Study shows benefits of close ties

Study shows benefits of close ties

Having close ties with family and friends may boost your longevity, making as much difference as not smoking, a new report suggests. Researchers, who looked at the results of 148 studies, estimated that adults with strong personal relationships may live an average of almost four years longer than those with weaker social ties, a Health Day article notes. Study author Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University said that the analysis doesn’t prove that relationships directly help people live longer, but it seems clear that “our relationships come with more than just emotional benefits. They can influence our longevity and our health.” Strong relationships appear to have an effect comparable to that of quitting smoking and a greater effect than risk factors such as obesity and alcohol abuse, she said. Study authors say the challenge now is to put this information to good use. They noted that in this era of technology, the quantity and quality of relationships seem to be decreasing.

Study sheds light on emotions of Alzheimer’s patients

Watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimer’s disease can be a painful process, but for the patient, the experience may be a muted one.

Alzheimer’s patients can appear withdrawn and apathetic, symptoms often attributed to memory problems or difficulty finding the words to communicate. According to a new University of Florida study, they may also have a decreased ability to experience emotions.

According to the study, when Alzheimer’s patients were asked to place an emotional value on pictures, they measured the pleasant images as less pleasant and the negative scenes as less negative compared with a control group of normal elderly people. This emotional flatness could be incorrectly interpreted as a symptom of depression.

The study’s authors proposed several reasons for the flatness. Previous studies reveal that such symptoms of Alzheimer’s are caused by deterioration of neural systems, said Dr. Kenneth Heilman, senior author. “Even in its early stages, Alzheimer’s destroys the areas of the brain that produce chemical neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, which is essential for experiencing fear and anger,” he said.

Misinterpreting the images or not understanding the meaning of some pictures — a comprehension disorder — could have skewed the results, but the volunteers were given a naming test to minimize this possibility.

Families of Alzheimer’s patients can gain new perspective from the study, according to Dr. Todd Feinberg, a professor of clinical neurology and psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, who did not participate in the research. “Caregivers also should be helped to understand that it is not ‘their fault’ if a loved one seems emotionally indifferent to them.”

Caregivers need to make sure they are taking care of themselves. A great resource for caregivers is www.caregiverstress.com
At Home Instead Senior Care we can assist caregivers so they do not get burned out by being there with their loved ones. If you need assistance please contact us at 822-1915.

Increase your cognitive functions by....drinking wine?

Yes please! 

Over a seven year study seniors that consumed wine at a moderate level (what a moderate level is was not provided in the article, hmmm) at least four times a week performed better than non-drinkers on cognitive function tests. An article from Senior Journal reports why & how here.

Can a Test Determine if You Will Develop Alzheimer's?

Are you ready to know if Mom/Dad/you will develop Alzheimer's. You better be if you take this test. It has 100% accuracy for those that are currently suffering significant memory loss.

Check out this article from the Denver Post that explains how a spinal-fluid test can predict it.

Mary Maxwell's Invocation - This will make you smile!

Tools for Cholesterol Screening

The American Heart Association has some great information about cholesterol and taking care of your heart.

Please click here to view their website.

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month

High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for developing heart disease. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that exists in your blood. When there is too much cholesterol, it builds up in the walls of the arteries, causing decreased blood flow, which can lead to a heart attack.

High blood cholesterol affects more than 65 million Americans. High cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, so many people are unaware that they are at risk. That's why regular cholesterol testing is important.

There are several factors that can affect cholesterol levels, some of which you can control:

• Diet
• Weight
• Physical activity
• Age & gender
• Heredity

According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, everyone over the age of 20 should have his or her cholesterol checked at least once every five years. September is National Cholesterol Education Month, which serves as a good reminder to get your cholesterol checked and take steps to lower your numbers if they are too high.

from Happenings August 2010.

Birthday Celebrations!

Here are a few scrapbook pages from a few of our Client's birthdays! We always enjoy celebrating Birthdays!

Taking Action and Where to Seek Help (Aging Parent Care – Part 4 of 4)

In this video “Taking Action and Where to Seek Help” Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care offers specific ideas and suggestions for getting your elderly parent to accept the assistance that can help them remain as independent as possible for years to come.

Loss of Attention Signals and Environmental Clues (Aging Parent Care – Part 3 of 4)

In this video “Loss of Attention Signals and Environmental Clues” Mary Alexander of Home Instead Senior Care continues to describe signs of aging, this time focusing on the behaviors that signal a lack or loss of attention — from poor hygiene to unpaid bills. Physical and environmental clues can point to the fact that something needs to be done to help your loved one remain independent.

Physical Symptoms and Emotional and Mental Changes to Look for (Aging Parent Care – Part 2 of 4)

In this video “Physical Symptoms and Emotional and Mental Changes to Look for” Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care stresses that recognizing the physical and emotional signs of aging doesn’t take a lot of time and some symptoms you can even “hear” over the phone. The issues underlying physical and emotional signs may be tough to face, but ignoring any of them could prove dangerous and costly to your loved one.

Aging Parent Care – Part 1 of 4

In this video series “Aging Parent Care” Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care explains that, while there are lots of good reasons seniors want to stay home, one of the fears that drives this desire is the potential loss of independence. They so much want to avoid being a burden on their families and to maintain their lifestyle that they often deny their true need for care and make bad decisions about what they really need to do to remain at home. But there are signs, and this video series tells you what to look for.

Tips for You and the Healthcare Provider to Follow (Patient-Doctor Communication – Part 4 of 4)

In this video “Tips for You and the Healthcare Provider to Follow,” Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care discusses how to prepare for a medical appointment with your senior loved one and strategies to use during a visit with a medical provider. With the tips in this video, you can help your parent feel more confident he or she is understanding the doctor and is being heard and respected by the practitioner.

Legal Documentation and Medical History (Patient-Doctor Communication – Part 3 of 4)

In this video “Legal Documentation and Medical History,” Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care describes the legal medical forms and information you’ll need if you’re going to get involved in your aging parent’s medical care. For example, HIPAA does not allow your parent’s health care providers to share their medical information with anyone unless your parents can give them permission by filling out an “Authorization for Release of Information” form. This video covers variety of documents you need or may wish to consider in order to help your loved one get the best care.



This series of videos contains valuable information for anyone who is caring for an elderly person be it a parent, other relative or friend. For each topic you’ll learn helpful tips to overcome challenges and be provided with resources to make your family caregiving responsibilities a rewarding and loving experience. You may view this and more educational videos at www.caregiverstress.com

Coach Broyle's Alzheimer's Playbook

Our Nurse, Jennifer, attended the Canterbury-Beeson Forum on Aging this past weekend. She was thrilled that she attended it and came in talking about how wonderful it was this morning. She showed us the "playbook" given to her that Coach Broyles' developed after dealing with his wife's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. You may download or order the book here.

A poem in the back of the playbook caught my eye and I wanted to share it with you. It's a great reminder for those of us who live with our take care of an Alzheimer's patient. 

Do not ask me to remember.
Don’t try to make me understand.
Let me rest and know you’re with me.
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.

I’m confused beyond your concept.
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.

Do not lose your patience with me.
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different ’though I try.

Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ’til my life is done.
—Author unknown