Living With Alzheimer’s: Daily Activity Options

I have always been amazed at the effect Alzheimer’s and dementia have on people.  Many are able to still function within the role of daily activities, but are lacking the context within which those activities exist.  I found this most interesting when I first visited a memory care unit of an assisted living facility in Bingham Farms, Michigan.  There was one section of the building’s courtyard where there sat a pile of unfolded clothes, a clothes basket, and a bench.  The sign sitting nearby on a table read PLEASE FOLD THESE CLOTHES.  Moments later a beautiful silver-haired women with advanced dementia strolled into the room, sat down, and began to hum to herself while she folded the clothes and placed them in the basket.  She took her time, making sure each item was folded nicely, and placed them gingerly into the basket.  When all the clothes were done, she rose to leave, greeted me with a smile, and continued her walk.

A few minutes later a facility employee came by, dumped the clothes back onto the bench, and tussled them with her hands.  She, too, left the room greeting me with a smile.  I, to be honest, was dumbfounded.  Why on earth wold she do that right after the nice old lady folded all of the clothes?

Well, I am smarter now, and understand that when dealing with dementia, repetitive activities can actually be a soothing and comforting way to keep one with dementia etertained and free from boredom.  Sure enough, just a few minutes later, the nice old lady with the silver hair returned and folded the clothes, as if it was something new and exciting for her to do.  In a way, I’m sure she felt important in the fact that she was able to accomplish something that day.  Even if it was the same thing, over and over, it was something new and exciting for her each and every time.

What other activities can we find for the with dementia to engage each day?

The following activities are suggested in the book, Practical Guide for Caregivers:

Art
Clay: Use modeling clay and make objects or animals.

Water colors or crayons: Free-style water-color/crayons

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Your Senior Advisor: Sore Feet One Problem of Aging

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

1. My 83-year-old mother, who lives alone, complains that her feet hurt more.  Is this a common problem for seniors and something we should be worried about?

The wear and tear that comes with aging can indeed cause foot problems for seniors, according to experts.  “Signs of foot trouble may include pain; excessively dry skin; thickened or discolored nails; swelling; redness; and unusual sensations,” reported Joshua Kaye, D.P.M, a podiatrist in Los Angeles, in an article written last year by Michelle Meadows for the FDA Consumer Magazine. What’s worse, foot pain can trigger other problems such as pain in the legs, hips and back, according to the article “Taking Care of Your Feet.”  Because foot problems may be potentially serious for seniors, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) suggests that people take their socks off when they go to their primary care physician for a regular checkup. In a recent APMA survey of more than 600 people, 73 percent said their feet were not routinely inspected at doctor visits. 

Following are common foot ailments:

• Fungal nails—Infections that can quickly spread to other nails.
• Ingrown toenails—These can be caused by a variety of problems including improper nail trimming.
• Bunions—Misaligned big toe joints that can become swollen and tender.
• Hammertoes—Toes that are bent like claws, often caused by muscle imbalance or tight socks and shoes.
• Corns and calluses—Calluses appear on the soles and corns on the top, often caused by skin rubbing against shoes.
• Plantar Fascitis—Stretching or tearing of the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of the foot and supports the arch of the foot.

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Email Alert: Travel Vaccinations Available from VNA

I received this in my email box a few days ago and realized it was good infomration to post on the blog.  Take advantge of this if needed…

VNA Offers Vaccinations and Consultations for  Your Travels Abroad 

Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan is excited to introduce a brand new service to help you stay healthy while traveling abroad! VNA Travel Wise is your one-stop shop for pre-travel consultations and vaccinations.

VNA is also a certified provider of Yellow Fever vaccine. Services include:– Comprehensive pre-travel consultation includes review of vaccines needed for destinations, listings of known nearby medical facilities, health concerns summary, information on Yellow Fever and malaria (as appropriate) and other travel-related information.

– Travel and preventative vaccinations

Onsite or at Our Office.  Depending on your need, we offer individual appointments at our Oak Park office, or we will arrange for a nurse to arrive at your worksite, home or organization.Call VNA Today! (800) 882-5720, ext. 8755 

Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan, 25900 Greenfield Road, Ste. 600, Oak Park, MI 48237, www.vna.org

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Your Senior Advisor: Seniors Should Watch Food Labels To Achieve Better Cholesterol Readings

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

Q.    High cholesterol tends to run in my family and when I went for my last physical, I noticed that it was up.  My doctor said to watch what I eat and gave me a diet to follow, but it’s difficult since my wife died.   What can you suggest? 

One of the easiest ways to stay out of trouble at the grocery store is to start reading labels.  According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI: www.nhlbi.nih.gov), it’s important to choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.   The government has worked to make this easier for all of us. 

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule went into effect in January 2006 requiring that food labels list the amount of trans fat together with saturated fat and cholesterol. What makes trans fat so dangerous?  Trans fat is a type of fat that is formed when vegetable oil is hardened through a process called hydrogenation.  The process actually helps to prolong the shelf life of food. Unfortunately, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol work together to raise the level of LDL “bad” cholesterol in the blood.  And those factors contribute to disease such as coronary heart disease (CHD), the main form of heart disease and a leading cause of death, illness and disability in the United States, according NHLBI. Check the “Nutrition Facts” panel of the food label.  

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September Veteran’s Roundtables: South Lyon, Milford, and Wixom – Michigan

In South Lyon…The South Lyon Senior Center Veteran’s Roundtable, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2007 starting at 12:30 p.m.  Garth Wooten, the Veteran’s Benefit Coordinator Supervisor from the Oakland County Veteran’s Affairs office in Walled Lake will be the guest speaker, offering insight on how veterans can better access medical and prescription drug benefits.  U.S. Army veteran Bert Copple will moderate the discussion and begin to develop a school campaign to make veterans available for classroom discussions on the past and present wars of the United States.  Lunch is provided for those who RSVP by calling 248-573-8175.

In Milford…Last month the attendees of the Veteran’s Roundatble of Milford were asked to bring in pictures of themselves during their enlistment.  This month, through their partnership with Home Instead Senior Care, these veteran’s will have personalized stationary with their photos on it.  “They’ll be asked to write a letter to two to a soldier currently deployed to Iraq serving with the 3^rd Squadron, 7^th U.S. Cavalry out of Fort Stewart, Georgia,” says U.S. Army Veteran Bert Copple, the moderator for the Oakland County Veteran’s Roundtable, and the Director of Community Relations for Home Instead Senior Care.

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Your Senior Advisor: Studies Point to Factors That May Lower Prostate Cancer Risk

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

Q. As a 78-year-old man, I’ve heard that the incidence of prostate cancer goes up as men grow older.  What can you tell me about preventing this disease?

Western diets that are high in fat and red meat have been found to increase the risk of prostate cancer, experts have noted.  In addition, the calcium found in dairy products has been shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer by reducing the body’s levels of Vitamin D, which helps protect against prostate cancer, according to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (www.fightprostatecancer.org.)

 

Growing evidence shows that changing diet and behavior can lower a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, according to several studies reported by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, the details of which follow.  Be sure to consult your doctor before dramatically changing your diet or adding any vitamin supplements:

 

Five servings or more of fruit per day can cut the risk of prostate cancer in half. Fruit helps, in part, by containing fructose which stimulates the body’s ability to create Vitamin D, a nutrient believed to reduce prostate cancer risk.

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Top Ten Things to Know if You’re Interested in a Reverse Mortgage

Suppose you were an elderly woman living at home, but you were running out of cash to pay for things like taxes or even utility bills.  You had some trouble going up and down your steps to access the washer and dryer in the basement, and retreiving food from the lower level food pantry has become difficult.  Your children have mentioned that you should look into some form of community senior home, but you really wnat to stay put.  You’ve lived in your house for decades and can’t fathom leaving the house where you raised your children.  What can you do?

A reverse mortage may begin to make sense.  If you could access the equity in your home’s value to pay for your taxes and utilty bills, and even some in-home care to hlp you do your laundry and prepare some meals, wouldn’t it make sense?

The Department of Housing and Urban Developemnt has addressed some of the issues surrounding reverse mortages on thwir website, http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/hecmhome.cfm.  The following is an excerpt from one of their pages that answers the biggest questions about reverse mortgages.

Reverse Mortgages are becoming popular in America. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created one of the first. HUD’s Reverse Mortgage is a federally-insured private loan, and it’s a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement social security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements, and more. You can receive free information about reverse mortgages by calling AARP at: 1-800-209-8085, toll-free. Since your home is probably your largest single investment, it’s smart to know more about reverse mortgages, and decide if one is right for you!

1. What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert a portion of the equity in his or her home into cash. The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrower(s) no longer use the home as their principal residence. HUD’s reverse mortgage provides these benefits, and it is federally-insured as well.

2. Can I qualify for a HUD reverse mortgage?

To be eligible for a HUD reverse mortgage, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires that the borrower is a homeowner, 62 years of age or older; own your home outright, or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at the closing with proceeds from the reverse loan; and must live in the home. You are further required to receive consumer information from HUD-approved counseling sources prior to obtaining the loan. You can contact the Housing Counseling Clearinghouse on 1-800-569-4287 to obtain the name and telephone number of a HUD-approved counseling agency and a list of FHA approved lenders within your area.

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Your Senior Advisor: Reverse Mortgage a Viable Cash Resource for Seniors

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

Q.    I’ve heard a lot about reverse mortgages and wonder if this could be an option for us.  We’re an 83-year-old couple, living on fixed incomes, who are running short on cash.  However our home is paid for.  How do reverse mortgages work and what should we know about them?  What other ways can we get assistance to remain at home?

A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert a portion of the equity in his or her home into cash, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you.  But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until borrowers no longer use the home as their principal residence.  The loan and interest are paid off when the property is sold.To be eligible for a HUD reverse mortgage, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requires that the borrower is a homeowner, 62 years of age or older, who owns a home outright or has a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at the closing with proceeds from the reverse loan. The owner also must live in the home.You can contact the Housing Counseling Clearinghouse at 1-800-569-4287 to obtain the name and telephone number of a HUD-approved counseling agency and a list of FHA approved lenders within your area.   

Reverse mortgage fees may be high, although the fees are rolled into the loan and not paid upfront.  It’s important to calculate the cost of a reverse mortgage against what you would gain, because once you enter a reverse mortgage agreement, the mortgage company essentially owns your home.  Discuss your options with an attorney.  You also can receive free information about reverse mortgages by calling AARP at 1-800-209-8085. Many seniors use the extra cash from a reverse mortgage to supplement social security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements and more, such as hiring at-home help to remain independent.  Another option for help at home is Home Instead Senior Care, a company that hires CAREGivers who can assist you with non-medical tasks such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation, errands and shopping.   

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Editor’s Note:  This is a weekly series that will be emailed every other Monday to regional press affiliates to help promote health, welfare, and advocacy for our senior population.  Bert Copple, Director of Community Relations, can be reached via email at dcrcommerce@inspireseniors.com, or via cell at 248-953-9916.

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Diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Disease; Risk Factors & Treatment Options

Is it possible to pin-point Alzheimer’s disease?  The answer, I’m afraid, is no.  In fact, the only way a person can truly be diagnosed with the disease is during an autopsy.  So how can we better target the potential that a person actually has Alzheimer’s?  The picture below shows what a PET scan can show in terms of the brain’s activity.  Even though this is still not the perfect way to determine if a person has Alzheimer’s, it is a definite manner by which a neurologist can determine if a medication can be used to help maintain helathy brain activity.

So what are some of the advancements being made today in the study, treatment, and preention of Alzheimer’s and dementia?  The following article was published in the Summer issue of Inspire Magazine.  Written by Dr. Peter Lichtenberg of Wayne State Univeristy, it offers a glimpse into what advances are being made on this topic.

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Understanding Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and New Approaches to Care

by Peter A. Lichtenberg, Ph.D., ABPP, Director, Institute of GerontologyProfessor of Psychology at Wayne State University        

Alzheimer’s disease has become a household word, affecting over five million Americans and feared by millions more.  The MetLife Foundation reported in a 2006 study that after cancer, Alzheimer’s is the second most feared disease among both middle-aged and older Americans.  Despite its prevalence and the increasing attention to it by the public and healthcare professionals, Alzheimer’s disease remains a difficult disease for families and general health practitioners to recognize and treat.          

In 2006, the Michigan Dementia Coalition conducted a statewide behavioral surveillance survey about memory loss.  One of the survey’s most striking results was the lack of public awareness about where to get help for Alzheimer’s disease.  The majority of those surveyed (60%) said they would seek help from their family doctor.  The next most popular response was searching the Internet for information (10%).  Sadly, only 1% had heard of the Alzheimer’s Association or would contact them for information, indicating a large gap between the public’s fear of Alzheimer’s disease and their actual knowledge about it and its treatment.       

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Your Senior Advisor: Exercise and Companionship Can Minimize Fall Risk

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan  franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

1. Several of my mother’s friends have fallen and broken hips, and I’m worried about her, since she lives alone.  I saw a bruise on her leg the last time I was there and I suspect she might have taken a tumble.  Mom has always enjoyed exercising.  Any suggestions? 

 The fact that your mother enjoys exercise is good news, because that’s one of the best ways to keep her bones strong.  The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) have developed a set of simple guidelines designed to help older Americans avoid falls and lower the incidence of serious injury when falls occur.  As a matter of fact, the two organizations launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign in March 2007 to spread the word to active seniors.“Seniors can help protect themselves against injuries by making some very simple changes around the house and by adopting an ongoing exercise regime,” said James H. Beaty, MD, president of AAOS.
 
“One in three adults over age 65 falls each year in the United States,” adds Chuck Kimmel, ATC, president of NATA.  “Falling injuries for senior citizens can be not only traumatic, but also life threatening—and the healing process is slower.  Incorporating balance, strength and flexibility routines into daily activities is essential to stave off the risk of falling.”NATA and AAOS offer active seniors the following guidelines to guard against injuries caused by falling:

·         Strength training with weight-bearing and resistance exercise works for all age groups.

·         Practice exercises designed to help improve balance.

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