A Caring Heart Blog
This is where we will share news and insights about our services and what is happening in Clark County regarding Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living and Memory Care solutions.
- Alzheimer's disease research and life changes to build reserves to delay the need for memory care in Vancouver WA
There seems to be a lot of Alzheimer disease-related research out lately. One such study, reported by TIME writer Alice Park, shows that bigger brain and higher IQs are linked with specific genetic variants . Scientists have known for a while that the size and volume of certain parts of the brain are linked to disorders that include developmental conditions like autism and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. But, they weren’t sure what was influencing brain size. Because brain size is inheritable, it was felt that genes may be an influence. So, through the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium, more than 200 scientists from 100 institutions around the world began to search for the genes responsible for brain size.
They found two genetic variants, one that appears to be associated with overall brain size and another that was linked to the volume of the memory center which shrinks in people with dementia. According to Paul Thompson, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at UCLA Medical School, none of these changes on their own will give you a disease, but they “vastly tilt the scales in favor of the disease.”
People who had the genetic variant associated with the smaller memory center volumes had shrinkage equivalent to about five years of aging. Professor Thompson explained that “whatever degradation in brain functions – memory, learning or attention – that occur with aging would be accelerated. That’s even after accounting for the known factors that can affect brain volumes like ethnicity, height, and other physical attributes.”
When two copies (one from each parent) are present, then the shrinkage is doubled. “With normal aging, the brain loses about 0.5 percent of tissue a year, but the variant that Thompson and his colleagues discovered sped up that process considerably, potentially making the person more vulnerable to developing age-related disorders, including Alzheimer’s.”
The scientists aren’t sure whether the loss of tissue “tilts the sails for people to have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but it gives you a very strong lead.”
As for IQ related to brain size, many contributors – like a good education, exercise and other environmental factors – can relate the two and these would outweigh the effect of a single gene variant. However, the thought is that, when both variants are present, there is a need to figure out how to improve diagnosis and eventually treatment. With Alzheimer’s, experts believe that people can use brain-boosting techniques like exercise, continuing education and social interaction to reinforce existing nerve networks and build up a cognitive reserve. If reserves are in place, it is thought that, as the brain’s networks start to deteriorate naturally with age, these reserves can be called upon to compensate for the loss of tissue and still function reasonable well.
People with the genetic variants isolated in the ENIGMA study may have a smaller reserve due to their genetically influenced brain structures and may therefore be more vulnerable to any environmental factors like obesity or excessive alcohol consumption that further reduces brain volumes.
Whether these gene amounts and combinations are present or not, it is wise to invest in exercise, a good diet and education just to ensure you have good start in those reserves.
The definite good news from the study of these over 21,000 people is that brain imaging (MRIs) can be a powerful indicator of gene activity or a way of tracking how certain genes are functioning and possibly contributing to disease well before any symptoms appear. By applying research findings with positive lifestyle changes, we very well may be able to decrease the need for assisted living and memory care in Vancouver WA and elsewhere around the world. We wouldn’t mind that at all.
- Benefits of berries
After recently reading the third article on the benefits of eating berries as related to slowing the progression of cognitive decline in women, I felt I should pass this information along to our A Caring Heart blog readers. A study published in the Annals of Neurology found women with a higher berry intake delayed cognitive aging by up to 2.5 years. Dr. Devore from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston explains that the flavonoids found in plants are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, blueberries and strawberries are a rich source of anthocyanidins, a type of flavonoid, “which are known to cross from the blood into the brain and locate in the parts involved in learning and memory.” Flavonoids are also thought to decrease the “effects of stress and inflammation that could contribute to cognitive decline.”
The study indicated that a simple dietary adjustment to include one half to one cup of blueberries or one cup or more of strawberries a week may over time help retain cognitive functioning that includes memory and learning.
The study controlled for other health factors, but also couldn’t “rule out the possibility that the preserved cognition in those who eat more berries also may be influenced by other lifestyle choices, such as exercising more.”
Simple changes in diet and activity certainly can’t hurt as we age. With a goal to live independently as long as possible, simple changes now might make all the difference. Assisted living and Memory Care units are necessary when the time comes, but being able to delay the need is nice, too.
- A senior housing option may be needed, but in the meantime, learn about community resources
Just a reminder about the 50+ Connections Expo tomorrow. Geared toward people 50 and older, the Expo offers more than 120 exhibits with resources, services and activities.Being informed as we age helps us maintain an active, healthy and independent lifestyle. The Columbian had a nice article about the Expo. They summed it up by saying that the exhibits are meant to provide information and interactive activities on travel, recreation, health, nutrition, senior housing, finances, and more.
Free of charge, with a suggested donation for the Human Services Council’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, this year’s Expo is sure to exceed the expectations of the previous Expos.
Health screenings include blood pressure, lower extremity circulation, lung function, glucose, and body mass index.
There will be live music and mini-presentations on personal enrichment activities such as our laughter yoga.
We are proud to be among the many exhibitors and seminar presenters as well as one of the 16 companies and non-profit organizations and government agencies to sponsor the event.
It is our goal to help make any transition to one of the many senior housing options in the Vancouver WA and Clark County easier, but we totally support any of the many worthy efforts to delay the need to transition from your own independent housing. That is one reason why we are a participant and sponsor of this 50+ Connections Expo. Stop by to say “hello.” We can help you determine whether you need assisted living or some other senior housing option.
- Come join us at the 50+ Connections Expo April 29th, 2012 Come join us at the 50+ Connections Expo next Sunday, April 29, 2012. A Caring Heart is pleased to be a participant and one of the sponsors for this exciting event where you can learn about services, ideas, and resources available for your active, healthy, independent lifestyle in and around the community.
There will be over 120 interactive and informative exhibits, seminars, a boutique, free health screenings, and prizes. The new Toyota Prius C will be shown. And two therapy llamas will be waiting to greet you.
A Caring Heart will have an exhibit. Other exhibitors include Biogift, Boys and Girls Club, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Lucky Eagle Casino, Isagenix Health & Wellness Coach, Scentsy, Jafra Cosmetics, Bath Fitter, Global Health Alerts, Elder Justice, Empower UP, Vancouver Acupuncture, Navidis Olive Oil and Vinegars, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods Market, and many, many more along with various senior living facilities and care centers.
There will be about eleven seminars held in either the Heritage or Discovery Ballrooms. Some of the seminars include memory, tai chi, helping your dog age gracefully, a cooking demonstration, and our Laughter Yoga.
Enter to win various prizes. The grand prize is a six-day Mississippi River Cruise courtesy of USA River Cruises.
The 50+ Connections Expo will be held at the Vancouver Hilton on 301 W. 6th Street from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a suggested donation at the door which supports the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. For more information, you can call 360-735-3683 or log onto www.50plusconnectionsexpo.com.
This is going to be a great event – even bigger and better than in previous years. We are looking forward to seeing you there. Stop by our exhibit to say “hello”.
- Comforting news for long term care budget
There is good news for adult family homes and other long term care programs in Washington . . . and it could have been much worse for assisted living centers. The Washington State budget passed this week with essentially good news for state-funded long term care. Some programs surprisingly received a little more money, one program was spared, and another program received a minimal rate cut. All in all, long term care providers and families who have loved ones in one of the long term care settings were relieved.
The Family Caregiver Support program received a slight increase in funding. With the increase, the program can continue to provide training, counseling and respite care for unpaid caregivers.
And, due to the passing of Initiative 1163, more funding was approved for the program to train long term care workers so they can receive the required additional training.
Assisted living centers received a 2 percent rate cut. The general opinion is that a 2 percent cut is tolerable and can be absorbed without having to implement the drastic changes they were anticipating.
Funding for nursing homes, adult family homes and in-home care did not change.
A Caring Heart and the other Professional Senior Advisors who help with long term care issues, including assisted living, are also relieved over the budget news. Even though A Caring Heart services are free to our clients, we know that having a variety of options is paramount and, with the budget passing as it did, well, those options remained essentially untouched – and even ensures our elderly loved ones who require long term care will receive even better services in the long run.
