Should the senior in your life be driving?

Driving requires one’s full attention, despite numerous potential visual, manual and cognitive distractions that can impact anyone at any age.   Let’s take a closer look at the types of distractions that may impact one’s driving:

1. Visual distractions: taking your eyes off the road.
2. Manual distractions: taking your hands off the wheel
3. Cognitive distractions: taking your mind off what you’re doing.

As seniors age, their visual, manual and cognitive skills decline making them more susceptible to distractions.  When you notice these skills slowing down, it’s time to have “the about limiting or stopping driving.”

To help you decide on the timing of taking the keys away, let’s look at some signs that driving may be dangerous.

Risky individual behavior:

• Does not stop at red lights or stop signs
• Stops at green lights
• Gets lost
• Concerns from people who have seen the senior driving
• Gets in accidents
• Problems with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
• Stroke victim
• Parkinson’s or severe arthritis
• Medication due to poor vision, anxiety, insomnia, or is on any form of narcotics.

If the senior can still drive but there are driving safety concerns:

Encourage them to:

• Drive in areas that are familiar to them
• Do not drive at night or in bad weather
• Stay off highways
• Limit any distractions while driving
• Set a limit of how far away from home they should drive.
• Have safety medical alert system with them at all times.

It is important that we keep our seniors and other drivers on the road safe.  These tips can help determine if a senior needs to look at the potential risks and see if they outweigh the benefits of driving.   And, perhaps with some help, they will conclude that it’s time to turn in their license.

New Treatment for Alzheimer’s shows bright future.

Hurray!   New treatment for Alzheimer’s has the potential to change the course of this disease and others.  Previous treatment efforts have focused on a single target (beta-amyloid protein), but now research is targeting a process in the brain that leads to the toxins involved in Alzheimer’s and other diseases.  In Alzheimer’s there is a build-up of two toxic proteins (beta-amyloid and tau), which somehow get folded into the wrong shape, and then kink and link to other proteins floating around the cell. This process triggers a chain reaction of clumps and misfolded beta-amyloid and tau proteins that damage brain cells.  The new approach to treatment involves a compound that targets protein misfolding which prevents both the beta-amyloid and tau from making these clumps.   Currently tests done on mice showed impressive results.  There is a class of monoclonal antibodies that work on the tau and amyloid clumps and when given to mice they were able to reverse the disease.  Equally exciting is that these targeted antibodies work on clumps associated with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.   The future is looking bright for combating all of these diseases!

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/07/19/423891071/alzheimers-drugs-in-the-works-might-help-other-diseases-too

Managing Alzheimer’s Can be Challenging

Having a loved one who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease is hard.  It can sometimes be difficult to handle the stress that comes with caring for someone with this disease.   It may be hard to watch them loose their memory, and it can be frustrating having their priorities come above your own.  Important things to remember when helping a loved one, is that Alzheimer’s is so much harder on them. Imagine forgetting to do something as simple as, forgetting to turn the stove off after making a cup of tea or forgetting great memories? That is very frustrating and humiliating. An important thing to remember when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is that your efforts are helpful and that you are not alone.  There are millions of families dealing with the same things you are dealing with.  It is also extremely important to make sure not to neglecting taking time for those things that need to be done.  Taking care of yourself in situations like this is also extremely important.  Also realize that you cannot do it all, that Alzheimer’s is totally out of your control, and finding a balance is very important.  Alzheimer’s can be difficult to manage, but knowing what resources are available and having good coping skills will help with managing the disease.

Alzheimer’s Support Group – a fine venue

Join us at the Inn Hastings Park from 11-12. All are welcome to join us. After this date the support group will be the first Thursday of every month.

Support groups are a perfect way to learn new how to best manage the disease for yourself and your loved ones.

June is National Alzheimer’s Month! Join us and help find a cure!

Alzheimer’s disease affects 5 million of Americans and thousands more worldwide.  But how much do we really know about it and its effect on people around the world?  It is the 6^th leading cause of death, it’s slightly more prevalent in woman and signs for the disease appear many years sooner than previously realized with subtle symptoms; such as, a decreased ability to identify odors and a buildup of beta-amyloid in one’s eyes.  June is National Alzheimer’s month we want you to join us in promoting awareness of the disease and help us find a cure by joining our team “Private Home Care Walkers 2015” in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 20, 2015, in Andover, MA.   If you are the type of individual who wants to make a difference in the lives of millions, this is a time to make your mark and walk for a cause and a cure.  Alzheimer’s doesn’t receive as much press as other diseases, like ALS or breast cancer, but it can be as devastating which is why your support in the walk and helping to find a cure is needed.   As the month of June closes, it is very important to act on making a difference and support spreading the word by sharing the walk information with everyone.   For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association’s website at www.alz.org and learn about the huge impact this disease has on families and society.   Also, check their website for opportunities to get involved either through just spreading the word, giving a donation or joining us in the walk.

Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns about Memory Loss

As humans it is normal to have some moments where we forget things. Normally it is when we have other things on our mind or when other priorities are in the forefront of our brains. But sometimes there are moments when our memory lapses can be scary.  Often we don’t realize (or remember – excuse the pun) that our memory needs to be checked.  Is it Alzheimer’s forming? If so how can we tell? There are some questions to consider to figure out if memory loss is much more than just forgetting something here or there.

Questions to Ponder:

• How often do memory lapses occur?

Memory loss that interferes with daily life and that is quite frequent — should be checked

• Does the memory loss disrupt daily living?

Dr. Hart, a professor of behavioral and brain sciences at the University of Texas, had concluded that if the memory loss is limiting activity that used to be easy for the person — then one’s memory should be checked.

• Are there signs of confusion?

A popular sign of confusion would be to misplace items and find them again in places they do not belong.  For example, keys in the refrigerator.  This mistake normally stems from the person dealing with memory loss not knowing where the item normally belongs.

• What is being forgotten?

When we are busy it is common to have some memory loss, like forgetting small things such as a name of someone who was just introduced to you.  However, to forget people who you have known for a while, repeating information, or repeating questions are all signs that the memory loss is something that may need to be checked.

• Is the memory loss getting worse?

The memory loss should be check by a professional if you feel like it is getting worse over time.

Stay tune.  More on memory loss in the coming weeks!

Prescription Drug Abuse

A culture of solving problems with a pill has developed in the last two decades that threatens the nation’s health in every major category.  Every age group is also impacted by this growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse.

Many individuals believe that drugs are harmless.  However, the statistics on the health risks of all drugs (street or prescription) are by far harmless!   Read more about the impact of prescription drugs at: http://www.ahealthblog.com/prescription-drug-abuse-infographic.html

Fall Prevention Tips with Tai Chi – Peabody COA

Mary Demakes, Registered Nurse of Private Home Health Care, and Kuan Chung Chen of Tai Chi Acupuncture & Wellness conducted a “Fall Prevention Tips with Tai Chi” interactive presentation at the Peabody Senior Center to an audience of over 45 attendees on October 29, 2014. The attendees learned fall prevention tips in the home and hospital, how to get up from a fall, and Tai Chi movements; namely, standing and walking to help them improve balance and strength. The attentive audience asked questions of Registered Nurse Demakes, and eagerly took part the Tai Chi demonstrations by Kaun Chung Chen. The event was so interesting and effective that the audience asked when the duo could return for more. “Fall prevention is an important topic because although seniors fall more often, individuals of all ages fall,” said Demakes. “The statistics are an eye opener, with over 30% of seniors 65+ falling at least once per year, and of this group 50% will obtain hip fractures or other injuries that result in 56% of these fallers facing complications leading to death,” added Demakes. “Tai Chi helps with fall prevention because it focuses on weight shifting, postural alignment, coordination movements, and deep breathing, among other things,” said Kaun Chen. The over 25 years of experience that both individuals bring to this interactively insightful presentation shows in the audience’s responsiveness and high attendance levels. “We have received excellent feedback on the interest in these topics from attendees and have plans to continue offering it at the Council of Aging Centers, JCCs, YMCAs and Senor Centers throughout the North Shore, Metro West and Greater Boston areas.” said Bonnie Akerson, Director of Marketing and Business Development.  “We  are booking this event 2015 and interested individuals can contact us for more information,” added Akerson.

Health and Nutrition Luncheon Inn at Hastings Park Lexington

A health and nutrition luncheon at the Inn at Hastings Park on Oct. 20 was sponsored by Private Home Health Care. The event attracted professionals from local businesses who savored organic foods harvested from local farmers, along with regional seafood.  Registered Nurse Demakes addressed how food choices impact the health of both children and adults, and Dr. Nancy Emerson Lombardo shared insights on brain-healthy spices, herbs and foods researched for her soon-to-be-published cookbook.  The event attracted professionals from local businesses like Bank of America, Cambridge Savings Bank, Wingate Wealth Advisors and Lexington Symphony, among others.

Spa night for Breast Cancer Awareness

Spa-night fundraiser for breast-cancer awareness was sponsored by Private Home Health Care at Grosvenor Park in Salem on Oct. 9. The event attracted individuals from the surrounding communities who enjoyed a holistic blend of spa treatments, nutritional supplements and fall-fashion shopping. Attendees sipped on wine and ate food donated by numerous local businesses, including Grosvenor Park, Shubie’s, Crosby’s, Cygnet, Stowaway Sweets, Kappy’s, Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Rizzo’s and Fantasy Island, among others. An eclectic group of businesses donated numerous free spa and related services and prizes to attendees to help raise money for breast cancer. Local businesses who offered their services and products in support of the cause included Living Well, Marblehead Natural Healing, Andrew Michaels Spa and Salon, Leap Fitness, Cosmetic Dermatology Aesthetic Laser Center, Well Life, Arbonne Skin Care, Surreal Boutique, Magnolia’s Boutique, Jan Co World Treasures, Silpada Design Jewelry, Elements, Plexus Slim, Crossroads/Grace.