Health Care

By: Katie Harper

Encouraging Alzheimer's sufferers to take care of plastic dolls may seem like an unusual type of therapy but it's been proving to have a positive effect, so much so, it's aided in reducing patients' dependency on psychotropic drugs.

When a person develops Alzheimer's they lose interest in life, they become withdrawn and uncommunicative. It can become difficult to interest them in activities; a problem which increases as the disease progresses.

Doll therapy involves giving a doll to a female patient to care for. This may seem, on the outside, patronising, but patients can obtain a great deal of joy and comfort from a doll. Many women sufferers were housewives and due to the unfortunate effects of dementia, many believe that they are still young. Patients can often adopt the baby and treat it as if it were real; they dress it, sing to and interact with it.

The latest research suggests that the doll brings back happy memories of when they had been parents. The dolls fulfil a maternal need. Having a doll can rekindle all types of positive memories and emotions, of loving, of being loved and being needed.

A person with Alzheimer's may still have a need for a role which will give them a sense of purpose and usefulness.

Through the use of the dolls, it also allows patients to release repressed emotions; to explain their feelings, as they will often transfer their emotional state onto the doll.

A doll can also play a number of roles to the sufferer and they are often referred to as their husbands, wives, or any other significant person in their life.

Dolls are, of course, not a cure and the sufferer will not suddenly transform back to their former self because of a doll, but they have a marked effect on sufferers' behaviour, reducing agitation, aggression and wandering.

The dolls also stimulate greater communication between the relatives, staff and the patient. Staff and the patient talk about the doll, its clothes, hair, etc.

According to the Nursing Times, a care home has reported to have drastically reduced its patients' dependency on psychotropic drugs thanks to alternative treatments including doll therapy.

Ashcroft Care Home based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK, has reported that it has cut the amount of patients using psychotropic drugs from 92 per cent at the start of 2008 to 28 percent.

There is much debate currently with regard to psychotropic drugs; they are contentious form of treatment as they act on a patients' nervous system which can cause them to experience mood changes and other negative side-effects.

Caroline Baker from the Four Seasons Health Care which operates Ashcroft said: "The results we are seeing from reduced medication and providing complementary therapies have been phenomenal."

Katie Harper is a health journalist who specialises in nutritional medicine and understanding the role that it can play in improving neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Improve memory, creativity, concentration and mood http://www.rejuvemind.co.uk

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Memory Loss Prevention

As the threat of memory based diseases such as Amnesia and Alzheimer is increasing, the medical fraternity is trying their best to come out with the best of solution. Several researches are being carried on globally to make difference to such conditions. Some achievement has been made so far but nothing considerable as come so far. As Alzheimer is being a constant threat to the growing number of elderlies according to one of the statistics nearly 65% of them are exposed to the disease. Little diagnosis could be made so far as not too many are aware of the condition and refer it to the aging process. Until they realize that it's affecting their quality of life. So much so that it has damaging effect on them in various ways such as psychological, emotional and financial. Especially in a nuclear family setup older folks find themselves ignored most of the time. Due to ignorance and little awareness the disease is barely diagnosed on time and leads to death.

Current research on memory loss reveals that Omega 3 fats are helpful in declining such conditions. Folic acid and folate are also known to help the condition; supplements if taken for 3 years can significantly help on improving cognitive functions. People who consume fish on a regular basis have lesser chances of suffering from any form of Dementia. Vegetables also are known to be rich in few minerals and vitamin that helps in neurons functions. Exercise is however the most important way to keep the brain active as it leads to better blood circulating throughout body and brain.

According to a study those who exercise three times a week are less prone to develop disease such as Alzheimer. Brain diet mostly constitutes of low saturated fats, coniferous vegetables, fruit and fish with omega-3 fatty acids. An active social life enhances our defenses and builds immunity and reduces inflammation. Green tea also may work as wonder for the brain research have proved that those who have regular intake of green tea are less likely to suffer from cognitive impairment. Drinking 2 servings of green tea a day can help keep any cognitive dysfunction at bay. Keeping a check on weight also helps to counter Dementia. Blood pressure and cholesterol control can lower the risk of Alzheimer. Eating leafy green vegetables and coniferous veggies also helps in restoring cognitive functions. So one should carefully include all the green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach in one's diet plan.

Older people who exercise on a regular basis are known to generate more brain cells than their counterparts who do not exercise and also learn new skills more effectively. Consuming fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants helps in boosting metabolism and maintain the integrity of nerve cell components. Magnesium and Zinc intake are also known to improve and maintain brain receptors thus enhancing memory. Research has also proven blueberries, Ginseng, Gastrodine and Gingko Biloba to help create new neurons and improve memory functions. Vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E and other nutritional supplements intake helps restoring memory function and build new cells However justifiable amount of caffeine taken thru tea and coffee also sharpens brain proven by a recent research. Lowering of cortisol level and stress can help regenerate its power to remember and learn. Aerobics can protect brain tissue from aging and decline. These are results of few researches that have been done to check memory loss and brain related disorder.

About Author

by Patrick Louis
How important is a good memory to you? Do you know that any average guy can develop powerful memory with some simple technique and habit change? How would want if you can recite each and every single object in sight. Amazing? Discover the secret to unleash your memory now.

Caring for a parent, spouse, sibling or other loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be a rewarding experience that builds your inner strength and character. Caregivers usually assume the care giving role out of love and a desire to help a family member in need. The selfless act of care giving is widely respected and will certainly make you a stronger and more confident in your ability to make a positive difference in another person’s life.

Usually, care giving begins with just helping out a family member, showing love and support by making his or her day a little easier. Alzheimer’s patients experience more severe symptoms with time, resulting in the need for increased care and supervision as time goes on. In time, the lifestyle associated with the “caregiver” role can sneak up on even the most active and driven caregiver. Though caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease brings with it numerous rewards, it is not uncommon for caregivers to find themselves overwhelmed at times as they strive to establish a harmonious balance between their own needs and the needs of their loved one.

An Alzheimer’s caregiver can become so consumed with the demands of caring for a loved one while upholding other daily responsibilities that his or her own health becomes neglected. The symptoms often experienced by full time Alzheimer’s caregivers, such as guilt, anger, exhaustion and depression, are so consistent and debilitating that they are collectively being referred to by some medical professionals as “caregiver syndrome.” Some experts suggest that simply acknowledging oneself as a “caregiver” and identifying with the role can lead a person to better deal with the responsibilities associated with caretaking. Realizing that care giving is not unlike taking on a second job can put caregivers in the proper mindset to provide the best care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s and for themselves.

As the world becomes more aware of the long term effects of caring for a loved one with dementia, more resources are becoming available to help caregivers effectively manage the responsibilities. Support groups and training programs for Alzheimer’s caregivers offer guidance that can lead to less stress for caregivers and delay the need to move their loved ones into professional full-time care.

If you have recently taken on the responsibility of being the primary caretaker for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to remain in tune with your own needs and emotions. You may feel angry or exhausted at times due to the unpredictable nature of Alzheimer’s disease. Realize that such emotions are common among Alzheimer’s caregivers, release yourself of any guilt caused by them and move on. Do not neglect taking time for yourself once in a while to regroup and relax. If your loved one requires constant supervision, have another friend or relative take over caretaking duties or take advantage of respite care at a local Alzheimer’s care facility so that you may create time for yourself. Establishing a balance between tending to your innate needs and those of your loved one will make you a better, more effective caregiver and affect a more positive environment for everyone involved.

About the author:
About the Author: John Trevey is the C.E.O. of Uncommon Care, an assisted living Austin Texas home specializing in Alzheimer's care. He is the manager of both The Barton House and the Breckinridge. For more information, please visit http://www.uncommoncare.com.

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by: Ryan Coisson
Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disorder that destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn on a gradual basis. It also affects and can destroy that person’s ability to make critical judgments, reason, and carry out normal daily functions. As Alzheimer’s disease advances, a person may also experience changes in their personality. They may start to exhibit anxiety and depression, agitation, delusions and hallucinations.

There are over 5 million people in the United States alone that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This includes 4.9 million people who are over the age of 65. It is estimated that about 500,000 people under the age of 65 also suffer from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are new treatments used that can accelerate deep insight into the biology of the disease. Effective treatment and care along with loving support from family and friends can also improve the quality of life for people who are affected with the disease.

Some people who are in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease can be prescribed medication such as Cognex. This medication can help alleviate some symptoms. Aricept and Exelon may keep some of the symptoms from becoming worse for a short period of time. Another drug, Namenda, was approved just recently in the United States. It combines memantine with some of the other Alzheimer’s drugs and thereby making them much more effective than any one single therapy. There are also a variety of other medications that can help control behavioral problems such as agitation, wandering, anxiety and depression.

The cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, although many scientists believe that the disease beings with the build up of beta amyloid protein in the brain. Others believe that there may be a genetic risk that causes the disease. It is thought that if you have a parent or sibling with the disease that your chances of having the disease are increased.

Interestingly, a higher standard of education has been associated as protection against Alzheimer’s disease. Smaller brains lead to fewer connections within the brain, and this can also be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. This has not been officially established, though. Another thought is that the disease is caused by high levels of aluminum, again with no conclusive proof.

Interestingly, a fruit known as mangosteen has been providing a variety of health benefits for many centuries. Scientific tests seem to point to the powerful compounds in mangosteen as helping to alleviate the inflammatory processes in the brain’s structural cells.

These breakthrough studies show that mangosteen can actually help with the associated inflammatory conditions of the brain when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease.

Improvement in function of the brain from using mangosteen has been seen in an allopathic doctor’s patients, who were already being treated with the traditional Alzheimer’s drugs. This is really remarkable because most of the drugs that are being used in treatment of the disease are not able to increase any function in the patients. The only thing that they can even hope to do is to slow down the progression of the disease. Although, there is still much research needed, this study on mangosteen is definitely a huge step forward.

source:www.articlecity.com/