dementia expert

Tumeric is a spice mainly found in Indian foods.
 
Interestingly enough, India has one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Could tumeric be the reason?
 
In a recent study, at the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute in San Diego, they found that a chemical called “bisdemethoxycurcumin” boosted immune cells called macrophages to clear amyloid beta, the protein that forms the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The really exciting thing is “bisdemethoxycurcumin” is the active ingredient in curcuminoids, this is a natural substance that is found in turmeric root, Turmeric is a spice that is found in “Curry” powders.
More next time
 
Remember to leave your comments and questions
 
By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com 
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com  
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com 
 

My focus today is on educating yourself about dementia. 

Please post a comment or visit http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.comfor more activity ideas 

You can visit this blog or my other blogs or website to learn the very latest news about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias  

As you know finding accurate information about dementia can be overwhelming. There are so many places to look.
Latest research shows that there may be no such thing as ‘normal age-related memory loss.  

Other research says there is age related memory decline  

Thus it is important to educate yourself about dementia because it will affect someone you know.

Right now, there are over 5.2 million Americans who currently have dementia. For those folks there are treatment options, but there are also simple interventions that can be used to maintain the remaining cognitive skills of those afflicted.
What if someone you know already has dementia, what are the treatment options for him/her? What else besides drugs can be used effectively?

One thing both Dr Janice Funk and Dr Paul Raia of the
Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association recommend is to keep the mind, of a dementia person, active. 

Always be upbeat and animated when interacting with people who have dementia 

More next time 

Remember to leave your comments and questions 

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com  
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/ 
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com   
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com  

Even though reality orientation is not recommended when interacting with those who have dementia, it is easy for you to discuss and do activities associated with Autumn. 

Now fall is all around us. The leaves on the trees are turning colors and the air is getting cooler. 

This is a beautiful time of year to go for a walk and note all the changes you see. 

Apples are ready to be picked from the trees. Go to an orchard and see all there is to see. Pick your own apples if you are able. 

Here is a link to some more activities you might want to read abouthttp://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1041340/super_mid_fall_activity_brain_boosters.html?cat=5  

Always be upbeat and animated when interacting with people who have dementia 

Remember to leave your comments and questions 

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com  
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/ 
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com   
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com

Celebrating holidays, with those who have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, is a good thing.
 
It is an ideal way to uplift your spirit and theirs.
 
It is an opportunity to reminisce and recount funny stories of past holiday experiences.
 
It is the perfect time to find peace in praying together.
 
It is a wonderful time to bring families together.
 
And, of course, it is a grand time to sing some holiday songs and prayers.
 
Even though, Rosh Hashanah is a solemn holiday, most folks with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, who are Jewish connect to this holiday.
 
Here is a link to some activities you might want to read about
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/374097/four_easy_ways_to_celebrate_rosh_hashanah.html?cat=5
 
 
Remember to leave your comments and questions
 
By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com 
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com  
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com 

Here are more reasons why music brings about many positive interactions.
 
Almost non-verbal persons with dementia will sing many of the words to a favorite song.
 
Singing is good for the lungs of a person with dementia.
 
Singing songs will probably bring back happy memories and open the door for many meaningful discussions.
 
Check this out
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com/2008/07/reaching-those-with-alzheimers-and.html 
 
You can have a sing along with audio or video tapes if you feel you need them. You can actually play the music while you are doing something else. But make sure to check on the dementia person periodically to renew his/her interest if necessary
 
More next time
 
Remember to leave your comments and questions
 
By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com 
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com  
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com 
 

Music is a powerful tool when it comes to interacting with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

There are so many reasons why music brings about many positive interactions.

Memories of songs are automatic meaning you really do not
have to think about them. The words and melodies just pop into
your brain and the brain of dementia persons, automatically.

You can take advantage of this by just starting to sing a song you know is a favorite of theirs or is at least familiar to them.

You will see that if they enjoy music, even a little bit, they will start singing, humming or tapping their toes to the music.

Of course, as I stated in an earlier post, you must be animated and excited about the interaction.

Go to this post
http://dementia.today.com/2008/09/18/activities-that-can-be-done-with-those-who-have-alzheimers-disease-and-other-dementias/  for a list of some familiar songs.

Alternately, follow this link http://barbarasmithoccupationaltherapist.com/sarahsongs.html  

More next time

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com

There are many games that are appealing to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Card games are especially good if the dementia person liked to play cards in his/her past.

Some people feel games like fish, old maid, hearts, or crazy eights are too “childish”. However, you need to remember the current thinking now is that activities need to be person appropriate, not age appropriate. As long as you and the dementia person are having a good time, the rest is immaterial.

Here is a link to some different kinds of card games.

http://www.alzheimersideas.com/page9.html

Try these along with the games mentioned above or any favorite of the dementia person.

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com  
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/ 
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com   
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com  

Mind stimulating activities are extremely important. Experts now are talking about cognitive retraining in those with mold dementia.
 
Why wait?  You can stimulate a dementia persons mind with conversation about this seaso.
 
Here is a link to early fall brain boosters, you can use.
These brain boosters relate to early fall. They include: school, trees, harvests, and apples. All of these subjects are things that are associated with early fall
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1030248/top_early_fall_activity_brain_boosters.html?cat=5
 
As stated in an earlier post, there are many activities you can engage a person with dementia in. The activities director link below list tons of activities and how to do them. Why not check it out?
 
By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals

http://www.alzheimersideas.com
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com  
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com 

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day. What are you doing to make a difference. I am trying to educate you and others about this terrible disease and related dementias which are similar and equally as devastating.  

I am discussing practical things that you can do  right now to lessen your chances if getting any of these diseases. I am following my own advice. I eat right, not smake and keep mentally and physically active. 

I wrote a book for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.. This book helps to educate families and healthcare professionals. I donate money to the Alzheimer’s Association for every book, I sell. 

I am an Alzheimer’s advocate. I have contacted congressmen and senators about more funding for Alzheimer’s research. Many of these things you can do. They really are not hard. You just have to make a conscious effort to do them. 

More activities next time, I promise.  By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.alzheimersideas.com  
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/ 
http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com   
http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com
http://dementiatips.blogspot.com  
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This is another deviation from the plan because I want everyone reading this blog to become an Alzheimer’s advocate. I want you readers to tell your friends to become an advocate as well. 

Becoming an Alzheimer’s advocate is free, and it will do you and the world good. 

By becoming an Alzheimer’s advocate, you will learn about the latest funding dollars spent on research and what you can do to get more dollars appropriated for Alzheimer’s research. 

Why should you care?, you say. You should care because you or someone you know will be stricken with this disease or a related dementia unless a reliable cure is discovered that can be given to a wide range of people without severe side effects. This takes time. 

So join the cause before it is too late 

Here is a linkhttp://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=mmKXLbP8E&b=193657&auid=4023516  

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals. http://www.alzheimersideas.com   http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/dementiacare/   http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com   http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com http://dementiatips.blogspot.com