Life can be difficult for patients who live with dementia. Many times they suffer from conditions such as depression, short attention span, difficulty concentrating and planning and memory loss and confusion. And the possibility of having to undergo surgery, can be a traumatic experience – worsening some of the symptoms your loved one may already be experiencing. It’s normal for families to be apprehensive about the effects of anesthesia on seniors with the disease. They may fear that the drugs administered prior to surgery may cause or exacerbate memory loss and changes in behavior. What’s important to understand is that
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Archives for Dementia Care
GPS Devices to Help with Dementia and Aging
Wandering is becoming an increasing problem in the U.S. Statistics say that between 60 and 70 percent of loved ones with Alzheimer’s will wander off at some point in their illness. In dementia patients, changes in the brain occur that cause the urge to wander. As, they begin to roam about, Alzheimer’s sufferers look for people, places or things that might be familiar to them – behavior that has a tendency to increase the longer they suffer from cognitive decline. Sadly, many older adults with the disease who wander off become disoriented, can’t remember their name or address and never
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Is There A Link Between Diabetes and Dementia?
Living with a chronic illness can present its own set of challenges. But when conditions like diabetes are linked to dementia, the importance of finding the connection between the two becomes even greater. For every American aged 65 and older, regardless of whether they receive in-home care services, there are almost eight people who have Alzheimer’s disease. That number increases after age 85 to one in two people. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, more than 29 million Americans were diagnosed with diabetes, while 86 million adults were identified as pre-diabetic. In a study
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Is It Alzheimer's?
There is still so much to know and understand about Alzheimer’s. One thing experts are sure about is that it is a steadily progressive disease that often rears its head before symptoms begin. While almost 40 percent of all dementia patients can point to genes as playing a significant part in their diagnosis most cases, scientists say, occur with no family history or genetic predisposition. FHC searched and found new research stating that in dementia patients, the deterioration of the brain is linked to an abnormal build-up of protein. This accumulation of proteins is said to cause “frontotemporal degeneration.” What
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How to Handle Bill Paying as a Caregiver
Caring for an older loved one with dementia can sometimes be difficult. But what makes it even more challenging is deciding who will handle the responsibility of your senior’s financial obligations when they’re no longer able to do it themselves. FHC searched and found advice that suggests that starting the financial planning process early not only helps alleviate more stress and fear, but also allows older loved ones the chance to participate in the decision-making at an earlier stage in their diagnosis. Organizations like alz.org that are advocates in the fight against Alzheimer’s, recommend first creating a long-term budget. They
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Discussing Dementia with Family and Friends
Dementia is an illness that can affect everyone that it comes in contact with. Everyday can be a new challenge for both dementia patients receiving outpatient services and their loved ones. It may also be harder for some to accept the diagnosis than others, but it doesn’t lessen the effects of the disease. Although progression in patients is slow, family members can use the time that they spend with their loved one to understand the diagnosis and communicate to the rest of the family the changes that are gradually taking place. Dementia can be managed if properly handled, allowing loved
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Can Your Heartburn Medication Lead to Dementia?
Proton pump inhibitors. Most people aren’t familiar with these drugs by their medical name. But they are very well known for relieving heartburn and indigestion, treating peptic ulcer disease, GERD, Barrett Syndrome, and a number of other conditions. In the past, experts have recommended that the lowest dosage be taken as needed because of the potential long-terms effects the drugs could have on the bones, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system. And according to a report published on Feb. 15 in the journal JAMA Neurology, studies conducted in Germany suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) might actually increase the risk of dementia in
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This September is World Alzheimer’s Month
Every September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Launched by Alzheimer’s Disease International, or ADI, four years ago, World Alzheimer’s Month was ignited to encourage people to learn about dementia and to remember loved ones who are living with or have died from the disease. The theme for this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month is “Remember Me.” Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Every four seconds, someone around the world is diagnosed with dementia. Today, an estimated 44 million people are affected, with the greatest portion of dementia patients living in developing countries. Estimates suggest that another 60 to 90
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Top 5 GPS Tracking Devices for Loved Ones Living with Dementia
Those of us who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia know what a source of anxiety and worry it can be. We dread the day our disoriented mother or father becomes frightened, unable recognize familiar surroundings, and walks out his or her home, quickly getting lost. There are things you can do to assuage your concerns like making sure your home is safe and secure, creating a crisis plan, keeping a recent photo on hand for authorities, and keeping a list of people on call to help look for your loved one. But unfortunately none of these suggestions
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Ward Off Dementia By Staying Active
As dementia affects more seniors, doctors and scientists are working harder than ever to find answers. The results of one of those studies have just come to light, and it gives women another reason to stay fit. The research suggests that women who have higher levels of estrogen, especially when combined with diabetes, are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia in their senior years. Seniors who have a lower body weight have not one, but two strong advantages to avoid dementia. First, Type 2 diabetes is directly related to being overweight. The increase of fatty tissue increases the resistance
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