Where to Go When You Need a Hospital for Dad?

How to choose hospitals that fit the needs of your senior in care. by francy Dickinson

Dear Francy; We just got through with a horrible experience at our local hospital. We live in a bedroom community and my dad had been having trouble with pain in his stomach area. He had trouble going to the bathroom and his back hurt. So, we finally took him to the ER at our larger local hospital. We have two hospitals in the area; one is smaller and other is a big trauma hospital with a big ER. We went to the larger hospital thinking they would have a better ER to treat him. When we arrived the ER was packed and we had to wait and wait.  Then when he was in the ER room…there was no room for him! So he was on a gurney in the outer area while a police officer was patrolling the ER. There had been gang trouble and they were trying to keep two rival gang members separated while they treated them. Poor dad, was confused, in pain and totally unable to process why the police were there. It was a nightmare. Why do they let seniors take back seats to these horrible gang people?

I can understand your distress and I assure you they did not take the gang members over your dad. They do Triage and the gang members were in more high risk condition, than your dad so they went first. The problem was that the hospital itself is a haven for high stress when it is a trauma center. So, lets talk about hospitals and get the idea of how to choose them in your mind. Next time when an emergency comes up…you will be prepared and be able to guide the ambulance driver to the right place for your special care.

Triage Means:
noun(in medical use) the assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses 

to decide the order of treatment of a large number of patients or  casualties. 

verb to assign degrees of urgency to (wounded or ill patients)

I will assume your dad had prostate or blocked bowel, correct? Those are conditions that older men have and they are very painful. Elders often do not talk about their private bathroom problems with their care givers or family…until the situation gets painful. I understand that and I’m sorry you all had to go through that sad emergency experience. But lets roll back the clock and see how it could have gone differently.

Both elder men and women need to have a verbal check each day. Care giving is part immediate and part prevention. So everyday( I usually do it while I am picking up their breakfast tray) talk to them. “Dad how was breakfast, I see you did not eat very much of your cereal. How is your stomach feeling?” Dad says; “Oh, fine, I was just not very hungry.” You say; “Oh, well lets talk about it. Are you feeling OK..when did you last go to the bathroom?”

Then you go down the list; are you in pain…if so 1-10 how does the pain feel? When did you have your last bowel movement, or – you are going to the bathroom more often..why is that?” It may not be a hit parade topic for a father-daughter subject…but it pays off. You do this day after day and then he will get used to it. The conversation and your voice tone stay quiet and you sound calm…so your senior feels the conversation is normal. Pretty soon, you learn to take note of changes and you can make a quick doctor or nurse practitioner appointment. When you do that, remember to write down the symptoms your senior has been showing or talking about. As you arrive to the appointment, hand the paper over to the office person checking you in and ask them to attach it to the file for the doctor’s review. It will make the appointment go faster and easier for everyone.

As one older, very experienced in-home nurse said to me…”Francy, stay out of the ER as much as you can. It will usually mean more trouble than it is worth for an elder senior.” So, I try hard to catch problems before they get out of hand…but falls and extreme illness do happen and we all have to face them and learn to use the hospital system and keep as informed as we can.

Now, what I found after years of hospital visits is how to choose a hospital in advance to a problem. The smaller hospitals are perfect for ER visits when you have non heart related issues. So, if the senior falls, or has bowel or urinary problems, even stomach pains…that is something a small hospital does best. ERs are always busy…but less stressful in smaller hospitals because the “trauma’” issues are brought to bigger specially designed Trauma Centers…so car accidents, gun violence or heart problems that require loads of equipment and team efforts to solve a problem are their specialty. This huge effort for big care issues is much different then the smaller hospital ERs. Not that smaller hospitals do not carry heart issue equipment, but its nothing like the big Trauma Centers.

Heart issues are always brought to the larger hospital centers that have special heart teams on staff, at all times. So, you know if you have a senior with any heart, stroke or related issues with blood thinning medications…you have a clear path to that large Trauma Hospital. When you get all of this in your mind ahead of time…when the emergency hits…you are prepared.

Share your choices with anyone that will be caring for your senior …so this is all figured out and runs smooth. Every emergency is stressful…so to know the direction to go for help is really a step toward faster care.

Now if your senior is having small elective surgery…you want to once again take on that smaller hospital. But here is where that changes. If your senior is in a questionable situation…or diagnosed with something complicated…you want to find a “teaching or specialty hospital”. Yes, this could mean a drive to a larger city…but the specialty hospitals are simply a godsend when you have a complicated diagnosis from a doctor. When you face a long-term battle like cancer…having a full service cancer center to go to is a super smart way to treat the issue.

So the example would be this. Your senior goes to the smaller local hospital ER and is treated for a blocked prostate. They come back and say that the prostate is showing cancer, what to do?

There are a lot of decisions to be made in case of a complicated diagnosis. Prostate has many different treatment options. My young niece was just diagnosed with leukemia. That was a two-week ride of trying to figure out what kind of leukemia she had, so they could treat it well. If she was in a small town, with a small hospital – I would have asked them to transfer her to a children’s hospital in a larger city. That specialty hospital is trained in children issues, has specialists that deal with leukemia on a daily basis..not every once in a while. She was lucky because she had a children’s hospital close. She is safe and getting a complicated treatment schedule that the “Hospitalists” are well-trained for and she is getting stronger.

Something to know: Hospitality are now the treating physicians in the hospitals. 

You will be using a general Hospital, not your own regular doctor  when your 

senior goes into the hospital. This is what I found for meaning: A Hospitality 

is a doctor who basically does nothing except take care of in-hospital patients. 

They do not have private    practices, they strictly do hospital work.

A senior with the prostate blockage and possible cancer would be best at a large hospital with a specialty of cancer or a teaching hospital. That way all the newer treatments are available for the senior and they can give you a full understanding of your choices in treatments. What I have found is that town doctors may be specialists, but in emergencies they stick to what they have done for years. They stay close to treatments and drugs that are comfortable within their experience. I do not want a complicated situation to be handled in an out of date or common way. I want a complicated issue to be handled with a group of specialists that are on the cutting edge and will use different services to make you and the senior informed of the options of care. I also like the idea that a “group” of doctors will be reviewing the situation and debating treatment for your senior patient.

If you are reading this and say…WOW, my dad is older and does not want to have fancy extended care. He wants to pass naturally and easily.

That is called Palliative Care. Here is what I found on the meaning: 

With palliative  care, there is a focus on relieving pain and other troubling 

symptoms and meeting your emotional, spiritual, and practical needs. In short, 

this new medical specialty aims  to improve your senior's quality of life -- 

however you define that for yourself.

What I feel is that the word Palliative Care is an important word for you and your elder/senior in care need to talk about. That is why everyone needs a Living Will/Medical Care Directive. As you make out this form, you will go through the different options of care giving with the senior. You will then know how to make a decision in the middle of a medical emergency. Do they want to be on long-term care? Do they want to have CPR…there are many different questions on the form and the senior will be able to design their own life care. If those decisions mean that they do not want to extend their lives you need to talk to a doctor and get a special paper that says “NO MEDICAL LIFE SAVING SERVICES”. This paper will be signed by the doctor and the senior. So when you call for help and the EMT team arrives they know the rule and the paper is posted and they then do not have to do “any or all to save a life”. This is important to have when your senior is in the last journey of their life. Lots of families do not understand this rule and do not take that extra step. When the EMT or ER people respond to the senior’s needs they can not…just let the senior go…they are legally bound to treat the senior. But if you have the paper that the doctor and senior have signed (its different – in different states) you can show it and the medical team can relax and make the passing comfortable.

Inform yourself on the forms to keep your senior from extreme life saving 

treatments. Its a form here is what I have found on it: What are “Medical

Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment” (MOLST)?

The MOLST form is a standardized document containing valid medical orders about

life-sustaining treatment. It stays with the patient and is honored by health 

professionals across all health care settings.

My mother had the MOLST paper posted…but when she started to bleed from her mouth..I still took her into the hospital and they found she had an ulcer from her medications. They did a small procedure to stop the bleeding and changed her meds. I did not think we should have let her life go, under the situation. It was a small mend and she lived on another two years. You see I knew how to make that decision because we had talked about her care when we did her care directive and I got my name on the paper as her Power of Attorney for Medical issues. I know it sounds complicated…but I assure you…during the care process for a senior these issues will come up. Life is not always “passing away in your sleep”. It can get very complicated. So with my mother…she did not want any fancy testing or complicated or major procedures to extend her life. I knew that and my choices for her care were easier for me because of our talking over her wishes.

To download your state’s health care directive forms FREE click here.

I have put the hospital phone numbers of my city on my cell phone. I have also thought about when I drive or when I call 911 for help. When my husband George had pneumonia I called a friend to come and help me drive him to the hospital. When he had symptoms of a heart attack I called 911 for immediate help. If you take a few minutes to think over the idea of when to call for help or when to do take action on your own…you will find that you are prepared in your mind…when and if an emergency pops up.

I also have just done a review of how to make sure that you are prepared for the ER hospital trip and possible stay. Here is a link to that blog so you can pack and have your Emergency Kit all ready to go.

George on a rare ‘out and about’ with me ;)

I want to take time to thank you for the care giving you are doing for your senior. I know what a struggle it is to be a care giver and I appreciate all you are doing. Would you do me a favor and click on the “sign up” button on the right side of your screen. I am so busy with care giving for my Georgie (with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) that my blogs are random…this way you will get an email with my new blog info. Blessings, francy

PS Thank you to all of you that are constantly supporting me during my care giving for George. He is getting much weaker with his Parkinson’s issues. So the care giving is more complicated and extended. But we did get out for dinner on Good Friday…to celebrate Easter. We met George’s son and his wife at a local restaurant and had a nice dinner. I picked a place that I could park and walk in on one level. George just wheeled up to the table and I did the running around the buffet to fill his plate. He had such a good time, but it took about three days for him to recover from the extended activity from the out and about. I think of our journey as “creative problem solving’ on a daily basis. I want George’s life to be as joy filled as possible. So, we make most quiet days into little celebrations of current events. He is happy and the care giving needed, is still within my range. Thanks again, francy

Technorati Tags: Hospitals,Seniors,Healthcare,ER,Healthcare Tips,Tips for Seniors,Alzheimer's,AD,Bladder,Palliative Care,Parkinsons,Caretakers,Power of Attorney

Pet Alzheimer's Disease - Is Your Dog or Cat Showing Signs?

According to the Alzheimer's Association, 1 in 3 (human) Seniors die of Alzheimer’s or other related dementia and it now appears that Alzheimer’s affects our pets as well…

Story at-a-glance

• As your pet ages, he can develop canine or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which is a degenerative brain disease similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. Studies show 40 percent of dogs at 15 have at least one symptom, as do 68 percent of geriatric dogs. About half of all cats 15 or older also show signs of cognitive decline.
• Veterinary behaviorists are speaking out about the need for vets to monitor behavior in older pets just as they do other body systems. The earlier a cognitive problem is recognized, the earlier intervention can begin, giving pets more quality time with their families.
• Cognitive dysfunction is not “normal aging.” Diagnosis of the disease is a diagnosis of exclusion, since many health conditions in older pets have symptoms that mimic those of cognitive decline.
• A balanced, species-appropriate diet, exercise, mental stimulation and environmental enrichment are basic tools for pet owners who want to help their dog or cat stay mentally sharp.
• There are also several supplements that can be beneficial for older pets, including SAMe, coconut oil, resveratrol, ginkgo biloba, and phosphatidylserine.

By Dr. Becker  -  Cross-Posted at Just One More Pet

Unfortunately, just like people, dogs and cats also develop degenerative brain diseases known as canine or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome. But unlike humans, often the signs a pet is in mental decline go unnoticed until the condition is so advanced there’s little that can be done to turn things around or at least slow the progression of the disease.

Often, even an animal’s veterinarian is unaware there’s a problem because he or she doesn’t see the pet that often and always in a clinical setting vs. at home. In addition, according to Dr. Jeff Nichol, a veterinary behavior specialist in Albuquerque, NM, many DVMs aren’t aware of just how common cognitive dysfunction syndrome is. Vets assume pet parents will tell them when an older dog or cat is experiencing behavior changes, while owners assume the changes are just a natural part of aging.

In a large Australian study published in 2011 on canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD),¹ scientists at the University of Sydney reported that about 14 percent of dogs develop CCD, but less than 2 percent are diagnosed. In addition, the risk of CCD increases with age -- over 40 percent of dogs at 15 will have at least one symptom. Researchers also estimate the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in geriatric dogs at 68 percent.

In a study also published in 2011 on cognitive decline in cats,² a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals estimated that a third of all cats between 11 and 14 years of age have age-related cognitive decline. That number increases to 50 percent for cats 15 years and older.

Are You Discussing Your Pet’s Behavior Changes with Your Vet?

Veterinary behaviorists are beginning to speak out about the need for vets to monitor behavior in older pets just as they do other body systems. According to Dr. Marsha Reich, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior:

“Just because he’s getting old doesn’t mean that we just stand on the sidelines and let him get old. There are things we can do to intervene and improve the dog’s ability to function and improve its quality of life.”

Dr. Gary Landsberg, a veterinary behaviorist in Ontario, Canada, agrees. "This is critical. Early recognition allows for early intervention,” he says.

One of the challenges for vets is that older pets often have multiple health conditions that must be managed, and behavior issues – when addressed at all -- often take a back seat. This is especially true for DVMs who expect pet parents to make a separate appointment to discuss behavior changes they’ve noticed in their dog or cat. Typically by the time that happens, if it happens at all, it’s too late.

Animal behavior experts would like to see vet clinic staff give owners a behavioral questionnaire to complete before the dog or cat is taken to the examination room. (Questionnaires could even be emailed to pet owners a day or two before a scheduled appointment.) The vet can then quickly scan the questionnaire to see if there’s a need to discuss changes in an animal’s behavior with the owner.

The questionnaires, if done routinely, also provide a history both the vet and pet owner can refer to as the dog or cat ages.

At my practice, we have clients complete a “Catching Up” form every 6 months at their wellness exam, which covers any new behaviors that may have developed over the past months since their pet’s last exam.

Your Pet’s Mental Decline Has a Physical Cause

Cognitive dysfunction presents as a psychological problem, but the root cause is actually physical and is the result of age-related changes within the brain.

Dogs’ and cats’ brains age in a similar fashion and undergo oxidative damage, neuronal loss, atrophy and the development of beta-amyloid plaques. These ß-amyloid plaques are also seen in human Alzheimer’s sufferers.

According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman, professor and program director of animal behavior at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, “normal aging” does exist. Some features of cognitive function do decrease with age, but cognitive dysfunction of the type seen in Alzheimer’s disease is not normal.

While canine dementia isn’t exactly the same disease as Alzheimer’s in people, the development of ß-amyloid plaques in pets results in confusion, memory loss, and other symptoms related to mental function. And the condition can come on and progress very rapidly.

Diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in a pet is a diagnosis of exclusion. There are many conditions older animals acquire that mimic the signs of cognitive decline, so it’s important to rule out all other physical reasons for a change in behavior. For example, a small seizure can cause a pet to stand still and stare. If your pet seems detached, he could be in pain. Inappropriate elimination can be due to kidney disease. These disorders and many others can result in a change in behavior unrelated to cognitive decline. That’s why it’s so important to rule out all possible alternative reasons, especially in aging pets.

It’s also important for your vet to review any medications your dog or cat is taking. Older animals metabolize drugs differently than younger pets, and if a dog or cat has been on a certain medication for years, it’s possible it is having a different effect as he gets older.

And keep in mind your aging kitty may need a more accessible litter box, and an older dog may need more trips outside to relieve herself.

How to Help Your Aging Pet Stay Mentally Sharp

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help your aging pet maintain good mental function for as long as possible, and delay the onset and progression of cognitive decline.

• The foundation for good health and vitality for pets of any age is a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate diet. Your pet’s diet should include omega-3 essential fats, such as krill oil, which are critical for cognitive health. Your pet’s body needs an ideal energy source to promote the processes of metabolism, growth and healing. That perfect fuel -- especially for aging pets -- is a healthy variety of fresh, living food suitable for your carnivorous cat or dog.
• Keep your pet’s body and mind active with regular exercise appropriate for your pet’s age and physical condition, and mental stimulation (puzzles and treat-release toys can be beneficial). Make sure your dog has opportunities to socialize with other pets and people. Think of creative ways to enrich your cat's indoor environment.
• Provide your pet with a SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) supplement as a safe and effective way to stall or improve mental decline. Consult your pet's veterinarian for the right dose size for your dog or cat. There are also commercial cognitive support products available.
• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have been shown to improve brain energy metabolism and decrease the amyloid protein buildup that results in brain lesions in older pets. Coconut oil is a rich source of MCTs. I recommend 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight twice daily for basic MCT support.
• Other supplements to consider are resveratrol (Japanese knotweed), which protects against free radical damage and beta-amyloid deposits, ginkgo biloba, gotu kola and phosphatidylserine – a nutritional supplement that can inhibit age-related cognitive deficits. Consult a holistic veterinarian for dosing guidance.
• Cats are often nocturnal throughout their lives, but older dogs can develop problems sleeping at night. They tend to sleep all day and stay awake all night, pacing, making noise, and feeling anxious and uncomfortable. Behaviorists recommend melatonin, which is not only a sedative with a calming effect, but also an antioxidant. I also use Rhodiola, chamomile and l-theanine in both cats and dogs with excellent results.
• Keep your pet at a healthy size – overweight dogs and cats are at significant increased risk for disease as they age.
• Maintain your pet's dental health.
• I recommend twice-yearly vet visits for pets no matter the age, but this becomes even more important for animals getting up in years. Keeping abreast of your dog's or cat’s physical and mental changes as she ages is the best way to catch any disease process early. Ask your vet to perform a blood test to check your dog's internal organ health to make sure you are identifying possible issues early on.

When your pet begins to respond to therapy designed to improve cognitive function, in the case of a dog, you can begin re-training him using the same techniques you used when he was a puppy – positive reinforcement behavior training involving lots of treats and praise.

Of course, none of these recommendations will be terribly helpful for a pet in the advanced stages of cognitive decline, which is why it’s so important to diagnose and begin treating the problem as early as possible.

Cognitive dysfunction is a progressive disease that can’t be cured, but early diagnosis and intervention can slow mental decline and offer your aging pet good quality of life.

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Diabetes Drug May Reverse Alzheimer's

NewsmaxHealth: A commonly prescribed diabetes drug may have the potential to reverse some of the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease in the later stages of the condition.

In a new study funded by the Alzheimer's Society and published in the journal Neuropharmacology, Lancaster University researchers found the drug liraglutide may reverse memory loss and the build-up of plaques on the brain linked to the disease. Mice with late-stage Alzheimer's given the drug performed significantly better on an object recognition test and their brains showed a 30 percent reduction in the build-up of toxic plaques.

Liraglutide — one of new class of drugs known as GLP-1 analogues — is used to stimulate insulin production in diabetes, but research shows it can also pass through the blood brain barrier and have a protective effect on brain cells.

The findings come as the Alzheimer's Society charity prepares to conduct clinical trials of the drug's effectiveness, as part of a program that aims to repurpose existing drugs as dementia treatments within the next five to 10 years.

"Developing new drugs from scratch can take 20 years and hundreds of millions of pounds," said Doug Brown, M.D., research and development director at the Alzheimer's Society. "We owe it to [dementia patients] to do everything we can to accelerate the process. Our focus on repurposing existing drugs as dementia treatments is an incredibly exciting way of bringing new treatments closer.

"This exciting study suggests that one of these drugs can reverse the biological causes of Alzheimer's even in the late stages and demonstrates we're on the right track. We're now funding a major new trial to bring it closer to a position where it can be improving the lives of people with dementia."

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, has few effective treatments and no cure. If successful in clinical trials liraglutide would be the first new dementia treatment in a decade.

ALERT: 5 Signs You’ll Get Alzheimer’s Disease

© 2013 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: diabetes drug,Alzheimer's,liraglutide,AD,dementia

Alzheimer's: Tips to make holidays more enjoyable

Holidays can be bittersweet for families affected by Alzheimer's. Try these simple tips to make the holidays less disruptive and more pleasant for everyone.

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you're like many who are caring for a loved one with dementia, the holiday season may not feel so merry. Memories of better times may surface as reminders of what you've lost or what has changed. At a time when you believe you should be happy, you may instead find that stress, disappointment and sadness prevail.

At the same time, you may think that you should live up to expectations of family traditions and how things ought to be. As a caregiver, it isn't realistic to think that you will have the time or the energy to participate in all of the holiday activities as you once did.

Yet, by adjusting your expectations and modifying some traditions, you can still find meaning and joy for you and your family. Here are some ideas.

Keep it simple at home

If you're caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's at home:

• Make preparations together. If you bake, your loved one may be able to participate by measuring flour, stirring batter or rolling dough. You may find it meaningful to open holiday cards or wrap gifts together. Remember to concentrate on the process, rather than the result.
• Tone down your decorations. Blinking lights and large decorative displays can cause disorientation. Avoid lighted candles and other safety hazards, as well as decorations that could be mistaken for edible treats — such as artificial fruits.
• Host quiet, slow-paced gatherings. Music, conversation and meal preparation all add to the noise and stimulation of an event. Yet for a person who has Alzheimer's, a calm and quiet environment usually is best. Keep daily routines in place as much as possible and, as needed, provide your loved one a place to rest during family get-togethers.

Be practical away from home

If your loved one lives in a nursing home or other facility:

• Celebrate in the most familiar setting. For many people who have Alzheimer's, a change of environment — even a visit home — can cause anxiety. Instead of creating that disruption, consider holding a small family celebration at the facility. You might also participate in holiday activities planned for the residents.
• Minimize visitor traffic. Arrange for a few family members to drop in on different days. Even if your loved one isn't sure who's who, two or three familiar faces are likely to be welcome, while nine or 10 people may be overwhelming.
• Schedule visits at your loved one's best time of day. People who have Alzheimer's tire easily, especially as the disease progresses. Your loved one may appreciate morning and lunchtime visitors more than those in the afternoon or evening.

Care for yourself

Consider your needs, as well as those of your loved one. To manage your expectations of yourself:

• Pick and choose. Decide which holiday activities and traditions are most important, and focus on those you enjoy. Remember that you can't do it all.
• Simplify. Bake fewer cookies. Buy fewer gifts. Don't feel pressured to display all of your holiday decorations or include a handwritten note with each holiday card. Ask others to provide portions of holiday meals.
• Delegate. Remember family members and friends who've offered their assistance. Let them help with cleaning, addressing cards and shopping for gifts. Ask if one of your children or a close friend could stay with your loved one while you go to a holiday party.

Trust your instincts

As a caregiver, you know your loved one's abilities best. You also know what's most likely to agitate or upset your loved one. Resist pressure to celebrate the way others may expect you to. Remember, you can't control the progress of Alzheimer's or protect your loved one from all distress — but by planning and setting firm boundaries, you can avoid needless holiday stress and enjoy the warmth of the season.

Related:

Part One: Researchers race to beat scourge of aging

Part Three: Burden of illness often heaviest for caregivers

Diagnosis & Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

UCLA on Alzheimer's Disease - young or old should read

Alzheimer’s Disease - Caregiver Tips

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

Advances for Alzheimer's, Outside the Lab

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

Drinking Coffee Slashes Risk of Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Alzheimer’s Disease and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Pet Therapy

Animals Helping the Ailing, the Elderly, and the Young

Pets are way better than Therapy!

Low-Carb Diet May Slow Alzheimer’s Disease

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

7 Alzheimer's Triggers by Dr. Blaylock – definitely worth listening to!!

Find Dementia Care

Games for Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Homes

Buttered Popcorn Flavoring Linked to Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

The Secret; Care Givers are the ‘Silent’ Boss

The Hoax at the Bottom of Autism and Alzheimer’s

Remember 'The Girls' - Views by Ann Hood

Alzheimer's patients follow different paths to a final debilitation

Dog rescued after being tied to train tracks by 'confused' man

Rescued Banjo

Just One More Pet:

Were it not for an eagle-eyed engineer, the world would be minus this very lucky dog. Earlier this month, an engineer driving a Union Pacific train through Mecca, Calif., saw a man stepping away from something he'd left behind: a 10-month-old doggy, tied to the tracks. The emergency braking system stopped the train, and Union Pacific Special Agent Sal Pina arrested the man, 78, who reportedly said his family did not want the dog. Pina said animal-cruelty charges wouldn’t be filed, as the man appeared to be confused or unaware of what he'd done. The rescued pup, who animal services worker named Banjo — slang for old railroad traffic signs — is happy, healthy and looking for a new home.

This ended up being a success story, but it could have been a horror story.  Sadly the numbers of elderly suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as other people suffering from mental and emotional disorders are at an all time high, let alone the people who are innately cruel and animal abusers, plus the clueless who are just abandoning their animals because of monetary problems.  Be vigilant and intercede, report abuse and keep an eye on friends and family members experiencing mental, emotional or financial challenges.  Pets and children often become unintentional victims!!

Pets are fabulous companions for the elderly and those suffering from various illnesses and challenges and pet therapy has become very popular and useful treatment , but we must remember that those animals, who give their love and companionship selflessly, are God’s creatures as well and deserve love and compassion in return.

Related:

Alzheimer's patients follow different paths to a final debilitation

Pets Being Left Behind to Starve by Their Families

Pet Therapy

Technorati Tags: animal cruelty,dementia,Alzheimer's,dogs,pets,success story,pet therapy,seniors,JOMP,Just One More Pet

Alzheimer's patients follow different paths to a final debilitation

Untangling Alzheimer's – Part 2 of 3

Post-Gazette.com: Sitting in a small office on the fourth floor of UPMC Montefiore, Mary Lewellyn eagerly awaits a question from someone trying to assess her weakened mind's abilities.

Mary Lewellyn, 59, of Robinson has the "early-onset" version of Alzheimer's. (Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette)

"Do you know what day it is?" she is asked, a standard test question for Alzheimer's patients.

Lewellyn had come in from outside just minutes earlier, on a glorious October afternoon with the sun shining and the temperature reaching 70 degrees. She smiles beneath her frizzy hair, leaning forward in an earnest attempt to answer this once-simple question.

"December thirty-three -- is that what it is?" she responds, bright-eyed.

Eight years ago, Mary Lewellyn worked as a bookkeeper, helped her husband renovate their Robinson home and dreamed of retiring with him someday to Colorado Springs.

10 warning signs of Alzheimer's

1. Memory loss that affects job skills.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
3. Problems with language.
4. Disorientation to time and place.
5. Poor or decreased judgment.
6. Problems with abstract thinking.
7. Misplacing things.
8. Changes in mood or behavior.
9. Changes in personality.
10. Loss of initiative.

Four years ago, she could no longer compute numbers easily and was forgetting normal household chores. A neurologist suspected she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

By the time of her recent evaluation, at the Memory Disorders Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh's Alzheimer Disease Research Center, the 59-year-old woman could no longer tell the time of year or what city she was in. Her ability to add two numbers or write a coherent sentence had vanished, just like her job, her retirement plans and her role as equal spouse to Jim Lewellyn, her husband for 18 years.

Jim, patient and mild-mannered, told clinic coordinator Lori Smith Macedonia at the end of Mary's test of mental functioning that she seemed healthy as could be in some ways -- dancing at a wedding, roller-skating with relatives, singing songs from "Oklahoma" loudly in good pitch as he played them on a Hammond organ at home.

Mary scored but 8 out of 30 points, however, on the 30-minute Mini-Mental State Examination, a key tool to monitor dementia patients' ability to think, memorize and follow instructions. She had correctly answered twice as many questions a year earlier. That explains why Jim has to tend to most of her needs, from helping her dress to preparing her meals.

"A lot of people seriously impaired have very good physical states," Macedonia, a physician's assistant, explained afterward. "She could get up and run a race but she is very severely impaired."

Macedonia and Jim agreed to increase Mary's dosage of Exelon, a new drug intended to help preserve cognition, but there was no certainty it would help. The three drugs approved specifically for treatment of Alzheimer's sometimes help treat symptoms and sometimes don't. They are far from a cure even for the patients who respond best.

The Lewellyns will continue periodic visits to the memory clinic, but they hold no illusions it will free Mary of the disease.

Deciphering the signs

The first sign of Alzheimer's can be imperceptible.

Forgetting a name, misplacing car keys or unintentionally missing an appointment happens to most people from time to time, especially as they age. It doesn't mean they're diseased.

The time to be concerned is when short-term memory problems occur frequently. If a family member recognizes a pattern of forgetfulness in a parent or spouse, a medical evaluation may be in order if the person hasn't volunteered for one.

In Mary Lewellyn's case, Jim realizes now, the first signal was when he was working in the back yard on hot days, and Mary would offer to get him a drink. She'd go into the house, and he wouldn't see her again for hours as she busied herself with other tasks, forgetting about him sweating outside.

"I wasn't being mean," she says now, with a laugh, though she'd give anything to relive those days when she could accomplish menial chores.

For some people, the first difficulty they notice is disorientation while driving. Others with a lifelong hobby requiring concentration, such as bridge, can no longer grasp the key details. Husbands telegraph the problem by repeatedly forgetting to mow the lawn, and wives lose track of where they parked the car while shopping.

Donald Helton remembers the day in 1993 his grandmother left the stove on unattended in their Elizabeth Township home, a wake-up call that she had a problem requiring attention in order to avert a disaster such as the house burning down.

"Oh, boy, wouldn't that be awful," 86-year-old Mary Gonzales says while listening now, as though her grandson were talking about some other person. "God forbid."

Short-term memory is the first casualty of Alzheimer's, but it takes more than memory loss to be diagnosed with the disease. Someone with that difficulty alone is usually considered to have mild cognitive impairment, which is often but not always a sign that Alzheimer's is ahead.

By the time they are diagnosed with Alzheimer's, individuals typically will have also lost some reasoning ability or language skills or undergone changes in behavior, such as apathy or agitation. That's often several years after the appearance of the memory problems, which may take on significance only in retrospect.

People with early Alzheimer's often hide it, even from themselves, by sticking to a familiar routine and avoiding new, uncertain situations. They and relatives laugh off some of the potential warning signs and attribute them to age rather than disease, a form of denial thought to be more common among men than women.

Jim and Mary Lewellyn can still enjoy musical evenings at home. (Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette)

"There is more undetected Alzheimer's than you would imagine" said Dr. James T. Becker, a University of Pittsburgh neuropsychologist. "Some of that may still be related to the way we think about the elderly. Part of that is from how people earlier in the disease adapt. You very quietly change your lifestyle, and even your family may not notice."

Diagnosing the disease

I.G., an 80-year-old woman visiting the Memory Disorders Clinic, is able to spell, count and draw without hesitation but is stumped by the most telling part of the exam: a request that she recall three words given to her several minutes earlier.

"Heh, heh, you're kidding," she says with a chuckle. "I forget what they were. I forget very easily. ... Was 'table' one?"

Yes, it was. So were "apple" and "penny," words that evaporated quickly in a mind clogged by the mild-to-moderate stage of Alzheimer's.

By the time she is asked to write a complete sentence, the very dignified I.G., who did not want to be identified publicly, acts put off by this process of assessing her mental functioning. She writes clearly: "I think it's about time to go home."

The first medical visit where Alzheimer's is discussed can be deadly uncomfortable.

If it is in the office of an Alzheimer's specialist, usually the patient himself is the last one who wants to be there, noted Dr. Michael Usman, who operates the private, non-profit Alzheimer Center of Pittsburgh in Robinson. It's one disease with an ironic twist -- the fact that you have it makes you among the least likely to recognize it.

"Usually, if I ask flat-out, 'Why are you here?' the response is 'Because she brought me,'" Usman said, pointing to where a patient's daughter would sit in his office.

Specialists such as Usman say they may spend four hours on an initial examination in order to determine whether Alzheimer's is present. A team approach is used in which the patient may get physical, neurological and psychiatric or psychological evaluations, as well as interviews done by a social worker with the patient and family members. Sometimes, a brain imaging scan is ordered to rule out stroke or other illnesses that could be affecting the mind.

Such full-court scrutiny can diagnose Alzheimer's with 90 percent or more accuracy, but absolute certainty can only be provided by a brain autopsy. Because it's so dreaded a disease, it's essential that physicians avoid bludgeoning people with references to it and instead focus on helping them, said Richard Besdine, director of the Brown University Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research.

"With mention of the word Alzheimer's, the listening capacity [of patients and relatives] falls off dramatically," Besdine said.

Most people with Alzheimer's and other dementia are cared for by their own physicians, which can pose a problem in the managed-care world. Doctors are reimbursed better for brief stints of hands-on medical treatment than the more leisurely conversation and assessments necessary to manage a person's dementia by monitoring medications and advising caregivers.

Alzheimer's specialists routinely gripe that primary care physicians don't diagnose dementia quickly enough, which could be a carryover from days when treatment options were unavailable to them and a diagnosis mattered little. Now the drugs Aricept and Exelon can delay effects of the disease for up to a year in some patients.

Doctors say the population is becoming better educated every year about the disease and the possibility of getting help for it. New patients at Pitt's Alzheimer Disease Research Center are more commonly arriving within a couple of years after symptoms first appear, when it used to take four or five years, said neurologist Dr. Daniel Kaufer.

Sometimes, he can tell families that the patient has only mild cognitive impairment, a relief to them, but one followed by the warning that half of the people in that state are likely to have Alzheimer's within five years.

Less than 20 percent of the time, the extensive team examination determines the dementia of a loved one is caused by a disease other than Alzheimer's. Kaufer said that news can be even worse for families than a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, because less progress has been made in researching vascular, frontotemporal and other dementias. And often, one of those other dementias overlaps with Alzheimer's.

A different path for everyone

The Alzheimer's course can run as long as 20 years from the first symptoms until death, though it's more typically half that. It's usually a shorter, swifter decline for the fewer than 10 percent who, like Mary Lewellyn, get the "early-onset" version of the disease between their 40s and early 60s.

Each person's experience with the disease is different. Each patient carries a different level of awareness of what is taking place inside their troubled brain. Some know they have Alzheimer's, some just know things seem different from before, and some are clueless that there's anything wrong.

Their lack of insight and loss of language skills make it hard for the victims to discuss the disease, even when they know they're being affected.

"It was gradual," Mary Lewellyn says on her home's back deck one day, quietly deferring to her husband until she is asked point blank how she has been affected. "I don't know, really. ... Something happened -- I have no clue."

At a support group of the local Alzheimer's Association, individuals in the early stages of the disease are better able to discuss the turmoil in their heads and lives. Each month, they share insecurities about strange situations, mishaps at home and hardships they create for relatives.

"I don't think anybody can understand what you're going through. It's like somebody dropped a bomb on you, and it blew up," Phyllis Herrup, 71, of McKeesport, said at one meeting as some of the seven other heads around the table nodded.

One day, her husband found her taking apart pieces of the washing machine. She didn't know why. Her memory's been slipping since 1994, and it's a source of daily frustration for the college graduate who has served on McKeesport's school board and development authority.

"If I put down a book or magazine and then look for it, I can't find it," she said. "It just drives me up the wall."

Irene Vellella of Bellevue, who also attends the support group, doesn't see herself as handicapped. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's a year ago, the 77-year-old woman still lives in her own apartment but has given up driving and control of her financial affairs to her children. She says those decisions weren't necessary but make life easier for her, and she faults the memories of friends and relatives as much or more than her own.

"[Patients] often don't understand what's happening, even at the early stage," said Dr. Amelia Gennari, the UPMC Shadyside geriatrician who diagnosed Vellella and encouraged her to give her checkbook to her son. Doctors often take on the "bad guy" role for families and deliver tough advice to patients in denial of their shortcomings.

"The biggest problem often in the early stage is depression, and fortunately, we do have good treatment for that," Gennari said.

About one-fourth of Alzheimer's patients suffer depression, studies suggest. At least that many have delusions or paranoia, and twice as many become easily agitated. Managing Alzheimer's long term often involves treating such personality difficulties with specific drugs and with advice to caregivers, just as much as addressing the patient's loss of memory and reasoning.

A final, debilitating decline

The physician's assistant testing Mary Gonzales' abilities at the Memory Disorders Clinic taps the wrinkled woman's knee, soliciting her attention.

"Mary, what year is it?"

"Oh, 19-about-53 or something, I don't know," the 86-year-old woman responds. "I usually know, but I've had all these things on my mind."

Those things are the pigs and cows that surrounded her in childhood, the two deceased daughters she thinks are still alive, and her parents' origins in Czechoslovakia, all of which she discusses repeatedly without prompting.

Hers is a restless, nonsensical mind masked by a pleasant demeanor and fit body. When leading Gonzales out the door after a half hour, her gentle interrogator is careful to mention she did very well.

"Oh, did I?" Gonzales says sweetly, quite willing to believe it.

Researchers are still trying to identify all of the environmental and biological factors that target some individuals for Alzheimer's and spare others. One thing they have deduced is that education and intelligence help delay the effects of the disease.

Smart people aren't spared the mental mayhem of Alzheimer's, but they appear to have reserves of brain power that help them function close to normal for longer periods.

"If you have a big vocabulary and you can't think of the word you need to use, you'll think of another one easier," said Dr. Judith Saxton, a University of Pittsburgh neuropsychologist. "It doesn't stop you from getting the disease, but maybe intelligence does what the medication is designed to do -- it slows things down."

At a recent Alzheimer Disease Research Center consensus conference where the staff collectively reviewed the status of patients, the doctors commented on the mental tenacity of a 57-year-old teacher with a master's degree. She was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment nearly two years ago, but she kept awakening three hours early to prepare herself for classes so she could continue working.

Last month, the doctors downgraded her to Alzheimer's status, based on declining test scores and functioning. She has quit teaching. She's given up control of the family finances and can't drive 150 miles to visit relatives.

"I'm amazed she's hung on this long," a neurologist commented, recalling how the woman seemed on the verge of Alzheimer's in 1998.

Dr. Steven DeKosky, the center's director, recognized when he started seeing patients in the 1980s that his more educated patients held steady longer. "If the disease strikes you at 75 and you're highly educated, the sanding from the disease may never get down to the bare wood before you die," he said.

More commonly, however, someone goes from Irene Vellella's stage of functioning independently within a careful routine, to Mary Lewellyn's helpless status, to Mary Gonzales' ignorance of her helplessness, which is accompanied by an urge to wander away from home.

A nursing home is often the final stop. More than half of nursing home patients carry some sort of dementia, most commonly Alzheimer's.

Most are oblivious to their condition by that stage, which enables them to focus on activities that give them pleasure for the moment rather than the depressing fate awaiting them, said Dr. Jules Rosen, a Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic geriatric psychiatrist. On his visits to institutions, he sees end-stage Alzheimer's patients retreat to a fetal position in bed, unable to care for themselves or take directions from others.

"Most people, given a good, supportive environment with caregivers who understand the situation, and with proper medications, their quality of life can persist for many, many years," Rosen said. "Eventually, they just become so debilitated, and the last few years are bad."

Related:

Part One: Researchers race to beat scourge of aging

Part Three: Burden of illness often heaviest for caregivers

Diagnosis & Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

UCLA on Alzheimer's Disease - young or old should read

Alzheimer’s Disease - Caregiver Tips

Diagnosis & Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

Advances for Alzheimer's, Outside the Lab

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

Drinking Coffee Slashes Risk of Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Alzheimer’s Disease and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Pet Therapy

Animals Helping the Ailing, the Elderly, and the Young

Pets are way better than Therapy!

Low-Carb Diet May Slow Alzheimer’s Disease

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

7 Alzheimer's Triggers by Dr. Blaylock – definitely worth listening to!!

Find Dementia Care

Games for Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Homes

Buttered Popcorn Flavoring Linked to Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

The Secret; Care Givers are the ‘Silent’ Boss

The Hoax at the Bottom of Autism and Alzheimer’s

Remember 'The Girls' - Views by Ann Hood

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Low-Carb Diet May Slow Alzheimer’s Disease

Story at-a-glance

• A deficiency of healthy fats, combined with too many carbs may be at the heart of the Alzheimer’s epidemic
• A growing body of research suggests there may be a powerful connection between the foods you eat and your risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, via similar pathways that cause type 2 diabetes. In one recent animal study, researchers were able to induce dementia by disrupting the proper signaling of insulin in the brain
• Previous animal research has shown that calorie restriction protects against aging, oxidative stress and neurodegenerative pathologies, and that reduced levels of IGF-1 mediate some of these protective effects.
• Recent research has also shown that intermittent fasting triggers a variety of health-promoting hormonal and metabolic changes similar to those of constant calorie restriction—including reduced age-related brain shrinkage

By Dr. Mercola

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. This fatal and progressive condition destroys brain cells, resulting in memory loss and severe thinking and behavioral problems (aggression, delusions, and hallucinations) that interfere with daily life and activities.

The cause is conventionally believed to be a mystery. While we know that certain diseases, like type 2 diabetes, are definitively connected to the foods you eat, Alzheimer's is generally thought to strike without warning or reason.

That is, until recently.

A growing body of research suggests there may be a powerful connection between the foods you eat and your risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, via similar pathways that cause type 2 diabetes. Some have even re-named Alzheimer's as "type 3 diabetes."

Top Dietary Factor Now Implicated in Skyrocketing Dementia Rates

Faulty insulin (and leptin), signaling caused by a high non-fiber carb diet is an underlying cause of insulin resistance, which, of course, typically leads to type 2 diabetes. However, while insulin is usually associated with its role in keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, it also plays a role in brain signaling.

In a 2012 animal study,¹ researchers were able to induce dementia by disrupting the proper signaling of insulin in the brain.

All in all, it seems clear that your diet plays a tremendous part in Alzheimer’s, and the low-fat craze may have wrought more havoc than anyone could ever have imagined. It was the absolute worst recommendation possible, limiting the nutrient you, and your brain, need the most in your diet.

The disease is currently at epidemic proportions, with 5.4 million Americans — including one in eight people aged 65 and over — living with Alzheimer's disease. By 2050, this is expected to jump to 16 million, and in the next 20 years it is projected that Alzheimer's will affect one in four Americans. If that comes to pass, it would then be more prevalent than obesity and diabetes is today!

How Carbohydrates Can Activate Disease Processes

Dr. Ron Rosedale, a prominent expert in the low-carb, high-quality fat approach to improving your health, was possibly the first person to advocate both a low-carb and moderate protein (and therefore high fat) diet. Most low-carb advocates were very accepting of, if not promoting, high protein, and protein was, and still is, often recommended as a replacement for the carbs.

However, a high-fat, low-carb diet is very different than a high-protein, low-carb diet and this is a major source of confusion by both the public and researchers when doing studies and publishing conclusions as if all low-carb diets are the same.

You cannot live without protein, as it’s a main component of your body, including muscles, bones, and many hormones. We also know that protein was instrumental in advancing our intelligence. However, most people today are indulging in hormone laced, antiobiotic loaded meats conveniently available at fast food restaurants and processed meats in grocery stores.

How Much Protein is 'Enough?'

Dr. Rosedale believes the average amount of protein recommended for most adults is about one gram of protein per kilogram of LEAN body mass, or one-half gram of protein per pound of lean body weight. (As an example, if your body fat mass is 20 percent, your lean mass is 80 percent of your total body weight.
If your total weight is 200 pounds, you would divide 160 by 2.2 to convert pounds to kilograms and come up with 72.7 grams of protein. If you are doing vigorous exercises or are pregnant you can add up to another 25 percent or another 18 grams in this illustration to increase your total to 90 grams per day.)

This is something that makes sense to me and something I seek to apply personally, but this is partly because I foolishly had my amalgam fillings removed 20 years ago by a non-biologically trained dentist that caused serious kidney damage, so I can’t tolerate high levels of protein anyway. However, it seems obvious to me that most people consume too much low-quality protein and carbohydrates, and not enough healthy fat.

So it would make sense that the majority of your diet should be comprised of good fats, followed by good proteins like whey protein concentrate from grass-fed cows, and organic grass-fed beef, pastured organic eggs and chicken, and fish like wild caught salmon.
Your healthiest option is to ensure your carbs come primarily from fresh, organic vegetables, high-quality protein, and eat primary a high fat diet. Depending on the type of carbs (high fiber or not), most people need anywhere between 50-75 percent fat in their diet and sometimes even higher for optimal health.

Another Brain-Boosting Alternative: Intermittent Fasting

Recent research has also shown that intermittent fasting triggers a variety of health-promoting hormonal and metabolic changes similar to those of constant calorie restriction — including reduced age-related brain shrinkage. According to Professor Mark Mattson,² head of neuroscience at the U.S. National Institute on Ageing:

“Suddenly dropping your food intake dramatically — cutting it by at least half for a day or so — triggers protective processes in the brain.”

He likens the effects to those from exercise, stating intermittent fasting could help protect your brain against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Constant calorie restriction typically includes restriction of protein, and as discussed above, some of the beneficial effects of calorie restriction may actually be due to the reduction in protein. Likewise, intermittent fasting, where meals are either restricted to a small window of time each day, or calories are restricted on specific days of the week, will also typically lead to a reduction in the amount of protein you consume.

Again, going back to the featured study, the animals were only given a protein-restricted diet every other week for four months — essentially, they were on an intermittent fasting-type diet. So we’re not promoting going vegan here. Just cutting your protein back to what your body really needs, and no more. The science on this is relatively new and there are many different protocols but I personally have evolved to the point where I do it on most days. I will make exceptions a few times a month.

Alzheimer's Might be 'Brain Diabetes'

No discussion of brain health can be complete without emphasizing the need to dramatically cut down on the sugars in your diet. It's becoming increasingly clear that the same pathological process that leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes may also hold true for your brain. As you over-indulge on sugar and grains, your brain becomes overwhelmed by the consistently high levels of sugar and insulin and eventually shuts down its insulin signaling, leading to impairments in your thinking and memory abilities, and eventually causing permanent brain damage.

You may already know I have become passionate about warning of the dangers of fructose. There is NO question in my mind that consuming more than 25 grams of fructose regularly will dramatically increase your risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Consistently consuming too much fructose will inevitably wreak havoc on your body's ability to regulate proper insulin levels.

Additionally, fructose has other modes of neurotoxicity, including causing damage to the circulatory system upon which the health of your nervous system depends, as well as profoundly changing your brain's craving mechanism, often resulting in excessive hunger and subsequent consumption of additional empty carbohydrate-based calories. In one study³ from UCLA, researchers found that rats fed a fructose-rich and omega-3 fat deficient diet (similar to what is consumed by many Americans) developed both insulin resistance and impaired brain function in just six weeks.

More Tips for Avoiding Alzheimer's Disease

The beauty of following my newly revised Nutrition Plan is that it helps treat and prevent all chronic degenerative diseases, from the common ones like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer's to the ones you have never heard of or can't even pronounce. It is divided into three helpful sections, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced to help you start at the right level.

The plan is the first step in addressing Alzheimer's disease. In spite of how common memory loss is among Westerners, it is NOT a "normal" part of aging. While even mild "senior moments" may be caused by the same brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, these cognitive changes are by no means inevitable! People who experience very little decline in their cognitive function up until their deaths have been found (post-mortem) to be free of brain lesions, showing that it's entirely possible to prevent the damage from occurring in the first place… and one of the best ways to do this is by leading a healthy lifestyle.

• Limit fructose. Most people will benefit from keeping their total fructose consumed below 25 grams per day.
• Only use moderate amounts of protein. The featured studies provide compelling evidence that in most cases you will want to limit your protein to the levels discussed in the article. Most people consume 200-300 percent more protein than their body can use and the altered metabolism and metabolic breakdown products can be pernicious to human health.
• Improve your magnesium levels. There is some exciting preliminary research strongly suggesting a decrease in Alzheimer symptoms with increased levels of magnesium in the brain. Unfortunately most magnesium supplements do not pass the blood brain barrier, but a new one, magnesium threonate, appears to and holds some promise for the future for treating this condition.
• Optimize your vitamin D levels with safe sun exposure. Strong links between low levels of vitamin D in Alzheimer's patients and poor outcomes on cognitive tests have been revealed.⁴ Researchers believe that optimal vitamin D levels may enhance the amount of important chemicals in your brain and protect brain cells by increasing the effectiveness of the glial cells in nursing damaged neurons back to health.

  Vitamin D may also exert some of its beneficial effects on Alzheimer's through its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Sufficient vitamin D is imperative for proper functioning of your immune system to combat inflammation that is also associated with Alzheimer's.

• Keep your fasting insulin levels below 3. This is indirectly related to fructose, as it will clearly lead to insulin resistance. However other sugars (sucrose is 50 percent fructose by weight), grains and lack of exercise are also important factors.
• Vitamin B12. According to a small Finnish study recently published in the journal Neurology,⁵ people who consume foods rich in B12 may reduce their risk of Alzheimer's in their later years. For each unit increase in the marker of vitamin B12 (holotranscobalamin) the risk of developing Alzheimer's was reduced by 2 percent. Very high doses of B vitamins have also been found to treat Alzheimer's disease and reduce memory loss.
• Eat a nutritious diet, rich in folate, such as the one described in my nutrition plan. Vegetables, without question, are your best form of folate, and we should all eat plenty of fresh raw veggies every day.
• High-quality animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil. (I recommend avoiding regular consumption of most fish because, although fish is naturally high in omega-3, most fish are now severely contaminated with mercury.) High intake of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA help by preventing cell damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, thereby slowing down its progression, and lowering your risk of developing the disorder.
• Coconut Oil may offer profound benefits in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. One of the primary fuels your brain uses is glucose, which is converted into energy. When your brain becomes insulin resistant, atrophy due to starvation can occur. However, ketone bodies, or ketoacids can also feed your brain, perhaps better, and prevent brain atrophy. It may even restore and renew neuron and nerve function in your brain after damage has set in. In fact, ketones appear to be the preferred source of brain food in patients affected by diabetes or Alzheimer's.

  Ketones are what your body produces when it converts fat (as opposed to glucose) into energy, and a primary source of ketone bodies are the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil.

• Astaxanthin is a natural pigment with unique properties and many clinical benefits, including some of the most potent antioxidant activity currently known. As a fat-soluble nutrient, astaxanthin readily crosses your blood-brain barrier. One study⁶ found it may help prevent neurodegeneration associated with oxidative stress, as well as make a potent natural "brain food."
• Eat plenty of blueberries. Wild blueberries, which have high anthocyanidin and antioxidant content, are known to guard against Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases.
• Gingko biloba: Many scientific studies have found that Ginkgo biloba has positive effects for dementia. Gingko, which is derived from a tree native to Asia, has long been used medicinally in China and other countries. Sixteen years ago, in one of the first issues of my newsletter, I posted the results of a 1997 study from JAMA that showed clear evidence that Ginkgo improves cognitive performance and social functioning for those suffering from dementia. Research since then has been equally promising. One study in 2006 found Gingko as effective as the dementia drug Aricept (donepezil) for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's type dementia. A 2010 meta-analysis found Gingko biloba to be effective for a variety of types of dementia.
• Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can help stabilize cognitive functions among Alzheimer's patients and may slow the progression of the disease.
• Avoid and remove mercury from your body. Dental amalgam fillings, which are 50 percent mercury by weight, are one of the major sources of heavy metal toxicity, however you should be healthy prior to having them removed. Once you have adjusted to following the diet described in my optimized nutrition plan, you can follow the mercury detox protocol and then find a biological dentist to have your amalgams removed.
• Avoid aluminum, such as antiperspirants, non-stick cookware, vaccine adjuvants, etc.
• Exercise regularly. It's been suggested that exercise can trigger a change in the way the amyloid precursor protein is metabolized,⁷ thus, slowing down the onset and progression of Alzheimer's. Exercise also increases levels of the protein PGC-1alpha. Research has also shown that people with Alzheimer's have less PGC-1alpha in their brains⁸ and cells that contain more of the protein produce less of the toxic amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer's. I would strongly recommend reviewing the Peak Fitness Technique for my specific recommendations.
• Avoid flu vaccinations as most contain both mercury and aluminum, well-known neurotoxic and immunotoxic agents.
• Challenge your mind daily. Mental stimulation, especially learning something new, such as learning to play an instrument or a new language, is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's. Researchers suspect that mental challenge helps to build up your brain, making it less susceptible to the lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Avoid anticholinergic and statin drugs. Drugs that block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter, have been shown to increase your risk of dementia. These drugs include certain nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, sleep aids, certain antidepressants, medications to control incontinence, and certain narcotic pain relievers.

  Statin drugs are particularly problematic because they suppress the synthesis of cholesterol, deplete your brain of coenzyme Q10 and neurotransmitter precursors, and prevent adequate delivery of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants to your brain by inhibiting the production of the indispensable carrier biomolecule known as low-density lipoprotein.

Related:

Buttered Popcorn Flavoring Linked to Alzheimer’s

Diagnosis & Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s Disease - Caregiver Tips

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

UCLA on Alzheimer's Disease - young or old should read

Advances for Alzheimer's, Outside the Lab

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

Drinking Coffee Slashes Risk of Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Alzheimer’s Disease and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Pet Therapy

Animals Helping the Ailing, the Elderly, and the Young

Pets are way better than Therapy!

Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

The Secret; Care Givers are the ‘Silent’ Boss

The Hoax at the Bottom of Autism and Alzheimer’s

Remember 'The Girls' - Views by Ann Hood

 

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