by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Feb 24, 2014 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized
If you are an adult child caring for an aging parent, you may be observing a few behaviors that are setting off alarm bells that something is wrong. It might be forgetfulness, confusion or one of the other symptoms commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These can all be early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia. But they can also be caused by several other reversible illnesses and conditions. Before a physician settles on a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, they will likely perform tests to rule out other potential causes.
6 Health Conditions that Mimic Alzheimer’s Disease
- If your loved one has recently started or discontinued a new medication either one could be the culprit. Some medicines commonly taken by older adults can create confusion. A new medication might also be interacting with an existing prescription or over-the-counter medicine to create an adverse reaction. There are also some medications that can’t be abruptly discontinued without risking harmful side effects. Review your loved one’s medication list with their physician and pharmacist to see if anything on it could be causing the troubling symptoms you are witnessing.
- A common cause of Alzheimer’s-like symptoms is a Vitamin B deficiency. If an older adult doesn’t maintain a healthy diet full of B-12 rich foods like fish, eggs, red meat, enriched cereals, and low-fat dairy products, a B-12 deficiency might be the source of their problems.
- Thyroid disease can also mimic dementia. If the thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) it can cause memory loss and other dementia-like symptoms. This can be easily diagnosed with a blood test.
- Depression can be another possible cause of forgetfulness, inattentiveness, and lethargy. Pseudodementia occurs when a person’s depressed mood creates symptoms that can be confused with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dehydration can lead to memory loss, disorientation and confusion. People often believe summer’s warmer weather is the most common cause of dehydration, but our elderly are actually at risk all year long. That is because as we age our body often fails to recognize thirst. Dehydration can also occur when seniors who have mobility problems are unable to get to the kitchen as often as they need to for water.
- If blood sugar is too high or two low or diabetes isn’t controlled, the resulting behavior can look like dementia. It is important for older adults to have blood tests done to detect these conditions and treat them quickly.
While the number of older adults in Michigan and across the U.S. being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s continues to climb, it is important not to jump to the conclusion of Alzheimer’s disease without further testing. The conditions outlined above can typically be reversed or controlled with the proper treatment.
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by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Dec 2, 2013 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized
Decking the halls is a traditional part of the holiday season in many families. But when a loved one lives with Alzheimer’s disease or related form of dementia, holiday decorations can present a few unexpected safety hazards.
Here are a few ways you can adapt your holiday décor to keep a loved one safe:
- Avoid twinkling or blinking lights on the tree or around the house. They can be disorienting for someone with dementia. Stick with static lights that don’t flicker on and off.
- As the decorations go up and presents pile up, traffic areas in the home can become blocked or cluttered. People with Alzheimer’s disease often have impaired peripheral vision and an unsteady gait. Making the path they take tough to negotiate can cause a fall. Especially for those that have a history of pacing.
- Having real candles with an open flame around the home can create a risk for your loved one. Consider using battery operated candles instead.
- Decorations that look good enough to eat just might be. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may mistake them for the real thing and attempt to eat them. That can create a choking hazard or it could make them sick.
- A life-sized Santa or other animated decorations might be frightening for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. You might want to reconsider using them when you are decorating this year.
- Shiny, breakable ornaments might be hard to resist touching. If you must use them, try to put them above or below your loved one’s eye level. That way they won’t be as tempted to take them off of the tree to investigate.
If you would like more information on how to make the holidays meaningful and safe for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association has a great holiday tip sheet that you can download for advice.
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by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Nov 22, 2013 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized
If a senior loved one has been exhibiting some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, their primary care physician has likely referred them to a neurologist for more testing. For families, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is a surprisingly long process. That is because there is no conclusive test that can be performed to definitely diagnose the disease. Instead, the diagnosis requires other illnesses and diseases that can mimic Alzheimer’s disease be ruled out. Those diseases can include a thyroid disorder, severe vitamin B12 deficiency, some medications, hydrocephalus, tumors, alcoholism and more.
How can you help your aging loved one prepare for their first visit with a neurologist?
Here are few suggestions:
- Review with your loved one how active of a role they want you to play in the appointment. Do they want you to go in the examination room with them or wait in the lobby?
- Be sure you are clear on any pre-appointment protocols before the appointment. The neurologist might want to do bloodwork that requires your family member to fast ahead of time or they might want you to send copies of any testing already done to them a week before the appointment.
- Keep a symptom journal that is thorough but concise. You want to be able to quickly and clearly share concerns during your time with the neurologist.
- Make sure you have a list of medications they are taking including dosage amounts with you at the appointment.
What can you expect at the first neurologist visit?
The neurologist will likely follow a fairly standard protocol to determine if your senior loved one might have Alzheimer’s disease. That usually includes:
- A physical exam
- A neurological exam (reflexes, walking, muscle strength, coordination and balance)
- A mental status test
They will also likely order bloodwork to rule out a vitamin deficiency or thyroid disorder and some type of brain imaging. That could be a CT scan, an MRI or a PET scan.
The bottom line is to be prepared for all of this to take some time. No news isn’t necessarily bad news when you are waiting for the final word on an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
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by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Nov 18, 2013 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
I am the caregiver for my 71 year old mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. In the past she has been able to handle Medicare open enrollment on her own. This year, for the first time, I will be responsible for this task. I’m not yet eligible for Medicare myself so this is all new to me. Can you help me figure out where and how to get started? I know this is important and I don’t want to make a mistake.
Karen in Holland, Michigan
Dear Karen:
Thank you for this great question! The open enrollment period for Medicare runs from October 15th through December 7th every year. It is the time when Medicare recipients can make changes to their current plan. Because we do receive this question from the adult children of our residents quite often, we have put together this list to help you make the most of open enrollment.
- Review your mother’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) even if you are happy with her current coverage. Double check to be sure the benefits of her plan will be the same in 2014 and that her current health care partners will still be a part of the plan.
- Should you decide you want to investigate different options for her, the Medicare Plan Finder tool will allow you to search for plans in her area by zip code.
- If your mother is participating in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) is from January 1st through February 14th each year. If you are unhappy with her plan, you can dis-enroll then.
- Drug coverage is always an area where adult children have many questions. To learn more about this part of her Medicare benefit, you can visit the Medicare website drug coverage resources.
- Finally, Medicare developed a brochure Have You Done Your Yearly Medicare Review that you can download for free to help you conduct this annual audit of her Medicare coverage.
I hope this helps you get started! If you have specific questions about her Medicare coverage, you can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE for help. I always recommend that caregivers take notes when they call Medicare including the date, time and name of the person they spoke with for advice.
Donna
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by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Nov 1, 2013 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized
If you are a Michigan caregiver helping to provide for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease, you may be witnessing this behavior and not know what it is. As the sun begins to set, restlessness, agitation and anxiety in a loved one peak. Just as a caregiver’s energy level is at its lowest, your loved one’s pacing and wandering begin. Sundowners Syndrome, also referred to as sundowning, is one of the most challenging behaviors for caregivers to manage. Estimates from The Alzheimer’s Association are that about 20 – 25% of those living with Alzheimer’s disease will experience sundowning.
How can families keep a loved one with sundowning safe?
One of the difficulties in managing this behavior is that the cause remains elusive. Alzheimer’s experts believe it is somehow tied to a disruption in sleep patterns. But there are some tactics that are commonly believed to help minimize the symptoms:
- Plan your activity for each day in advance. Try to concentrate appointments and other activities that might be over-stimulating for early in the day.
- Keep afternoons more low key including the noise level from the television or radio. Also consider limiting caffeine and sugar intake in the afternoon.
- Consider taking a peaceful stroll around the neighborhood each day well before the sun begins to set. It will be good for you and for your loved one!
- Some experts believe sundowning may be the result of unexpressed needs such as hunger, thirst or the need to use the restroom. So be sure your loved one has enough to eat and drink throughout the day and that you show them to the rest room at least every few hours.
- This behavior often creates frustration for weary caregivers. But it is important not to lose your temper. Speak in a low voice and try to remain calm to avoid making the situation worse.
- Pull the curtains and blinds well in advance of it becoming dark outside. Turn on all of the lights. This may help prevent your loved one from experiencing the anxiety that seems to be linked to dusky skies.
- Consider the use of respite services a few times a month so you aren’t too tired to cope.
If you’d like to learn more about strategies for coping with Sundowners Syndrome, you can visit The Alzheimer’s Association Sleep Issues and Sundowning.
Is your loved one experiencing sundowning?
Have you found any approach that helps make it easier for them?
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by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Oct 1, 2013 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Caregiving, Uncategorized
Flu season is making its way across Michigan again. Like the turning of the leaves, it is one thing we can count on returning every fall. For older adults and caregivers in Michigan, receiving the influenza vaccine is the best way to beat the bug. Because of our expertise in dementia care, families often turn to us with questions about the flu shot for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Q: Will Medicare or private health care insurance pay for the flu shot if my family member receives it in the Alzheimer’s care community where they live?
A: Medicare will pay for the vaccine. While private insurance coverage and co-pays vary by plan, most do pay for the flu shot. You may have to pay a deductible or co-pay. Check with your insurance provider to be sure.
Q: Will the vaccine cause my aging parent to get the flu?
A: Families often believe this myth and are especially concerned for a loved one who may already have a compromised immune system. The influenza vaccine does NOT cause the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “The viruses contained in flu shots are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection.”
Q: Who has priority in receiving a flu vaccine?
A: In years where the vaccine is predicted to be in short supply, this is always a concern for families who have an elderly loved one. The good news is that the vaccine for the 2013-2014 flu season doesn’t seem to be in short supply. But in years where it is, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) establishes the priorities for the vaccine. Among those who typically have priority are:
- Children aged 4 months to 59 months
- Adults over the age of 50
- Those who live with a chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorder (including diabetes mellitus)
- Residents of nursing homes
- Healthcare personnel
- Caregivers and those who live with a caregiver
Q: Does Medicare require an order from a physician for the flu shot?
A: No. Medicare does not require a physician order for the flu shot.
Q: Is there anyone who shouldn’t receive a vaccine?
A: Those who have had a previous adverse reaction to the influenza vaccine should not receive it. The CDC typically recommends that “people with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine.” If you are in doubt call your loved one’s primary care physician.
Are you a caregiver who regularly receives flu shot?
Has it prevented you from contracting the flu in years past?
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