by Shelley | May 22, 2023 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
Dear Donna:
My dad has Alzheimer’s disease and recently moved in with me because it was becoming unsafe for him to live alone. While he still has a fairly good quality of life, his memory and judgment have declined.
As we head into planting season here in mid-Michigan, I’m considering having my dad garden with me. It’s a hobby I love and one that brings me such peace. I don’t want to give it up but I’m not sure how safe it is for my dad.
Any advice?
Sincerely,
Julie in Saginaw, MI
Benefits of Gardening for Seniors with Alzheimer’s
Dear Julie:
Digging in the dirt is a great way to improve the quality of life for people of all ages. That includes people with most types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The very act of gardening boosts mood whether or not a plant eventually grows. During warmer weather, you’ll often find residents and team members of the dementia care programs at Heritage Senior Communities enjoying this popular pastime.
For adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, gardening can have lasting benefits. It can:
- Reduce pain, especially from arthritis
- Improve attention span
- Lower stress and agitation
- Decrease need for medications
- Improve strength and balance
- Help minimize fall risk
- Stimulate reminiscing
- Foster emotional wellness
Gardening Tips for Family Caregivers
A few suggestions to help you and your dad stay safe while also enjoying your time together in the garden are:
- Include in planning: Have your dad help pick out flowers and colors he likes. If he isn’t familiar with plant names or struggles with verbal skills, show him pictures from gardening magazines or websites. Encourage him to point out his favorites.
- Designate space: If possible, have a section or corner of the garden specifically for your father. Consider installing a raised plant bed or containers so it’s safer and easier for him to access his vegetables and flowers.
- Offer gentle reminders: Because adults with dementia typically have short-term memory loss, you’ll likely need to remind your dad when it’s time for certain tasks. Providing prompts to help him remember things like watering and fertilizing his area of the garden will be essential.
- Plan pathways carefully: Build the garden around paths that form a circle. By keeping the path through your garden away from exits or gates, you might be able to prevent your dad from wandering out of the backyard. As Alzheimer’s progresses, that’s a common safety concern for families.
- Incorporate benches: Be sure to place benches throughout the garden for your dad (and you!) to sit and rest. Because people with Alzheimer’s often struggle with mobility, having places to rest will be important.
- Add water features: Finally, consider including fountains and water features along the pathway if you can. Your dad will likely enjoy them. Water provides positive stimulation to the senses while also helping to calm agitation and stress.
Best Plants to Grow for People with Alzheimer’s
Here are some suggestions for choosing plants for your garden:
- Make sure to use only nontoxic plants. An adult with a memory impairment might try to eat pretty flowers that catch the eye. Check the Poison Control website for a list of harmful plants.
- Use a variety of colors and smells to spark your dad’s senses. If he suffers from allergies, be careful with those that have high pollen count or strong fragrance, such as lilies and hyacinths.
- Plant vegetables and herbs that you can pick together and use when preparing meals. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, basil, and parsley are all easy to grow in raised beds or containers.
- Add vibrant herbs like lavender and rosemary to your joint garden. When they bloom, bring them inside to use in vases or sachets. Both offer stress-relieving benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Our final tip is more for you than your dad. Remember how much time you will be able to devote to gardening and choose plants with maintenance requirements that match your availability.
Wishing you and your dad happy gardening adventures this summer!
Kind regards,
Donna
by Shelley | Apr 10, 2023 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
Dear Donna:
My mother recently passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. It was such a tough period for her and everyone who loved her. She lived with my husband and me for 3 years before she moved to one of the wonderful Heritage dementia care communities. During her illness, I often wondered if there is anything I can do to prevent getting this disease. It was so difficult to watch her decline.
I’ve read articles that say Alzheimer’s might actually be a form of diabetes, but that the research is still inconclusive. Other information I’ve read says smoking might contribute to the disease. Then there are those that say exercise—both mental and physical—might be the key. My diet is pretty healthy and I’ve never been a smoker, but I’d like to know more about exercise.
Do you know of any credible research that shows a link between Alzheimer’s prevention and exercise?
Sincerely,
Chris in Saginaw, MI
Lifestyle Factors and Alzheimer’s Prevention
Dear Chris:
First, my condolences on the loss of your mother. Alzheimer’s is a tough disease that impacts the entire family. After witnessing what your mother went through, it’s understandable that you would be concerned about your own risk.
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. We commonly associate it with helping to prevent or manage medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even depression. But there is research that seems to indicate physical activity might play a role in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
It’s important to remember, however, that brain health is a complicated topic. While much of the science related to Alzheimer’s is not definitive, there is evidence that links cognitive health with an individual’s overall wellness. According to Harvard Medical School, practicing a healthy lifestyle might be one way to protect yourself. Researchers from the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation agree.
Since you mentioned exercise specifically, I’m sharing a few tips researchers think might impact brain health. If you haven’t been engaging in physical activity lately, it’s always a good idea to talk with your primary care physician before getting started.
- Combine cardio with strength training: Create an exercise regimen that incorporates both moderate aerobic activity with strength training. This combination not only helps protect brain health, but also reduces your risk for falls and increases flexibility and endurance. (As the years go by, we are all at higher risk of falling unless we stay active.)
- Aim for 150 minutes of exercise each week: Set a goal to engage in physical activities at least 150 minutes each week. Many find exercising 30 minutes 5 days a week a realistic schedule. And it doesn’t need to be 30 continuous minutes. You can break it up if you need to. You might want to jump-start the day with 15 minutes of aerobic activity in the morning, and then wind down with 15 minutes of yoga or Pilates towards the evening.
- Track your progress every day: Finally, hold yourself accountable. At the end of each day, document what type of physical activity you engaged in and for how long. It might help to find a workout buddy or two to help you stay motivated.
This article has more information about how to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 50% with regular exercise.
I hope this information is useful, Chris!
Kind regards,
Donna
by Shelley | Mar 20, 2023 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
Being the family caregiver for a spouse or parent who has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can present many new challenges. From safety and security to quality of life, loved ones often struggle for solutions. One is figuring out how to help the older adult live their most meaningful life.
If you are new to caregiving or just looking for some new ideas, we hope this information will be useful.
What to Remember When Planning Activities
As you begin creating a list of activities a loved one with dementia might enjoy, keep a few safety tips in mind:
- Exercise caution in public places: Large crowds can increase agitation for people with Alzheimer’s. They can also put you and your loved one at greater risk for being separated. You might want to invest in a GPS tracking watch or device just in case the worst happens and your family member wanders from you.
- Consider best and worst times: Most caregivers get to know when their loved one is usually at their best and when they struggle most. Working around those times can help. For example, restricting activities to the early hours of the day can help prevent evening wandering and agitation if your family member experiences Sundowner’s syndrome.
- Plan snack and hydration breaks: People with Alzheimer’s sometimes fail to recognize thirst and hunger. It can increase their risk for dehydration, especially on hot days. Keep water with you on outings and remind your senior loved one to drink frequently. The same is true of snacks and meals. Pack a lunch with foods you know your family member can easily consume.
Activities to Enjoy with Loved One with Dementia All Year Round
Keep this list in a convenient spot so you can refer to it easily when you need a new suggestion:
- Take photos of your garden or a nearby botanical garden and create a collage.
- Plan a kitchen herb garden or a container garden in an easy-to-access spot.
- Buy fresh produce at an indoor farm store or farmer’s market, weather permitting.
- Make homemade ice cream, frozen fruit pops, or smoothies.
- Blow bubbles with a grandchild.
- Hang an attachable bird feeder on a window to enjoy feathered friends.
- Pick a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch and paint a fun face on it.
- Enjoy a nature walk or drive along the shore of a river or lake.
- Deadhead flowers in the garden or do a little weeding.
- Feed the ducks at a local park.
- Rake leaves and bag them up to compost.
- Water or feed plants in the garden.
- Watch family videos or look through old family photos.
- Take the dog for a long walk in the morning.
- Go bird-watching and try to capture photos of the different types you see.
- Listen to old music while you have a dance party in the living room.
- Visit a fruit farm and pick fresh blueberries or strawberries.
- Enjoy the aromatherapy that comes from baking an apple pie, cookies, or bread.
- Arrange fresh flowers in a vase or place them in a press to make notecards.
- Purchase craft kits or supplies from a local hobby store to use when you need an activity in a hurry.
We hope this gives you some fun ideas to help make a loved one with dementia feel more productive!
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by Shelley | Feb 8, 2023 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
Dear Donna:
A dear friend and colleague I’ve worked with for many years is the caregiver for her husband, who has Parkinson’s disease. For a long time, she was able to manage his care at home with help from their teenaged children. Several months ago, however, they had to hire professional caregivers through an agency.
Recently, her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s dementia. Several of us at work are wondering what this means and how we can help support our friend and her husband.
Do you have any advice?
Sincerely,
Theresa in Kalkaska, MI
Learn More about Parkinson’s Dementia
Dear Theresa:
Thank you for your letter! It provides us with an opportunity to share information on this disease and how it can impact an entire family.
Researchers say 50 to 80 percent of adults living with Parkinson’s will also develop dementia. The condition can create unique safety issues for the person with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s dementia are similar to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. While the disease affects everyone differently, the most common signs often include:
- Memory loss and forgetfulness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble maintaining a conversation
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Anxiety and agitation
- Frightening hallucinations
- Quick to anger or tearfulness
- Depression or extreme sadness
- Difficulty finding the right words
- Decline in judgment and decision-making
As you’ve probably witnessed with your friend, caring for someone with this disease is difficult. It can require around-the-clock assistance, leaving the caregiver exhausted and stressed. But there are a few ways friends can help.
- Make very specific offers to help: Instead of saying “Let me know if you need anything,” try “I’m going to the grocery store tonight. What can I pick up for you?” Or “Can I stay with your husband for an hour or so while you go out for coffee or have a pedicure?”
- Drop off meals: People who are taking care of a loved one often put their own wellness on the back burner. They skip exercising and rely on convenience foods. You and your colleagues might consider dropping off healthy meals a few times a week. Apps like Meal Train make it easier to work together.
- Be a good listener: Sometimes the best way to help a family caregiver is by providing a sympathetic ear. Your friend is likely experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions during this time. Encouraging her to talk might help her process her feelings.
- Ask her what she needs: It might be a good idea just to ask your friend what she needs help with that day or week. Many caregivers are reluctant to ask for or accept help. Be prepared to find ways to work around that resistance.
- Explore respite care: You mentioned your friend was working with a home care agency for additional support. Another option she might not be aware of is respite care in an assisted living community. Her husband can be a short-term guest of the community to give your friend a break. It might be helpful to explore what is available in your city and share the list with her.
I hope this information is useful to you! Please call the Heritage community in your area if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Donna
by Shelley | Jan 9, 2023 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age in this country has climbed by 3.4 years since 2000. As our population grows older, it only stands to reason that age-related medical issues are on the rise, too. One is Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 million people currently live with the disease. That number is projected to soar to 13 million by 2050.
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early interventions may help slow the progression of the disease. These interventions make it important for an older adult to be evaluated early if Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is suspected.
Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s extend beyond the memory loss commonly associated with the disease. Other warning signs that might indicate a problem include:
- Developing changes in personality or disposition
- Struggling with insomnia or other chronic sleep problems
- Becoming lost in once familiar places
- Forgetting appointments or important dates
- Having trouble performing tasks that require abstract thought
- Experiencing difficulty with written or verbal communication skills
- Misplacing commonly used items, such as car keys and glasses
If a senior loved one is experiencing more than one of these changes, it might be time to schedule a physical with their primary care physician. It might not be Alzheimer’s disease at all. The changes could be the result of conditions that mimic dementia, like an infection or vitamin deficiency.
Methods to Diagnose Alzheimer’s
After a senior’s doctor has ruled out other potential medical conditions, they might start to consider Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Many people are surprised to learn that a test to diagnose this disease does not exist. Instead, diagnosis is a process of identifying symptoms and eliminating other potential causes. The process of testing for Alzheimer’s includes:
- Taking a medical history: If your parent hasn’t been to the doctor in a while, they’ll likely want an updated medical history. They will probably ask questions about health conditions that run in the family, as well as lifestyle choices. Diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and exercise are a few they’ll want to learn more about. It’s also helpful if you write down the concerning changes you noticed in your family member. Think about how long ago you first noticed symptoms and if they seem to be getting worse.
- Performing a physical exam: The senior’s doctor or medical assistant will take their blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. They might check reflexes, too. The physician will also assess the older adult’s memory and problem-solving skills with a series of questions or problems to solve. These evaluate memory, reasoning, judgment, attention span, and language skills.
- Ordering blood tests: To rule out a thyroid disorder, an infection, or vitamin deficiencies, the doctor will order blood work. They might also order a urine test. Because a number of conditions mimic Alzheimer’s, it’s important to eliminate them before moving on with other testing.
- Screening for depression: Depression is another illness that can present like Alzheimer’s, especially among older people. So much so that it is sometimes referred to as pseudodementia. The physician may conduct a depression screening or refer the older adult to a mental health expert.
- Arranging for brain imaging tests: Brain scans will be ordered. These can show if the brain is shrinking while also looking for other potential causes of the troubling symptoms. A brain aneurysm, tumor, fluid, or stroke are just a few issues that can be detected with imaging.
- Ordering a spinal tap: In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s disease that have been used with success in Europe. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected through a spinal tap and then sent to the lab for evaluation.
Based on their findings, the primary care doctor will determine if the reported symptoms are linked to some form of dementia or if there is another underlying medical issue.
Experts in Dementia Care
While a diagnosis of dementia is difficult to hear, there are options that allow a senior to live a better quality of life. Some families find in-home care to be a helpful short-term solution. Others find a move to an assisted living community that also offers memory care is a better solution.
Heritage Senior Communities offer levels of care for adults at all stages of dementia. We encourage you to call the community nearest you to learn more today!
by Shelley | Dec 27, 2022 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
Dear Donna:
I have an elderly neighbor that we’ve lived next to for over twenty years. She doesn’t have any family left and seems to have outlived most of her friends. My children think of her as a bonus grandmother, and we are all very attached to her.
My husband and I have noticed changes in her over the last year or so. She’s a little forgetful and seems to be misplacing things a lot. While I know these are small changes, I’m concerned they might be signs of a bigger problem. I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease many years ago, and I’m worried this might be the issue with my neighbor.
Are these early signs of Alzheimer’s disease? I’m trying to decide if I should convince her to let me bring her to a doctor. It might be a tough topic to tackle with her, so I’m not sure how to proceed.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Rory in Williamsburg, MI
Is It Alzheimer’s Disease?
Dear Rory:
We all misplace things from time to time. The car keys. Our favorite pair of shoes. The television remote. It’s usually not anything to worry about. When memory loss begins to impact daily life, however, it can be a sign of something more serious.
While many people associate Alzheimer’s disease with memory loss and forgetfulness, other symptoms of the disease aren’t as well known.
- Mismanaging finances: This common early warning sign is often missed. Someone with undiagnosed Alzheimer’s may pay one bill multiple times while neglecting to pay others. The disease also puts a senior at increased risk for scams and identity theft.
- Difficulty communicating: Another change early Alzheimer’s can cause is difficulty communicating. A loss of verbal skills or problems with written communication are two examples. Seniors might also call objects by the wrong name or have problems maintaining a conversation.
- Loss of abstract thought: Another red flag is when a senior begins struggling with routine multi-step tasks or errands that require abstract thought. These include writing out checks, creating a grocery list, or preparing meals.
- Change in disposition: A sudden change in personality is another sign to take seriously. For example, a gregarious senior becoming ill-tempered or suspicious. They may be struggling with a difficult personal issue, but it can also be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
- Withdrawing from friends: When someone first suspects they have a problem, it might be hard to admit. Embarrassment or the fear of being “discovered” can cause them to isolate from friends. They may even stop attending religious services and withdraw from favorite hobbies.
- Getting lost: An older driver who has Alzheimer’s disease might get lost going to or from familiar places. If you notice that your next-door neighbor’s errands seem to be taking longer than they should or if she seems flustered after an outing, you might want to have a gentle discussion about it.
I hope this information is helpful to you, Rory! Please call the Heritage community nearest you if you have any questions!
Kind regards,
Donna
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care at Heritage Senior Communities
Finding care for a loved one with a memory impairment requires thoughtful research and planning. If your search for dementia care includes Michigan, we encourage you to consider Heritage Senior Communities. From specialty caregivers to unique meals, The Terrace memory care is designed to help older adults live their best quality of life despite their disease.
Call the Heritage dementia care community nearest you to schedule a private tour today!
