Communicating with a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia

Communicating with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can be very challenging. Changing your approach to the way you communicate may be helpful.

• First, make sure the person does not have a hearing or vision problem. Sometimes a person may not respond to you because he or she cannot hear you. Not being able to see well may make the person more confused, agitated, or withdrawn. If you suspect a problem, have a health professional evaluate the person’s hearing and vision.
• Don’t argue. Offer reassurance and try to distract the person or focus his or her attention on something else.
• Use short, simple, familiar words and sentences. Present only one idea at a time, and avoid talking about abstract concepts.
• Explain your actions. Break tasks and instructions into clear, simple steps, offered one step at a time.
• Pay attention to your tone of voice. Be calm and supportive. A person with dementia is still aware of emotions and may become upset upon sensing anger or irritation in your voice.
• Maintain eye contact and use touch to reassure and show that you are listening. Touch may be better understood than words. Holding the person’s hand or putting an arm around his or her shoulder may get through when nothing else can.
• Pay attention to the person’s tone of voice and gestures for clues as to what the person is feeling. Sometimes the emotion is more important than what is said.
• Do not confront the person about his or her denial of the disease. Arguments will not help either of you.
• Continue to treat the person with dignity and respect.

Allow choices in daily activities. Let the person select his or her clothing, activities, and foods. However, too many choices can be overwhelming. Offer a choice of 2 to 3 options, not the whole range of possibilities.content provided by Healthwise

Fish Oil Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

Excerpt from N.Y. Times article 11/06A substance found in fish oil may be associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias, researchers reported yesterday. The scientists found that people with the highest blood levels of an omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, were about half as likely to develop dementia as those with lower levels.The substance is one of several omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fatty fish and, in small amounts, in some meats. It is also sold in fish oil or DHA supplements. The researchers looked for a reduced risk associated with seven other omega-3 fatty acids, but only DHA had any effect. The study, in the November issue of The Archives of Neurology, used data from the Framingham Heart Study to follow 899 initially healthy participants, with a median age of 76, for an average of more than nine years.People who ate two or more servings of fish a week reduced their risk for dementia by 39%, but there was no effect on the risk for dementia among those who ate less than that. Dr. Ernst Schaefer, Tufts University, the lead author of the study, was cautious in interpreting the results. “This study doesn’t prove that eating fish oil prevents dementia,” he said. “It’s an observational study that presents an identified risk factor, and the next step is a randomized placebo-controlled study in people who do not yet have dementia.If you choose to get your DHA through the use of supplements, please read the following from a recent K.C. Star article:An investigation by The Kansas City Star calculates that fish oil imports from China, a country notorious for hazardous products, now account for roughly 20% of the U.S. market. And it’s a big market, because one in five American adults now takes fish oil. The Star also found that companies sidestep import labeling rules and that federal authorities let them. No big recalls or health scandals have been linked to Chinese fish oil. And a spokesman for the People’s Republic of China said his country’s fish oil was of good quality. But consumer advocates, a leading trade group for the supplements industry, and legal experts who have examined labeling laws agree: Consumers ought to be able to tell, at a glance, whether their fish oil capsules are coming from China.A few years ago, nearly all fish oil consumed in the United States was manufactured domestically, with some made in Europe — where rules or laws governing manufacturing are strict. But U.S. fish oil use has soared, making it the #3 dietary supplement and a nearly $1 billion annual business. As sales increased, some U.S. companies started importing from Chinese facilities. In its investigation, The Star reviewed every fish oil shipment from China to the United States over 1 1/2 years. They amounted to about one-fifth of the U.S. market in 2009 and continued to increase the first half of this year. The Chinese factories that make fish oil capsules for export to the U.S. are supposed to meet FDA standards. But the FDA, according to several sources, has never inspected any Chinese dietary supplement plants. An FDA spokesman said he didn’t know whether the agency had inspected any Chinese factories. Chinese companies also have shown little interest in having independent third parties inspect their plants or in joining industry groups dedicated to ensuring the qualify of fish oil.As the old saying goes: Buyer Beware!

Smoking raises Alzheimer’s risk

Heavy smoking in midlife more than doubles your odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a Kaiser Permanente study said Monday.The study is the first to examine the long-term consequences of heavy smoking on Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, says the study’s principal investigator, Rachel Whitmer, a research scientist with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.Researchers evaluated the records of 21,123 men and women, who, starting in midlife, were followed for an average of 23 years. Of 5,367 study participants diagnosed with dementia later in life, 2,367 were smokers, and 261 were heavy smokers (more than two packs a day). Compared with non-smokers, those who had smoked two packs of cigarettes a day increased their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by more than 157% and had a 172% higher risk of developing vascular dementia; the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s. The research is published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine.Though the study was observational, the authors have theories about what might be going on, Whitmer says. “People who smoke have increased inflammation, and we know inflammation also plays a role in Alzheimer’s,” she says.Dementia experts say the new research is strong. “This study is particularly good because it separates out vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s,” says William Thies, the Alzheimer’s Association’s chief medical and scientific officer.“The other novel aspect of it is that they’ve got a large enough sample to look at different ethnic groups, and it shows smoking’s effect on dementia does not differ based on race,” says Brenda Plassman, epidemiologist at Duke University Medical Center.A key question for worried smokers: If I quit, will I lower my risk for dementia? The answer is unknown, but Whitmer says researchers are planning a follow-up study to find out.The bottom line: “If there’s somebody out there who hasn’t heard smoking’s bad for you, they must live in a cave somewhere,” Thies says.“This is another good reason not to smoke.”Excerpt from USA Today 10/26/10

Foods That Fight Alzheimer’s!

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most feared diseases in the world, affecting 5 million people in the United States alone. New research suggests that the power to prevent this debilitating illness may lie within the foods we eat. A recent study demonstrates how a dietary combination of 3 key nutrients might create a potent potion against this frightening ailment.What is Alzheimer’s disease?Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and over time, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. Symptoms of AD usually first appear after age 60. Although there are some medical treatments to slow the progression of this disease, no cure currently exists.How Alzheimer’s affects the brainIn a healthy brain, messages are sent back and forth between neural cells (neurons) via connecting tissue cables (synapses). An overabundance of amyloid plaques (outside the neurons) and/or neurofibrillary tangles (inside the neurons) are the most common features of Alzheimer’s disease. Comprised of different proteins, plaques and tangles impair healthy neuron function and cause nerve cells to eventually die off, damaging the brain’s intricate web of communication. This damage continues to spread over time, causing overall shrinkage of the brain.Alzheimer’s research studyA revelatory study on lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by ingesting certain nutrients was published in the April 2010 issue of Archives of Neurology. The research, based on the dietary information of 2,148 subjects over age 65, suggests that a diet combining key superfoods may actually prevent Alzheimer’s. The study is exciting since it comes on the heels of a recent National Institutes of Health panel highlighting the lack of evidence for the effect of mental stimulation, exercise and individual dietary supplements in preventing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.The nutrients identified – folate, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids – are all believed to reduce inflammation, which has been shown to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. The process of inflammation involves activating the immune system in response to infection. However when this process does not shut down chronic inflammation occurs and can lead to chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s.Here are the 3 key nutrients that form the powerful anti-Alzheimer’s elixir, along with the superfoods rich in them. All of these may also protect the brain from strokes which can also make it more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s.FolateFolate, a water-soluble B vitamin, reduces circulating levels of homocysteine. High levels of this amino acid in the blood have been linked to reducing Alzheimer’s disease, creating plaque that is less toxic, or inflammatory. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach are high in folate. Black-eyed peas, great northern white beans and other legumes are also rich in this valuable nutrient.Vitamin EBecause of its strong antioxidant effect, vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, may also help fight the formation of plaque buildup seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Nuts such as almonds and hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes and olive oil are all foods rich in vitamin E.Omega-3 Fatty AcidsOmega-3 fatty acids s are believed to increase production of the protein LR11. High levels of this protein have been linked to preventing the toxic plaques in Alzheimer’s from being made, whereas low levels are believed to be a factor in causing the disease. Cold-water fish such as salmon and sardines are high in omega-3s, and so is flaxseed oil. Many nuts such as walnuts and almonds contain high levels of omega-3s and also vitamin E, making them solid choices that do double duty in the fight against Alzheimer’s.Courtesy of Dr. Oz website

BRAIN FOODS THAT FIGHT ALZHEIMER’S

Antioxidants, monounsaturated fats and omega-3s are big health buzzwords that have one thing in common – they do great things for your body and nourish your brain. Giving your brain the nutrients it needs is essential to longevity. Keep this list of foods handy and make sure to refuel your brain often. It will thank you later.• Lentils provide a steady stream of glucose to your brain. Glucose, a sugar and key source of energy for cells in the body, is the only fuel your brain can use. The high fiber content of lentils is a key component in keeping your brain in optimal shape. The fiber regulates the release of the glucose, providing a steady stream of fuel that powers your brain cells. Click here for a delicious lentil recipe.• Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and have been found to keep the arteries of the brain clear of plaque. They nourish the brain by helping communication between brain cells. Sprinkle some into your yogurts, cereals and salads, or munch on them alone.• Brazil nuts are an excellent source of healthy, or monounsaturated, fats. They are also high in magnesium, a mineral that’s essential to the transmission of signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Almonds, walnuts and cashews are also excellent brain foods. Eat a fistful of brazil nuts or mixed nuts a day.• Coffee can protect the brain. One study found that coffee can help keep the blood-brain barrier intact; this barrier acts as a coating, and protects the brain from unwanted materials and damaging elements, like harmful cholesterol. Another study showed that coffee may also improve short-term memory. Coffee is high in antioxidants; Americans get most of their antioxidants from coffee. Drinking one or two cups a day is healthy, just remember to use modest amounts of milk and sugar.Courtesy of Dr. Oz website