The 2020 national public opinion research survey on Dementia

The 2020 report to Parliament on A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire marks the first anniversary of the release of the strategy. This report, through the variety of initiatives selected this year as examples of our collective effort, underlines that progress on the strategy and its impact over time relies on the initiatives and investments of all levels of government and from many different organizations across Canada.

As Canada continues to implement the strategy and pursues its aspirations, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will continue to gather information to increase our understanding of the initiatives and investments across Canada that are aligned with the strategy’s three national objectives: prevent dementia; advance therapies and find a cure; and improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and caregivers.

It is also clear that the impact of COVID-19 on Canadians, including people living with dementia and caregivers, will shape and inform federal and other efforts related to dementia as we move forward.

The 2020 national public opinion research survey is part of the Government of Canada’s initial work on implementation and is helping us better understand the knowledge and perceptions of Canadians on key aspects of dementia, including risk reduction and stigma. The 2020 survey revealed some key areas where awareness-raising efforts in the years ahead can be particularly important. For example, knowledge gaps are higher in some regions of the country and within some populations that are at higher risk. As well, about one-quarter of respondents were unaware that there are actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of dementia. There are also knowledge gaps regarding some risk factors linked to dementia, including existing health conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease and diabetes, and how certain behaviours or environmental factors such as smoking, and air pollution can increase risk. Only one quarter of survey respondents reported taking steps specifically intended to reduce their risk for developing dementia.

The survey also confirms more work needs to be done to reduce and ultimately eliminate stigma and improve quality of life for people living with dementia. There is good news in that only 12% of respondents reported that they would not be comfortable interacting with someone living with dementia, largely due to uncertainty or lack of knowledge about dementia which suggests there is potential to increase this comfort level among this small group. However, only 46% of respondents feel efforts to make the community safer for people living with dementia are moderate to excellent and only 51% rated opportunities for social engagement/social connection for this population at moderate to excellent. One-quarter of respondents felt that the level of support in their community for people living with dementia is poor while 25% did not know, suggesting that while there is room for awareness raising and improvement of support, there is also much happening that is making a difference and is recognized.

All organizations across Canada involved in dementia-related initiatives are encouraged to share information with PHAC about their work. This effort to create a more comprehensive understanding of our national effort will provide a more accurate portrait of the magnitude and scope of work underway in Canada, while identifying gaps in programs and services. If you would like to receive communications about the national dementia strategy and funding opportunities or provide information about your activities, please contact the PHAC Dementia Policy Secretariat. 

Support for caregivers of people living with Dementia

Caregivers for people living with dementia face unique challenges and may jeopardize their own health while trying to provide the best support they can to their loved ones. Improving support for caregivers is an area of focus of the national dementia strategy. The 2020 public opinion research survey found that almost two out of five Canadians (36%) had aided someone living with dementia within the last five years. Of those caregivers, only 57% agreed that they were able to provide the care needed, suggesting that more can be done to support caregivers.14 This year’s report shares some examples of initiatives underway across Canada that support dementia caregivers.

Building knowledge

•    Introducing Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care is an initiative that aims to strengthen the knowledge of formal (paid) and informal (unpaid and often family/friend) caregivers (Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick and Horizon Health).

•    The Community Dementia Ambassador Training pilot program provides resources and in-person supports to partners and caregivers of people living with dementia in remote communities in the Northwest Territories (Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories).

•    In Yukon, the Shine a Light on Dementia: Caregiver Training Program aims to equip caregivers with knowledge and skills while sharing experiences and resources (Yukon Department of  Health and Social Services).

•    My Tools 4 Care-In Care is a web-based platform that provides interactive activities, resources and guidelines to support caregivers to improve  mental wellbeing by  fostering social inclusion and building skills and knowledge in working with long-term care providers (University of Alberta).

Financial support

•    The Government of Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit Program provides funding to eligible caregivers who are providing assistance to qualified care recipients, including those with moderate cognitive and high physical impairment residing in the community (Nova Scotia Health Authority).

•    Federal personal income tax assistance is provided in recognition of the fact that people living with dementia and those who care for them may have a reduced ability to pay tax.

Community-based services

•    The Community-based Innovations for Dementia Care initiative provides funding to 14 local community and health service providers to implement projects that build innovative approaches in person-centred dementia services (Alberta).

•    The Home and Community Care Program provides home and community care services in all communities, such as home support and respite care for caregivers as well as for Nunavummiut diagnosed with dementia-related illness who are able to be supported at home. A new 24-bed long-term care facility will provide around-the-clock nursing care to support the medical and cultural needs of a growing population of Nunavut seniors (Nunavut).

 

Access to Dementia Care in Canada

 Increasing access to dementia care

•    Dementia Assessment Units assess the needs of individuals with home care support and those living in publicly funded Special Care Homes to stabilize individuals and develop a personalized care plan (Saskatchewan Health Authority).

•    Manitoba’s My Health Teams plan and deliver coordinated, comprehensive primary care focused on geographic areas or specific communities to ensure that people living  with  dementia  and  their families have access to care built around their health needs.

•     The summer school at Glendon College in Ontario brings together health stakeholders working in Francophone university and community sectors to improve day-to-day practices and share best practices in cognitive health and dementia.

•    The Home Dementia Care Program in Newfoundland and Labrador helps people with moderate to advanced dementia live well at home by increasing access to medical care.

•    Across Ontario, Multispecialty Interprofessional Team (MINT) Memory Clinics provide dementia care in primary care settings within communities. In addition to primary care memory clinics, the central-eastern region has developed the Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN), a  coordinated network of  interprofessional teams who support high-risk seniors and their families  with comprehensive, specialized assessments and targeted interventions in their own homes.

Person-centred care

•    Upon admission to a long-term care home in Yukon, the Continuing Care Therapy Services program offers individualized assessments by an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, recreation therapist and/or speech-language pathologist.

•    In the Northwest Territories, the Supportive Pathways model of care uses a person-centred approach that fosters respectful, compassionate dementia care and trains care providers in delivering care that is responsive to individuals in a home-like supportive environment.

•    Co-designing Dementia Care in New Brunswick: Building the Future Together aims to improve the knowledge of primary care providers around diagnosis and delivery of dementia care, as well as awareness of services among seniors at-risk for dementia and care partners (UNB Saint John and Horizon Health Network).

Behavioural symptoms

•    Behavioural Supports Ontario provides comprehensive behavioural assessments and person-centred support plans focused on responsive  behaviours/personal expressions (e.g., repetitive questions, apathy, pacing, screaming, grabbing) associated with dementia and other neurological conditions.

•    In Montreal, a specialized interprofessional team has been set up to assist in complex situations involving people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive conditions to reduce problematic behaviours and find strategies to improve the quality of life of those living with these conditions and of caregivers (Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal).

•    The Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) Algorithm is available to all care providers in British Columbia—it is an electronic interactive tool that supports interdisciplinary, evidence-based and  person-centred clinical assessment and  care decisions with a  specific focus  on non-pharmacological interventions and the appropriate use of antipsychotic drugs in long-term care settings.

•    The Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics approach, used in more than 300 long-term care homes across Canada engages people living with dementia, families and staff to understand underlying causes of behaviours and consider safely reducing or discontinuing medication (Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement).

Skills, training, and tools for care providers

•    Alberta’s Health Care Aide (HCA) curriculum, updated in 2019, describes required skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes to help HCAs better understand and  support the needs of people living with dementia (Alberta Health).

•    The Dementia Care Pilot Project is evaluating an online dementia education program and screening tools for primary care providers to use in family practice (Nova Scotia).

Dementia-inclusive communities

In a dementia-inclusive community, people living with dementia feel respected, safe, and supported to live well, interact comfortably with community members and participate in community activities. Community members are aware of and understand dementia, and the care and support provided within the community is culturally safe and culturally appropriate, and mindful of diversity. Dementia-inclusive communities help to reduce and eliminate barriers, including those resulting from stigma.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada, supported by PHAC’s Dementia Community Investment, is engaging people living with dementia, caregivers, and key sector groups to build on the work of the Alzheimer Societies in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan towards a Dementia-Friendly Canada (DFC). The Dementia Friendly Canada (DFC) project will develop and refine a national  DFC vision through the development of training tools, the expansion to new geographic communities, and the development of an evaluation structure and indicators of success. A national DFC toolkit will also be developed to help guide the creation of dementia-friendly communities across Canada. This includes the development and testing of guides and tools to educate and train professionals in housing, legal, finance, recreation, libraries, transportation, retail, restaurants, and emergency response sectors.

As well, a general dementia-friendly public module will be developed, which will build on tips and strategies for the service industry and the public.

Other organizations have also created resources to help communities become more dementia friendly. For example, the Brenda Strafford Foundation published A Guide for Creating Dementia Friendly Communities in Alberta which outlines the steps and lessons learned from its Dementia Friendly Communities pilot project.

Dementia Strategy for Canada 2

Improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and caregivers.

There are many aspects to improving quality of life for people living with dementia and caregivers. Aspirations for this objective include eliminating stigma; timely and compassionate diagnosis that comes with access to supports; care that is tailored to the needs of everyone; care providers that are well-trained and have access to the resources they need to provide quality care, and resources for caregivers to help protect their own wellbeing and to provide them with supports that will assist their efforts to care for those living with dementia.

Initiatives that support this broad objective touch on areas such as access to diagnostic tools and quality health care provided by a skilled and knowledgeable workforce, community-based services and supports, actions to reduce stigma, and work to share and scale up efforts to make communities more dementia-inclusive. These are activities that make a significant difference every day in the lives of people living with dementia and caregivers. Whether it is improving the experiences in the health care system of people living with dementia, supporting life at home, or making it easier to stay engaged, active and express preferences, these initiatives support living in a way that creates quality of life.

The 2020 public opinion survey found that about one-fifth of respondents did not know enough to share their views when it comes to access to health care and the quality of health care in their communities, perhaps due to a lack of experience. Most respondents (70%) rated access to care for people living with dementia as moderate to excellent in their communities, with 66% rating the quality of that care from moderate to excellent. There are countless other efforts being made across Canada to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and caregivers by a wide cross-section of organizations.

Efforts Across Canada

Staying active and engaged and supporting inclusion.

•  The Dementia-Inclusive Choices for Exercise initiative aims to increase accessible exercise opportunities by developing dementia-specific evidence-based tools and training for exercise providers (pilots in Kitchener-Waterloo, Halifax and northern British Columbia).

•  Voices in Motion and NoteWorthy Singers are intergenerational choirs for people living with dementia, caregivers, friends and students in Victoria and Vancouver, helping to create a more dementia-inclusive community.

•  Research is using the lenses of shared decision-making, feminist care ethics and social citizenship to look at how people living with dementia could become more active collaborators in shaping

End-Of-Life Decision-Making (University of British Columbia).

•  The Volunteer Companion Program in Prince Edward Island is a one-on-one home visiting program for people living with dementia and their caregivers who are at risk of social isolation.

•  Cracked: new light on dementia is research-informed theatre production and film seen across and outside Canada that is focused on the challenges of stigma; work is underway to develop an interactive web-based learning platform.

•  The Supporting Inclusion through Intergenerational Partnerships Collective Impact initiative promotes the social inclusion of seniors with mild to moderate dementia and caregivers by creating opportunities to engage with youth (Waterloo, Ontario).

The Alzheimer Society of Canada’s nationwide anti-stigma campaign, “Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand”. highlights the diverse lived experience of Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia to address misconceptions and reduce stigma.

Six Ways to Promote Brain Health and Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

The following was taken from the McMaster Healthy Ageing Portal

Physical Activity and Weight Management

Follow the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Engage in 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity such as:

aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more. Add muscle and bone strengthening.

activities using your major muscle groups at least two days per week. Pick activities that you enjoy so you are more likely to stick with it. Eat a balanced diet to assist with weight management.

Diet and Nutrition

Adopt the Mediterranean Diet to optimize brain health. There is no evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation will promote brain health.

Blood Vessel Health

Actively manage conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes to promote blood vessel health.

Smoking and Alcohol Use

Quit smoking and stay within Canada’s Low−Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines, which advise:

•  For women: no more than 10 drinks a week, with no more than 2 drinks on most days.

•  For men: no more than 15 drinks a week, with no more than 3 drinks a day most days.

•  Plan non-drinking days every week to avoid developing a habit.

•  For women aged 65+: no more than 1 drink per day, and no more than 5 per week.

•  For men aged 65+: no more than 1-2 drinks per day, and no more than 7 per week.

•  A standard drink is 142 ml (5 oz.) of wine, 341 ml (12 oz.) bottle or can of beer or 43 ml (1.5 oz.) of liquor.

Brain and Social Activity

Strive to maintain higher levels of brain activity in mid to late−life. Being socially active is an important predictor of well-being in general and brain health throughout life. For optimum effect, incorporate activities that provide both cognitive and physical elements such as yoga or tai chi.

Health Conditions and Drug Side Effects

Watch for medications that have the potential for adverse effects on memory and cognitive function (e.g., benzodiazepines, ‘Z−drug’ sleeping pills and certain pain medications such as those that contain opioids.

Treat depression, get adequate sleep, manage conditions that lower your oxygen levels, like heart failure, COPD, or sleep apnea. Get help with hearing loss.

That is not Zoomerly

Thanks to Jack for this idea.

Many of my cohort (75+) are struggling with dementia, I have lost two friends to early-onset Alzheimer’s, and have one friend who is suffering from the early stages of Dementia. Today an increasing amount of people are willing to acknowledge their affliction and how it is affecting them. There are devices like the Echo devices, particularly the Echo Show have been the most useful in helping those who are suffering.

Jack in his discussions talks about how the Echo Show helps: He recounts the stories of how the device has helped several people One who is very Bible-centric who likes listening to the Bible and to her favorite preachers. Another, also a woman, who has always been a reader enjoys listening to the latest bestsellers even though she doesn't remember them afterward and she is challenged to be able to discuss her reading. Still, it helps her to feel that she is still engaged, and she still matters.

A couple, who have been separated because he is memory confined and she is in independent living, used the Echo Drop In feature to preserve their relationship. He is well along into decline and is unable to answer a phone but when she "drops in" he recognizes her, and their daily connection has helped relieve the grief of separation and isolation that they both experiences.

The attraction of the Echo Show is its ease of use after setup and the increasing effectiveness of its video connections. It is the video connection that allows the couple above to have their most emotional moments. The afflicted man has lost the ability of much verbal expression, but his body language continues to declare his love and devotion. That is very huge for those interacting with him.

The challenges of the Echo Show are many and are startling. It's surprising that Amazon doesn't just make it easier to use instead of trying to make it hip. But I suppose their market is for the young not those suffering from chronic illness or dementia. A simple example shows how it can be frustrating to use. Set up requires a Smartphone which people in dementia care don't generally use. There's no reason why a video screen on an Echo Show can't be used to do the full set up process, including creating an automatic Amazon account with a simple password to get started. Later, if the account is to be actualized with a Credit Card and ordering capability, the password and security settings can be escalated. But people dealing with dementia or near dementia need simple.

Next, there's no reason why Zoom shouldn't be as easy to initiate and use on the Amazon Echo Show is it is on any Tablet device, but Zoom has linked it in the most confusing way to calendars, which are themselves confusing to synchronize, so the effect is that Zoom is not practically accessible on the Echo Show, though it may be for Zoom theoretical technicians.

Since many families use Zoom for family gatherings, this precludes those with dementia who could join through the Drop In capability from being part of these larger family gatherings. Our hope is that someone at Zoom just gives a direction to the technical staff to get Zoom on Echo Show up and running pronto. My impression is that they (the Zoom technicians) have made the simple difficult. That's not Zoomerly.

Finally, wouldn't it be wonderful if the Echo Show had an HDMI out port, so that connection could be made to a large screen television, allowing the interactive experience to pop, and come to life big time. The availability of a web camera with effective microphone pickup for mounting on the TV would make family connections with those otherwise isolated by dementia a wonderful support force for these overlooked, forgotten, and unfortunate people.

Dementia prevention, intervention, and care

Be ambitious about the prevention of dementia is one of the ideas coming out of a report “Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. Worldwide around 50 million people live with dementia, and this number is projected to increase to 152 million by 2050. Back in 2017, the Commission found that there was a growing body of evidence that supported the fact that there are nine potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia reported in  Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. These are

1.    Little or no education

2.    Hypertension

3.    Hearing impairment

4.    Smoking

5.    Obesity

6.    Depression

7.    Physical inactivity

8.    Diabetes,

9.    Isolation or low social contact.

Since 2017, the Commission has found three more risk factors for dementia with newer, convincing evidence that points to 3 more preventable dementia risk factors which are:

1.    Head injuries

2.    Excessive alcohol consumption in midlife

3.    Air pollution exposure in later life

To prevent or delay dementia, the commission recommended that primary and elementary education programs, take steps to modify these 12 risk factors might prevent or delay up to 40% of dementias. Specifically, the Commission recommended that governments take action to fund programs to prevent obesity and diabetes, and to reduce air pollution and to reduce second-hand smoke exposure. They also recommended programs to help people prevent smoking initiation, hearing loss, and head injuries. They also recommended that there be programs to encourage hearing aid use and smoking cessation amongst adults

Governments should actively encourage people to maintain systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or lower in midlife, and to limit alcohol to fewer than 21 servings per week, and to maintain an active lifestyle.

Taking steps to fund and run programs aimed at preventing dementia is more fiscally responsible from a government's perspective as well it is positive from an individual perspective. If a person is diagnosed with dementia, they have more complex problems and symptoms in many domains. Interventions should be individualized and consider the person, as well as their family carers. Evidence is accumulating for the effectiveness, at least in the short term, of psychosocial interventions tailored to the patient’s needs, to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms. Evidence-based interventions for carers can reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms over years and be cost-effective.

Keeping people with dementia physically healthy is important for their cognition. People with dementia have more physical health problems than others of the same age but often receive less community health care and find it particularly difficult to access and organize care. People with dementia have more hospital admissions than other older people, including illnesses that are potentially manageable at home. They have died disproportionately in the COVID-19 epidemic.

Hospitalizations are distressing and are associated with poor outcomes and high costs. Health-care professionals should consider dementia in older people without known dementia who have frequent admissions or who develop delirium. Delirium is common in people with dementia and contributes to cognitive decline. In the hospital, care including appropriate sensory stimulation, ensuring fluid intake, and avoiding infections might reduce delirium incidence. Acting now on dementia prevention, intervention, and care will vastly improve living and dying for individuals with dementia and their families, and thus society.

Alzheimer’s month

 As September is Alzheimer’s month and this is an important concern for many of my age, I found an article by Interim HealthCare that I found interesting. I hope you do as well.

It's quite common for people to use Alzheimer's and dementia interchangeably. For family members and others who love individuals suffering from one of these debilitating conditions, the nuances may seem trivial. In fact, the notion of "understanding Alzheimer's vs. dementia" may seem almost unnecessary or confusing in and of itself. But when battling either of these conditions, knowledge IS power.

It's understandable that so many people think -- and worry about -- Alzheimer's. It's the sixth-highest cause of death in America, with over 120,000 deaths per year.

September is World Alzheimer's Awareness Month, which presents the perfect opportunity to succinctly clear up any confusion or misconceptions around Alzheimer's vs. dementia. Most importantly, understanding the differences can help you better understand your loved one and provide better care.

Understanding Alzheimer's vs. Dementia: The Definitions

This is a tricky topic to break into similarities and differences, which you would ordinarily see in this type of post. That's because the term "dementia" is more of a general term than a disease unto itself. Dementia is a term that's applied to any cognitive decline that impacts daily life. It represents a combination of symptoms that impact areas like memory, emotions, thinking and more.

While some cognitive decline can often be attributed to the natural progression of age; however, dementia is NOT a normal sign of ageing.

There are many different types of dementia, and they are caused by many different things. There is even Mixed Dementia, which literally means more than one type of dementia is impacting the brain.  This is where Alzheimer's comes into play.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.

Alzheimer's disease was first identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer over 100 years ago -- in 1906! Dr. Alzheimer recognized the two primary indicators of the disease. First, plaque deposits that are scattered throughout the brain and are ultimately toxic to it. Second, tangles that interfere with the brain's processes, and which eventually "choke" living brain cells. As the disease progresses and more brain cells die, parts of the brain shrink as a result.

Dementia symptoms result from plaque deposits and tangles, getting progressively worse over time as more brain cells are killed. Early in the disease, the part of the brain associated with learning new things is damaged, learning to forgetfulness and many of the common symptoms most often associated with Alzheimer's disease. Eventually, individuals with Alzheimer's have more severe symptoms, including difficulty sleeping, swallowing, and walking.

While there are some medications and treatments that can address some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's, there is sadly no cure, nor is there any way to slow down its progress.

Some forms of dementia may respond to treatment; however, dementia is not reversible in most cases.

For families and individuals facing Alzheimer's and other dementias, extra help can be especially critical in your battle. Since Alzheimer's and dementia are progressive, your ability to provide everything for your loved ones becomes more and more difficult and enacts more of a toll on you and your own health.

Here at Interim HealthCare, we offer specialized Alzheimer's home health care services for those who are fighting Alzheimer's and dementia. Working with you and your loved one's doctor, we map out the best course of care to keep your loved one safe and healthy at home, if possible.

An important resource if your family is facing Alzheimer's or another dementia.

We know that knowledge is truly power when it comes to the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia. That's why we created our Dementia Caregiver's Guide. With tips and advice to help you take care of your loved one at every stage of dementia, we hope that this guide helps to alleviate some of the stress your family is facing.

Download the guide here.

World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer's Day takes place on 21 September and is part of World Alzheimer's Month. This year, they are talking about dementia – and urging everyone to join in the conversation by becoming Dementia Friends.

World Alzheimer’s Day takes place every year on 21 September. It is the focus of World Alzheimer's Month during the month of September.

Globally, dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face, with nearly 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. To tackle this global dementia challenge, we need to work together, and to collaborate and share best practices with one another.

Therefore, Alzheimer's Society has committed to work with partners on global research and campaigning, as well as sharing our learning, best practice, and experience with one another.

This World Alzheimer's Month, we're asking you to break the silence around dementia. You can join our Dementia Friends movement, or help by sharing the link with friends, family, and colleagues.

Alzheimer’s is a mystifying disease that can strike older adults 65 and up, and even begin in adults as young as 50. Every September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, recognized globally, aims to raise awareness of the disease, and challenge the common stigma that surrounds Alzheimer-related dementia. Studies have shown that on average, 2 out of every 3 people worldwide have little to no understanding of Alzheimer’s.

Here are a few interesting facts and tidbits related to Alzheimer’s.

·       Currently, There is No Cure for Alzheimer’s.

·       More than 100 years after the disease was discovered in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, the origin of Alzheimer’s is still largely a mystery, although countless studies have been done and there are varied explanations. What we know is that there is no cure or way to stop its progression. However, there are ways to treat the symptoms.

·       Growing Older Doesn’t Mean Dementia is Given.

·       There’s a perception that as we age, losing our memory and mental faculties is a given.

·       Our brains and bodies age, and therefore we lose our sharpness. While the mind of a centenarian won’t be the same as a 20-year-old or even a 50-year-old, there’s nothing that suggests that older adults are destined to be plagued with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia as they age.

·       Eating and Exercise Habits May Have Some Effect on Alzheimer’s.

·       Several years ago, Maria Shriver, who has become the de facto spokesperson for Alzheimer’s reported on an experimental program that has shown to reverse the early onset of the disease. Called the Bredesen Program and developed by a California neurologist, it consists of consuming a Mediterranean diet high in fat and low in carbs, doing regular cardio-based workouts, fasting after dinner, getting proper sleep, taking supplements and engaging in brain training exercises. Dr. Bredesen claims that 9 out of 10 of his patients have improved cognitive functioning after participating in his program, but that it only works for those with early-onset symptoms.

                  §  Women are at a Higher Risk for Alzheimer’s Than Men.

·       Women, are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s—two out of three of the 5.5 million Americans who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are female. No one is exactly sure why women tend to develop it more than men, but some studies suggest that education and professional work opportunities, or lack thereof, could be a contributing factor. However, the closing gap in educational and occupational between men and women may also mean that the gender gap in Alzheimer’s diagnoses are also getting smaller

The Alzheimer’s Association is a good source to read up on what scientific studies have been done to date. You and your family members can help be part of the solution by participating in a study, as scientists always need good candidates (both cognitive and non-cognitive impaired). Sign up through the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry

Help for Caregivers using Technology

One of the biggest concerns, I suspect of caregivers who are looking after chronically ill loved ones are the sense of isolation and feeling alone. This is not true, a story written by Megan-Thielking in an online post on STAT points out that there are many support groups on Facebook out there. If you do a search on Facebook for "dementia caregivers support group" you will be amazed at the number of groups that come up. Not only do groups come up, but videos and links to other resources. This is a screenshot of the first few groups found when using this search.

The interesting point is that if you are a caregiver and feel isolated and alone, there is a support group with people who can help you. Technology can connect you with new friends and support that you did not know was available. Facebook is one place to start, but if you do other online searches for example select then right-click on the following text dementia caregivers support group and select search google, within a second you will have over ten million hits. Help can be only a click away, please use it

There is always someone online when you need to connect with a person, and often, there’s someone who is familiar with the very same problems you’ve come to ask about. You don’t have to drive to a support group or find someone to care for your loved one while you’re there. They’re a place to ask for advice, to vent, to be brutally honest. And because most groups are private, they’re a place to share things with strangers that you’d never want your own family to know, things a caregiver might be embarrassed or ashamed to ask anyone but another caregiver.

The groups are a particularly powerful platform for dementia caregivers, who are tasked with a singularly cruel and lonely job. They shoulder hefty responsibilities like all kinds of caregivers do — coordinating medical care, helping with bathing and eating, and figuring out finances. But they do so while watching their loved ones — often, a parent or partner — lose their memories and their sense of self.

Dementia diagnoses what next?

A friend of mine has been diagnosed with dementia. So, I started looking for what to expect as he progresses through the disease and found these guidelines expert Dr. Heather Palmer, National Director of Cognitive Well-Being for Amica. They are general in scope but gives an idea of what to look for and expect.

Safety

“I’d be evaluating if the parent is able to go about daily life in their environment in a way that’s not going to cause any harm or injury,” says Dr. Palmer. Can your mom manage the stove? If not, what safety precautions can be put in place to enable her to use the kitchen, but not be in danger? “Safety factors should be considered in every room,” says Dr. Palmer.

Wandering

Is your parent going out at 3 a.m.? It is common for people with dementia to confuse day and night and to wander or try to leave their environment. “When a person is feeling anxious because he believes he is late for work, you should know how to offer support by safely redirecting and reassuring him,” says Dr. Palmer.

Eating

Is your parent getting proper nutrition?

“Eating habits in someone with dementia can change quickly,” says Dr. Palmer. They may forget to eat, have changing taste preferences or not feel hunger. Others may require ongoing prompting because of confusion around how to use utensils.

Socializing

Research consistently points to the importance of social interaction to help slow cognitive decline. How are social opportunities being maintained for your loved one: Is someone visiting every day? Is the person seeing friends or staying home with very little interaction?

Hygiene

Is your loved one able to brush their teeth, comb their hair or bathe? If they’re living with a spouse, is the spouse able to help?

Visiting a person with Dementia

How to make your visit a great source of support for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

“Conversing, engaging, digging from the past and incorporating it into a conversation is one of the best brain exercises you can get.  The sad part is that there is a good chance the person won’t remember you, your visit, or the conversations you had, but they will remember how it made them feel.  Even if you’re just smiling and holding hands, seniors benefit from that on so many levels. When my wife had her brain aneurysm and she was in recovery I saw her every day, and I think it helped her recovery.

Be prepared
Speak to team members or family to find out when your friend will be most cognitively alert: it could be over a mealtime or during an activity they enjoy. Arrive with conversation topics or old stories supported by mementoes, such as photos, an old college jacket—whatever connects you. Read about dementia in advance, so you have a better understanding of what to expect from someone with age-related brain changes.

Focus on communication
Pick a quiet place to meet to minimize noise and distractions. Use simple sentences, give the person time to respond and don’t hesitate to prompt a senior by repeating what you said. If your friend goes off on a tangent, try to jump on board their train of thought instead of bringing them back to yours.

Plan for behavioural changes
Just as no two people are alike, no two seniors with dementia will behave exactly the same. Some may act giddy, flirty, playful, elated, confused, scared, childlike, unmotivated, anxious, sad or distant. You may see the person crying, pacing, fidgeting or acting like there’s a pressing need to go somewhere or do something. Don’t feel insulted by unusual behaviours, such as if you’ve come all this way and your loved one is talking about leaving (exit-seeking can be common). If you’re nervous, check in with their care team upon to find out if there’s anything you need to know about challenging behaviours, and how you might handle any that arise.

Time to connect
Engage in an activity or conversation that taps into your friend’s past. It’s helpful for seniors with Alzheimer’s or related dementia to have someone with whom to reminisce and share memories. Using touch and nonverbal reassurances can help make conversations more interactive and meaningful. From a cognitive perspective, your visit is helping nurture and strengthen the brain.