. ”

24 HOURS AGO … A family battling Alzheimer’s was in a state of panic; worried that they couldn’t afford to adequately care for their loved ones ... but, today, they found help!

If your family is dealing with Alzheimer’s you have more than enough to worry about. Let me help! As the mind and body of your loved one starts to shut down, they will need help-- especially when the need for long-term care is close at hand.

Sadly, the medical symptoms can’t be reversed at this time, BUT THE STRESS AND WORRY OVER THE COSTS, CAN!

We still don’t understand exactly how Alzheimer’s disease damages the brain, but we do know that it strikes gradually and ferociously. And, the financial strain put on families can be just as unkind.

I’m sure you’re more than aware how difficult this disease can be emotionally, physically and financially. It can literally make you feel helpless. The negative impact on your health, employment, income and financial security can cause you to experience high levels of stress and depression.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, almost 10 million Americans act as Alzheimer’s caregivers, providing some form of care to loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Annually, this adds up to a staggering 8.4 billion hours of unpaid care. A contribution valued at $89 billion.

Yet ironically, with billions paid out in government benefits, close to 57% of Americans receive NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT from Medicare, Medicaid or any other government programs.

Financial support that your family is entitled to know about, apply for, and in many cases receive!

I know how hard this wretched disease is to deal with. Like you, I have watched someone special change before my eyes, and I understand how frustrating and overwhelming the disease can be.

I’ve experienced the stress of dealing with someone who seems deliberately difficult or who fails to recognize that something is even wrong…and how a life that was once filled with exuberance has been reduced to the heartache that they may now not recognize you. I know how hard it is to focus on anything else, let alone money.

But, eventually you will have to prepare for your loved one’s long-term care…and the literally shocking costs that you will face.

Find Comfort in Knowing Your
Financial Options

There are many ways to relieve the financial burden that occurs with Alzheimer’s disease. But getting assistance.....read the whole article

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Fitness is important in dementia prevention. Click below for more info