Is There a Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

There is often confusion between the definition of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not a specific disease.  Rather it is the overall term used to describe a wide range of symptoms that cause a decline in memory and other cognitive skills that reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.   

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, while vascular dementia, which is caused by the damage from a stroke, is the second most common cause.  Other types of dementia may be a result of Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, and a person may have more than one form of dementia.  Thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, brain tumors, medication side effects as well as depression, excessive alcohol us and even infectious diseases can cause dementia-like symptoms; however in these cases, once the problem is correctly diagnosed, it is reversible.  This is why health care providers state the importance of getting a professional evaluation to determine the cause of your or your loved one’s symptoms.    

In addition getting an accurate diagnosis at the onset of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia allows the person to receive the maximum benefit from the available treatments.  Furthermore, it gives the person time to plan for their future. 

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we offer 55 suites for assisted living and 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized care for residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Conveniently located in historic Centennial, we are near hospitals, banks, shopping malls, grocery stores and restaurants.  We offer residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community and provide a whole range of resort-style amenities and wellness programs. 

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.   Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, homey community.       

Sources:.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp

well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/ask-well-is-dementia-the-same-as-alzheimers-disease/?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fask-well&action=click&contentCollection=well&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=12&pgtype=collection

 

Frequent Walks May Help Slow the Decline of Alzheimer’s

A recent article from the New York Times reports on a study that achieved modest improvement in the physical decline and memory loss for some people in the early-stages of Alzheimer’s.  Conducted by the University of Kansas, it is one of the first studies to use physical activity as an experimental treatment for dementia and their results suggest frequent, brisk walks may help to “bolster physical abilities and slow memory loss”  

While the improvements were not universal in all study participants, researchers are now considering the question of why exercise helps some people with dementia and not others.  We know earlier studies support a correlation between regular physical exercise and improved memory and also find that active seniors are less likely to develop mild cognitive decline, which is a frequent precursor to Alzheimer’s.  This may be due to the fact that brain scans show physically active older people have more volume in their brain’s hippocampus (the part of the brain linked to memory function) than their sedentary peers. 

Until this study, most of the research has involved trying to prove whether or not exercise can help to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.   In this new research, published by PLOSOne, it considers whether or not exercise can help to improve the trajectory of the disease.  The participants were all older adults who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and were still in the early stages.  They also had the ability to walk well. 

The research “assessed the effect of 26 weeks (6 months) of a supervised aerobic exercise program on memory, executive function, functional ability and depression in early AD.”  The conclusion drawn from the study suggests that the exercise fitness gains produced not only improved memory performance but reduced hippocampal atrophy.  It is still unclear why only some of the participants’ fitness endurance and brain activity improved.  Researchers speculate that perhaps a specific exercise program may be more beneficial to a wider group of participants.    

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.  Please contact us to schedule a tour. 

Sources:nytimes.com/2017/03/01/well/move/frequent-brisk-walks-may-aid-those-with-early alzheimers.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fwell&action=click&contentCollection=well&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0170547

It’s Still Important for Seniors to Eat a Healthy Diet

Even for older adults, good nutrition is important for a healthy lifestyle.  A study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) states that “a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers. As you age, you might need less energy. But you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.“  

As a part of their findings, they recommend avoiding foods loaded with empty calories such as potato chips, cookies, soda and alcohol to ensure you get your proper amount of daily nutrients.  Instead they advise eating wholesome, nutrient-rich foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated or trans fats.

One of the benefits of eating well is that it may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes and bone loss as well as some types of cancer.  In fact if you already suffer from one of those diseases, maintaining a healthy diet along with staying physically active can help you to better manage them.  Additionally adopting a healthy diet can help to reduce your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol. 

Wholesome, healthy foods help keep muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong and vitamin-rich food can boost immunity and fight against illness-causing toxins.  Furthermore, a healthy diet can help you feel better as well as give you more energy.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we wholeheartedly agree that good nutrition is important for seniors.  This is why our residents are served three daily meals that are not only very healthy but also delicious.  Each of our meals are served restaurant-style in a beautiful dining room and prepared by our Executive Chef.  Please contact us to learn more about our wide range of services and programs offered by MorningStar. 

For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Source:nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/benefitsofeatingwell/01.html

Osteoporosis is Most Common Among Senior Women

The fact is women are more at risk for osteoporosis than men and more than 53 million people in America have osteoporosis or may be on their way to developing the disease due to low bone mass.  Studies show that half of all women over age 50 may experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime while men have a one in four risk.  From an early age on, women start losing bone mass faster than men do and once the protection of estrogen drops off after menopause, the loss occurs even more rapidly. 

Several factors make certain women more susceptible to osteoporosis.  Caucasian and Asian women and those with small, thin body types are more at risk but it is not limited to just those groups.  Also since osteoporosis runs in families, it is important to know your family history as you have a greater chance of bone loss if a relative had osteoporosis or a broken hip.   Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption creates more of a risk as well as long-term use of certain drugs such as prednisone, heparin, and some anti-seizure drugs. 

A simple, painless Dual Emission X-Ray Absorptiometry scan is used to determine bone mineral density (BMD).  If your scan shows bone loss, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you.  For all women, there are some simple preventative measures you can follow.   A healthy, balanced diet that includes calcium and vitamin D rich foods and plenty of physical exercise protects against osteoporosis.  Adding a calcium and vitamin D supplement is also a good idea.  Weight-bearing exercises done regularly can help to prevent further bone loss.  

For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Sources: nof.org/, niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/

Safety Tips for Seniors Taking Medications

Often seniors take multiple medications daily that in some cases have been prescribed by a couple of different doctors for different conditions.  In addition they may also be taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.  All of this can lead to problems with drug interactions and side effects that range from mild to severe including death. 

In a recent report by the US News & World Report, it cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest each year there are four visits to the ER per 1,000 adults attributed to adverse drug effects.  First published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statistics find that almost 60 percent of Americans take at “least one prescription drug, and nearly 20 percent are taking more than five prescriptions medicines.”  The study also looked at OTC medications and warns that there is a huge potential for “side effects, drug-drug interactions and negative outcomes.”  It also states that for the elderly, the possibility of dangerous drug interactions is even greater. 

One of the most important things that a patient or family member can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to communicate with all of your health care providers about the prescription and OTC medications that you take.   It is a good idea, especially if you take more than one medications, to write down the names of the drugs and the amount you take each day and carry it in your wallet.  You can also take a picture of the list of medications with your cell phone so you always have it handy.  Another tip is to fill your prescriptions at the same drug store and to build a relationship with the pharmacist as he or she can help to spot potential problems involving drug interactions.    

Annually review the need for each medication with your health care provider and discuss how long you will need to take the drug.  Lastly be sure to check each new prescription container for accuracy as pharmacies sometimes do make mistakes. 

Morning Star Assisted Living and Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.   Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.      

Source:health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-01-13/the-dangers-of-medication-mix-ups-at-home

Are You Eligible for Benefit Programs?

There are over 2,500 different federal, state, and private benefit programs available to older Americans throughout the country.  Some are little known, but there may be programs that you are unaware of that could be valuable to you.  A little bit of time and research on your part could make a difference in the kind of assistance you receive.   

The National Council on Aging, a non-profit service and advocacy organization has the goal to improve the health and economic security of 10 million older adults by 2020.  They provide a free service called Benefits CheckUp.  It is a simple questionnaire that takes you through a series of questions, and then gives you a report on all of the benefits you may qualify for, and even has the forms that you will need to apply.  Most of the programs can be applied for either online or by printing an application and mailing.   They offer help with the cost of rent, prescription drugs, healthcare, utilities, food as well as other services.

There are a few different ways you begin the process.  There is one questionnaire that is for those that are in the greatest overall need, and then there is another set of questions for those that require help mainly with prescription drugs or food.   They have a list to look over before you get started on everything you will need to answer the questions (date of birth, income, current insurance/programs, household size, etc.).  You can fill it out for yourself or for someone else.

This site is full of useful information that is safe, reliable, and available.  If you or your loved one is in need of some assistance, please check it out to see if there is something for you.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Source: benefitscheckup.org/about-us/#/

Great Things Going on at MorningStar at Jordan

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we offer our residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community by providing an array of amenities and services designed around the needs of our seniors.  In addition all throughout the year residents participate in a variety of activities, programs and special events that are interesting, educational and fun.  

An example of one of our special activities is the Inklings Pen Pal program that residents do with a local elementary school.  One of our residents who joined the group had been a writer for the Wall Street Journal for 30 years.  To the delight and surprise of his family who had been trying to get him to write his memoir for years, he started penning stories for his “pen pals”.  The resident’s writing will now be published by the fifth grade class.

Furthermore, our community loves to celebrate every holiday in style with activities such as parties and/or decorations in addition to good food and company.   This Valentine’s Day brought out the creative side of our residents as many decorated their walkers or doors with handmade hearts.   Our Super Bowl party was also a success even though the Broncos were not in it.  Residents prepared for the big game by making cork coasters for their drinks.

Also since we are in Colorado, a few months ago we had our Salute to the National Western Stock Show with the MorningStar at Jordan’s “Western Wear Day.”  We encourage you to take a look at the picture posted on our website’s News and Events page that shows several of our staff members looking good decked out in their cowboy hats and western gear.   While you are there, scroll through our other pictures to get a sense of the fellowship and fun our staff and residents have on a daily basis in our community.

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.  Please contact us to schedule a tour.