Posts Tagged ‘alzheimers disease’

ALFA: Assisted Living Ideal Setting for Alzheimer’s Patients

Monday, December 20th, 2010 by Angela Stringfellow

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) addressed the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on December 8, 2010, regarding the care of Alzheimer’s patients. The forum, titled “Until There’s a Cure: How to Help Alzheimer’s Patients Now,” discussed recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and stressed the importance of adequate and targeted care. ALFA addresses Senate

Presently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, making appropriate care settings, such as assisted living facilities, all the more important for memory-impaired patients. Richard Grimes, President and CEO of ALFA, pointed out to the committee that assisted living facilities are both a cost-effective (at about half the cost of nursing home care) and practical solution for Alzheimer’s patients.

Loren Shook, President and CEO of Silverado Assisted Living and Vice Chair of ALFA, says assisted living facilities can meet both the medical and psycho-social needs of Alzheimer’s patients, providing a home-like atmosphere with individualized treatment plans.

While Congress is currently paying much attention to this issue, Grimes points out that the senior living industry requires the long-term support of the government in its efforts to move away from a “one-size-fits-all” long-term care model to resident-centered model that provides choice and focuses on maintaining quality of life.

Grimes notes two current pieces of legislation: The National Silver Alert Act would serve as a notification system (similar to the Amber Alert) for seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease who are prone to wandering. Another piece of bi-partisan legislation would create the first government office focused on leading efforts in treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Continued federal support would enable the long-term care industry to continue evolving the current delivery models to adequately meet the needs of seniors and their families who are living with Alzheimer’s disease until a cure is found.

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Holiday Season Tough on Alzheimer’s Sufferers

Sunday, November 28th, 2010 by Angela Stringfellow

The holiday season is officially upon us, and for most people, it means a time filled with joy, cheer, and family. But for many seniors, especially those living with Alzheimer’s disease, the holidays can be stressful — for the very same reasons it brings happiness to most others. People with Alzheimer’s disease thrive on familiar routines; adding guests, loud conversation, and activity can be disorienting to Alzheimer’s sufferers. Wrapping gifts can be a soothing activity for Alzheimer's patients.

The stress isn’t limited to the person with the disease, however. Caregivers and other family members often become concerned and worried whether their loved one will be uncomfortable with guests, overwhelmed by activity, or feel isolated. Even young children can become confused if a loved one no longer recognizes them or mistakes them for someone else. Anxiety is often amplified if the person is traveling to stay with other relatives during the holidays; removing Alzheimer’s sufferers from their familiar environment can be stressful. This is true both for those living at home and individuals residing in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, who often stay overnight with loved ones over the holidays.

WyomingNews.com interviewed Peg Bratton, gerontologist masters-level educator for the Great Plains Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in Wyoming. According to Bratton, families should modify their expectations around the holidays but not exclude loved ones who suffer from the disease from the activity. Instead, offer simple tasks, such as setting the table, singing Christmas carols, or wrapping gifts. Someone who is comfortable with the patient, and vice-versa, should plan to remain close by throughout the activities; participating in a familiar activity with that person, such as playing cards, can be a soothing distraction from the surrounding commotion. If the person becomes agitated, take him or her to a quiet room until the episode passes.

Bratton also advises families to expect modifications to tradition. Focus on keeping the traditions you can manage, and make adjustments to make others more manageable. For example, have guests each bring a dish rather than try to prepare an entire meal yourself, or order takeout if necessary.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 35.6 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease worldwide in 2010. By 2030, the figure is expected to reach 65.7 million.

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Alzheimer’s Disease Highlighted This Week on ABC News

Friday, October 22nd, 2010 by Stuart Grinnell

This week, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer highlighted the challenges of caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, led by Maria Shriver, who interviewed with Sawyer about her findings released in August in “The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s.” Shriver’s decision to take on this devastating disease was inspired by her own father’s struggle. Various ABC Newscasts also featured coverage of Alzheimer’s disease this week. Alzheimer's disease is laregely a women's issue.

“The Shriver Report” is based on a survey of more than 3,100 adults relating to the impact of and their experience with Alzheimer’s disease. Findings highlight the idea that Alzheimer’s disease is largely a women’s issue: Two-thirds of sufferers are women, and approximately 60% of caregivers to loved ones with the disease are also women. The total toll? 10 million women, or 6.4% of all women are in some way affected by the disease, according to an article on Time magazine’s Healthland blog.

Terry Moran, co-anchor of ABC News Nightline, wrote a headline story that talks about the financial and emotional toll the disease can take by chronicling the journey of several affected families, including his own mother’s struggle and susequent death from Alzheimer’s disease ten years ago.

Moran also covers the story of Jay Jones, one of 500,000 Americans currently living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In Mr. Jone’s case, and in many others who are subject to cognitive decline at an early age, he wasn’t able to continue his employment, leading his wife to take on a part-time consulting position at just one-fifth of her husband’s previous salary. Mr. Jones is just 53 years old.

If you missed the many heartwarming, inspirational, and eye-opening stories this week on ABC News, you can view full-length clips, articles and a wealth of expert information by visiting ABCNews.com and searching for Alzheimer’s disease.

Read Terry Moran’s article for ABC’s Good Morning America.

Read the Time magazine article.

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Alzheimer’s Camp Benefits Patients and Caregivers

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 by Jacqui Tom

A unique weekend sleepover camp for Alzheimer’s patients, sponsored a few times each year by the Family Caregiver Alliance, provides a much-needed break for caregivers and provides an enriching experience for patients. The retreat, which is held at a conference center near San Francisco, doesn’t focus on memories lapses or cognitive decline most patients experience as a result of the disease. Instead, the aim is to leave participants with a general feel-good sensation, according to Caitlin Morgan, the gerontolgist and social worker who leads the event. memories

The good feeling lingers after the camp has ended, and it can even improve daily functioning, participants report. While they may not remember specific events or details that occurred during the three-day camp, Morgan says, but they can relate to the general feeling of well-being they’re left with and know that something good happened during their stay.

This program is based on expert advice related to tapping into emotions to help prevent Alzheimer’s patients from withdrawing into themselves. Communication is emphasized, such as recognizing memory gaps, particularly among newly diagnosed patients.

Some helpful advice is offered on communicating with Alzheimer’s patients, which includes validating and redirecting when patients have misconceptions, because contradicting and correcting can cause needless frustration. For example, instead of insisting that your loved one is not eight years old and late for school, simply say that today is a holiday. Offering simple choices is also helpful, because it helps patients feel empowered and in control while not overwhelming them (offering a choice of two shirts, for example).

Morgan also says that she frequently hears patients say they want to be useful — so offering meaningful activities is crucial. Let them wash the dishes three times in a row. Activities don’t have to be complex to be engaging. Exercise can improve sleep quality, and simple activities like easy walks and reminiscing with friends stimulate the body and mind.

Read the related article on NPR.org

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84-Year-Old Scientist Discovers Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Target

Friday, September 3rd, 2010 by Jacqui Tom

Alzheimer’s disease has certainly had its share of news recently, and a new discovery by an 84-year-old scientist just added new hopes that new treatments could delay or halt the onset of the disease. Dr. Paul Greengard identified a new protein that activates gamma-secretase, responsible for making beta-amyloid, the characteristic plaque that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. The research is published September 2, 2010 in Nature, the International Weekly Journal of Science. Alzheimer's research

Dr. Greengard has studied Alzheimer’s disease for more than 25 years, after discovering that his father-in-law had the disease, according to a report from The New York Times. His work is funded by a philanthropic organization and federal government grants.

This discovery is promising for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers can now develop new pharmaceutical treatments that specifically inhibit the gamma-secretase activating protein, potentially blocking the formation of the plaques that cause the disease. An effective treatment would mean a huge victory in the field of medicine and for the many families who struggle with the disease. Alzheimer’s care costs are skyrocketing, so many families attempt to care for their loved ones on their own. The stress of caregiving and coping with role changes can quickly take its toll. 

Dr. Paul Aisen of the University of California, San Diego, says Greengard’s work is strong and convincing, noting that it creates a truly new approach to treating the disease. There are currently about 100 drugs undergoing clinical trials that hope to alter the course of Alzheimer’s disease, and about 200 papers are published weekly. There is certainly no shortage of interest in discovering an effective treatment for this devastating and as-of-yet incurable disease.

Current treatments focus on gamma-secretase, but this enzyme is believed to be responsible for other important roles in the body, such as fighting infection. Blocking the enzyme would cease the production of plaque-forming beta-amyloid, but it is likely to cause other harmful effects. But the gamma secretase activating protein discovered by Dr. Greengard plays no other role in the body other than telling gamma secretase to create beta-amyloid, so completely blocking this enzyme would theoretically halt the production of brain plaques without affecting other body systems.

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Comprehensive Study Reveals No Effective Alzheimer’s Prevention

Monday, August 30th, 2010 by Angela Stringfellow

In light of recent research that indicates promising new diagnostic technology that could enable physicians to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease years before the patient is even exhibiting symptoms, the National Institutes of Health commissioned a comprehensive study to determine what can be done to prevent the disease at its State-of-the-Science Conference, held August 26th-August 28th. brain

A group of independent researchers convened to examine the currently available scientific evidence on Alzheimer’s disease, associated risk factors and possible preventative measures. Analyzing data from scientific studies conducted on human sample populations in developed countries, with a sample size of at least 50, researchers concluded that no convincing scientific evidence exists to support that any modifiable factor can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Modifiable factors include vitamins, herbal supplements, social and economic factors, enivronmental expsoures, prescription and non-prescription drugs, and other dietary and lifestyle factors.

While there are numerous studies that reveal a correlation between a dietary or lifestyle factor and risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the panel states that the overall scientific quality of these studies is low. A positive association also does not indicate that any factor studied is the cause of a lower or higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Of course, the current lack of a consistent definition of Alzheimer’s disease makes analyzing the current body of research challenging. It’s also difficult to differentiate between a factor that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease or whether the relationship is actually with older age. In other words, many factors that have been implicated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease are much more prevalent with age, and age is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease — so any factor associated with aging could be subsequently implicated as an Alzheimer’s risk factor.

Among the few consistent findings, this meta-analysis revealed the following about associations between various factors and general cognitive decline, which is a different measure than Alzheimer’s disease:

  • There is consistent evidence from several longitudinal studies that omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) are associated with a reduced risk.
  • Depression and related symptoms have been associated with mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline.
  • The loss of a spouse has a strong association with cognitive decline.
  • Some positive associations have been found with physical and leisure activities (club memberships, gardening, painting) and preservation of cognitive function.

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Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Possible with New Technology

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 by Angela Stringfellow

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease could soon be possible, thanks to the development of chemical agents that can be used to detect the disease on a brain scan. Companies like Bayer and General Electric, that produce medical imaging equipment, are forging the trail in the development of this new technology, according to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).

Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Offers Many Benefits

Early detection could mean a major step towards treating the disease, and will certainly aid in prevention. Current treatments, like the pharmaceutical product Aricept, have been shown to slow the progression of cognitive decline, but are indicated for patients already exhibiting symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. They also only slow the progression of the disease, but do not reverse it. According to the Wall Street Journal, some experimental drugs are proving effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease very early on, but are too weak to treat the stage at which most patients are diagnosed today.Alzheimers

New imaging technology will also offer practitioners the ability to make a definitive diagnosis, whereas current diagnostics are based solely on an assessment of memory and cognitive function, which can be somewhat subjective. In fact, the Wall Street Journal notes that 15-20% of Alzheimer’s patients have been misdiagnosed. Even post-mortem analysis of brain tissue can’t lead to a definitive conclusion; even if the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s disease is detected, it hasn’t been proven conclusively to be the cause of the disease.

Finally, early detection can aid families in making plans for long-term care needs, giving patients the opportunity to actively participate in the decision-making process. Families can work together to create a financial plan for saving for assisted living or  nursing home care, or create alternative plans for aging in place.

Avid recently presented results from a phase 3 trial at the American Academy of Neurology annual conference in Toronto, which showed promise by correctly indicating which patients had the disease. Bayer is also conducting late-stage clinical testing of an experimental imaging compound, while GE has a compound in the mid-phase testing. Final results from these studies are expected over the next several years (some as early as 2011), and favorable findings could potentially lead to an approval in the near future.

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Study Finds Link Between Diet and Alzheimer’s Risk

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 by Angela Stringfellow

vegetablesFollowing a Mediterranean Diet — a diet comprised of dark green, leafy vegetables, other vegetables (like tomatoes), fruits, poultry, fish and nuts — has been linked to a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to an ABCNews article reporting on findings from a new study conducted by Columbia University.

The study, led by Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas and a number of colleagues, examined the dietary patterns of 2,148 individuals, age 65 and older, who did not have dementia at the time the study was initiated. Over a period of four years, the participants who were following a Mediterraean-style diet were 38% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. The study provides only correlational data and does not indicate a causal relationship.

This latest study adds to findings from other research that link diet and Alzheimer’s disease. Commenting to ABCNews, Dr. Samuel Gandy of Mount Sinai School of Medicine notes that in other research with similar findings, the diets studied were all heart-healthy. The fact that heart disease is linked to Alzheimer’s disease could explain the connection.

Nonetheless, following a heart-healthy diet could certainly improve your overall health and possibly delay cognitive decline as you age.

Here are a few tips for making your diet more heart-healthy:

  • Reduce fats and cholesterols
  • Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Choose whole grains and high fiber when possible
  • Reduce sodium intake — try flavoring foods with sea salt or spices
  • Avoid sugary foods, like snack cakes and soda

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