Save Your Brain - Eat Those Yellow Curries

Curcumin     {Botanical name: Curcuma longa; Family: Zingiberaceae, the ginger family} 

is the source of the spice Turmeric and is used in curries and other spicy dishes from India, Asia and the Middle East. Similar to many other herbal remedies, people first used curcumin as a food and later discovered that it also had impressive medicinal qualities.
Turmeric has been used historically as a component of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. It is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. The rhizome  is cooked and ground to produce the spice.

Researchers at the Jackson Lab in Bar Harbor observed that systemic treatment of mice with curcumin significantly reduces amyloid-ß plaques and actually reversed structural changes within the brain. Curcumin offers a promising new approach for clinical research into treating and perhaps ultimately preventing Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of many diseases that are called neurodegenerative diseases—they involve dysfunction or death of brain tissue.  A diet rich in turmeric may help prevent or reverse brain damage in Alzheimer's.  Seems worth a try.
More recent studies showed that combining curcumin with vitamin D3 enhaces it's efficacy.

Citation :

Mishra S, Palanivelu K. The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer's disease: An overview. Annals Indian Academy Neurology .   Read more - - -

Caps and Belts and Bolo Ties

Every morning as we go through the lengthy ritual of dressing for the day Gordon always seeks out his Greek Fisherman's cap, his belt and wallet, and bolo tie.  He's not able to thread his belt through the belt loops of his pants and so wears it outside around his waist.  His cap stays on all day (except for the dinner table). The bolo tie goes on under or over his shirt and his wallet must go in his pocket.  These are comforting supports - almost talismans - to help his feeling of security and proper place in the world.  It's very unsettling to him if any of these articles are forgotten.  Dressing etiquette has been condiderably relaxed in the interest of  pride and confidence.

Alzheimer's and the Great Outdoors

We've been watching Ken Burn's PBS series on America's National Parks and are lucky enough to often visit the nearby Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park.  As the haze of dementia progresses we find that the lessening of outdoor activities decreases our quality of life and wonderment.

On the occassions that get us moving outdoors we realize how beneficial a natural outdoor session can be in promoting positive changes to our physical and emotional well-being.  Exercise, fresh air and the opportunity for informal encounters with the flora and fauna, and other people promote self-esteem and trigger memories.

Whether it's hiking in the Park or working in the garden, the feeling of sun and wind - even fog and rain- is enlivening.

Things to plan for on your outing >>>

• safe walking - paths that are wide, flat, even and slip resisitant
• walking sticks
• choices of sun or shade
• choices of wind or in the lee
• places to sit and rest
• familiar, reassuring companion
• sunscreen
• drinks and snacks
• flexible time frames

So let's get out there and help maintain residual skills.

The Question of Universal Coverage

Here we are now, with Alzheimer's, Medicare and no insurance coverage for needed services - aides and attendants, case managers and social workers , physical therapists and community centers and nursing homes.

To be effective insurance has to include a very large group. Health insurance doesn't work the way other types of insurance do. We know in advance which members are more likely to need care . The young ones and the old ones and those with existing conditions. These groups are often the least able to pay and so an imbalance between needs and resources is created . Since insurance companies know this they tend to exclude or over price their policies in an attempt to cover only that population with a low risk of filing claims. That is their business model.

As Congress wrestles with the appropriate role of government in the protection of it's citizens we hope they will consider home and long term care coverage. With an aging population and increases in dementia and Alzheimer's cases this is a growing problem for sufferers and caregivers who right now have to muddle through on their own.

With thanks to > > > http://www.metaphorcountry.com/dementia_nights/2009/03/healthcare-reform-notes-i-alzheimers-universal-coverage-longterm-care-1.html

World Alzheimer's Day is Today and Everyday

Monday September 21st, 2009 is WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY designed to raise awareness of the 35 million ( and growing) people who live within the shadow of this dread disease.

As citizens and caregivers of the world let us strive to provide each day .....

Adequate nutrition
Engagement in activities based on individual ability
Good hygienic practices
Free expression of thoughts and beliefs
Social interaction with family members, peers and others

Read further at > > >
http://www.actionalz.org/about_wad.asp

http://www.alz.org/national/documents/report_summary_2009worldalzheimerreport.pdf

Laundry Day is Every Day

Everyday is laundry day here. We find it easier to manage small daily loads of wash and there is always soiled clothing. You may have to help sort the dirty clothing from the clean as they sometimes get mixed up. The goal is to ensure clean comfortable clothing is worn every day.

• Check all those pockets
• Fasten zippers - you can make them easier to zip with a zipper lubricant or soap
  
• Use your favorite stain remover
• Sew on missing buttons
• If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
• Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
• Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
• Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
• Put tennis balls or dryer balls in the dryer - they help separate clothes and dry them faster.
• Replace clean clothing in the same locations as before. You may want to reduce the number of choices.
  

Today's helpful site >>>
http://www.alzheimersathome.com/support_dressing.html

NEW Television Show on Alzheimer Caregivers

Thursday, September 24 at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m.

A new program from MPBN, Caring for the Caregiver focuses on issues facing families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The scourge of these illnesses is an acute source of concern not just for patients, but also those suddenly thrust into the role of primary caregiver for an aging spouse, parent or grandparent. The program, which was developed in partnership with the Maine Alzheimer’s Association, is hosted by MPBN radio’s Suzanne Nance. Weaving interviews with health experts caring for Alzheimer’s patients with the personal experiences of Mainers who have suddenly found themselves dealing with the gradual, painful loss of a loved one, the program is designed for anyone who is now or who may one day need to confront this difficult reality. It airs Thursday, September 24 at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m. and will have components on the Web at www.mpbn.net.

Also, please visit MPBN's new web page for Alzheimer caregivers at: http://www.mpbn.net/Television/LocalTelevisionPrograms/CaringfortheCaregiverDementiaandAlzheimers/tabid/1065/Default.aspx

Good Planning ... I. C. E.

Place On Your Refrigerator > > >

In case of emergency

Save time and eliminate confusion in an emergency situation -

direct paramedics to critical information.

• List of all medications, dosages and allergies
• Doctors phone numbers
• Emergency contact numbers
• Notation that there is a person with Alzheimer's in the household who should not be left alone ....and whom to call for their assistance
• Number of pets and whom to call for their care
• Attach your red envelope with a magnet and mark it

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Red, White or Blue Tableware???

Studies have shown that Alzheimer patients increase food intake by 24% and liquid by 84% due to good color contrasts between their foods and tableware. Red or dark blue seem to work the best. The ability to distinguish contrast between colors is sometimes lessened in people with AD. Using tableware that offers a high contrast to the food and drink will make mealtimes go more smoothly and increase food and liquid intake. Visual impairment certainly plays a role in nutrition. Colorful table settings will make for an easier mealtime.

• set just one utensil, one plate and one cup
• avoid white place settings
  
• limit the number of foods served
  
• try a place mat or tray to define space
  
• cut up foods into bite size pieces - finger foods are good
• keep your dining table well lit
• reduce noise in the room
  
• limit conversation
• avoid extreme food temperatures - very hot or very cold
• allow plenty of uninterrupted time
• give limited verbal instructions and use physical cues
• eat together and enjoy each others company ~~~ Bon Appetit !
  

Visual contrast enhances food and liquid intake in advanced Alzheimer"s disease
Clinical Nutrition, Volume 23, Issue 4, Pages 533-538
T.Dunne, S.Neargarder, P.Cipolloni, A.Cronin-Golomb

Alzheimer's Shopping Tips

Shopping can be tiresome or fun for most people, but for those with AD it can become a worrisome situation full of fear and confusion.
Stores can be noisy, crowded and filled with audio and visual over stimulation. Tiredness can develop and have a negative impact on memory.

Schedule wisely. Determine the time of day when your loved one is most calm and agreeable. Established routines help make the day more predictable and less confusing.
Take more time. Expect things to take longer than they used to. Schedule more time to complete even simple tasks so that you don't need to hurry your loved one. Provide instructions one step at a time.

• Shop on off times days and hours when stores are not so busy

• Have your companion push the shopping cart - gives him something to hold on to and reduces separation anxiety.

• Wear bright, distinctive clothing to help track both your movements.

• Find a visible bench for him to rest on while you wait in the check out line.

• Involve him in decision making - "would you like apples or bananas".

• Try to make shopping trips something to look forward too - perhaps include a "lunch date"?

• The smaller the store, the better !

• Plan the trip to include stops at a very limited number of shops.

• Stay together - no more "I'll meet you in Aisle 4 near the coffee grinder".

• Do not leave your companion alone in the car to wait for you.

"Often I ask myself, What's the better of two evils? To stay at home alone and suffer the worry as to why my wife is so long shopping or to go with her and suffer all the added confusion and anxiety of the day?'
My family think they are being kind because they always get my shopping for me, but I would love to go out sometimes. I get very lonely at home on my own."

Today's web tip > > >
http://www.alzheimersforum.org/site/index.php