Memory Care

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.

Delay the need for assisted living and memory care units.

With the research advances focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, there may be a way to delay the need for assisted living and memory care units. There have been numerous studies showing that eating healthy can help your brain stay healthy, too.

Some of the wholesome foods that lead to a healthier brain to reduce your risk of a dementia include beans and green peas, citrus, sweet peppers, strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, almonds, avocados and some oils, leafy greens, cabbage, cauliflower, certain fish, spinach, collards, caffeinated coffee, and tumeric, eggs, and some fortified foods in combination with sunlight.

Turns out it is beneficial to eat a balanced diet that is low in trans fats. One study showed that eating a Mediterranean diet that included “vegetables, fruits, small amounts of meat and fish, whole grains, nuts, olive oil and moderate amounts of alcohol” decreased the occurrence of small blood vessel damage in the brain.

The beans and green peas are a rich dietary source of B-complex vitamins along with protein and fiber. Some foods are fortified in some of the B vitamins. B-complex vitamins have been found to to reduce an amino acid that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and contributed to less brain shrinkage.

The citrus - like tangerines, oranges, limes and lemons, along with the sweet peppers, strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, lettuce and cabbage, are a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is beneficial in blood vessel functioning and dissolves toxic plaques that build up in vessels.

Almonds, avocados, and healthy vegetable oils like olive, canola and sunflower as well as spinach, broccoli, and collards are a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is, again, important in promoting healthy blood vessels.

Certain fish, like the oily cold water fish – salmon, herring and mackerel – are higher in the Omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated “healthy fats” improve heart functioning, decrease the occurrence of brain shrinkage in the brain, and decrease inflammation. Persons who have a higher level of Omega-3 have show higher performance on memory tests.

Among other nutrients, spinach is high in flavonoids which has been shown to inhibit the formation of certain plaques found to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Cabbage, broccoli and kale have been found to decrease cognitive decline.

Caffeinated coffee evidently decreases blood levels of a plaque forming protein and some times reduces “Alzheimer’s-like cognitive impairment”.

The spice tumeric, in combination with sunlight (vitamin D) may also reduce the plaque that has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. “Salmon, sardines, eggs and fortified foods like milk and soy products” are also good sources of vitamin D.

Be sure to consult your physician or nutritionist when you or your loved one is on medication as some foods – and even vitamin supplements – can cause a reaction with some medications. Also, for elderly, taking a supplement for some of these nutrients may be more beneficial, but eating a balanced diet is always healthy whether you need supplements or not.

Memory care can start early; we can all get a jump on a healthier brain by considering what foods we are eating. It may just be beneficial in avoiding assisted living and memory care units.

Alzheimer’s Disease News

We know that assisted living is necessary for a variety of reasons, any of which result in loss of independence. One of the reasons someone might benefit from assisted living is because they are suffering from a dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease. When the dementia is advanced, there may be a time when a memory care unit is the assisted living housing option best suited to meet the significant needs.

Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for about 75 percent of the cases of dementia, is on the national news. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “about 200,000 Americans younger than 65 are among the 5.4 million Americans with the disease” and they estimate about the same statistics for those with other types of dementia. This means about one half million Americans, some as young as in their 20s, have early-onset or younger-onset dementia.

Every 72 seconds, a new case of Alzheimer’s is diagnosed in the United States. That number is high because there are so many aging baby boomers. There is no evidence of an increasing rate of diagnoses in those persons younger than 65. While younger adults are interested in whether those memory lapses might be due to an early-onset dementia and are getting tested in an effort to start treatment early, statistics are showing that their concern is usually unfounded.

By early identification of those at most risk, it is the goal of researchers to learn which lifestyle changes or medications can slow down or even reverse the progression of the disease.

Statistics show that after age 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years. By age 85 or over, up to 40 percent of Americans may be suffering from some stage of Alzheimer’s. Researchers are making advances in their knowledge of the disease and are making strides toward better diagnosing, treatment and prevention.

Memory lapses are a normal part of aging. But, if you notice that a family member has “lost the ability to recall or even learn new things, then it’s worth discussing the problem” with their physician. They can help determine whether these changes are “a part of normal aging, another medical condition,” medication management, stress or grieving, or possibility the first signs of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s.

If you have a family member who is having difficulty maintaining their normal daily routines in caring for themselves, whether it is due to dementia or some other diagnosis, there are options that can be of benefit. Being able to distinguish the level of need and the county resources available is an important part of what we do here at A Caring Heart. One of those options may very well be a memory care unit or assisted living.

Tips To Prevent Memory Loss As You Age

(StatePoint) You may not realize it, but you can take steps to keep your brain fit and flexible as you age. In fact, some experts now say that through proper diet and routine mental health exercises, you even can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease long enough to avoid experiencing the symptoms.

“The sooner you start to protect your brain against Alzheimer’s, the sooner you will notice improvement — not only in recall and mental focus, but also in energy level, mood, general health, and sense of well-being,” says Dr. Gary Small, M.D., Professor at UCLA, and author of the new book “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program” (Workman Publishers).

Small offers these stay-sharp tips to help you get started:

Eat brain food: Stock up on food filled with antioxidants like berries, avocados, and raw vegetables; omega-3 rich, anti-inflammatory food choices, like fish, whole grains, and legumes; and memory-boosting spices like turmeric and cumin. Alcohol in moderation can be beneficial too, so don’t shy away from a glass of wine or beer at dinner.
Train your brain: You can cross-train your brain, by jumping from right-brain to left-brain workouts. “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program,” offers great daily mental workouts that combine wordplay, letter scrambles, 3-D drawings, tricky equations, logic challenges, and number sequences. For more information, visit www.drgarysmall.com.
Be flexible: Try simple tasks like writing and eating with your non-dominant hand. By engaging neural circuits in ways that are different from their usual patterns, you will provide your brain a good mental stretch.
Make discoveries: Like any muscle you’d work out at the gym, your brain needs variety and stimulation to stay in shape. Find new challenging mental activities that you also enjoy, so that engaging your brain is never a chore. For example, explore a genre of music you haven’t before, or take up a new thought-provoking hobby.
Get Moving: Hopefully you are already exercising for optimum physical health. If you aren’t, consider this: physical activity increases blood flow, oxygenating the brain. So turn off that mindless television program and take a brisk walk!
Reduce your stress: Practice yoga, meditate; take a vacation or even just a bubble bath.

“Stress can temporarily impair one’s learning and recall,” says Small. “By taking away sources of stress, or reacting to stress differently, you can improve your memory.”

Alzheimer’s is already affecting 5 million people in the U.S. alone. But a memory lapse today doesn’t need to become a bigger problem tomorrow. Take charge and help sharpen your memory now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANUKKAH

Written by Regina Brett

90 years old Regina, is of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio . This is a reprint of her article on 45 lessons of life.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good..
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
Pay off your credit cards every month.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
The most important sex organ is the brain.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words : ‘In five years, will this matter?’
Always choose life..
Forgive everyone everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Believe in miracles.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
Your children get only one childhood.
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come…
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Yield.
Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

New hope for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Researchers have found a natural substance in a type of moss, Huperzia Serrata (also known as Chinese Club Moss) that could be a powerful treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, and may potentially combat the effects of chemical warfare agents, too. Called Huperzine A, the compound is an enzyme inhibitor that has been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease in China since the late 1990s. It’s also sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement to help maintain memory.

Unfortunately, the moss is extremely rare and may be near extinction in its native China. But now there has been a major breakthrough – Yale scientists have come up with a practical way to synthesize huperzine A in just eight steps, producing a yield of 40 percent. Their research was just published in the journal Chemical Science.

Plans are underway to further test the therapeutic potential of Huperzine A in clinical trials involving research subjects with several different neurological disorders. In addition, according to the media statement, the U.S. Army is interested in Huperzine A’s potential to safely block the effects of chemical warfare agents.

Several studies have shown Huperzine A has the remarkable power to benefit and protect the brain and may be a treatment for diseases and conditions associated with neurodegeneration, including Myasthenia Gravis as well as Alzheimer’s disease. Huperzine A has been found to be more easily absorbed by the body and last longer in the body than other treatments now prescribed to try to delay AD’s progression. Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033435_Alzheimers_disease_medicine.html#ixzz1WjO09Caz

Where Did I Put It? Regaining Memory.

Forgetting where you put your keys a lot lately? Leaving that shopping list at home all of the time? Having trouble remembering names for all of those faces? Menopausal women often complain of fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating; some even wonder if this is the beginning of dementia. You are most likely not losing your mind! Join the Red Hot Mamas for Menopause 101 to find out the causes of memory loss during menopause and what you can do to fight it. Presented by Anne Hamburg, MD, Southwest Medical Group Neurology Associates.

Social time and refreshments at 6 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Click here to learn more and sign up!

Although it is unlikely that a menopause related forgetfulness will cause enough problems to require an assisted living solution, memory problems can make it difficult for people to live alone. If you or someone you care about is in need of an assisted living solution in Vancouver, WA our team can help.

Memory care – does the Internet hurt or help?

Memory care is not just something we should look into when we start having problems. We should work to maintain our memory before a problem occurs. There have been many studies that show using technology can help our memory but is that always true?

A recent study indicates that the internet may actually hinder our memory skills – not because of the technology but because we feel there is no longer a need to remember things on our own when it is so easy to access information online.

Betsy Sparrow, assistant professor in psychology at Columbia, analyzed the impact of the huge accessibility of data from the internet on memory skills. Dr. Sparrow and her collaborators, Daniel M. Wegner of Harvard and Jenny Liu of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, staged four different memory experiments. One was for participants to type snippets of knowledge into a computer. One group was told the data would be erased and another was told it would be stored. The group that thought the data would be erased was much more likely to be able to recall the snippets later.

The other experiments had similar results. You can read more about this study here.

Ultimately, it seems that we need to be aware that using technology can be very beneficial. For example, many computer games challenge us in ways that enhance our memory. But it is wise to be aware that the internet can also make our brains “lazy”. Challenge yourself to use your memory more and the internet less by picking a subject you are fond of and studying it and memorizing the trivia!