Feeling like the walls are caving in? Need help with remembering?

The holidays are here, again. So on top of a caregivers regular 'to do' list, comes the errands of buying gifts, writing cards, going to school plays or musicals, decorating the house or houses, etc., to name a few things. Most people automatically assume when you talk about memory issues, you are referring to an elderly parent or family member. Any caregiver worth their salt, will say it is not so. It is a pretty good assumption that the brain will get fried to a certain extent during this time of year. Some families have helpful other family member and friends; some families have to go it on their own.

According to AARP, there are memory boosters. Not only are they good for the older member of the family, but will be good for those caregivers who may be 'sandwiched'.
Check out these 8 memory boosters from the site: 1 - lift weights - In one study of 65- to 75-year olds with normal cognitive function, women who exercised for an hour once or twice a week, using dumbbells, weight machines and other calisthenic exercises significantly improved their long-term mental focus and decision-making. The control group — which did not see the same brain benefits — did "balance and toning exercises" including stretching, range-of-motion. Another study, of 70- to 80-year olds with mild cognitive impairment, showed cognitive improvemet among women who did either resistance training or aerobic exercises. Men weren't included in that study, but other research involving both genders finds that strength training helps preserve or improve memory.
2 - laugh - A hearty laugh provides short but similar benefits of aerobic exercise for improved heart (and brain) health and immunity. Other benefits: Laughter elevates the production of neurotransmitters linked to improved memory and alertness while decreasing stress hormones that can cloud thinking. And when listening to jokes, as you wrestle to understand the punch line, areas of the brain that are vital to learning, creativity and decision-making activate, much as they do when working out

"brainteaser" crossword puzzles and Sudoku.
3 - take a nap - In addition to improved daytime alertness, good sleep — night after night — helps keep memory and learning well-tuned. But even with Rip Van Winkle-like nocturnal habits (and certainly without), consider a regular afternoon nap for about 90 minutes. It costs nothing but time — and the payback, according to studies, could be significant. Compared to non-nappers, those who partake in daytime zzz's display measurable improvements in tests gauging decision-making, problem-solving, creativity and even tasks like recalling directions.
4 - meditate - Studies find that daily meditation can strengthen connections between brain cells, increase growth in the part of the brain that controls memory and language, and may even bolster the ability to process information and make decisions more quickly. There are various forms of meditation, but most involve spending 15–60 minutes — best if done at least once a day — of focused attention on a word, object, sound or even your own breathing.
5 - rate your plate - Grains like oatmeal, brown rice, barley and quinoa supply energy to the brain, which may boost learning. Nuts and seeds — including low-cost peanuts, sunflower seeds and flax — are loaded with vitamin E, which helps combat cognitive decline as you age. Blueberries, cherries, raspberries and red grapes contain antioxidants to feed brain areas responsible for memory and learning (apples, bananas and oranges are also good). Spinach, tomatoes, onions and asparagus are vegetable standouts. And while salmon remains supreme, less expensive fish — also rich in omega-3 fatty acids — include tuna, sardines, anchovies and mullet.
6 - step lively - Just walking briskly — no equipment necessary — cuts your lifetime risk of Alzheimer's disease by half. So does most anything else (including money-saving DIY gardening and housecleaning) that gets your heart pumping for at least 150 minutes per week, ideally for 30 minutes or longer per session. Why? Boosting heart rate improves blood flow to areas of the brain involved with memory, learning and decision-making. Hint: Studies find a walk in the park boosts energy, focus and well-being more than indoor exercise.
7 - socialize - Take a free class at the local library. Volunteer. Make use of Facebook. Or just hang out with friends. Any of these no-cost activities reduces the risk of dementia and slows or prevents cognitive decline. Theory: Social engagement means mental engagement — talking or just being around others requires focus and attention to details (while combating loneliness, itself a risk for dementia), and some research suggests even brief but regular social engagement bolsters memory, self-awareness and the ability to not be easily distracted.
8 - brush & floss - For just pennies a day, good oral hygiene can help prevent gingivitis and gum disease. Most people know that inflammation in your mouth has been linked to heart disease; what's less well-known is that gingivitis has also been linked to several cognitive problems, including declines in memory and verbal and math skills. More serious gum disease boosts the risk of memory problems as much as threefold (plus factors into stroke, diabetes and heart disease).

Also some quick mental workouts:
1) Play a brain game

2) Don't retire
3) Make musice
4) Pay attention
5) Do a jigsaw puzzle
6) Go back to school
7) Take a tech brake
8) Get a library card

Similar information is offered by Fox News from a study that was done in 2002 - 2003. It was recently published in the British Journal of Medicine acknowledging that physical activity not only helps cognitively but a seniors physical well-being, to boost healthy aging. Thank you + Caring for Aging Parents and their post from Securus GPS on Nov 26, 2013 for mentioning this Fox News article.

Memorial Christmas Ornaments.

As Advent starts, our church parishoners carry on a 'tradition' if you will (we have been doing this for about 4 - 5 years), of honoring and remembering those family members and friends who have passed on, either during the past year or before. Each year, we offer a style of Christmas ornament which is tagged with the name of a loved one, blessed by our priest during mass, then followed by adorning what is now known as our

"Memorial Christmas Tree" set upon the alter. The tree and ornaments stay there during the Christmas season for all to see. Not only do we decorate the tree with the current ornament but people can bring in those from past years. This started out as a fundraiser for our youth group but has taken on a life of its own. Donations can be given for these but we do it for the sentiment. Our first ones were the pewter - many folks had us put a loved one's name on a tag so the family could put a photo in the center. (What you see is sample of my family's ornaments.) The tree looks beautiful when adorned. All names are there to see and remember past seasons. When the tree gets taken down, all ornaments are taken home by the family. Some people have told us they keep them displayed all year long. It is nice to see that what started out, probably as a one time event, has grown to be something that our parishoners look forward to, adding to the memory of someone special.

Alzheimer's & Eating.

(picture from Sams Club site) In reading our copy of 'Healthy Living Made Simple' from Sams Club, the September/October 2013 edition, I found they offer some advice about meals.

While I have not found this magazine online yet to refer to, I thought I would share an article in it titled "Alzheimer's and eating: a unique burden", by Michele Mongillo, RN. All of us have heard how this disease changes people - their behavior, memory, thinking. It affects daily life. Nutrition can be an issue; we have all heard that certain foods MAY slow it down, there is no fix. But the article states, that it is best if the elderly person can eat a well-balanced diet - to stay strong and maintain a healthy weight. Of course, there is always the fact that your family member may not remember if they ate - been there!!

The article says that if you are the one planning the meal, try to offer a wide selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Cut the food into bite sized pieces -- makes it easy to pick up with a utensil or fingers. Plus it makes the food easy to chew and swallow. Allow foods with high water content (since they may not drink enough) like soups, fruit, & smoothies. If the person has visual issues, there may be problems distinguishing food on their plate -- limit the amount and types of food being served. Even if it is a favorite, they may not recognize it. Here too, it may be helpful to avoid dishes, tablecloths, napkins that have a busy design.

If you are going out, places with a lot of noise might be too distracting, so choose one with a quieter atmosphere. If at home, eat meals without the radio or TV.

Some of this may be trial and error. From personal experience now -- if there are any other medical issues, you may want to talk to your doctor or dietitian. Mom had to have low-sodium foods, she had a heart condition and high blood pressure. I had to watch her potassium intake (among other things) with her being on dialysis. We had to change from her favorite drink, Ensure, to Nepro (which she did not like as much but we found ways to doctor it up). Several talks with the dietitian at the dialysis center, and many handouts later, we were able to shop for foods and herbs to make things taste better.

I did find a similar post on the Alzheimer's Association website. Read here.

A Pacemaker for the Brain

(picture from the ADvance Study website)
Two local hospitals, Butler Hospital & Rhode Island Hospital, will begin testing the effects of deep brain stimulation, or DBS, as a treatment for those with Alzheimer's Disease. According to the press release, this is a disease affecting more than 5 million people in the US and has no cure; they are hoping to investigate the safety and effect of DBS on memory loss and cognition. It is also called a 'pacemaker for the brain',using an implanted electrical device to stimulate a part of the brain. Read on...

5 Signs to Tell if Memory Issues are a Problem.

(picture from Caring.com)
Reading an article on Caring.com regarding memory loss that reminds us that our brains start to deteriorate in our late 20s. (oh my!!!)There are some signs that are more worrisome and should be looked into. Use your own memory as a baseline, do not compare to others.

Sign #1: Your memory problems frighten you. We all forget and we all have looked for our car in a different part of the parking lot. Be careful when you get uneasy about forgetting like wondering how the keys got in the refrigerator, or how you ended up on the street you find yourself on or have no idea where you are.

Sign #2: You've changed how you work or play because of memory problems. "A hallmark distinction between normal memory loss and dementia is that the symptoms interfere with your ability to conduct everyday life."You now make to-do lists, send multiple emails for the same thing, give up a hobby because nothing is turning out right or give up driving under certain conditions.

Sign #3: Friends or family point out mistakes and/or express concern.You repeat short stories or ask the same questions several times usually using the same exact words. You might be more withdrawn or apathetic, and there are changes in how you do your daily chores. "What happens is that relatives notice mistakes, and you -- the person with memory loss -- find yourself constantly in arguments with people about what you said or did," geriatric psychiatrist Robbins explains. "You're on the defensive a lot."

Sign #4: "You notice friends or family starting to cover for you. People start stepping in to do things for you that you normally do - pay for something, drive, order, taking care of money issues, to name a few.

Sign #5: You find it hard to make choices.It takes longer to make decisions even when it comes to food at a buffet or movie.
"If you used to be a definitive person and now you can't work your way through choices, that's a red flag," psychiatrist Ken Robbins says. "Choosing involves enough cognitive powers -- remembering what you like, thinking about how the options differ, and thinking about what you want now -- that it's a problem that shows up early on."

Testing for Alzheimer's.

'A Place for Mom' had an article reviewing information on Alzheimer's testing. This disease is similar to other mental diseases and in the past, it was only through posthumous examination. Now when seeing the signs of Alzheimer's, there may be some testing available to help diagnose.

Standard testing is: 1) physical and neurological - check blood & urine; see how the patient walks; check vision, hearing, reflexes, and balance. 2) cognitive - solving simple problems & also looking at short and long term memory testing. 3) neuropsychological - time intensive testing of memory and thinking done by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

(picture from 'A Place for Mom' website)



There are new tests, identifying biomarkers, that maybe coming out which could help detect the disease early on. So scientists are working on: 1) brain imaging to look for changes - MRI, CT, PET; 2) cerebralspinal fluid protein levels - this is still being researched but it would only require a spinal tap; 3) check for proteins in the blood - looking for biomarkers in blood, urine, & the eye lens; 4) genetic markers - even though many markers have been identified, this is still mostly for research yet.

As much as everyone wants to run out and get mom/dad tested, many of these tests are NOT covered by insurance and are costly. The article mentions that genetic testing has its own risks and then the findings may affect insurance eligibility.

My mom went to a local Memory & Aging Clinic at a hospital that deals with many mental diseases. She went through a battery of mental testing while I filled out a large questionnaire. The findings at the time were good - she was 80 and her 'forgetfulness' was normal. But she did return a few times for check-ups. In my opinion, it is great to sit down with a doctor who is specialized with this type of mental disease, best to know 'yes' or 'no' rather than be guessing. Feel free to check previous post - "Delirium or Something Else".