How is Alzheimer’s Perceived to Develop?

For those with Alzheimer’s, it is likely that brain changes occur at least 10 years before memory loss.  Two proteins located in the brain called Amyloid and Tau are thought to compromise communication between nerve cells and destroy brain tissue.  This spinal tap test can detect certain combinations of these two proteins which are typical of Alzheimer’s Disease.

This study found these signs, or ‘biomarkers’, of the disease in 90% of Alzheimer’s patients; in 72% of people with ‘mild cognitive impairment’; and in 36% of people who were thought to be ‘normal’.

In order to use these findings productively moving forward, specialists can conduct the test on patients in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s to then test current treatments.  Up until now, various medications have been used on many patients with moderate to advanced levels of Alzheimer’s with little to no positive results.  This research suggests that current treatments may be more effective if introduced to patients with only the very beginnings of Alzheimer’s in their brains.

Would You Want To Be Tested?

Given the fact that presently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, for many people this test may seem pointless.  If there is no way to stop it, why would we want to know that years down the road we will have this mind-crippling disease?

For others, knowing that Alzheimer’s is a definite reality in their future may offer a sense of control.  Having such knowledge may:

•    Help you make certain lifestyle decisions in the interim
•    Plan for the future in terms of living arrangements, finances, or your estate
•    Urge you to participate in upcoming clinical trials for possible treatments or even cures for the disease
•    Make you realize and value what is most important to you

What This Means for the Future

These latest research developments may bring us closer to what will hopefully be a cure in the future.  Before a cure is possible, there must be a way to detect the diagnosis early.  New or even existing treatments can be attempted on those will little to no symptoms.  It will be interesting to see if effective rises when implemented at a premature stage of the disease.  The hope we all share, is that successful treatments will eventually lead to a cure for this sad and unfortunate disease of the brain.

Information gathered from:  CBS News, CBC News, and The New Republic.

New Building Developments

Bob Dugan, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s chief economist says that the anticipation of a spike in the demand for seniors’ housing because of our aging population, has spawned the new construction of many new residences which in turn, has led to a much higher average vacancy rate in the interim.

The 2464 residences surveyed inhabited 176,845 seniors, and of this number, 81% of them lived alone. Most rental prices per month were inclusive of all meals and the average national rental price for a bachelor unit was $1774 per month.  Prices varied from residence to residence given the difference in services and amenities offered at each location from a high in Ontario of $2519 per month, to a low in Quebec of $1271 per month.

Not to much surprise, the survey found that rental rates were significantly higher in Canadian seniors’ residences offering heavy care - as opposed to those housing units with a more independent style of living and less intensive care.

Senior Living for Your Loved One

Are you caring for an elderly loved one?  There are a wide range of options available to accommodate senior living in Canada and the United States.  Learning about your choices is the best first step.

Parenting, whether for your parents or your offspring, is exhausting and time consuming.  Boomers who take on the role of parent to their elderly mother or father find themselves shopping, driving to appointments, acting as a regular companion, cooking, cleaning, and fixing items around the house.

  Studies show that many family caregivers are married women who work full time.  The stresses of such a role don’t stop with the caregiving tasks themselves, because for most, caring for an elderly parent is also extremely taxing on their emotions.

Many family caregivers deal with resistance, anger and frustration from their parents when they try to help.  In the eyes of your parents, you’ll always be their child, and for many boomers’ elderly parents, this is a life phenomenon they didn’t experience firsthand – making it that much more difficult for them to understand what you’re going through.

You Can’t Do It All

Don’t be afraid to come to the realization that you can’t do everything on your own.  It is important for you to accept this so that you don’t find your life run by elderly loved ones who are unaware of the implications of the situation.  Consider hiring help wherever you can.  A house cleaning service, yard work professional, or grocery delivery service could take some of the workload off your shoulders.

Talk to Your Siblings

Discuss the circumstances with your siblings.  If you find you are accepting responsibility for too much of the burden, address the situation with others in the family.  Find out how they can help.  Even the smallest of gestures can make a difference.

Communicate

The more you set the stage for open communication, the more comfortable your parents will feel talking to you about the changes they are experiencing.  Unfortunately, many seniors keep quiet about the help they need because they are embarrassed, scared, or don’t want to be a burden on you.  

By keeping the lines of communication open at all times, you will encourage open and honest conversation so that you can understand the troubles they face on a day-to-day basis.

Keeping Your Parents’ Home Safe

One of the biggest concerns among baby boomer caregivers is the safety of their parents in their own homes.  Elderly parents become forgetful, absentminded and disoriented.  They want to do everything they can to stay in their homes, but yet they will not take proactive measures to ensure their own safety.  This is up to you.  Look into assistive devices, safety electronics and elderly emergency systems on the market to help your parents stay safe in their homes.

Plan for the Future

Have a plan in place for future living arrangements your parents may need.  Sometimes the rate of deterioration can be fast, so when you begin to see physical or mental weakening in your elderly loved ones, it is important that you are prepared for the day when adjustments need to be made quickly.

If you are the person your elderly parents rely on for help, it is important that you are also prepared for any unexpected emergencies.  Will you be able to help them whenever they call?  Will it be possible for you to take time off work?  In the case of an emergency, will you be available on a moment’s notice?

Take Care of Yourself Too!

Do everything you can not to forget about yourself.  Eat well, exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of sleep.  The healthier you are and the better you feel, the more you’ll be able to help the loved ones who need you.

  Don’t hesitate to seek support.  There are many resources available to help you cope with the stresses of caring for your elderly parents.  Research your community to find support groups, respite services and other useful information that may be of great value to you.

A well-educated and well-trained fitness instructor will cater his or her class to suit their group.  Many older adults and seniors are flooding fitness classes to stay healthy and physically active. With this in mind, fitness instructors must make adjustments to keep their classes full and their older adult participants motivated to come back – over and over again.

Skilled and intuitive Older Adult Fitness Specialists who teach group classes will take the following measures to ensure maximum exercise effectiveness for older adults:

• Take the time to know the individual participants by having them fill an information sheet that will give important facts about personal conditions and physical fitness
• Make sure everyone in the class is wearing comfortable and supportive shoes
• Stress the fact that everyone should feel comfortable working at their own pace (no pressure to keep up with others)
• Educate the class to listen to their bodies and tell them about their possible limitations by giving tips and ideas during the cool down phase
• Hand out pamphlets and relevant newspaper articles
• Host an evening with experts in the field or have an afternoon of “High Tea” with a discussion session (they can all bring a treat to share)
• Do a thorough, proper and longer warm up
• Work through range of motion movements gradually
• Progress slowly
• Show modifications at all times (simpler versions of moves the class can do)
• Use supportive devices for those that need the extra safety elements such as walls, chairs, sturdy platforms, high steps, etc.
• Minimize all stresses on the most painful joints
• Minimize impact movements
• Have half of the cardio portion of the class in a seated position in chairs
• Use other lighter items instead of weights, such as different balls, ribbons, noodles, water bottles, soup cans, packages, newspaper rolls
• Slow down the execution of a movement, look for proper alignment, and avoid twisting actions
• Reduce the number of repetitions
• Lengthen the stretch phase, but be careful not to overstretch the class – make sure they understand not to stretch to the point of pain or discomfort

When you have a fitness instructor who takes these points into consideration and cares for the older adults in their classes, numbers will stay high and participants are sure to have a high quality exercise session.

Guest Article By:  Ona McDonald, Older Adult Fitness Specialist, Toronto, Ontario

Traveling is one of the most popular ways seniors and retirees like to spend their time.  Travel opportunities are endless.  You can plan a quick road trip to see some famous Canadian landmarks, drive along the coastline of the United States, or enjoy an extensive tour of Europe, living in different cultures and experiencing new ethnicities – at your own pace!

Specialized Travel Companies for Seniors

There are numerous specialty travel companies specifically for seniors and older adults. Trips are designed to suit the travel needs of older adults. You can custom build your very own trip to see the places you want to see, at a price you can afford. Given the current state of our economy, travel costs are lower and travel is among the top ten recommended areas to spend your money in a weak economy to benefit from the best deals!

Keep Your Mind Sharp by Traveling

Travel offers a unique form of stimulation for our minds. In many cases, leisure travel can improve your mental health through:

· Reduced stress levels

· Heightened feelings of relaxation

· Personal growth

· Increased self esteem

Seniors who travel are more likely to interact with fellow travelers on vacation, which increases their social participation. In personal travel, seniors can benefit from a sense of connectedness to the world and comfortable social belonging with other travelers.

Outside the Comfort Zone

It is far too easy to become ‘set in our ways’ as we grow older. Seniors often become more settled and increasingly domicile. Parties, social gatherings, sports events, and trips slowly drift away unless we make a point of staying involved. The more time we spend in our ‘comfort zone’ the less we learn, the fewer people we meet, and the more disconnected we become from society – which can ultimately lead to a hasty mental decline.

Senior travel gives elderly adults the opportunity to relax, unwind and experience fresh surroundings. Visiting famous landmarks is educational and offers valuable intellectual stimulation. Your body has a chance to adapt to new cultural characteristics, food and climate. New people will stimulate your mind in a social manner.

Travel is known to increase positive feelings both physically and mentally.

So if you have a few extra dollars in your pocket this summer, consider taking advantage of reduced travel prices and visit a part of the world you’ve dreamed of your entire life!

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, tangerines, and limes are known for their high concentration of vitamin C, but they also contain anti-inflammatory compounds called polymethoxylated flavanoids. These flavanoid compounds include tangeretin, sinensetin and nobiletin, and serve as antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatories.

Nobiletin especially has been a part of latest research developments, proving to be a natural arthritic treatment which also prevents the breakdown of cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Omega-3 Fats

EPA and DHA are healthy Omega-3 fats found in certain types of fish including salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as in nuts and green leafy vegetables.  Both fats help manage the common arthritis symptoms that so many seniors and older adults suffer from – specifically joint pain and stiffness. On the contrary, Omega-6 fats found in animal foods are actually subject to increase pain and inflammation of the joints. An imbalance between the two types of Omega fats is actually linked to multiple chronic diseases, including arthritis. If you do suffer from chronic arthritis, it is wise to limit your intake of milk and dairy to lessen your joint pain and inflammation.

Natural Supplements

Over and above your every-day diet, you can take certain natural supplements to help reduce the pain you feel as a result of your arthritis: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM. Glucosamine and chondroitin are known to protect the body from cartilage breakdown, to maintain and rebuild joints and reduce overall pain experienced from arthritis.

MSM (Methyl sulfonyl methane) is a sulphur compound believed to improve joint flexibility and to reduce the stiffness, swelling and joint pain commonly associated with arthritis. Due to overprocessing, many of our foods are often lacking their natural sulphur components, making MSM an important source in the North American diet.

Combination

Consider combining a diet containing anti-inflammatory and joint-paint reducing foods, with natural recommended supplements working to prevent cartilage breakdown and improve the maintenance and rebuilding of joints. Together, these can help to reduce the pain you feel from arthritis and help you live a happier and less-limited life.

*Information gathered from Manna Health Group in Vancouver.
*Consult your family physician before making any alterations to your diet and/or supplement intake.

Reading books is a great pastime and can also be incorporated into a social activity.  Retired adults have the same need for involvement as the young, and it is important to find ways to stay connected to others.

Organize a local book club!  Talk to fellow book lovers and regular readers.  Start generating some interest among your fellow contacts.  Don’t underestimate the power of “word of mouth” – you may be shocked with the number of people who are interested.

Decide on a local meeting spot.  If the group is fairly small, you could meet at a member’s house.  Meeting places can be rotated each time, to spread the responsibility.  A local coffee shop or library would also work well.

See where your members’ reading interests lie.  Will your club read fiction or non-fiction books?  Is there a particular author you’re all interested in?  What subject matter will you cover?  Perhaps you’d like to keep it general and cover a wide variety of books.  You can cater your book club to suit the members involved.

Book clubs provide retired adults and seniors with a great way to spend some time that is social and enriching.  Seniors can be connected with other seniors.  It allows members to spend time with friends and make new friends too.

For all you book lovers out there – this may the activity you’ve been waiting for!

But don’t fret, there is good news!  According to research, there are initiatives you can take to maintain a strong mental edge and solid memory retention.  Although these strategies cannot necessarily prevent such diseases as Alzheimer’s or dementia, they can serve to preserve memory longer, and lessen confusion of the mind.

Many researches think it is not far fetched to assume that one day we will be hiring cognitive trainers for our minds – not just fitness trainers for our bodies.

In the meantime, we can follow these three simple steps below to maintain a healthy mind and keep it as sharp as possible, for as long as possible.

Unplanned Physical Activity

Keeping physically active through planned and premeditated activity is one thing, but apparently spontaneous-style physical activity proves to relate to brain fitness.  For example, engage in gardening, dancing, or cleaning to keep a mentally healthy brain.

Regular Brain Challenges

Challenge your mind on a regular basis.  Do crossword puzzles, photo hunts and word searches.  Visit your local museum or science centre.  Go to concerts, seminars and tradeshows.  New material for your brain is always beneficial to preserve effective cognitive functioning.

Keep up Social Activities

It has been said that those who are highly involved in social activities, keep sharp, mentally fit and of sound mind for longer than those who tend to drift from their social settings and withdraw from society.  Try to stay involved in active communities, social settings and various activities.

Although none of the recommendations above can guarantee that you will not experience memory loss, in combination with lifestyle changes and possible medication, the process can be slowed and the likelihood greatly reduced.  Plus, you never know, you may just have some fun in the meantime!

Most older adults love the term Zoomer.  Our baby boom generation is characterized by a general disposition towards staying young, vibrant, alive and well.  Baby boomers don’t like being referred to as “old”, and for most, the term “senior” is out of the question.  The popular name “Zoomer” is one they like, meaning baby boomers with “zip”.

Dr. Demko was definitely onto something and the term itself promotes and glorifies a more exciting, involved, and active lifestyle – which is imperative to boomers’ overall health and well being.

There is a direct correlation between one’s overall level of happiness and his or her level of connectedness to the outside world.  Because of our innate desire to belong, it is rare for us to derive great pleasure from being alone and spending all of our time disconnected from the society around us.  On the contrary, those who are involved in different activities, groups, social gatherings, recreational sports leagues, fitness classes and the like, generally tend to be happier, livelier and most importantly, healthier.

As we grow older, our bodies and minds need to be stimulated and exercised on a regular basis to maintain their sharpness.  By finding ways to interact with others, to connect with your community surroundings, and to learn new things of great interest, you will be living the Zoomer way – the healthier, happier way for older adults.

Still among the top ‘negative’ news stories today, is the plummeting economy.  Sure, there is recent talk of the ending recession, but unemployment is high, people have lost a ton of money, and older adults’ pre and post retirement dreams have been crushed!

But wait!  Okay, so perhaps things didn’t go exactly as you had planned – but money isn’t always the answer to happiness.  Far too often, we allow this printed paper to rule our thoughts, and in many cases, even our overall state of happiness.

“If only I had more money, I’d be a whole lot happier.”
“I’m sick of working.  I wish I had enough money to retire.”
“Without lots of money, I can’t live my retirement the way I want to.”
“If only this recession hadn’t happened, then I’d be retired by now.”

Do any of these phrases sound familiar?  Good.  Now wipe them from your vocabulary – and your thoughts!  Too much concentration on money will leave little time for you to maximize your happiness in three other major areas:  in your personal health, through your family and friends, and from yourself.  By finding reasons to be happy in or because of these three aspects of your life, you’ll be able to enjoy a much happier retirement.

Research performed recently by Harvard students confirms the contagiousness of happiness.  If you are happy, you will naturally attract more happiness into your life, you will naturally find yourself spending more time with happy and positive people, and you will be more comfortable spending time by yourself in a peaceful and serene state of mind.

If you find yourself in a financial bind that you can’t do much about given the current state of our economy, then simply come to terms with the fact that your finances are unstable, unpredictable and hold an uncertain future.  Accept this as fact, and you will find more time to enjoy all of the other good things in your life.

Although finances will bring you stability in your retirement, it is your state of mind and personal well being which generates the success you will need to accomplish that stability.  It’s never too late to change your frame of mind, take control of your negative thoughts and live a happier life – before and after retirement.