Recently, Elizabeth Cohen of CNN wrote an article about is “Grandma drugged up?” 

While the title was alarming, the reality was even more disturbing.  I sent this article to our team at AGIS. The response was shocking. I immediately heard back from three employees that have had this experience in their own family.  I got to thinking, if three people in our group have had this challenge, then what is the population as a whole experiencing? 

What’s frightening is so many of us don’t ask enough questions and many drug interactions go unidentified.  Simple things get misdiagnosed…dehydration can sometimes look like dementia. In the short time doctors spend with us, they can’t be expected to know what we know about our loved one’s situation.  Research, talk and ask questions.  Our loved ones’ lives might be at stake.  

Read the Article Here

Filed under: AGIS, Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Doctors & Hospitals, Elder Issues, Eldercare, Health & Safety, Long Term Care | No Comments »

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month so “feed your head” and read about the causes of brain injury and what you can do to prevent them.

Serious risk for older adults: You don’t need to be a superhero to know that falls are the major cause of head injury in older adults. A common scenario - a senior loses balance and falls, resulting in a blow to the head. This type of injury is called a “concussion” or “traumatic brain injury” (TBI) and can range from mild to severe. Those 75 and older have the highest rates of TBI, recover more slowly and die more often from these injuries.

Caregiver alert: Statistically, most injuries will be mild and cause no permanent damage. But for those unlucky few, the results can be long lasting and require round-the-clock caregiving. More often in older adults, a simple spill can cause serious complications, like a blood clot on the brain. The senior may become confused or develop a severe headache, symptoms that may often be misdiagnosed.

Be aware – know the signs: If your senior has a head injury and develops any of these symptoms, call a doctor right away:

• Headaches or neck pain that won’t go away
• Trouble with mental tasks such as remembering, concentrating or decision-making
• Slow thinking, speaking, acting or reading
• Getting lost or easily confused
• Feeling tired all the time, having no energy or motivation
• Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason)
• Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping)
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy, or losing balance
• An urge to vomit (nausea)
• Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds or distractions
• Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Ringing in the ears

Fall prevention checklist: No need to bury your head in the sand - the best way to protect you and the elders you know is to prevent falls from happening in the first place. Here are some simple things you can do today to avoid falls:

• Use a step stool with a grab bar to reach objects on high shelves
• Install handrails on stairways
• Remove tripping hazards such as small area rugs and loose electrical cords
• Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors
• Put grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower
• Maintain a regular exercise program (try Tai Chi) to improve strength, balance, and coordination
• See an eye doctor regularly for a vision check – seniors often can’t see very well. Also provide better or more illumination like night lights, glow-in-the-dark light switches and bright light bulbs
• The wrong prescription drugs may cause dizziness - have a pharmacist review them for any possible interactions or other problems

For further info on preventing head injuries and falls, check out our checklist for preventing falls.

Filed under: AGIS, Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Checklist, Eldercare, Health & Safety | No Comments »

As a caregiver, you understand the unpredictable nature that comes with caring for your aging loved ones. With a demanding lifestyle and full agenda, family caregivers often lack the time to become properly trained in how to handle certain medical issues. However, it is crucial to become familiar with the risks associated with the leading disease in older generations: heart disease. Recent studies have suggested a link between heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, one of the risk factors—Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or DM2—has been proven to triple the chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Fortunately, there is evidence that suggests targeting heart disease and diabetes risk factors can help prevent cognitive decline.

There is ongoing research to discover the link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Several factors other than heart disease are involved with the connection, including high blood glucose levels and abnormal insulin. High blood glucose levels have potentially toxic effects on the brain, leading to an increased chance of developing a brain disease. The high levels lead to the formation of excess free radicals, which ultimately leads to cell damage. Additionally, insulin abnormalities play a significant role in brain metabolism, learning and memory. Disturbances in the insulin signaling pathways to the brain may contribute to cognitive decline like that of Alzheimer’s.

Discovering a solution to this dilemma is not easy. The most imperative details to know are how to prevent your loved one from developing DM2. Basic ways of achieving this are through daily exercise, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, and receiving regular screenings for diabetes. The most effective way to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s is by preventing the risk of diabetes and understanding the symptoms. While an aging parent’s cognitive decline cannot be entirely avoided, following these steps may greatly decrease the severity of the regression.

Check out the latest expert to join our site - Dr. Mindy of LightBridge.  Read her full article on the link between Alzheimer’s & Diabetes.  She’s also written another article on the link between cardiovascular health & Alzheimer’s disease.

Filed under: Alzheimer's, Health & Safety, Research | 1 Comment »