On Aging Today

Wandering due to Dementia

2008-04-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

Living with Dementia: Ensuring a Safe Return for Wanderers
Wandering is one of the scariest symptoms of Alzheimer’s/ dementia; unfortunately it’s fairly common. Luckily, there are several things you can do to ensure your loved one is returned safely should they wander away and perhaps prevent wandering in the first place. Medical alert bracelets are a good idea for someone with dementia. Medical alert bracelets and necklaces can be picked up at any drugstore and can be engraved with your loved one’s name and any other information you want on it, such as a phone number or address. It is a good idea to register your loved one with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return Program. Some families I have known put locks on the doors above the line of vision; usually this prevents the person from being able to realize the door has been locked - "out of sight, out of mind", as they say. There are also alarms for the doors that will signal that the door has been opened and alarms that will activate if the person leaves a designated area (often these types of alarms can be found in stores & catalogs devoted to children's products).

I gathered the above information from a helpful website entitled "HealthTalk". A link to the page featuring dementia follows:
http://us.f553.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&MsgId=297_59215986_20233582_1874_5291_0_1459897_18525_1049412459&Idx=4&Search=&PRINT=1&ShowImages=&YY=76268&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b

Another take on Dementia

2008-04-11T22:13:00.000-07:00

I found information on this blog on a health site called "Health Talk". I thought it might be interesting to hear what it is like to experience dementia from the point of view of the individual with dementia.

Life with Early Onset Dementia by Diane Thornton
When Diane became confused and disoriented, her symptoms were blamed on thyroid cancer. But when she struggled even years after receiving a clean bill of health, she was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and now offers a uniquely lucid perspective on life with dementia. Read the blog

Battling dementia -- one story

2008-04-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

From ". . . cardiologist writes about battle with dementia" by Neal Simpson:

Dr. Tom Graboys wakes up every morning unable to move. He fumbles clumsily with his money in line at the grocery store and struggles to understand the operation on an ATM machine.
A little more than a decade ago, Graboys was at the top of his field, a nationally known heart doctor who taught at Harvard Medical School and still was able to take on more patients than most of his colleagues at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. When the Celtics assembled a “Cardiology Dream Team” to evaluate a star player who had collapsed on the court, Grayboys was on it.
But for the last eight or so years, Graboys has fought to keep his mind intact under the dual onslaught of Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

High blood pressure and the aging brain

2008-04-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

From "High blood pressure hard on the aging brain" by Will Boggs, MD:

High blood pressure is associated with more deterioration in brain function than normal blood pressure in people aged 60 and older, according to a report by doctors at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC.
"Optimal control of blood pressure may be beneficial in attenuating the risk of cognitive decline as the population ages," they conclude.

Also see "New treatments tackle raised blood pressure" in The Times Online.

Dementia Webcast

2008-04-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

The recent death of Charlton Heston has sparked increased discussion concerning dementia. I'm posting information concerning a podcast airing tomorrow which hopefully will prove enlightening.

Live Dementia Webcast Tomorrow: "Preserving Your Sense of Self."

Substance Abuse: Related Information

2008-04-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." Find out more about him at http://www.drdavidhealth.com/.

Dr. Lipschitz 's recent article from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has been the source of much of my information on substance abuse in the older adult population posted on this blog.

Substance Abuse Issues Part 2

2008-04-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

"In general, alcohol abuse is more common in men than women and is more likely to occur in whites, in individuals with a higher income and in people who are divorced, separated or single. Alcoholics are more likely to smoke and are frequently depressed. After age 60, the ability to tolerate alcohol and other drugs decreases significantly and can greatly affect overall health and quality of life. Two or more drinks can lead to significant personality changes, abusive behavior and amnesia. In addition, alcohol and every other addictive drug interfere with gait and balance, which can lead to life-threatening falls and fractures. Alcohol is particularly damaging to the brain, and in susceptible individuals, small amounts of alcohol can lead to severe memory loss."

This information is continued from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article.

If your loved one develops a sudden change in gait, personality or brain function, always get a medical evaluation ASAP. If all medical conditions are ruled out, consider the fact that they may be drinking and/or abusing medications. Though not mentioned above, alcohol also can interact with many different prescription drugs. One should always check with the primary care physician to determine if alcohol can be used safely.

Substance Abuse Issues

2008-04-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

Lifelong Health: Alcohol, Other Addictions Increasing in Older Adults

Recently, a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported that 9 percent of community-dwelling Medicare recipients consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, which has the potential to adversely affect their health. By all accounts, the number of older adults battling substance abuse will rise dramatically in the next 20 years. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that the number of older people requiring help for addiction will increase from 1.1 million today to 4.4 million in 2020, which would totally overwhelm current resources available to deal with addictions. Alcohol is not the only source of substance abuse in older people. A recent article in The New York Times quoted evidence indicating that 11 percent of those over the age of 55 are addicted to opiates, 5 percent to cocaine and 8 percent to other drugs. Even at age 75, 9 percent are addicted to opiates, 4 percent to cocaine and 11 percent to other drugs.

More about this important issue tomorrow.....

Introduction to On Aging Today

2008-04-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hi! This blog will focus on the issues and concerns of older adults and everyone who has an interest in such issues/concerns (the way the baby boomers are aging, this will soon mean almost everyone!).

As a social worker, I have been working with older adults for over 20 years. I hope if you have any questions or concerns, you will feel free to post here and I will do the best I can to discuss the general issues involved. Of course, due to HIPPA regulations and professional ethics, issues can only be addressed in general terms.

I intend this site to be a resource for readers and me. I will be providing links to resources for older adults and my own personal commentary on concerns/issues gathered from my experience and the media.