Alzheimer’s Facts
What Elephants Are Teaching Us About Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers are gleaning information from elephants to help us better understand Alzheimer’s disease.
The old adage is true: elephants truly do have amazing memories, even into their later years. To illustrate, they’re able to recollect and go back to highly specific locations decades after visiting them, irrespective of age. Exactly what can we glean from elephants that may result in helping us better understand Alzheimer’s disease and to maximize our own cognitive performance later in life?
Remarkably, older elephants’ brains show no buildup of the amyloid plaques some researchers are linking to Alzheimer’s. Even though other health professionals tout the need for sufficient sleep to permit the mind the chance to clean away plaques, elephants are tromping over that theory, sleeping as little as 2 hours daily.
But one factor rises above the rest which may be the main key: socialization. … Read More »
Your Top Alzheimer’s Questions Answered by the Professionals at Hired Hands Homecare
Our Santa Rosa, CA in-home care specialists share information on Alzheimer’s disease.
Facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease in a senior loved one raises a multitude of questions: Is it truly Alzheimer’s, or could it be another type of dementia? What’s the cause of Alzheimer’s? What treatment possibilities are there? And how is it diagnosed, anyway? With our comprehensive experience in caring for those who have Alzheimer’s, Hired Hands Homecare’s Santa Rosa, CA in-home care team has collected responses to some of the most frequent questions we receive:
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Researchers don’t yet fully realize what causes Alzheimer’s disease. However, chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, diet, exercise, and social engagement may possibly have an effect on whether or not an individual develops Alzheimer’s.
What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?
Dementia is the symptom and … Read More »
Hired Hands’ California Dementia Care Separates Fact from Fiction
Have you tried Googling “Alzheimer’s disease” and attempted to sift through the millions of results that instantly pop up? As wonderful as the age of the Internet is, it can also be overwhelming to try to sort out the true facts from the overabundance of old wives’ tales.
At Hired Hands Homecare, our California dementia care specialists offer the following breakdown of some of the most common myths, and the truths behind them:
Myth: Mom remembers so many stories from when she was growing up, so she certainly can’t have Alzheimer’s disease.
Truth: Alzheimer’s disease affects short-term (more recent) memories first, meaning that those memories of the more distant past can linger much longer as the disease progresses. This explains why someone newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can often remember stories from the past quite clearly. Additionally, someone with Alzheimer’s tends to have … Read More »
The Stages of Alzheimer’s and Care Tips for Each
Understanding the complexities of Alzheimer’s is challenging, to say the least. Since it impacts each person uniquely, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to providing care. However, there are some broad similarities that can be categorized into three stages:
Beginning Stage:
This stage of the disease can last for years.
Your loved one may experience some changes in thinking and learning abilities, which may not be detectable to others without daily contact.
What you can do:
Be a care advocate for your loved one, providing emotional support and encouragement.
Help plan for the future:
Discuss care setting desires (home, assisted living, hospice) and identify care providers.
Research support groups.
Discuss end of life care requests.
Provide memory prompts and personal organization assistance when needed.
Provide assistance with money management or hire a professional to assist.
Establish a regular daily routine.
Help your loved one to stay healthy and engaged in what he or she loves … Read More »
