Exercising the Mind to Regain Memory

Memory loss is not a normal or

natural process of aging.

Jessica noticed feeling fuzzy in her mind more and more after she reached her 70’s.  She joked about being muddle-minded and excused herself laughing about having a ‘senior moment’ when she couldn’t remember an important fact.  Jessica had always prided herself on being sharp and so wasn’t about to let age steal her quick wits.  So she decided to get proactive about her brain and began energetically exercising her mind.  She was amazed by the results. 

The brain is an organ and like all organs in the human body it experiences some natural changes as we age, yet loss of memory does not have to be one of them.  Mental decline due to aging is preventable and even reversible with the right attitude and some dedication to exercising the mind.

According to Dr. Dharma Signh Khalsa, President and Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, seniors and the elderly can avoid mental aging by keeping the brain active.  By proactively engaging the mind in “vigorous mental exercise” he calls brain aerobics, Dr. Khalsa states that mind and memory can be improved in those starting to show signs of mental deterioration.  The theory that it is normal and inevitable for the elderly to experience memory loss is no longer believed to be true.

Let Einstein be your role model

Albert Einstein has long been considered the most brilliant man in history, yet he had  very normal brain cells.  After his death, a pathologist examined Einstein’s brain tissue and discovered that the cells, or neurons, were no different from that of an average person.  What was surprising was that the supporting structure around Einstein’s brain cells was far more developed than average.  These supporting structures, called glial cells, are the connections or pathways between brain cells allowing them to communicate effectively.   Einstein’s glial cells were numerous and well developed which could account for his remarkable intellectual ability. 

Brain challenge

It is a proven fact that certain brain challenging activities will improve existing glial cells as well as actually create new ones.  Studies show that mental exercise regenerates brain cells, causing them to grow larger and stronger and become more resistant to the effects of aging.  Cognitive exercise also increases the number of connections in the brain which unlocks, activates and sustains brain power no matter what our age, but to be effective the mental activity must meet three criteria:

1.      It must engage your attention

2.      It must break up a routine activity in an unexpected way

3.      It must involve two or more of the senses.

How to exercise the brain

Just as physical exercise is essential to healthy longevity; mental exercise is the key to fighting loss of cognitive ability and memory, and a combination of the two is the best bet to remaining mentally agile as we age.  Recent studies show that greatest results are found with a combination of physical and mental exercise. A 30 minute exercise routine, such as brisk walking, followed by stretching and then a 15-20 minute mental exercise, like a crossword puzzle, increases the efficiency and power of the brain. Jolting the brain out of its normal routines is also a brilliant way to improve cognitive agility.  Learning a new language or reading a book for 10 minutes upside down stimulates the brain in amazing ways.

It is pretty easy

Like all things we should do, getting into the habit of actually doing them is the hardest part.  Mental exercises or activities are easy and can be fun.  Since the combination of physical and mental exercise gets the best results, it is a good idea to add a few cognitive activities to the end of a morning exercise routine.  Follow a yoga session with 20 minutes working working on a cross word puzzle or take a brisk walk with a friend and discuss current events.  Playing electronic games such as Sudoku or word finding games on your phone or tablet is great way to rest after a session lifting hand weights or swim laps followed by working on a jigsaw puzzle.

      It has often said you can’t teach old dog new tricks, but learning new things, especially for the aging, will improve brain functions, regenerate lost cognitive abilities and improve short term memory.  So avoid watching TV and instead pick up a good book, write a poem, play a word game, get going with new a hobby or learn a new language. Proactively pursuing mental activity will improve connections in the brain, stimulate the mind and help improve memory. 

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

Sources:

“The Power of Brain Aerobics: Maximize your Memory” brochure. Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

There is a difference between 
Alzheimer’s and MCI.

Margaret sometimes has troubles finding words as she speaks.  She knows what she wants to say, but the words just seem to slip away.  She halts mid-sentence searching, gets frustrated and then in embarrassment gives up speaking. She wonders why she fails to remember the simplest words. James forgets which day he promised to watch the grand-kids and often finds himself in the store with no idea what he came to buy.  He chuckles at his absent mindedness, but worries that there might be something really wrong.

Memory loss

With all the talk in the media about Alzheimer’s disease it is easy to jump the gun and assume the worst the each time the car keys can’t be found.  We all forget things, but it can be very unsettling when it happens frequently. Most elderly people live in fear of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so each memory lapse causes anxiety and worry.  Yet there is another possible explanation for short term memory problems.  This common condition is called Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a diagnosis used for people with significant short-term memory loss.  The symptoms people with MCI experience are different and less severe than those associated with Alzheimer’s.  People with MCI are usually pretty sharp cognitively and are able to retain their reasoning skills.  They can manage their own finances and easily recall events from the past.  Yet those close to them will notice a short-term loss memory issues which are severe enough that to affect their social and occupational lives.

Fear and misunderstanding about Alzheimer’s disease leads to confusion between the two conditions even though the symptoms are different. 

MCI Symptoms

• Near normal cognitive functions, like thinking, understanding and decision-making abilities.
•  Daily living functions are near normal.
• Little to no change in personality.
• Memory impaired compared to similar aged people.
• Condition may not progress over time.

Alzheimer’s Symptoms

• Impairment in cognitive functions, including thinking, understanding and decision-making abilities.
• Impairment in normal activities of daily living.
• Changes in personality.
• Impairments in memory and judgment.
• Progressive loss of functions over time.

MCI concerns

People diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment are often relieved to hear their troubles are not Alzheimer’s.  Yet those diagnosed with MCI have a 12 - 15 percent higher risk of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease unless steps are taken to slow its progression.  An MCI diagnosis can be seen as the red flag that it is time to be proactive about cognitive issues.

Not a normal part of aging

People generally chalk up forgetfulness to age, but memory loss is not a normal or a natural process of aging.  Although the brain will go through some natural changes as a person ages, mental decline is largely preventable and can even be reversed with the right amount of mental exercise and stimulation.

Reverse cognitive impairment

Regenerating a brain with cognitive issues requires proper nutrition, physical exercise, stress management and appropriate prescription medications.  But most importantly, brain regeneration requires vigorous mental exercise on a daily basis. Studies show that rigorous cognitive workouts improve the mind and memory of those beginning to show signs of mental deterioration.  Participating in brain challenging activities will actually increase the size of the brain, the number of brain cells and the connection between these cells.  According to Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, actively taking part in brain stimulating activity can reduce risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 50-70 percent.  Making preventative changes can stop further cognitive decline and can even delay the full onset of Alzheimer’s disease.  

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

Sources:

“Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) & Early Alzheimer’s disease, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment” brochure. Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation.

Estate Planning Tasks – Get It Done List

Having your affairs in order is a blessing

you leave to your loved ones.

Many people dread the paperwork involved with planning their estate.  It seems like a dreary and difficult task that really should be done, but is often is left for later.  Yet not doing it creates a horrible mess of red tape, court procedures and could result in the government making decisions about your possessions for you.  Not having your estate established is time consuming and often upsetting for your loved ones and can cause friction in your family after you are gone.  Getting your estate taken care of ahead of time is the responsible and loving thing you can right now do for your family.

There are only a few essential documents you need to tackle to get your affairs in order.  Getting the details tidied up now will free your loved ones from major hassles and headaches down the road.  

Estate Planning To Do List:

ü Last Will and Testament

 Making a will allows you to decide what happens with your children, possessions and property.  Items of financial or sentimental value can be distributed as you see fit in a will.  You can name guardians for those you provide care for, such as children or pets, as well as designate assets you are leaving behind to provide for their care. You can also state your preferences for burial and leave behind special instructions.  Without a will a probate court will make these decisions for you and whatever the court decides will be a matter of public record. 

It is important that each spouse in a marriage has their own will.  It is also important to update your will whenever any big life changes occur, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or purchase of real estate.  Moving to a new state means the will may need to be renewed. 

It is just as easy to make a new will as it is to change an old one and often it is less confusing than sorting through a series of codicils.  Getting an attorney to help is important if there are substantial assets or a legally complicated situation, but for most people it should be a straight forward task that is easy to check off the list.

ü Durable Power of Attorney

In the case that you can’t make your own legal and financial decisions it is important to have chosen someone to act on your behalf.  Many elderly put this one off out of fear of losing their independence and control over their decisions. Yet not taking care of this simple task causes major problems your family if you are incapacitated.  Your family cannot make legal decisions for you without an established POA. LawDepot has free power of attorney forms available which work in each state.

In the case that you do not have someone you trust with the responsibility of being your POA, a limited power of attorney can be established with a probate court monitoring all decisions made through a guardianship or conservatorship.

Note that some banking institutions don’t accept a general power of attorney document and will require you to fill out their own forms.  

For many people establishing power of attorney is as useful as establishing a will and needs to be one of the first things to tick off your list.

ü Revocable Living Trust

A living trust is another way to pass on assets to your loved ones and avoid the expense and frustration of probate.  This tool allows you to name a trustee to manage your property.  A trust differs from a will in that your property can be distributed before your death and it can be used to provide a savings on taxes.  Learn more about the differences between will and trusts.  A revocable trust is given that name because you can change it as long as you are mentally competent.  A trust is bit trickier than a will, especially if there is substantial property or wealth, and requires an attorney’s help to get it checked off the list.

ü Beneficiary Designations  

Life insurance, retirement plans and bank accounts all ask for a beneficiary to be named to inherit the proceeds in the case of death.  It is important to be crystal clear about the who you want to benefit from these assets as the designation you make take precedence over any instructions you have left in a will.  Keep the beneficiary designation paperwork with your estate planning documents and be sure to review and update them with any life changes that occur.

ü Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will

When establishing a health care power of attorney, you name a person to make medical decisions on your behalf in the case that you are incapacitated.  It is different from the durable power of attorney which deals with legal and financial matters. 

With a living will you can state ahead of time what types of care you want and don’t want in the case that you can’t communicate.  A combination of a living will and health care power of attorney allow you to share your wishes in an advance directive form.  Making these types of decisions requires a lot of thought and the American Bar Association has put together a tool kit to help sort these decisions and create an Advance Care Plan that is right for you.  Remember that each state has its own requirements so established plans may have to be revisited if you move. Checking both of these items off your list means you can rest assured that there will be no confusion regarding your health care preferences and directives.

ü Letter of Intent

Special instructions, requests or the sharing of personal and financial information that typically does not go into a will can be recorded in a letter of intent.  It is used to convey hopes and wishes you have which are not mandatory.  A good example would be your instructions on how you want the funeral or memorial service to be organized or your preference on where to hang a painting bequeathed in the will.  This letter does not carry the legal clout of a will but is a good way to pass on private information which should not be a matter of public record. 

Got it done!  Now where to put it?

It is very important that your family knows where to find all the documents you have prepared.  Make a master list of all the documents so your representative knows what should be there.  Include all important papers for life insurance, annuities, pension or retirement accounts, and bank accounts, family records including divorce, birth and adoption certificates.  Don’t forget to include real estate deeds and any stocks, bonds or mutual funds you have.  Another thing to add to your paperwork is a list of bills and accounts, with all the contact information, so it is easy for your representative to close all accounts and settle any final bills.

Once you have all these documents gathered and completed then it is a question of where to store them.  A safe at home is probably your best bet but some lawyers can take care of your estate documents for you.  Be sure to check the laws before putting them into a safe deposit box at a bank. Some states and local probate laws will require that safe deposit boxes are sealed at time of death which would complicate things and make useless all your efforts to organize your estate ahead of time.

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

Sources:

“Estate Planning Documents You Need Right Now” by Marilyn Lewis. www.moneytalksnews.com  Retrieved 5/19/14.

“8 Essential Estate Planning Documents” by Gerry W. Beyer.  www.lawprofessors.typepad.com Retrieved 5/20/14. 

Today's Elderly change what it means to be Old

Sophisticated expectations in lifestyle and longevity 

in lifespan mark a new look and feel to growing old.

The look and feel of what it is to be elderly is changing.  Today’s elderly, commonly referred to as the Baby Boomer Generation, is a highly educated, analytic and connected consumer who is interested in enriching and enjoying their lives.  Their values and perceptions of who they are and how they participate in society differ greatly from previous generations.  This means this generation has different expectations and needs than generations gone by.

Old Stereotypes

When dealing with seniors and the elderly, it is easy to fall back on stereotypes about the aging. Yet today’s elderly are progressively changing what it means to be old.  They  value  independence,  social connections, altruism, personal growth and experiences.   This means older perceptions of who the elderly are and what they want will no longer apply.  Today’s elderly will not be content with stereotypical bingo games or shuffle board at the nursing home as their parents might have been.  They will expect to remain at home and actively participate in their lives and community. 

Perceptions of aging have changed.  A look through this breakdown of how the elderly traditionally viewed themselves in the past and how the elderly of today perceive themselves will show how conventional perceptions of the elderly are seriously out of date. 

Traditional Elderly

• Identify all older people to be about the same in outlook

• See age as a physical state

• Perceive themselves at or near their chronological age

• Tend to feel, think, and do things they feel match their chronological age

• Feel that one should act one's age

• Feel life should be dependable and routine

•Have less sense of being in control of their own lives

• Low to average capabilities as consumers, possess less self- confidence about making consumer decisions.

• Some concern that they will make a mistake when buying something

• They are not innovative

• Seek stability and a secure routine

• Normal interest in gather possessions

• Lower measured life satisfaction with some regrets over how they have lived their lives.

• Perceive themselves to be of normal health for their age

• Feel less secure financially

Today’s  Elderly

• Believe themselves to be different in outlook than others the same age

• See age as a state of mind

• Perceive themselves as younger than their chronological age

• Feel younger, think younger, and behave in a more youthful manner

• Have a youthful outlook on life

• Feel there is considerable adventure in life and is willing to pursue it

• Have greater sense of being in control of

their own lives

• Especially knowledgeable and alert consumers, possess greater self-confidence about making consumer decisions.

• Less concern that they will make a mistake when buying something

• Innovative about selective issues

• Seek new experiences & personal challenges

• Less interested in accumulating possessions

• Higher measured life satisfaction with less regret over how they have lived their

lives.

• Perceive themselves to be healthier than more people their age 

• Feel more financially secure

Understanding who the Elderly of today are and how they perceive themselves is an important step to providing care for them as they age.  Physical care needs for the aging will generally remain the same but attitudes and approaches to providing that care will need to be adjusted to accommodate today’s elderly.

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

Sources:

“Journal of Services Marketing” by Anil Mathur, Elaine Sherman, and Leon G. Schiffman.  Retrieved from www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm on 4/13/14.

Alzheimer's Care

People with Alzheimer live with a constant feeling of wrongness, 
but cannot pinpoint why.

People with Alzheimer’s disease live in a constant state of confusion and fear.  Many are aware that something is off in their lives but can’t quite put their finger on what the problem is.  They struggle, search and stress over the missing pieces and often their battle with confusion is overwhelming to them and their families. 

Caregivers who work with people with Alzheimer’s disease need to be flexible and diligent.  The AD patient’s physical and emotional needs change frequently and without warning.  The first priority of the Caregiver to make sure they provide safety and security.  A person with Alzheimer’s lives in constant anxiety and knowing that their Caregiver is focused on caring for them physically and mentally will help them relax.

Quick Tips:

Speak Slowly – Slowing down and remaining calm will help those with Alzheimer’s do the same.  Avoid phrases that remind them of their problems.  It does not help to remind them that they cannot do something or had already asked a question.  Redirect the situation to avoid adding frustration to the patient’s confusion.

 Use Declarative Sentences – Speaking in short to-the-point sentences conveys information in an easy to understand manner.  Avoid long explanations of why something can’t happen or why someone is missing.  Overwhelming the patient with information can be counterproductive and frustrating.

Touch – Much is conveyed in a simple touch.  Holding hands, touching an arm or giving a hug will help send the message of love and acceptance, which in turn can help the patient relax.

Schedule the Day – Working within a set schedule can help the Alzheimer’s patient.  Finding the best time of day for specific tasks and keeping to that general timetable is one way to keep a sense of order intact.  Avoid planning too much around the evening as many find those with Alzheimer’s tend to be more agitated at that time.

Get Outside – Those with Alzheimer’s benefit from getting plenty of sunlight and exercise.

Socialize – Generally those with Alzheimer’s disease pull away from their established relationships out of fear or embarrassment over their cognitive problems.  Encouraging and providing opportunity to interact with others is very important to keep the AD patient from becoming isolated.

Get Active – Find activities to engage the Alzheimer’s patient.  Often simple things such as sorting or organizing can help calm the confusion of the patient’s mind.

Chart the Day – Keeping a running record of the day can help the Caregiver see patterns and correct problems.  Daily record eating habits, activities, and incidents to see if there is a connection between agitation and some event.  Avoiding anxiety triggers is important and so charting to find those triggers is essential.

As a Caregiver to a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to continue learning and adapting to provide proper care.  Caregivers must be mindful of how confused and afraid those with Alzheimer’s disease generally are, and provide the security and love to help ease their troubled minds.

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

Dementia Village – A New Concept in Long Term Care

New long-term care option for people with Dementia

Currently 35.6 million people have dementia worldwide, and according to the World Health Organization, close to 8 million new cases are diagnosed each year.  It is expected that the number of people with dementia will double by 2030 and triple by 2050.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the diagnosis of this disease has increased 68% since 2000 and the cost of caring for those with dementia will increase from $203 billion in 2013 to a staggering $1.2 trillion by 2050.

The numbers are scary

As the world’s population ages, the problem of finding and paying for long-term care is becoming overwhelming.  Governments around the world are scrambling to prepare financially and socially for a future full of care issues.  Most are not prepared with their infrastructure to accommodate a growing population of elderly, let alone housing for elderly with dementia, which traditionally requires locked down security for safety concerns.

Innovative Care Solution

One innovative care solution, called the Dementia Village, has come out of the Netherlands.  Just outside of Amsterdam is a cutting-edge elder care facility named Hogewey.  Hogewey is a closed village where people with dementia live, shop, roam and enjoy life freely.  The facility is set up with apartments and buildings which form a closed and secure gate to the outside world but opens up internally to its own independent world.  The facility has restaurants, cafes, a supermarket, theatre and hair salon, courtyards and gardens, and a pedestrian walkway. It looks and feels like the main street of any town center. The goal of the Dementia Village is to create a world that resembles normal life for the Residents who live there, while maintaining supervision and safety.  The concept of this facility has captured the world’s attention and is now being considered as a model by health care experts in several countries.

A Town Tailored To Their Needs

Hogewey has 23 apartments located on a 4 acre grounds.  Each apartment holds 6 to 8 people including Caregivers and is decorated in a theme that resembles a lifestyle the Residents once enjoyed. Caregivers, dressed in street clothes, staff the shops, walk through the village and assist Residents whenever needed.  The idea is to treat Residents as normal people living in a town tailored to their unique needs so they can avoid the dehumanizing lock-downed security that often is part of dementia care.

A Real Society

Critics compare the Dementia Village to the movie, “The Truman Show,” where a man played by Jim Carrey lives his life in a manufactured reality of town which is really a TV set.  Hogewey’s creators and staff disagree with that comparison, saying their village is a real society and the Residents who live there enjoy a better quality of life than they would in a regular dementia care facility.

As societies prepare for the future, the idea of the Dementia Village is intriguing.  The model works in the Netherlands and is a cost efficient way to provide care for that segment of their population.  The question is would it work in the US?  

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999.  Together the two family owned companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.

Sources:

“An Amazing Village Designed Just For People with Dementia” by Kelsey Bampbell-Dollaghan.  Retrieved from www.gizmodo.com on 3/10/14.

“Dementia Village may inspire new care model for the elderly” Retrieved from www.advisory.com/daily-briefing on 3/10/14.

“Dementia Village Inspires New Care” by Ben Tinker.  Retrieved from www.cnn.com on 3/10/14.