“I don’t want to lose my mind.” It’s the plaintive cry of the elderly who begin to recognize a change in their ability to remember. What they really mean is they don’t want to lose their memories, the archive of the past that recreates moments in time. These become more precious with age; “the happy existence” one would go back [...]
The human brain weighs just three pounds, but it holds the sum total of all your memories… what you’ve done, who you’ve known, — in short, who you are. But the brain changes with age as you find yourself forgetting things more frequently or finding it harder to concentrate. The good news is that, no matter what your age, it’s [...]
Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing, according to a study by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging. The findings could lead to new ways to combat dementia. Although the link between the two conditions is unknown, the research suggests that a common pathology may [...]
An article on a new direction in dementia care appeared in the May 30, 2013, issue of The New Yorker. It describes the way an Arizona nursing home, Beatitudes, offers dementia patients a unique program which promotes a less rigid schedule than the usual medical model of care. “Often, the advanced-dementia unit, with its pervasive quiet and slow-moving kindly staff, [...]
By Debra Grant, Tender Care Inc. Dementia is a disease process that impairs information processing, thinking and judgment. Dementia makes independent living impossible. What is the most common form of Dementia? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It accounts for over 50% of all dementia and affects one out of every 10 families in the United States. [...]
A unique treatment that uses insulin in the form of a nasal spray shows promise for boosting memory in men and women with Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in the online edition of the Archives of Neurology. In a four-month study, participants with either mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who received a low dose of [...]
A recent study shows that sleep deprivation ages the brain. Researchers asked study participants in a study at University College London Medical School compared how much sleep participants were getting over five-year period. Those whose sleep declined during those five years showed an accelerated mental decline during the cognitive testing that equaled four to seven years of aging. “Sleep regenerates [...]
The elderly woman was studying the magazine intently when Susan entered the Day Room. Pulling up a chair, she sat down, moving closer to her mother who looked up frowning. “What are you doing here?” “I came to see you, Mother. I’m Susan.” “I don’t know you. Go away. Go away now.” Susan stood up, moving back. She wanted to [...]
A new study, published in the journal Neurology, has found that as minor problems not traditionally associated with brain health pile up, a person's chance of developing dementia increases. As we age, certain smaller health problems such as loose dentures, sore feet, and skin irritants may predict an increased risk for developing dementia. “When a lot of small things go [...]
Marsha sits quietly, working to fit pieces into a puzzle. She appears content in the familiar surroundings of the assisted living community, her home for many years. In another situation, she might be hospitalized or have to move from the home she’s known for years due to behaviors related to her Alzheimer’s/Dementia. The difference lies in the support provided by [...]