Researchers say that frequent stress over time can lead to early Alzheimer’s. In a study reported in the journal Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, psychiatrist Richard Lipton and colleagues administered a stress assessment test to just over 500 individuals ages 70 and older. The test rated their level of perceived stress. None of the participants had signs of mild cognitive impairment or dementia at the start of the study, called the Einstein Aging Study. They were followed for an average of 3.5 years with a battery of psychological tests and physical exams. During the study, 71 participants were diagnosed with
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Archives for Alzheimer’s Disease
Upcoming Alzheimer’s Events Across the Country
January is a big month for Alzheimer’s awareness events across the country. From learning the basics of the disease to attending a caregiver workshop, there’s so much support for friends and family members of sufferers. Read below to find events in your area that can help you help your loved one. The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s time to learn the facts. This program provides information on detection, causes and risk factors, stages of the disease, treatment, and much more. Registration required. Designed for
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Helping Those with Alzheimer’s this Holiday Season
The Holiday season is full of family parties, crowded malls filled with shoppers, and glimmering lights shinning bright everywhere. While most revel in the merriment of the season for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s this can be a very difficult and even stressful time. Here at Freedom Home Care we’ve compiled a few ways you can help your loved one feel included in the celebration of the holiday season. When in Doubt, Ask If you are concerned about your loved one or their feelings or reaction in regards to an event or activity, talk to them. Ask what their
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Thanksgiving for those with Alzheimer’s
The holiday season can be a stressful time as it is, but when you have a family member with Alzheimer’s planning can get even more complicated. If someone in your family has Alzheimer’s, there are some additional considerations that you need to plan in advance so that everyone will be able to enjoy the day. Most people with Alzheimer’s do best with a predictable daily routine – which the holidays inexorably disrupt. To cope, try to keep as much of their daily routine intact. Would one large Thanksgiving gathering with all the family really be better than shorter visits throughout
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Helping Your Loved Ones Hold On to the Past this Holiday Season
It’s that time of year when families get together and talk about all the good times they’ve had over the years. This Thanksgiving, we will all most likely gather around the table and take a collective trip down memory lane. Sometimes, there are instances where you try to recall a memory but you just can’t grasp it from your recollection. While this type of occurrence may seem a rare occasion for most, for those dealing with dementia it is a recurring event that can be frustrating and painful. And as these lapses progress, it can be difficult for a family
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How Can Essential Oils Benefit Seniors?
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes as well as for their purported spiritual and emotionally uplifting properties. Recent research now shows that essential oils used as aromatherapy or during massage can combat physical and mental stressors in senior citizens, as well as improve the symptoms of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. We spoke to Dr. Tom McNulty of Highland Park’s Back and Body Health Center to find out more. Dr. McNulty is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a digestive health specialist, a certified acupuncturist, and an Active Release Techniques Practitioner. He is also certified
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November is Home Care Month!
When the time comes to consider home care for your spouse, parent, or loved one it can easily become a daunting prospect. It is a very thoughtful process in making the decision on a loved one’s care, and often in the process the option of home care arises. Here at Freedom Home Care we’ve put together a helpful guide to some of the benefits to having your loved one cared for right in the comfort of their own home, and just in time for November – Home Care month! Home Sweet Home There is a reason people say ‘home is
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Could Alzheimer’s Be Caused by a Simple Fungus?
Every year, more people over the age of 65 are suffering from dementia. Here at Freedom Home Care, we specialize in Alzheimer’s Care, and we want to keep everyone as up to date as possible about potential causes of this disease. Today, researchers are still searching, but a new study offers a fascinating possibility: some cases of Alzheimer’s may be linked to a simple brain fungus. The study appeared this week in Nature Scientific Reports, and is already stirring up controversy in the research community. Molecular biologists Diana Pisa, Luis Carrasco, and colleagues studied 25 cadavers, 14 of which belonged
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This September is World Alzheimer’s Month
Every September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Launched by Alzheimer’s Disease International, or ADI, four years ago, World Alzheimer’s Month was ignited to encourage people to learn about dementia and to remember loved ones who are living with or have died from the disease. The theme for this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month is “Remember Me.” Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Every four seconds, someone around the world is diagnosed with dementia. Today, an estimated 44 million people are affected, with the greatest portion of dementia patients living in developing countries. Estimates suggest that another 60 to 90
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Travel Tips for Seniors With Alzheimer's
Now is the time that many of us make plans to take a vacation, travel and sight see, and visit loved ones. But it can be also especially difficult for seniors who want to do all of the things they used to do, but may be need a little more assistance because of Alzheimer’s. With a little planning ahead of time and lots of support from family and friends, older adults can still experience the beauty of the season and recreational times that go along with it. The safety and enjoyment of you and your loved ones is always the number one
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