The Importance of Exercise
There are so many preventative rumors out there. It seems that there are always new studies coming out about the benefits of a new supplement, and studies soon follow denying the benefits of the first study. It seems like an endless cycle. However, there are several certain preventative steps that can be taken to help encourage healthy aging, physically and mentally. These include weight control, healthy eating habits/cholesterol levels and exercise. Among all of these things, physical exercise is known to be the most effective. It’s fairly simple to understand why this is, blood flow to the brain is increased.
Exercise is not only good preventative care, it is good care for Alzheimer’s patients in general. It helps to slow the decline, and promotes general wellbeing. Bob Demarco writes on his personal experience with how physical exercise has helped his 93 year old Alzheimer’s afflicted Mother physically, and emotionally. Various studies are cited within the article. The Benefits, and importance, of exercise are made clear.
Read More at Traditions Senior Living
Alzcare in New Braunfels. Caring treatment for Alzheimer’s patients in Texas in comfortable, home settings.
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Diversity of Grieving
Learning that a loved one has a deteriorating mental condition is nothing short of heartbreaking. This can mean many things, most often a hard road ahead. The realization that your loved one is facing an illness that will eventually claim their life is a very different situation than a sudden death. Often, the grieving process begins with the loss of a loved one’s mind, long before they die a physical death. This sort of drawn out grief has many different effects on people. Exactly how we grieve, and how our grieving related to others in similar situations is a very interesting subject to explore.
There has been a considerable amount of research done on how responses vary by gender of the caregiver, and the biological/emotional relationship to those in care. There is much less information out there on the varying response trends inside ethnic groups. There are so many factors to be considered, as there are so many unique situations out there. Social and cultural responses definitely play a part, as well as individual relationships and situations. This article takes a look at different racial and socioeconomic groups and examines responses in Alzheimer’s caregivers, and ties it into previously known information/trends.
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AlzCare – Quality Alzheimer’s treatment in Texas, New Braunfels, Victoria, Waco, and San Marcos
| | | | | Communication Tips
One of the hardest parts of Alzheimer’s disease is the effect that it can have on our relationships. When a loved one loses their ability to express themselves, it becomes essential that their caretakers adapt to further their understanding/communicative skills. Simple things such as making eye contact and smiling can make a very big difference in how information is received. Using smaller sentences, and avoiding words like “remember”, can be very helpful. There are lots of things to consider that can make a very big difference in the lives of caretakers and patients. If something is not effective, consider trying another approach.
This article provides an excellent list of effective communicative tools to considering putting into practice when speaking with an Alzheimer’s patient. These methods include tips for the most efficient body language, and more considerate word choices. Something as simple as speaking on level with a person, not just an Alzheimer’s patient, can make a very big difference in how the words that you say are taken. A very good example given on the power of phrasing in a positive way is in saying “let’s go here”, instead of “don’t go there”. Validation of feelings is very, very important in effective communication. Let your affected loved one see that you care, help them to feel understood. It can be very difficult for an Alzheimer’s patient to express themselves clearly, this cannot be changed. What can be changed is a caretaker’s method of communication.
Turn negatives into positives. For example say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go there”. Be inclusive and don’t talking down to them as if they were a child. Respect the fact that they are an adult, and treat them as such. - Do not argue with them. It gets you nowhere. Instead, validate their feelings, by saying” I see that you are angry (sad, upset, etc…). It lets them know that they are not alone and then redirect them into another thought. For example “It sounds like you miss your mother (husband, father, etc…). You love them very much, don’t you? Tell me about the time…” Then ask for one of their favorite stories about that person).
- Tell them what you are going to do before you do it. Particularly if you are going to touch them. They need to know what is coming first so that they don’t think that you are grabbing them.
Read More at Alzheimer’s Reading Room
AlzCare provides caring treatment for Alzheimer’s patients in Texas. We have offices in San Antonio, Waco, Victoria, New Braunfels, and San Marcus.
| | | | | On Dementia
Most people are aware of what Dementia is, how it progressively causes mental deterioration in it’s patients. Most people probably are not aware of the eight different types of dementia, what this entails, and how they are each caused. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, the one people are most acquainted with. Alzheimer’s Reading Room has published an excellent article detailing the many different faces of Dementia, and how exactly to define it. Dementia is here defined as a decline in memory coupled with decline in the ability to effectively speak, write, recognize, and/or act.
Becoming more aware of the different forms of this illness is essential to a better understanding of each sect, how they differ and how they are alike. These forms of dementia include; Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. Though the descriptions are brief, they provide a solid outline for a person seeking out the basics.
Read More at Traditions Senior Living
Alzcare in New Braunfels. Caring treatment for Alzheimer’s patients in Texas in comfortable, home settings.
| | | | | Blunted Emotion
Understanding and knowing how to respond to someone’s feelings can be a very challenging thing. We have all been in situations where we did not understand another’s emotional response. Odds are, if you are reading this article, that you are more than familiar with this situation. Those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia show difficulty with emotional expression, as well as mental process. This article provides information on a recent study through The University of Florida, and explores what is to be learned from this report.
Patients that suffer a progressive brain disorder are known to experience cognitive decline. It’s obvious to the caretaker that the regular mental process is disrupted. What new studies suggest is that Alzheimer’s may also inhibit those affected emotionally. The article has coined the phrase “blunted emotions”, meaning that the highs and lows of emotion have been lessened, leaving those experiencing this in a withdrawn and apathetic state. It is easy to see how emotional and mental decline would go hand in hand, and how one would certainly affect the other. The effect of blunted emotions is often confused with depression. Exactly why this occurs is not yet known, though it has been attributed to the decline of function is areas of the brain that experience/control emotion.
Read More at Sodalis Elder Living
AlzCare provides quality care and treatment for Alzheimer’s patients in Texas. Our main office is in New Braunfels, close to San Antonio. We also have offices in San Marcos, Victoria, Temple, and Waco.
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