In a study guaranteed to make worriers even more worried, a Chicago research team has discovered that if you worry all the time you are more prone to develop cognitive problems that could lead to Alzheimer’s disease…
WebMD.com says:
People who often feel negative emotions may be more likely to develop memory problems as they age, according to a new study.
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As a caregiver, you know how important getting a bit of support can be. This is a chance to support the National Family Cargiver Association simply be stopping by their online booth:
Dear Alzheimer Caregiver,
I’m writing today with some important news for all caregivers, information that we hope you will pass along to your readers. The NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER ASSOCIATION has joined the Revolution Health Fair, (http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthfair) an online event launched in partnership with 10 national nonprofit organizations who each host a virtual “booth.” Until the end of June, for every visitor to a partner organization’s booth Revolution Health will make a donation to that partner for a total of up to $10,000.
We hope you’ll let your readers know about this. They’ll get valuable information and help the groups who advocate for them to prosper.
- Greg Cooper, on behalf on Revolution Health
ABOUT REVOLUTION HEALTH:
Revolution Health (http://www.revolutionhealth.com) is the new health resource website founded by Steve Case, partly because of the difficulties he and his family faced during his brother’s battle with brain cancer. He wants to make it a bit easier for those who follow by providing tools to support both patient and family. I’m working with Revolution to support the work of bloggers who follow health issues. One way we’re doing that is by conducting these topical briefings, just for the blogger universe. Revolution wants to highlight its ability to aggregate and share critical information on health issues by providing new information and contact with health leaders in relevant disease communities.One great asset of the site is its population of experts, including those on nutrition, diet and weight loss, drawn from major academic institutions across the country, including Columbia, Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, the University of California at San Francisco, the University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and more.
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If you love a glass of wine with dinner, you’ll be happy to know that you may actually be helping your brain as you are treating your taste buds to a good time. Tammy from Celebrate Wine pointed out this new study that was reported in Wine Spectator:
A new study, conducted by scientists from the Department of Geriatrics at the University of Bari, in Bari, Italy, found that a drink or two per day may help slow the development of dementia. The research, published in the May 22 issue of the journal Neurology, may provide hope for those at risk of dementia and diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the transitional stage between normal brain function and full-blown, irreversible cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s.
However, this doesn’t mean you should run out and develop a two glass a day habit. The researcher also mentions that the study may be flawed by the fact that most people who drink a glass or two of wine a day are also usually active and involved in new things. The benefits of drinking wine in the study may actually be because the study participants were not couch potatoes. So, if you do drink those two glasses, make sure you are stretching your mind and getting exercise, too.
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I wish they would have had some of these handy health gadgets ten years ago! Having an electronic gizmo that lets you know when someone gets out of bed or leaves a chair is like having an extra set of eyes. Here are a few that I found:
Pressure Sensitive Patient Alarm System - Alarm + Bed Sized Pad - 11″ x 30″
. Wireless Wander Alarm ™
GPS Personal Locator (Each)
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I love water in the garden. The sound of water trickling somewhere nearby is so peaceful to listen to. However, Alzheimer’s and gardens don’t always mix well. If you are planning a water element for your garden, you should avoid ponds and waterfalls. Large fountains can also be a problem. A small fountain attached to a wall at the Alzheimer’s patient’s eye level is a better, safer option. That way, you both can enjoy the water’s soothing sound without having to worry about water safety.
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According to Press TV:
Scientists have found that stimulating the brain with a magnet boosts the growth of brain cells and may work as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Although the findings for mice don’t always work as expected on humans, this research looks promising, especially since magnetic therapy has already been successfully used with stroke victims.
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When you plan out your raised bed’s design, you will want to consider the needs of the Alzheimer’s patient who will be enjoying it:
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With this beautiful spring weather, it is time to discuss something I have been thinking about lately - gardening with Alzheimer’s patients. You’ll need a raised bed so it is easy for the patient to work. A wide, low wall that he or she can actually sit on is ideal and not too expensive to make if you use cinder blocks, rebar and cement to make it. Remember not to make the bed too wide or long. You want to be able to easily reach the entire bed from one side or the other.
Go two layers of block high and hammer the rebar down through the open sections of two blocks to anchor them into the ground. (I set mine so that half of two bottom blocks were under the top layer. Staggering them this way makes the wall sturdier.) When you are finished securing the wall with rebar, pour cement into the holes and smooth it out to make a level top for your well. Let it cure.
After the cement has hardened for a day or so, it is time to fill the bed with soil. I use a combination of one part manure, one part compost and two parts top soil. Fill the bed to the rim. The soil will settle on its own in a few days to leave room for mulch. Now, you have a place where Alzheimer’s patients, including those who are wheelchair bound, can garden easily.
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An interesting development for women who are concerned about developing Alzheimer’s in an article by Docguide.com:
Women who use hormone therapy before the age of 65 could cut their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
This is a new study and I’m going to be looking for more information to support it, but it could be another weapon to fight Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
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A ten year study has reversed the theory that aspirin can help prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease. However, scientists did mention that it seemed like women with Alzheimer’s who took aspirin kept their speaking ability longer than those who didn’t.
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