Archive for March 2017
When Dementia Causes Meanness
When the Jekyll and Hyde transformation of a sweet and gentle person to an angry and offensive bully occurs, it causes emotional pain and most often is directed at the caretaker who is providing the most care. This change in temperament can be devastating; it is important not to take it personally. That is the…
Read MoreStereotype of Being Old
Being old in today’s society is a negative stereotype that reinforces itself as we grow older. What then? It can become a self-stereotype with dangerous consequences. Studies by Becca Levy, Yale professor of epidemiology and psychology, says we don’t fight back or build up defenses and these negative beliefs can diminish our will to live…
Read MoreWorldwide Advances on Dementia
Preventing dementia is a worldwide concern as rates of mental decline are climbing. While lifestyle changes can somewhat curb the risk of developing dementia, it is still a challenge to detect the most vulnerable population segments. A new risk index tool can predict dementia risk in older adults. Researchers from Finland and Sweden use a…
Read MoreCreative Aging
Creative aging programs can lower the rates of loneliness and depression, producing higher morale and improved hand dexterity. The benefits are clear as participants find new social roles that lead to improved mood and confidence, better family relationships and maybe even increased income. In the United States there is a clear chasm between low-income and…
Read MoreOutpatient Observation Status
Explanation: It is a hospital billing classification that can make Medicare patients pay for the cost of their hospital stay, or hospital prescriptions, or nursing home care. Patients must be classified as patients for three days in the hospital in order for Medicare to pay for subsequent nursing home care. Observation status may be called…
Read MoreEvidence on the Value of Exercise
Several studies have finally confirmed the value of exercise to help ward off depression. More than a million men and women have been involved in studies and when computed, the research strongly suggests that regular exercise alters our bodies and brains in ways that make us resistant to despair. The “why” it works has long…
Read MoreBehavioral Disturbances
Symptoms of behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease include agitation, depression, apathy, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, disinhibition, irritability, wandering, pacing, appetite changes and nighttime behavioral alterations. Some, such as apathy and depression, begin early in the disease and become progressively more common with time. In the end, up to 80 percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s exhibit agitation,…
Read MoreThanksgiving Day Fun
The Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and 5K attracts thousands of runners and walkers eager to share in the holiday spirit and give thanks for their health and fitness. Come celebrate this Thanksgiving Day with the Atlanta Track Club. Thursday, November 24th at 7:30 a.m. at Turner Field, Atlanta. Macy’s Great Tree Lighting takes place every…
Read MoreAging-Related Nutritional Changes
Nutritional needs change and many seniors are not eating as well as they should, leading to poor nutrition or malnutrition which can easily be mistaken as a disease or illness. There are many reasons that bodies change as aging occurs, including perceptual, physiological and age-related conditions. Changes influence the performance of the body as a…
Read MoreAccess to Care Planning
An announcement on November 3rd stated that people living with Alzheimer’s disease will have access to care planning with a medical professional. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its decision to pay for cognitive and functional assessments and care planning for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments. The decision,…
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