Top 10 myths about Alzheimer’s disease

The more we understand, the better support and care we can offer. We debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer's disease.

Many of us learn about Alzheimer’s disease the hard way: when it affects someone we love. It may be one of the most feared diseases as we age, but that shouldn’t stop us from seeking to understand it. The more we know, the better able we will be to spot the warning signs and offer care and support to people who need it most.
Unfortunately, some of what we do know comes from dubious sources like conflicting news and portrayals in movies and TV. Beware of these common myths:

It’s just a normal part of aging

People used to believe “going senile” was just part of growing old — but symptoms are caused by a disease process, not the normal age-related changes we all experience. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease involving physical changes to the brain — the like the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles and nerve cells losing contact with each other or dying.
The disease is progressive and irreversible — but it isn’t inevitable as we age. In fact, experts say most people don’t develop it.

Memory loss means Alzheimer’s

We all forget or misplace things from time to time, but occasional forgetfulness doesn’t mean disease. Alzheimer’s involves more frequent forgetting — and not being able to recall those forgotten details later on. Difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with communication, disorientation, poor judgment and problems with abstract thinking are also hallmarks of the disease. 


If you’ve noticed some of these symptoms, don’t panic! Sometimes they stem from a treatable cause like an infection, drug interaction, depression, head injury or another health condition like multiple sclerosis.


It’s also important to remember that Alzheimer’s is just one of 70 causes of dementia (an umbrella term for memory loss due to changes in the brain). Not everyone who has dementia has Alzheimer’s — it can also be part of Parkinson’s disease or the result of a stroke, for example.

Your relatives have it, so you’ll develop it too

Genes do play a role in our chances of developing the disease, but not as big a role as you might think. Only a small number of cases — about 5-7 per cent — are an inherited form of the disease known as Familial Alzheimer’s disease (often referred to as “early onset”). While the disease itself is the same as the more common Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease or “late onset” form, the difference lies in a set of mutated genes that can be passed from one generation to the next. If one of your parents carries the mutation, you have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting it. If you inherit the genes, experts say you’re likely to develop the disease.

What about the sporadic form? If you have a parent or sibling who has Alzheimer’s disease, you have a three times greater risk than someone who doesn’t have a family history. New research suggests that certain genes (such as the apolipoprotein E gene) can influence the development of the disease — but there’s more to the story than what you inherit. Experts note genes themselves don’t cause the disease, and people who don’t have the genes can still develop Alzheimer’s while people who have the genes will stay disease-free.

Alzheimer’s disease only affects “old people”

True, our risk for Alzheimer’s disease increases as we age: the majority of cases show up after age 60, and the risk for developing the disease doubles every five years after 65. Some sources claim that by age 85 about half of all people have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
However, that doesn’t mean people under age 60 can’t be affected too. Alzheimer’s disease can appear in the 40s and 50s as well, and some rare cases have shown in patients who are even younger. Worse yet, experts aren’t really sure when the disease starts to develop. Research suggests Alzheimer’s disease is already in the advanced stages by the time symptoms become evident — and that presents a formidable challenge for early diagnosis and treatment.

It isn’t fatal

What happens in our brains affects the rest of the body too. In the later stages of the disease, the body’s systems start to shut down which can affect breathing, blood pressure, the skin and the senses. Sufferers may experience increased sleepiness, pain and discomfort — and an infection or pneumonia can set in.
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are one of the top 10 causes of death in developed countries. In 2007 (the latest year for which data is available), it was the 7th leading cause of death in Canada and ranked 6th in the United States. Alzheimer’s kills more people than kidney disease and infections like influenza or pneumonia.

Alzheimer’s disease is preventable

We hear a lot of advice about keeping our brains healthy, but so far there isn’t a treatment or strategy guaranteed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Research into the effectiveness of therapies like vitamins E, B, C and D, gingko biloba, folate and selenium is ongoing — and often conflicting.
However, experts report more evidence shows lifestyle strategies can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and nuts.
- Challenging your brain with puzzles, hobbies and learning.
- Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check.
- Avoiding brain injuries.
- Staying active socially.
- Exercising regularly.
- Avoiding vices like smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse.
Sound familiar? These strategies are beneficial for overall health — especially cardiovascular health, which may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

If you have a parent or sibling who has Alzheimer’s disease, you have a three times greater risk than someone who doesn’t have a family history. New research suggests that certain genes (such as the apolipoprotein E gene) can influence the development of the disease — but there’s more to the story than what you inherit. Experts note genes themselves don’t cause the disease, and people who don’t have the genes can still develop Alzheimer’s while people who have the genes will stay disease-free.

Alzheimer’s disease only affects “old people”

True, our risk for Alzheimer’s disease increases as we age: the majority of cases show up after age 60, and the risk for developing the disease doubles every five years after 65. Some sources claim that by age 85 about half of all people have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.


However, that doesn’t mean people under age 60 can’t be affected too. Alzheimer’s disease can appear in the 40s and 50s as well, and some rare cases have shown in patients who are even younger. Worse yet, experts aren’t really sure when the disease starts to develop. Research suggests Alzheimer’s disease is already in the advanced stages by the time symptoms become evident — and that presents a formidable challenge for early diagnosis and treatment.

It isn’t fatal

What happens in our brains affects the rest of the body too. In the later stages of the disease, the body’s systems start to shut down which can affect breathing, blood pressure, the skin and the senses. Sufferers may experience increased sleepiness, pain and discomfort — and an infection or pneumonia can set in.


Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are one of the top 10 causes of death in developed countries. In 2007 (the latest year for which data is available), it was the 7th leading cause of death in Canada and ranked 6th in the United States. Alzheimer’s kills more people than kidney disease and infections like influenza or pneumonia.

Alzheimer’s disease is preventable

We hear a lot of advice about keeping our brains healthy, but so far there isn’t a treatment or strategy guaranteed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Research into the effectiveness of therapies like vitamins E, B, C and D, gingko biloba, folate and selenium is ongoing — and often conflicting.


However, experts report more evidence shows lifestyle strategies can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and nuts.


- Challenging your brain with puzzles, hobbies and learning.
- Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check.
- Avoiding brain injuries.
- Staying active socially.
- Exercising regularly.
- Avoiding vices like smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse.


Sound familiar? These strategies are beneficial for overall health — especially cardiovascular health, which may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Aluminum causes Alzheimer’s

Should you throw out your old pots and pans and avoid other products containing aluminum? Not so fast, say experts. While there has been a lot of research into the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease, the only thing researchers can agree on is there isn’t enough evidence to prove aluminum is a cause.


Some studies do show a connection — but many studies show there is no link. Furthermore, researchers haven’t seen a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s among people who’ve been exposed to aluminum at their jobs or in cultures that regularly drink tea. (Aluminum can accumulate in the leaves.)


What about aspartame, flu shots and silver dental fillings? They’ve been suspects as well, but there is no solid evidence to put the blame on them either.

All people who have Alzheimer’s disease become violent and aggressive

It can be hard to know what to expect dealing with Alzheimer’s disease because it affects everyone a little differently. While it can cause personality changes, experts note that not everyone becomes aggressive or violent. Other common behaviours can include wandering, restlessness, suspicion and repeated actions.


Still, coping with memory loss and confusion can be frightening and frustrating for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Loved ones can help by learning some key strategies. For example, adapting a person’s surroundings, maintaining a consistent routine and learning how to communicate more effectively can help prevent emotional responses.  (The Alzheimer’s Society has a list of behaviours and strategies to help.)

People with Alzheimer’s disease cannot understand what is going on around them

Symptoms can be deceiving — even though people can’t communicate well and get confused, that doesn’t mean they aren’t aware of what’s going on around them. Emotions and feelings are still very much present even though memory and abilities are changing, warn experts. Everyone needs social connection and belonging, a sense of independence and joy. Even in the late stages of the disease, people respond to touch and find comfort in soothing voices and music.


Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity regardless of their health. That can be reflected in the little things — like how you help a person change their clothes or use the bathroom, or by not talking about them as if they weren’t in the room.

There’s no hope

A diagnosis can be devastating — especially when there currently isn’t a cure or an effective treatment. However, there is hope on the horizon as researchers find better ways to detect the disease, test new treatments and even develop a vaccine. Experts continue to learn more about Alzheimer’s, even if progress seems slow.


In the meantime, there are treatments to help manage symptoms and strategies that can improve quality of life. A diagnosis doesn’t mean a sudden loss of independence and health — experts note it’s important to focus on what people can do. If you or someone you know is affected, talk to your doctor and reach out to resources in your community for help.


ON THE WEB
There is a wealth of information available about Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few good places to start:
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Alzheimer’s Association (US)
Alzheimer’s Society (UK)

Cost of Retirement

It is important to take stock periodically of your financial situation to bring yourself up to date with where you stand financially. It might be helpful to sit down, perhaps quarterly, and fill out a sheet that lists all your assets and income sources, along with your expenses and debts. This can be used not only to discover your current financial situation, but to chart how you are doing from one period to the next. An accountant or financial planner can help put a form together for you to use, or you can make your own.  If you are using the services of an accountant or financial planner to keep track of your finances, make sure you stay informed. Do this regularly. You've worked hard for this money, now you want to make sure it works hard for you.
So, how much money will you need in order to retire? How much money will you need to pay for the services you may require to stay independent? The answer to these questions would be easy if you knew the day you were going to die.  Our date of death is unknown so we can only estimate our financial needs using what we know for sure (facts about your current situation) and projecting into the future (what your future needs will be given various time frames).You need to know what income you will have.  Things like pensions, CPP and OAS that are regular.  Also you will need to know what assets you have, and what income they are currently providing, if any.

To do projections you need to use conservative rates of return to allow for the economic cycles.  Will you spend only the growth on your money or are you willing to spend capital?  If you are only willing to spend the growth and not principal then your money would last indefinitely, however your income will not be the same from one year to the next.

The amount of money you will need will depend on the lifestyle you want to have.  Some people say travel is important to them. If so, are you one who stays in a hostel, or are you a 5-star all-inclusive resort traveler?  Obviously, this will make a difference as to how much money you will need.  Some people want to stay in their big house as long as they can, while others are willing to downsize to free up capital.  Some people want to buy a new car every three years, while others will drive the same car for twenty five years.  Some people want to spend all their money and others want to leave a legacy. As you can see, lifestyle choices make a big difference in how much capital will be required to provide the income you need for as long as you need it.

One of the largest unplanned expenditures for many seniors has to do with health care. Statistics indicate Canadian seniors can expect to be in care, at some level, for an average of 8 years.
Much of these expenses are not covered by our medical system and therefore need to be accounted for.  A good financial planner will be able to help you think through all these things to come up with a plan that will suit your lifestyle and budget.

Article by Cheri Crause, CPCA.  Reprinted with permission from Senior Living Magazine 

I Am Worried About My Dad's Driving,What Can I Do?

Q. I followed my dad, 78, enroute to a family party, and was quite concerned by his driving – erratic speed, unsafe lane changes and dangerous hesitation at on-ramps. He’d be devastated to give up his license – what can I do?

A. Research confirms that older drivers are involved in more accidents – per kilometer driven – than their middle-aged counterparts. Of course you want your dad to be independent as long as possible – and drive safely and confidently.

• Identify dad’s driving challenges – vision, reaction time, physical limitations
• Schedule a family doctor visit - to check vision, hearing, cognition, medication dosages and /or combinations.
• Get an evaluation - by a driver rehabilitation specialist who can make specific recommendations for improvement.
• The doctor - may write to the provincial Ministry of Transport recommending that the licence be revoked. With luck, this step may convince your dad to surrender his licence and keys voluntarily.
• Send a copy of the doctor’s letter to the Ministry and also to his auto insurer, who will cancel his policy. No one wants to treat a family member in this way, but you must keep in mind the liability and potential for harm to your parent and to others. It’s an unhappy role-reversal for you to do this to your father, so make sure you have the understanding and support of all family members, and give yourself credit for having the courage to love your dad so much.
  
  This information was provided by Pat M. Irwin, BA, AICB, CPCA 

Travel Insurance Tips

1.Get an insurer with live assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even the Canadian government recommends that Canadians purchase travel insurance plans with this feature. A toll-free 800 number is another great feature to have so that you can call for assistance without paying long distance fees from wherever you are.

 

2.Check that your insurer pays your bills upfront so you're never out of pocket. Reimbursement may take time and if you don't have the money available immediately when you need it, you could have problems getting the care you need in an emergency.

 

Source : www.seniorsgotravel.com

Aging and Itching

From time to time, questions are asked about aging and itching. The first thing to clarify is that when seniors experience itching of the skin, this is NOT part of the ‘normal’ aging process. If it was, ALL seniors would itch. And we know this is not true.

A couple of things to keep in mind - - The skin is the largest organ in the body. It is the ‘envelope’ in which we live; it is the outside ‘wrapping’ covering the exterior of all our tissues; it provides the initial ‘contact’ with our ‘environment’ (air, light, heat, cold, humidity, dust and irritants); it has a very important role in the regulation of body temperature; it is a barrier to infection; its layers are complex in structure and function; it contains millions of specialized, sensory nerve endings (receptors) variously designed to transmit to the brain sensations of heat, cold, pressure, pain, and, yes - - ITCHING.

There is no widely-accepted method of measuring (i.e. quantifying) itch. (As there is for blood pressure, for example.) We tend to use adjectives such as “mild, intensive, firey, painful, annoying, irritating, persistent, intermittent.” In many such cases we are actually talking about itching as a SYMPTOM of some pathological process. The causal pathology may be LOCA, on the skin itself, or SYSTEMIC, as part of an underlying disease (e.g. Diabetes).

Just as the aging process makes us more susceptible to age-related diseases, so also it must be said that the age-changes in some organic functions of the skin can make us more likely to experience itching as we grow older. For instance, skin tends to become drier and less elastic with age because the sebaceous glands in the skin diminish in number and function, discharging less sebum (oil) needed for lubrication and moisturising. Dry skin becomes cracked and scaly, and allows infectious organisms to penetrate causing inflammation and/or itching.

As our immune systems decline functionally with advancing age, the risk of ITCHING as a symptom of allergies, underlying medical conditions and skin conditions of all types (e.g. rashes, eczema, dermatitis) increases. Frequently, these itch-related disorders are investigated and treated by a dermatologist.

In ALL age groups (but particularly in old age), skin hygiene and care is important in preventing itching. Cleansing of the skin and scalp removes dead cell debris and microscopic, environmental impurities, which accumulate in daily living and interfere with the healthy, organic functions of the skin.  From the skin care and hygiene perspective, the soap, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries are constantly advising us how to “be comfortable in our own skin” via their products. (Some of which are useful in skin care - - exaggerated claims about “rejuvenation” notwithstanding!)- Take the advice of your dermatologist.

Professor of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University, retired, Dr. John Crawford continues to share his expertise and wisdom by serving as the VP of Education for the Age-Friendly Business.  For more information contact: drjohn@AgeFriendlyBusiness.com 

Healthy Habits When Joining A Fitness Club

The benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet are well proven, but choosing a quality health and fitness program requires some homework to avoid a costly mistake. 

Better Business Bureau (BBB) receives a high volume of complaints from consumers who have gotten themselves into health and fitness programs that don’t adequately meet their needs. The complaint trends against health and fitness clubs each year suggest that consumers need to read the fine print more carefully on their contracts BEFORE they sign up.  

 Determine your health and fitness goals. Do you want to build endurance, lose weight, increase flexibility or become a better golfer? What type of activity do you think will best help you achieve your goals? Should you diet, weight train or maybe do cardio or yoga? Considering these issues in advance will help you select the most appropriate facility. Always consult with a medical professional when setting your fitness goals.

Consider your budget. Many programs charge an up-front membership fee to join and a monthly fee thereafter. What amount can you comfortably devote to physical fitness? Once you’ve joined a program keep a close eye on your bank statements to make sure you’re not getting billed more than you should.

Check out the facilities. Visit several clubs on days and at times you plan to attend to see what they are like and how busy they are. Do the facilities offer the equipment, classes, amenities, support and hours of operation you require? Note the cleanliness and condition of the equipment, workout area and locker room, as well as staff member availability.

Ask around. Check with friends and family for recommendations. Do you know anyone who regularly participates in a health or fitness program? Ask them about what they like and don’t like about their program.

Don’t give in to pressure. Walk away from clubs or programs that pressure you to sign a contract on the spot. Ask to take a sample contract home to read it thoroughly before you agree join any program.

Read the entire contract. Does the contract list all services, hours of operation and details of the program? Is everything the salesperson promised in the contract? What is included in the monthly fee and what’s going to cost you extra? What’s the total cost and payment schedule, including enrollment fees and finance charges?

Know the membership details. How long is the membership term and is there an automatic renewal? Can you go month-to-month? What are the specific terms and conditions if you want to cancel your membership? Make sure it’s all in writing and keep a copy of the contract for your records.

Reprinted with Permission, Senior Living Magazine. Article By Better Business Bureau

Correcting a Person with Alzheimer's Disease, Right or Wrong?

Q. My grandmother has Alzheimer’s Disease, and will often say things that are just not true. Why do the care attendants not correct her when she is wrong? Wouldn’t this help her get better?

A. At a ‘common sense’ level, the suggested approach behind this question seems logical. However, it is not so simple. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive, organic brain disorder.  Over time (2 – 20 years), serious changes take place in brain structure and function. Neurons (brain cells) die and synapses (connectors between cells) are also destroyed. Functionally, these processes result in loss of memory, ability to understand, do abstract thinking, make decisions and general confusion.

Confusion in AD is confusion as to TIME, PERSON and PLACE. AD patients and their families find themselves in a ‘new reality’. Nothing is as it was before. There’s no going back. The changes are progressive and irreversible. And so, caregivers are rightly trained to “go to the PATIENT’ REALITY”, and acknowledge THEIR world, as THEY are experiencing it. There is NO “right and wrong” in that world, and so, there is no point in ’correcting’ what AD patients may say, no matter how bizarre it may seem. In fact, attempting to do so can add to their confusion, make them more stressed and irritable and produce agitation.

Of course, all and any care for AD patients must always be tempered by the paramount considerations of their safety and security and must do everything possible to maintain their dignity, respecting all human and personal rights.

Professor of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University, Dr. John Crawford continues to share his expertise and wisdom by serving as the VP of Education for Age-Friendly Business.  For further information, contact: drjohn@AgeFriendlyBusiness.com