One of the most frustrating parts of Alzheimers symptoms is the lack of specific early symptoms. That is, symptoms developing before dementia. Now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine may have found an interesting link between Alzheimer’s and abnormal sleep patterns… Washington University Researchers Find Link Between Sleeplessness, Alzheimer’s ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - New research from Washington University School of Medicine shows disrupted sleep could be a sign of pending dementia. Lead researcher Yo-El Ju found that patients who had abnormal amyloid levels in their... (Read More ...)

Sometimes figuring out what the doctor has just said can be challenging for the caregiver. Even sometimes when you are coming out of the doctor’s office. When the doctor told Tom his wife had dementia, his first thought was , “Thank Goodness it’s not Alzheimer’s.”  Only after the doctor explained that Alzheimer’s was still a possibility and why, did Tom understand his wife could have Alzheimer’s. This post I wrote recently for family caregivers explains the difference between dementia vs Alzheimer’s. If you’re wondering about the difference between... (Read More ...)

When I think of the folks I know and knew who lived into their 90s and never developed Alzheimer’s symptoms or dementia, I think of those who remain active and happy. Lonely? They never showed it.  One of my aunts lived to age 93, and was active in her community – the senior living center she lived in.  She made ornaments for their Christmas bazaar up until shortly before her death.  And she remained active in her bridge club and other social activities. A few months before she passed, she told me how sad going to the cemetery had become.  Too many friends and family – often... (Read More ...)

When President Ronald Reagan first declared November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, there were less than 2 million persons in the U.S. with Alzheimers Disease. Today, there are 5.4 million.  That’s more than a 170% increase!  And it means 1 in 8 persons over the age of 65 has it. Alzheimer’s Disease is now the 6th cause of death in the U.S.  And according to the Alzheimer’s Association, the only one that has no – Cure… Prevention or… Way to slow its progression. Wow. More sobering statistics are that about 1 in 10 grandparents has... (Read More ...)

Alzheimer s Disease: Do You Know November is National  Alzheimer’s Disease  Awareness Month? It’s entirely possible that you know someone with Alzheimer’s Disease.  The numbers of people affected is staggering.  The first person I knew diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease was an uncle.  I remember him as a kind gentle man who was quiet and always immaculately dressed.  Sadly, I also know what Alzheimer’s did to him as it stole his memories, judgement and eventually his personality.  And how it hurt not only him but his family. You probably know someone who was... (Read More ...)

Have you ever watched someone with Alzheimers symptoms be confused by objects? She may seemed confused by the telephone, a remote control or other things she has used for years.  Maybe it’s not the object itself so much as it is “visual clutter.” Wondering what visual clutter is?  It’s the visual distractions, like backgrounds and objects that prevent someone from selecting a single object.  Or maybe the correct object. Researchers are now shedding new light on why those with Alzheimers symptoms and other dementias have this problem… Eliminating Visual Clutter... (Read More ...)

When thinking of Alzheimers symptoms, do you think of what is lost? It’s normal.  Alzheimer’s symptoms are associated with memory loss.  And often a loss of personality, wisdom and judgment. Today’s guest post is about finding something wonderful in forgetting  — a hidden talent.  Please welcome Blaze (Barbara) Lazarony as she shares her amazing story about her mother-in-law, Jean and her Alzheimer’s symptoms — “It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.” — Unknown Wife, Mother, and Nurse are words my mother-in-law Jean... (Read More ...)

When you’re in the midst of caregiving for someone with Alzheimers symptoms, sometimes the wheels of progress seem to move awfully slowly. And drug studies are no exception. Over the past decade there has been renewed interest in “The Mediterranean Diet” and its components.  Beyond reducing the risk of heart disease, certain parts of it have been also found to have an anti-aging component. Especially resveratrol, a compound found in red wine and grapes.  There’s a new study with resveratrol starting in the US.  The lead investigator is R. Scott Turner, M.D., M.P.H.  of Georgetown University... (Read More ...)

Could sunshine help or prevent Alzheimers symptoms? Researchers are exploring how Vitamin D3 may trigger the immune system to help clear the amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin after exposure to sunshine, and is found in milk and other foods fortified with Vitamin D. An exciting article  Okay, the findings are exciting – not necessarily the article.  Unless you’re a researcher, then you might find the article exciting! The article describes how researchers at UCLA discovered how Vitamin D may clear the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s... (Read More ...)

This week I read a blog post from Bob DeMarco of Alzheimer’s Reading Room.  I enjoyed it and thought you would too.  His description of taking his mother Dotty out to eat is wonderful.  And he’s a master of enjoying each caregiving moment… At home or when out.   I Wonder If There is a Smorgasbord in Heaven? Later that night I wonder to myself, I wonder if their is a smorgasbord in Heaven? By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer’s Reading Room Last week, I took Jim, Ruth, and Dotty out to dinner at Cracker Barrel Restaurant. This proved to be a very enlightening experience. When... (Read More ...)