The National Institute on Aging’s Report on Aging

As one of the world’s most comprehensive and longest running longitudinal examination of human aging, the National Institute on Aging’s Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) celebrated its 50^th year in 2008.  Right from its inception, the study’s primary purpose was to thoroughly examine the question of what it means to age normally, and thus far, two major conclusions have emerged. 

The first thing the study has taught us is that “normal aging can be distinguished from disease.”  While we know that our bodies change as we age, these changes do not necessarily lead to disease such as diabetes, hypertension or dementia.  Rather many of the diseases the elderly suffer from are “a result of disease processes, not normal aging.”

The second important finding from the 50-year long BLSA study is that there is not a single, chronological timetable for human aging, but instead we all age as individuals.  Just as children do not go through the various development stages at an exact time, the same is true for older people.  The research indicates that genetics, lifestyle, and disease processes are all a part of what affects the rate of aging for an individual. 

As the BLSA study has progressed and we learn more and more about the basic concepts of aging, researchers are looking at other common health issues such as “obesity, loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia), disability, and cognitive disorders.”  One fascinating study from BLSA looked at cognitive changes in the brain and how visual memory and mental skills were related to structural changes in the brain.  Participants underwent brain scans over a 9-year period and the results showed that even healthy older adults lost a significant amount of brain volume in the normal aging process.  Check out the National Institute on Aging’s website to learn more about the study. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies for non-medical home care in the Greater Austin area.  We provide families with affordable, reliable and compassionate services that include everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Please contact us so we can offer your family peace of mind knowing you are getting the best professional home care available in Austin.

Source:nia.nih.gov/health/publication/healthy-aging-lessons-baltimore-longitudinal-study-aging/introduction

Preparing for a Hospital Stay

When you know in advance that you will be spending time in the hospital, there are a few things you can do to ensure you are well-prepared for your stay.  While keeping in mind that you should not bring too much, do take the time beforehand to get your essentials packed up and ready to go.

The Leapfrog Group, which is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting quality, safety and transparency in our health system offers some good advice that they publish on their Hospital Safety Score website.  One of their first recommendations is that you pack all of the medications you are currently taking including over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal remedies so your doctors can review them. 

Furthermore, do not forget to bring items such as hearing aids, dentures, and glasses as well as a book or magazine to read along with your slippers or non-slip socks, bathrobe and toiletries.  Pack a set of comfortable clothes for your trip home or plan on wearing the same clothes you wore to the hospital.  Also remember to bring your photo identification and insurance cards as well as a small amount of cash and one credit card. 

Now is the time to update your medical history by preparing a list of all allergies and bring along the paperwork regarding any past illnesses and surgeries you have had.  Make sure your hospital bag also includes emergency contact information that is complete with both home and work phone numbers.

Items that should not be taken to the hospital are jewelry (even wedding rings should be left at home), additional credit cards and large amounts of money.  Keep in mind that the hospital is not responsible for your lost or stolen items.  Laptops, cell phones, tablets and other electronics you bring are your responsibility.     

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional in home care.    

Sources:hospitalsafetyscore.org/what-you-can-do-to-stay-safe/preparing-for-your-hospital-stay, nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hospital-hints

Your Memory Loss May Just Be a Lack of Sleep

Seniors should be aware of the fact that memory loss, especially during stressful situations, is not always a symptom of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  In a recently published report from Uppsala University of Sweden, sleep researchers Jonathan Cedernaes and Christian Benedict proved that something as simple as not getting enough sleep can affect long-term memory. 

As we already know that short-term memories are transferred to our long-term memories when sleeping, the researchers set out to discover what role sleep plays in memory retention when someone is subjected to acute cognitive stress.  In the study two groups of participants were taught a series of paired card locations on a computer screen.  The next day, the participants with only 4 hours of sleep had a 10 percent decrease in retaining the learned information while exposed to loud noises.  On the other hand, the group who got a full night’s sleep experienced no memory loss of the learned pairing even when exposed to stressful conditions. 

The researchers explained that while “losing half a night of sleep may not impair memory functions under baseline conditions, the addition of acute cognitive stress may be enough to lead to significant impairments, which can possibly be detrimental in real-world scenarios.”   Furthermore, Cedernaes added that, "An important next step will be to investigate how chronic sleep loss and or more chronic stress may interact to impair the ability to retrieve memories that are consolidated during sleep.”   

In another study from Uppsala University, the same group of researchers discovered that elderly men with a history of sleep problems appear to have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.  Their findings suggest that “strategies aimed at improving sleep quality in late life may help reduce the risk to develop Alzheimer's disease." They also note the importance of following a healthy lifestyle such as a good diet and exercise. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most respected agencies in Central Texas for non-medical home care.  With three offices located in the greater Austin area, we provide senior care, recovery assistance and respite for family caregivers as well as assist clients dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, Parkinson’s and more. Please contact us to discuss our range of options for providing your family peace of mind with professional home health care.

Sources:uu.se/en/media/press-releases/pressrelease/?id=2778&area=3,8&typ=pm&lang=en

seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2014/20141028_Elderly-Men-Reporting-Sleep-Problems-at-Higher-Risk-for-Alzheimers-Disease.htm    

Caring for an Elderly Parent

As many seniors are now living well into their 70’s and beyond, more adult children are faced with making decisions regarding the kind of care their elderly parents need.  And to further complicate matters, families with multiple siblings do not always necessarily agree on the course of action to take when parents require assistance to ensure their continued safety and wellbeing. 

When this happens, the experts advise families to thoroughly discuss the various care options available before the situation reaches a critical stage.  Neal Cutler, PhD, dean of the American Institute of Financial Gerontology and the executive director of the Center on Aging for the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Woodlawn Hills, CA, suggests families "Anticipate that these are decisions and choices that are best made before a crisis happens."  He further adds, "Sit down with everyone together, and talk about what you want to do, whether it's a financial issue or geographical issue. The key is conversation rather than crisis management."

    

The WebMD site has several tips to help families plan for the care of an aging parent.  If possible they recommend starting a discussion regarding long-term care with a parent while they are still in good mental and physical health.  In addition this is an ideal time to talk about appointing a health care proxy and creating a living will. 

If one family member is going to act as the primary caregiver for the parent, the rest of the siblings will need to figure out how they can provide support - be it financial, by doing paperwork or to help with the physical care.  Keep in mind that there are many excellent home care agencies such as SYNERGY HomeCare that provide a broad range of physical care services available on a daily basis or as often as the need arises.    

   

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional care.

Source:webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/role-reversal-caregiving-for-aging-parents?page=3

Exercise is Important for Adults with Dementia

While research shows that it is important for aging adults to remain active both physically and mentally, it may be even more critical for people suffering from memory loss or dementia.  There have been many studies that seem to indicate that adults who engage in mentally stimulating activities such as reading, playing games and attending plays and lectures may help to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s and age-related cognitive decline.  Furthermore, the National Institute on Aging states that, “Epidemiological studies and some intervention studies suggest that physical exercise may also play a role in reducing risk for Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.” 

Researchers have discovered that exercise in older rats and mice helps to increase the number of small blood vessels that supply blood to the brain and the connections between nerve cells.  It has also been shown to raise the level of a nerve growth factor, which is a protein key to brain health, and important for memory and learning.  If fact, one year-long study of adults 65 years or older showed that exercise can “stimulate the human brain’s ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones that are vital to healthy cognition.”  The group who took part in an aerobic daily walking program, as opposed to nonaerobic toning and stretching, had an improved connectivity in the area of the brain that helps us recall the past.  They also had an improvement in planning and organizational skills.    

Scientists are not sure how mental stimulation and social interaction help to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s but offer several theories.  They think that these activities may help protect the brain “by establishing ‘cognitive reserve,’ the brain’s ability to operate effectively even when it is damaged or some brain function is disrupted.”  They explain that these activities could help to keep the brain adaptable and may even be able to compensate for declines in other functions. 

As one of the most respected agencies for home care in Central Texas, SYNERGYHomeCare offers families affordable and compassionate services for all ages, from expectant mothers to seniors.  We work with you to create a customized CarePlan for in home care for yourself or a loved one.  Please contact us to learn more about our range of services for professional in home care.

Source:nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/preventing-alzheimers-disease/search-alzheimers-prevention-strategies