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Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

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While there is not one single test used to definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors typically use a variety of tools to make a diagnosis. Along with the person’s primary care provider, specialists like neurologists, neuropsychologists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists may all be involved in determining if the patient’s problems are Alzheimer’s or caused by other reasons. The process starts with a medical workup done by a health care provider that includes the person’s history of medical problems as well as any history of psychiatric, cognitive or behavioral problems. It is important to tell the doctor about all current medications including over-the-counter-drugs and supplements the person is taking. Your doctor will also want to know if there is a family history of Alzheimer’s or other cognitive problems. A physical exam should include a check of reflexes, blood pressure levels and questions regarding sleep patterns, diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits. A stru...
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A Good Diet Promotes Healthy Aging

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The National Institute on Aging (NIA) explains diet plays a large role in the aging process. To optimize our own health, they recommend we start by understanding the different food groups (published by the USDA); and how each one helps form healthy eating patterns for a particular age group. Experts say diet is one aspect of healthy aging and is especially important for seniors who are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes as well as conditions related to loss of bone and muscle mass such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Other aspects of healthy aging include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep. One of the best food groups that encourage healthy aging is vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrates. These include dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, and starchy vegetables; as well as legumes (beans and peas) that are also found in the protein food group. The NIA reports fruits are an...
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Helping Mom or Dad Transition to an Assisted Living Community

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Moving can be exhausting and many of us have mixed feelings about the change – both looking forward to a new adventure and sad to leave our old life behind. Now imagine what your parents may be feeling as they leave a familiar home for an assisted living community. The change can be even more difficult if they are going into memory care. Experts say there are things family members can do to help ease the transition and make it a more positive experience. First, involve your loved one into the decision-making process as much as possible. Discuss the various benefits of each community regarding suites, amenities, food service and the helpfulness of the staff and administrators. Also, read online reviews from other families and residents; and take advantage of in-person tours. Once the decision is made on a particular community, now help mom or dad decide on what to bring to their new space, keeping in mind it is probably smaller than their current home. Consider an item based on its prac...
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Engage Your Mind With Enjoyable Activities

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As we age, many of us find ourselves more absent-minded and forgetful than we were in our younger years. Seeing someone unexpectedly from our past can result in recognizing the face but being unable to bring a name to mind. Experts say some lapses in memory are common as we age but encourage seniors to do cognitive activities to help stay sharp. Brain games exercise your memory, attention, brain speed, people skills, intelligence and navigation just like a trip to the gym gives you a cardio workout and exercises your abs and quads. One good resource for such games is the AARP online site. It offers a variety of fun and entertaining games and puzzles such as daily crosswords, word games like scrabble, Sudoku and trivia as well as the opportunity to join a bridge, chess or backgammon game. The New York Times offers the daily World puzzle that gives your brain a quick workout along with several other word puzzles for Times’ subscription holders. Other programs offering brain games targete...
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Alzheimer’s Disease Can Cause Behavior and Personality Changes

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We know a person changes in several ways when living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Memory problems and confusion are some of the most commonly known symptoms, but there are other behaviors just as common that can be unsettling and disruptive. The Medical News Today reports on the various behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia known as BPSDs. Research suggests as many as 97% of people with dementia have one or more of the following symptoms: agitation; anxiety, psychosis, depression, apathy, irritability and/or physical or verbal aggression. Agitation may include behaviors such as pacing, wandering, restlessness and fidgeting. Repetitive movements and sleep disturbances are also common. Understanding these changes and learning strategies to deal with them can result in better care for the patient and make it easier for caregivers to cope. Doctors are not sure why dementia patients suffer from psychosis but suggest it could be due to interruptions and ...
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Do You Need Blue Light Blocking Glasses?

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Blue light is a high-energy wavelength of visible light, which can be emitted from our digital screens that we all seem to be using more and more often. To “protect” us from this light, there are a plethora of blue light protected glasses everywhere. In addition, we are hearing how much we need them now more than ever. So the question is do they actually work and is the extra expense worth it? Since 2008, researchers have been studying blue-blocking or filtering products that are trying to decrease the transmission of ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 440 and 500 nanometers. Some digital devices recently offer blue light-filtering settings to reduce the transmission of short wavelengths of light. However, it may not surprise you to hear there is some debate on whether we are adversely affected by blue light, and to what degree blue light glasses can help the problem. The Mayo Clinic explains, while blue light occurs in daylight, the waves omitting from our devices at night cou...
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Ways to Express Gratitude Everyday

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While studies find feeling grateful can make us happier and less anxious; like every skill, it does take some practice. An article at CNN.com explains gratitude should not be saved for special occasions, but like love, should be practiced or expressed regularly. With a little effort, you should be able to find something to be grateful for every day. Experts share four ways to help you practice gratitude. The first is to create a gratitude album on your phone by taking a picture each day of things that bring you joy like a meaningful text, beautiful scenery, fun events on your calendar and pics of loved ones. Don’t worry about your photography skill. Now instead of scrolling through social media, use some of that time to look through your own gratitude album and appreciate the good things in your life. Another gratitude practice is to take the time to breathe. Mindful breathing techniques can help relieve tension and reduce stress, and only take a few minutes. When doing, remember to b...
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