Sunday, December 6, 2009
Summary
Three objectives
2. Information about how to get help placing your family member in an appropriate facility (Aplaceformom.com)
3. More detailed information and resources like the alz.org website for caregivers and professionals who want to find out more information about AD.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
A dose of light per day for Alzheimer's Sufferers
image from: http://www.medlaunches.com/entry_images/0108/29/Alzheimer%27s_helmet.jpg
Dr. Dougal of The Virulite Medical Research Company in association with The University of Sunderland in England have invented a helmet that emits light into the brain. The research by Dr. Dougal and others show that light exposure at regular intervals improves learning and brain function. Dr. Dougal asks: “…what if… a technology… told cells to repair themselves… as simple as a specific wavelength of light.” Dr. Dougal says he looks forward to see if the experiments help people with dementia. Representatives of the Alzheimer’s disease Society are happy research is being done to improve the lives of people who suffer from dementia.
Check out this exciting research at the following link.
link: http://thehappysongs.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-research-could-help-reverse.html
Monday, October 19, 2009
Two Articles About Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
Communication Abilities of Individuals with Late stage Alzheimer’s Disease
The study by Bayles, K. A. (2000) shows that as AD (Alzheimer’s disease) progresses in subjects there is a change in language impairment. Two findings that the authors found striking were: (1). the difference in the performance of the bladder incontinent (moderately severe) subjects from bladder and bowel incontinent subjects (severe) and (2). the incontinent and bedridden (very severe) subjects were unable to do any language production and tasks of comprehension. In addition to the striking findings, the author’s suggest future studies. Documenting a relationship between incontinence, language skills, loss of ambulation and being able to sit up and smile would be of great value. This article shows how physical disabilities progress along with symptoms of AD.
Patient Age Influences Recognition of Alzheimer’s Disease
The study by McCarten, J. R. (2008) shows recognition of AD symptoms is delayed the older a patient gets. AD patients were at a more advanced level of AD by the time the patient is referred to a clinic for dementia. In their discussion the authors bring up two very valid points. They are: (1). a failure to recognize and/or treat symptoms of dementia can complicate managing other medical conditions and “…early recognition of AD is important to allow patients and families the time” they need to prepare for the life altering affects of AD.
The study by McCarten, J. R. (2008) has both strengths and weaknesses. Strengths were: the setting, the large sample, an unchanging staff, an unchanging source of patients and a standardized test. These strengths make the study valid. Limitations of the study were that 96.5% of the veterans studied at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) were males from the Midwest. The percentage of males along with the design limits the results. Finally, data shows that subjects at an older age have dementia that is more advanced. McCarten, J. R. (2008) concludes that clinicians need to learn to recognize early AD especially in older patients. Overall, the study shows us the importance of early recognition for both clinicians and family members.
References
Bayles, K. A., Tomoeda, C, K., Cruz, R., F., and Mahendra, N. Communication Abilities of Individuals with Late stage Alzheimer ’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders (2000), 14, 176 – 181.
McCarten, J. R., Hemmy, L. S., Rottunda, S. J., and Kuskowski, M., A. Patient Age Influences Recognition of Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Gerontology: MEDICAL SCIENCES (2008). (63A) 6, 625 – 628.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Welcome to futureslpofamerica.blogspot.com!
This blog has information about Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Check out these three websites:
1. www.alz.org
2. www.ahaf.org
3. http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/index.php
These websites have a plethora of information about AD. The Ten Warning Signs for AD are explained in each site. For example, normal aging signs are: occasionally make a bad decision, miss a monthly payment, forget the date, lose an item, etc. A person showing signs of AD are not able to: decide, retrace his or her steps after losing an item and/or have a conversation. The websites compare a normal brain to a brain with AD.
Alz.org has an impressive Brain Tour which shows the brain using language, thinking and reading. After the Brain Tour you can sign up for events in your area related to AD.
Ahaf.org/alzheimers/ advises how to communicate with a person with AD. For example, use short sentences, speak slowly and calmly and talk about familiar topics. Helpful hints like have the environment well it to avoid agitating the person with AD are offered.
Alzheimer.ca offers an extensive Brain Studies List with research, books and information about AD like socializing, diet, exercise, etc. The alzheimer.ca website is unique because of this Brain Studies List.
Overall, enjoy futureslpofamerica.blogspot.com! The three websites are full of helpful information for anyone who needs to know about AD.
