World Alzheimer’s Day
Today is World Alzheimer’s Day.
Or so I was lead to believe! In fact it says so here. And you know what that is pretty much all I can find out online.
In the UK it last get’s a mention here. But this is 2016 not 2014. And I’m sure there is something more up to date but it is not easy to find.
So where is World Alzheimer’s Day? Can you help?
If you have any idea what is planned for this year please do let me know in the comments section below.
Thanks!
A Lady doing Yoga – what are the health benefits?
As anyone with a family member with Alzheimer’s will know that it is a full time job caring for them. And it is not just about giving them attention; you have to research about a lot on Alzheimer of things which you never thought would come up.
For example, after my uncle was diagnosed one thing that later came up was how to ensure that he got enough exercise in the later stages of the disease. And such things really matter.
Exercise is good for everyone, and matters a whole lot more for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise unfortunately does not cure the condition but it does help to ease some of its symptoms. And anything that helps our loved one has to be considered.
How does Exercise help Alzheimer’s patients?
When one says the word exercise, most people think of running, swimming or going to the gym. However exercise is a lot more than that. Any physical activity that can increase your heart rate and make you breathe more deeply can be defined as exercise. This means every day activities such as gardening, dancing and walking also count as exercise. Also chores like gardening and doing the laundry not just lead to physical exercise, but their simple repetitive nature also helps inoculate a sense of peace and security in people with Alzheimer’s. Tasks like folding laundry may not be really intensive exercise but they help because these tasks do not involve decision making and remembering what to do next thus they are a source of meditation almost, making anxiety drop. And when they finish they feel good, knowing that they have accomplished something.
Beside lowering anxiety there are other benefits which exercise brings for people with dementia:
Exercise can serve as a great way to ensure they get opportunity for social interaction. My uncle loves going to the park for a walk. And it makes for a great time for me to actively converse with him too.
Exercise improves their sleep.
Their ability to self-sufficient, that is dress themselves, clean and even cook can be done more efficiently if they are fit physically.
Studies have shown that exercise does help to improve memory and slow down the mental decline.
Exercise leads to the release of endorphins, which in turn leads to an overall improved mood, confidence levels and overtime greater self-esteem.
Getting started with exercise
It is important that you go to the doctor for advice before you start developing an exercise regime for your loved one. This is more important for older patients, especially those who had so far not undertaken regular exercise.
What is the right amount of physical activity in the early to the middle stages of dementia?
There is no standard answer to this question and the amount of exercise really differs from person to person. Most health organizations recommend that adults should at least get 150 minutes of moderately strenuous physical activity each day. This translates to 30 minutes for 5 days a week. However you do not have to maintain a continuous 30 minute session. You can break down 30 minutes into 10 or 15 minutes sessions. For example, I take my uncle to a 10 to 15 minute walk to the grocery shop. And then later in the evening he and I do our push-ups and crunches.
Each year in November we celebrate Alzheimer’s awareness day. It is great that we have dedicated a day to them, but we should remember that they require our attention throughout the year and the little things go a long way. So go for regular walks with your loved ones, be they in the park or to the local supermarket but do keep them physically active.
Memories to help with dementia
Not only is it nice to reminisce, it also has some health benefits.
Remembering the past isn’t just a pleasant escape from your current situation, in fact, nostalgia has recently been shown to improve your health and wellbeing, as well as helping with the aging process and afflictions such as dementia.
Nostalgia was the phrase first used in the 1600’s by the Swiss to name the homesickness many soldiers felt after returning from the Alps. Nowadays however, we know that it is a worldwide experience, felt even by children as young as seven. So why do we do it?
Research shows that nostalgia actually boosts your mood, psychological comfort, and can even raise your self-esteem and optimism about the future. It also found that reminiscing about your youth, particularly in groups can benefit your memory and ability to recall, with even care home patients with dementia experiencing an 8% improvement in recall.
Remembering the past and discussing memories with a person or a group of people is beneficial to patients suffering from dementia. This is often referred to as Reminiscence Therapy, and can involve the use of various prompts such as pictures, music, or familiar items to dementia sufferers to help recall the past. Reminiscence therapy is shown to have a positive impact on patient mood and cognitive behavior, and on top of this is a pleasurable activity for those involved whilst giving carers an opportunity to learn more about patients and build closer relationships. A recently created Summer Moments Timeline, that covers the key events from the last 60 years of summer with images and descriptions of events, could be used in such therapy.
Though we all have different memories, reminiscing about shared experiences is also shown to promote sociability, and can even create bonds. When done in groups with people who have shared experiences such as wartime memories, or even events such as movie releases or sporting victories like the 1966 World Cup, it was shown to have a better impact on the brain. Team nostalgia showed it strengthened patients ability to recall, and can be even more useful than one on one talks with a caregiver.
So, looking through those photo albums, listening to a classic song, or even just talking with people from your generation can have a real positive effect on your health. Whether you’re remembering a beautiful holiday, thinking of youthful escapades with friends, or remembering when you first saw your partner, nostalgia isn’t just self-indulgent thought, it’s a healthy psychological activity.
Proximity for Autism and Dementia
Hi everyone,
My name’s Natalie and I’m 25-year-old entrepreneur who’s trying to make a difference. For the past 2 years I’ve been developing a wearable product that I hope will change the lives of families who are looking after those who may be more vulnerable.
Inspired by my own mom who’s cared for people with dementia for 15 years, I wanted to create a simple and affordable device that would keep them safer from wandering: a common and very dangerous side effect of dementia.
My product is called the Proximity Button. The Button is a small, light badge that is worn by the person with dementia. The Button connects to the carer’s smartphone via Bluetooth. If the person wearing the Button wanders too far from the carer and their smartphone, the phone alarms to alert the carer. The Proximity Button is a simple warning device to protect loved ones from wandering too far in the first place.
A few weeks ago I launched my crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Start-up companies like my own, use crowdfunding to help get their products to market. There are two different types of crowdfunding: donation-based, where people give money out of goodwill; and reward crowdfunding, where donators contributions are exchanged for current or future products – the most popular type at this time. Our crowdfunding campaign is both. You can either donate or purchase the Proximity Button.
I’ve always been very aware of wandering issues within dementia due to my mom; however, it wasn’t until I began crowdfunding that I realised what a prevalent problem it is within autistic children too. A few days in to our campaign, a father in Philadelphia emailed me to say he had purchased a Proximity Button for his son who has autism. We had a Skype call shortly after as I really wanted to understand more and found how I/Proximity could help. Ralph explained that he loved the simplicity of Proximity and also the price point – there are some great products out there to hep with wandering but they often have a huge price tag. It was great to hear such positive feedback!
I am delighted to say that we’re now at 44% of our target and we still have just over 2 weeks to go! I would love for people to take a look at our campaign page – there is a great little video that shows the product in more detail and it fully explains how it works. From the campaign page, you can either donate or pre-order a Proximity Button. There are still some left at the early bird price too! But most importantly, I ask you to please share the campaign with everyone you know, the Button’s use can be extended to anyone, and you never know who might need protecting.
Thank you
Natalie
Single Payer Healthcare?
Whether your diagnosis came as a shock, or confirmed what you’d suspected for some time, it’s important to plan ahead while you’re still able to make clear decisions for yourself.
If you’ve just been diagnosed with dementia, you may be feeling numb, scared and unable to take everything in. Give yourself a little time to adjust. It might help to talk it through with family and friends.
Once the initial feelings have passed, it’s time to move on and create an action plan for the future. Dementia is a progressive illness, so the sooner you take care of legal, financial and healthcare matters, the better. These are the key things to think about:
Your local authority has a duty to carry out a care and support needs assessment to establish which of its services you need. To arrange an assessment, contact social services or your GP.
Read more about how to get an assessment for a person with dementia. For further information, read the Alzheimer’s Society’s factsheet on community care assessments.
Find out what’s available locally, so you’re prepared and able to call on this support as and when you need it. Services arranged by local authorities vary between areas, but may include home care services, equipment and adaptations for your home. Some services, such as community nursing, are arranged through the NHS. Ask your hospital consultant for details.
Charities such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and Dementia UK provide a range of services, including information, helplines, support groups, lunch clubs and home care schemes.
Read more about what to expect from social services and the NHS and where to find sources of help and support for people with dementia.
It’s a good idea to make a will, if you haven’t already. This ensures that when you die, your money and possessions go to people of your choosing. A person with dementia can still make or change a will, provided you can show that you understand what you are doing and what the effects of it will be. Your solicitor will decide if this is the case.
Read more about dementia and legal issues, including making a will. The Alzheimer’s Society also has a useful factsheet on managing legal affairs.
Make sure that all your important papers can be easily found. These might include bank and building society statements, mortgage or rent documents, insurance policies, your will, tax and pension details, bills and guarantees.
Consider setting up direct debits or standing orders for your regular bills. This will mean they are paid automatically from your bank account each month.
Read more about managing someone else’s banking.
Check that you are claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to. In particular, check:
whether you are eligible for Personal Independence Payment (which replaced Disability Living Allowance in early 2013) or Attendance Allowance
whether your carer (if you have one) is eligible for Carer’s Allowance
You can appoint one or more people as “attorneys” to manage your affairs, including your finances, property and medical treatment, should it become necessary. You can choose anybody you trust to be your attorney, usually a close friend or family member, but they must be over 18.
Read more about power of attorney.
You may wish to make an advance care plan, so you can have a say in your future medical care. It enables you to refuse, in advance, a specific medical treatment or procedure, should you become unable to decide for yourself in the future.
Find out about advance care planning.
If you’re depressed or feeling very down, talk to your GP. Depression is very common in early dementia and there are a range of treatments, including talking treatments, that can help.
Read more about how to spot depression.
As with other long-term conditions, it’s important to look after yourself when you have dementia, by stopping smoking, eating healthily and taking regular exercise. Ask your GP if you would benefit from flu vaccination and pneumonia vaccination.
Read more about living well with dementia.
Memory books can be a helpful way of stimulating your memory and reconnecting you with your loved ones in the future. Essentially, it’s a “This is Your Life” compilation of photographs, notes and keepsakes from your childhood through to the present day. It can be either a physical book or a digital system, like a photo book.
Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia offer support for people diagnosed with dementia, plus their relatives and carers. GPs and other health professionals can recommend titles from a list of 25 books on dementia. The books are available for anyone to borrow for free from their local library.
Books on Prescription for dementia are also available to people living without a formal diagnosis, who may be worrying about symptoms.
Read more about the Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia titles.
Information on what to do if you’ve just been diagnosed with dementia, including advice on benefits, legal affairs, social services and more.