Etta James Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

Singer Etta James has been diagnosed with Alzehimer’s disease, her son said this past weekend.  James, who became sick while undergoing rehabilitation for an addiction to painkillers has just been hospitalized for a blood infection and The  American music legend, is currently in the hospital, receiving treatment for several conditions including a blood infection.

James is one of the all-time great blues singers, performing scorchers like Trust In Me and At Last. She was inducted into the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.  James has continued to tour, playing concerts as recently as last summer.

Compassion vs. Medication

It is difficult for most of us to imagine what it would be like to not recognize your own sister, husband or child or to wake up and not know where you are or what year it is. Confusion, disorientation and natural frustration are emotions that those with Alzheimer’s and dementia can feel on a daily basis. If a resident at an assisted living community is having a difficult day and lashing out physically and emotionally, how should a caregiver react?

Behavior modification for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is a sensitive and debated topic. Some assisted living companies use restraints and antipsychotic medications as ways to make their patients more compliant while others believe that behaviors can be improved through positive reinforcement, understanding and treating people with dignity.

Yesterday news broke that, the US attorney in Boston has recently filed suit against the world’s largest maker of health products, Johnson & Johnson, for using kickbacks to get more nursing home patients onto its drugs. The government’s primary complaint is that the company acted in a predatory manner to increase sales for its products including a drug, Risperdal, and antipsychotic drug often used to control Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. In 2005, the FDA cautioned against the use of this drug and included a black-box warning because there were too many fatal incidents in elderly patients.

While this is a serious issue the underlying problem goes back as far as 1986. The Institute of Medicine found that understaffed nursing homes “may make excessive use of antipsychotic drugs to substitute for inadequate numbers of nursing staff.” The following year, Congress mandated that nursing homes protect the rights of residents to be free of, “Chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the resident’s medical symptoms.”

While Johnson & Johnson maintains its conduct was “lawful and appropriate” this case is now in the hands of the court. While disheartening, cases like this bring to light the important issue of behavior modification methods in assisted living facilities. Some companies like Silverado Senior Living have taken a stance against the use of restraints and excessive use of prescription medications in their communities. Instead they have high resident-to-caregiver ratios, trained their staff to deal specifically with memory-impairing illnesses, and have taken and innovative LOVE is greater than fear philosophy to treat all people with dignity and respect. Hopefully, both lawmakers and other nursing homes of the future will begin to protect the rights of elderly people suffering from dementia and start treating them with compassion instead of medication.

To read more about Silverado’s Clinical Outcomes visit: http://bit.ly/dgrsPJ

For tips communicating with those suffering from memory-impairing illnesses visit: http://bit.ly/94Xyhq

To read more about the case in Boston visit: http://bit.ly/8JEVx5

Tour the Brain, Understand Alzheimer’s

Clinical words, like brain plaques and neurodegenerative disorder, are intimidating when faced with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Often there is a divide between those researching in a laboratory and those faced with the devastating daily effects of the disease.

When a shocking diagnosis is given our first natural reaction is to start asking questions. Most of us head to our reliable computers and “Google-it.” The problem when you Google Alzheimer’s disease is that over 8.4 million results pop up on your screen. Where do you start? What source is reliable? What if you just want to start with the simple basics?

Recently the Alzheimer’s Association has released a terrific tool that allows you to take a simplified tour of the brain and introduce you to some of the facts about the disease. For many of us, it has been a long time since we were sitting in a biology class learning about cell structure. The brain tour offers a simple break down of how the brain functions and the progression of the disease, how it spreads and impacts the memory and the ability to communicate.

The tour is offered in 14 languages and explains everything in 16 easy click-through pages with animations. If you have to start some where the Alzheimer’s Association’s Brain Tour is a good resource. Check it out. Once you understand the basics other resources are at your disposal. Tips, advice and further information about memory-impairment care for you or a loved one can be found at www.silveradosenior.com

To check out the brain tour simply visit:

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_4719.asp

Youtube Link to an Interview with Author/Caregiver

Link to video:

Caregiving for Aging Parents, Interview with Shannon Ingram

Stroke Risk Increased in Caregivers; Help is Here

Caregiving is a stressful job in most situations. A recent study, published in the journal Stroke, showed that husbands caring for ailing wives were at the highest risk of having a stroke.  Approximately 767 people who provided in-home care for ailing spouses were part of the study. Those caregivers who said that aiding their ill spouse caused “a lot of strain” were 23% more likely to have a stroke when compared to others who said they felt no strain. The stroke risk was most pronounced among men.

Stress can manifest itself in many ways in our bodies from headaches and ulcers, to muscle pain and nausea. Previous studies have shown that caregiver stress can increase the risk of depression and even early death. Many have questioned exactly how caregiving related stress affects stroke and heart disease risk, as it is not yet fully understood.

Stress caregivers experience includes many difficult and uncontrollable elements such as financial strain, social isolation, witnessing the suffering of a loved one, managing challenging behaviors, and providing demanding physical and psychological tasks. Caregiving can also interfere with healthy behaviors such as getting regular exercise and sleep.

There is hope. Dr. Willam E. Haley, head of the study, says, “One important kind of assistance is counseling, where the caregiver can learn new information and skills to help them be better prepared to manage their family member’s illness and their own stress. Another kind of assistance is receiving more help in providing care from other family members, friends, or community agencies, or using respite care services.”

In this study, the public is reminded that caregivers are an often an overlooked segment of the population. To improve the health and wellbeing of this caregivers Dr. Haley recommends support groups and adds, “Overall, research shows that caregivers benefit from programs that help them learn ways to feel better prepared to take care of their relative, to manage their own stress, and to get more day to day help in providing care.”

For more information about how you can get help through support groups, respite care or just to gather helpful tips and information about caregiving visit www.silveradosenior.com or call your local Silverado Community, At Home or Hospice Office.

Author Shannon Ingram Shares Caregiver Insight and Advice with Valley Families

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Shannon Ingram, author of The Heart Way – a Journey from Corporate to Care, combines her talents in corporate communications, training and seminars with her personal and touching story as a caregiver for her aging parents in a special appearance and free book signing at Silverado Senior Living – Scottsdale.

Tuesday, January 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at Silverado Senior Living – Scottsdale, 9410 E. Thunderbird, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

In The Heart Way, Shannon chronicles her difficult and sometimes humorous journey leaving a thriving corporate career in marketing communications to face aging parents and the loss of her identity. Through her experiences she developed eight “footprints” or qualities that serve as her personal guide to a more balanced and caring life. An accomplished speaker and presenter on topics related to stress in the corporate world, caregiving and midlife topics, Shannon’s novel serves to inspire and aid families struggling with similar challenges integrating the business world with family life.

Sponsored by Silverado Senior Living – Scottsdale, a complimentary copy of the The Heart Way will be given to guests who come for a tour of the recently renovated community. The presentation and tours begin at 6 p.m. with refreshments. Shannon will personalize and sign each book upon conclusion.

This free event is open to the media and the public. For more information about Shannon Ingram and her book The Heart Way – A Journey from Corporate to Care, please visit www.shannoningram.com. For more information about Silverado – Scottsdale or to RSVP for the January 19 event, please contact Dawn Romayo, Family Ambassador, 480-614-9100 or visit www.silveradosenior.com.

Silverado’s communities offer assisted living care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory impairment. Silverado also provides geriatric care management, home care and hospice care throughout Southern California. Silverado Senior Living is based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and operates in 33 locations across California, Texas, Utah and Arizona. Visit www.silveradosenior.com for more information.

Rose Bowl Donation Brings Flowers to Hospice Patients

On January 7^th, dozens of bouquets of fresh flowers were delivered to Silverado’s Hospice office in Orange County. They were donated by Christine Saunders, CEO of The Spiral Stem Floral Designs. The flowers, worth thousands of dollars, came from the Rose Bowl Gala event, a pre-celebration to the BCS bowl. Through Silverado’s Petals for Patients program the flowers were distributed to all of its Orange County hospice patents.

Petals for Patients is a program that is provided through Silverado’s Volunteer Department where donations of fresh flowers are arranged into beautiful bouquets and delivered to hospice patient’s homes on a minimum monthly basis. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia small comforts can make a big difference. Fresh cut flowers generate a soothing odor and visual comfort as well as brightening a room, lightening a heavy atmosphere and uplifting spirits. Silverado Senior Living’s operating philosophy is to bring LIFE-Love, Innovation, Family and Engagement to all of its patients, clients and residents. The generous donation was a wonderful surprise to the New Year for Silverado’s Orange County hospice patients.

Cell Phone Radiation Reverses Alzheimer’s disease…in Mice

Today it is common place to see people roaming the mall looking like Star trek cyborgs. Nearly every person you see is either chattering away on a Bluetooth head set or obsessively tweeting on their cell phones which might as well be an extension of their arm. When cell phones came on the market many speculated the effect radiation emitted by cell phones would cause to the brain. In a recent study radiation looks like a good thing… if you’re a mouse.

Mice, genetically engineered to have a form of Alzheimer’s disease, were exposed to electromagnetic radiation typical of cell phones for two hours a day over seven to nine month. The results were shocking, not only did the disease appear to slow but even reverse the course of the illness. Dr. Gary Arendash of the University of South Florida in Tampa said the findings provided “striking evidence for both protective and disease-reversing effects” of long-term of cell phone level radiation. While this new data is interesting and even outlandish in its claims some scientists in the community warn of its implications

Dr. Roger Brumback of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska cautions that these findings could be entirely wrong and warns, “Extreme caution is necessary until this outcome has been confirmed independently in other laboratories. Even if the science is correct, humans are not just big mice, and we must always be cautious in extrapolating results from mice to man.”

In no way should anyone start “self medicating” with a cell phone but the results for mice are interesting none the less. Scientists and research will continue with this new evidence. Good news for forgetful mice.

Sorry Ginko Biloba, You’re Not Helping

In addition to the “eat your vegetables” mantra spread by mothers world wide,        “remember to take your vitamin” is a close second. As a result I grew up a Flinstone-vitamin-loving kid and eventually fell victim to supplement-itus. Annually, the news reports the benefits of countless antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Each one promises seemingly magical remedies and health perks. Since the 1970’s ginko biloba has had one of those coveted spots in the news. Claiming to have curative and memory enhancing powers I would religiously take the supplement hoping to get A’s on all of my tests.

Unfortunately, ginko must now be removed from its mighty thrown. According to the largest and longest scientific study ever taken to examine the supplement, ginko biloba does not improve memory nor does it prevent cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s or dementia. Steven DeKosky, dean of the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine and the study’s senior author says that although the findings are “disappointing news” they did find the supplement to be completely safe.

Sales for ginko biloba were $99 million in 2008, down 7% from 2007 according to the Nutrition Business Journal. With this new information sales and use of ginko supplements could drop even further. While I am disappointed that there isn’t a magic memory pill to help me on a test, it goes to show that when it comes to our health, there really is no such thing as a quick fix. Sorry Ginko, you won’t be on my shopping list next time.

Correction:

As of January 7th ABC news and the Herbal Science Organization is disputing this study’s claim to dispute that Ginko is helpful with memory or cognition.

Mark Blumenthal, ABC founder and executive director said, “This trial is not conclusive nor should it in any way detract from ginkgo’s reputation as a useful dietary supplement to help support and improve cognitive function and enhance peripheral circulation — conditions for which it has been reported to be effective in numerous clinical trials.”

To read the complete article disputing this study please visit:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/herbal-science-organization-clarifies-new-ginkgo-study-80288477.html

The great vitamin debate rages on!

Is it better to walk with a dog or a friend?

In new research from the University of Missouri, man’s best friend may be a better companion than your best human friend. In a 12-week study of 54 people at an assisted living home, 35 people were assigned to a walking program five days a week, 19 served as a control group. Of the 35 in the walking program, 23 chose a friend or spouse to walk with and the remaining 12 took a bus daily to a local animal shelter where they were assigned a dog to walk.

To the researcher’s surprise, dog walkers showed large improvements in fitness while in some cases human walkers began to make excuses to skip the workout. On average dog walkers speed improved 28 percent compared to 4 percent with human walkers. Rebecca A. Johnson, director of the Research Center for Human Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri said, “What happened was nothing short of remarkable. The improvement in walking speed means their confidence in their walking ability had increased and their balance had increased. To have 28 percent improvement in walking speed is mind-boggling.”

Another unforeseen element of the study was encouragement. Ms. Johnson said, “In the human walking group, they were regularly discouraging each other from walking. We would hear them saying: ‘It’s hot today. I don’t want to walk, do you?’ When the people came to the animal shelter, they bounced off the bus and said, ‘Where’s my dog?’ And the dogs never gave any discouragement from walking.”

Silverado is no stranger to the remarkable love dogs and other pets bring to their 19 assisted living communities. Having made pets a requirement at communities, residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia can benefit from taking “Silverado” dogs on a walk whenever they like. This study supports what Silverado already knew, namely that pets give so much more to people than just love.