Keeping your Brain Young and Healthy

As we age, our brains also go through various changes.  Some of the major risk factors associated with aging are neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer.  Cognitive impairment is also inevitable.  But there are some things you can do to help sharpen your brain and reduce the risk of memory loss as you get older.  Here are a few:

1. Use mental stimulation. Engage in any mentally stimulating activities like reading or brain teasers like word puzzles and math problems as they may help you maintain and improve cognitive functions.  You can also get assistance from your senior helpers doing activities that also require mental effort, such as drawing or painting. According to studies, activities that involve mental functions stimulate connections between nerve cells and may help the brain generate more new cells.  This will gradually build up into a reserve that may help fight against cell loss.

2. Exercise. Studies show that exercising can also improve brain functions.  This may encourage the development of more nerve cells, which will increase the connection between brain cells. As a result, your brain functions better and your mind remains sharper.

3. Improve your diet.  A healthy diet may help lower the risks of mental deterioration.  You can ask your caring companions to help you improve your diet by (1) reducing calorie intake; (2) reducing consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol from animal fat (3) increasing food rich in vitamin B, folic acid, B6 and B12, such as green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals.

4. Lower your blood pressure. High blood pressure levels also increase the risk of cognitive impairment as you age.  Stay lean by exercising regularly, avoid stress, have healthy and balanced diet, and limit alcohol consumption.

5. Lower your blood sugar. Diabetes is one of the risk factors of dementia.   Seek medical advice if your blood sugar is abnormally high.  Otherwise, eat plenty of fiber-rich food and stay active by exercising.   

6.  Fight bad cholesterol.  High levels of bad cholesterol is another factor that could increase the risk of dementia. Fight bad cholesterol by exercising, eating healthy, watching your weight and saying no to any forms of tobacco.

7. Drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol intake could increase the risk of getting dementia so limit consumption to two glasses a day. 

8. Rest and relax. Stress caused by anxiety, depression, sleeping deprivation and exhaustion may lead to cognitive impairment.  Get plenty of restful sleep to maintain a good mental health. 

9. Watch your head, physically.  Moderate to severe head injuries caused by physical trauma could lead to cognitive impairment.  So protect your head at all times. 

10. Reach out and make new friends.  Social ties may help improve your mood and this, in turn, can help lower blood pressure and increase life expectancies.  This could help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer.

Providing Dementia Care at Home

For most dementia patients, receiving dementia care at home is more ideal.  The prospect of having close friends and family members intimately involved in care giving in a familiar environment can be reassuring for an elderly person suffering from memory loss problems. 

However, providing memory care at home is not without setbacks, especially if the elderly patient’s needs suddenly change without a warning. 

But with meticulous planning and proper assessment of patient’s needs, plus patience and understanding on the part of the live-in caregiver, providing in-home care to an elderly person with dementia can be a success. 

Here are a couple of tips on how to make in-home care for people with dementia effective:

• Re-design your elderly loved one’s home.  Making a few adjustments in the family home where your elderly loved one lives can help minimize likelihood of injury and distress to people with dementia.  These adjustments can be as simple as installing handrails in the toilet area.
• It’s all about the routine.  Establishing a routine is crucial in creating a comfortable environment for your loved one with dementia.  It doesn’t have to be rigid.  But, activities must happen at predictable times of the day.  This will minimize confusion and disorientation people with dementia are prone to suffer.  You can employ subtle cues, such as dimming the lights for downtime or opening the curtains to signal wake up time, to help your elderly loved one follow the schedule. 
• Easy-to-follow activities.  Daily activities do more than just enriching the lives of people with dementia.  They can also promote the use of cognitive and motor skills.  However, be careful when choosing activities for your loved ones.  Some may be too complex or too challenging for a person with dementia and this can be frustrating.  It may result to behavioral changes such as aggression. 
• Go for activities which will not only stimulate the senses but also provide therapy.  Animal assisted therapies are a good example. 
• Provide opportunities for socialization.  Whether it’s visiting the local park, or receiving visitors, providing opportunities for socialization can reduce depression and feelings of isolation among people with dementia.  However, schedule these activities at a time when your loved one is more relaxed and open.  This will vary from person to person. 
• Take a break – Time-offs are not a luxury, but a necessity.  A few hours to a few days breather can help you recharge and detoxify to help you face the challenges of providing memory care at home head on, once you get back.

Respite programs like adult day-care or day health care can give you a few hours break to run errands or go to work.    

However, it is important to note that these tips are not 100% foolproof.  Factors like the level of care required as well as the stage of dementia your loved one is in can play a huge factor in the success or failure of providing in-home dementia care. 

Peoples Care In Home Care takes quality very seriously. Their goal is to respond to those specific needs and ensure that they deliver the best quality care that you deserve. http://goo.gl/sCxWSd

www.peoplescareinhomecare.com - Care That Makes a Difference! Call today at 951-892-7198.

A Right Place for Seniors has partners, Senior Care Providers, communities and companies that measure up the high standards set by the team. The elderly and seniors they serve deserve the highest level of care.

www.arightplace4seniors will definitely help you find solutions! Call them today at 1-800-804-3840. http://goo.gl/49Ibft

Guaranteed Quality Care at People's Care In Home Care Service

Call (951) 892-7198 for more details or visit their website at www.peoplescareinhomecare.com.

Resource Guide for Seniors - A Right Place for Seniors

Visit their website at www.arightplace4seniors.com for more details.

Personalized Treatment at People's Care Autism Services

Visit www.peoplescareautism.com for more info.

Choosing a Home Care

Home Care service is an excellent choice but it is also important to learn and understand the services they offer. They should meet you or your loved one's needs and you have to have an assurance that this person is someone you can trust. You don't take chances when it comes to your health or the health of a loved one.  More tips here -

Home Care service

#‎dementia‬, ‪#‎respitecare‬, ‪#‎hospicecare‬, ‪#‎homecare‬, ‪#‎assistedliving‬

Dealing with Behavior Problems Among Dementia Patients

Communication difficulties can be one of the most upsetting aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia—and it’s frustrating for the patient as well as for loved ones. Although it can be hard to understand why people with dementia act the way they do, the explanation is attributable to their disease and the changes it causes in the brain. One concrete step you can take to make communication easier is to familiarize yourself with some of the common situations that arise when someone has dementia, so that if your loved one says something shocking or puzzling, you’ll know how to respond calmly and effectively.

See: Behavior Problems Among Dementia Patients

#Alzheimer, #caregiver, #homecare, #geriatriccaremanagers, #dementiacarespecialists

Treatment for the Core Symptoms of Autism

Research and experience have revealed many of the mysteries surrounding autism, it remains complex disorder that impacts each child differently. However, many children with autism have made remarkable breakthroughs with the right combination of therapies and interventions. Most families use one type of intensive intervention that best meets the needs of their child and their parenting style. For information on different treatment options, visit www.peoplescareautism.com to discuss intervention options and for you to understand the possible risks and benefits for your child.

See: Core Symptoms of Autism

#‎autism‬, ‪#‎abatherapy‬, ‪#‎abatreatment‬, ‪#‎autismcare‬

Aggression

Aggressive speech or actions can be one of the most upsetting aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. But the most important thing to remember about verbal or physical aggression, is that your loved one is not doing it on purpose. Aggression is usually triggered by something - often physical discomfort, environmental factors such as being in an unfamiliar situation, or even poor communication. http://goo.gl/c5cBWG

Professional caregivers should keep in mind conditions common to some patients with disabilities and to plan care accordingly. For instance, inactive people with developmental disabilities often suffer from constipation, which can complicate a post-op recovery. Some patients may receive medications that increase their risk of heart disease. Medications also may act differently in a person with a developmental disability. It is encouraged for caregivers to offer patients medications for pain as ordered. It is also suggested that nurses allow the patient a choice to perhaps have someone else in the room with them. http://goo.gl/7GAHst

Autism Acceptance

While it is true that autism is not something a person simply "grows out of," there are many treatments that can help children learn new skills and overcome a wide variety of developmental challenges. From free government services to in-home behavioral therapy and school-based programs, assistance is available to meet your child's special needs. With the right treatment plan, and a lot of love and support, your child can learn, grow, and thrive. http://goo.gl/ItZ6rx