There are only a few days left to enter the I Will Remember for You contest. All entries must be submitted by Tuesday, January 31st, by 11:59pm EST.

Capturing and preserving memories for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias can happen in a number of ways. It might entail turning on a favorite 1940s big band hit, spreading photos out on the coffee table, intentionally creating a list of questions to ask, and sitting down in the living room together to record the thoughts your loved one shares. Or, reminiscing might occur more spontaneously during a family gathering—make sure you have a notepad or video camera handy!

To accommodate your family member’s cognitive ability level and make sharing memories in any situation a positive, meaningful experience, keep the following considerations in mind:

Do involve other family members; Don’t put the person with Alzheimer’s on the spot.

Do share your own thoughts as they relate to the memories your loved one shares; Don’t monopolize the conversation.

Do ask specific, personal questions; Don’t interrogate.

Do focus on general memories and emotions; Don’t focus on exact facts and details.

For more Alzheimer’s Conversation Tips

The goal is to give your family member with dementia the opportunity to share cherished memories with the people he or she loves. You don’t need to record a precise journalistic account of the person’s life.

Activities to capture and preserve memories with your family member living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias should focus on what that person can and wants to remember. You can help to minimize frustration by paying attention to your loved one’s limitations and adapting opportunities for reminiscing accordingly.

Story Starters for a Winning Entry

How has Alzheimer’s impacted you?

How do you and your family cope with Alzheimer’s?

Why are memories important to your family?

Why do you deserve to win this family reunion?

Enter to win at Help for Alzheimer’s Families

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

National survey indicates physicians believe addressing patients’ social needs is as important as addressing medical conditions.

According to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the social needs of patients are as important to address as their medical conditions. In a national survey of primary care providers and pediatricians, 85 percent believe that unmet social needs — things like access to nutritious food, reliable transportation and adequate housing — are leading directly to worse health for all Americans. Furthermore, 4 in 5 physicians do not feel confident in their capacity to meet their patients’ social needs, and they believe this impedes their ability to provide quality care.

The conditions we face day in, day out, where we live, learn, work and play, have a greater impact on our health and life expectancy than our medical conditions and the health care we receive.

It’s important that patients be connected to services that address their social needs. Services like fitness programs, nutritional food and transportation assistance are at top of list. Physicians say that those living in the urban and low-income bracket also need help with employment assistance, adult education and housing assistance.

If your loved one needs help fulfilling their social needs in the Boston area, please call Home Instead Senior Care – we can help with needs like transportation, nutritious cooking, and helping your loved one keep moving in order to stay fit and active. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Source: Physicians Highlight Overlooked Connection Between Social Needs and Health

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

People who have had a stroke have an increased risk of another stroke, especially during the first year after the original stroke. The risk of another stroke goes up with older age, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, having had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), heart disease, cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, and drug abuse.

While some risk factors for stroke (such as age) cannot be changed, the risk factors for the others can be reduced through use of medicines or changes in lifestyle.

Patients and families should ask for guidance from their doctor or nurse about preventing another stroke. They need to work together to make healthy changes in the patient’s lifestyle.

Patients and families should also learn the warning signs of a TIA (such as weakness on one side of the body and slurred speech) and see a doctor immediately if these happen.

Stroke survivors and family members may find the hospital experience confusing. Hospital staff are there to help, and it is important to ask questions and talk about concerns.

• Make sure the patient’s condition is caused by a stroke and not by some other medical problem.

• Determine the type and location of the stroke and how serious it is.

• Prevent or treat complications such as bowel or bladder problems or pressure ulcers (bed sores).

• Prevent another stroke.

• Encourage the patient to move and perform self-care tasks, such as eating and getting out of bed, as early as medically possible. This is the first step in rehabilitation.

If you are seeking home care services for loved ones who have had a slight stroke call 617.557.4600.

Lean more Recovering After a Stroke

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

My 86-year-old mom has dementia and other health issues. My siblings and I have different approaches in dealing with her. One sibling is quite demanding but I know my mom doesn’t like that. What can I do?

In addition to being diagnosed with dementia, she also has Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and depression. She often complains that her leg hurts or is numb a lot. She does not want to get out of the house and wants to stay in her pajamas all day. One of my siblings talks to her a little rough and demands she get dressed and get out. I on the other hand am a softy and do not want to upset my mom or demand that she do something she does not want to do.

Can you please give me some guidance on what’s the best approach to take with my mom for her well being? I don’t want to make her angry when she does not understand what is going on. I do know she does not like to be talked to ugly. My mom complains to me that my sibling talks to her in a bad and demanding tone. Please help me to do what is best for my mom. I am 65 years old and the oldest of my siblings. My siblings tell me I have to tell my mom what to do and not ask her what she wants to do. I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Dr. Amy:  The best thing you can do for your mother is to make sure that she, you, and your siblings all clearly understand:

• The symptoms and treatment for her condition,

• What physical activities are good for people with Peripheral Arterial Disease, and

• How much rest she requires.

Perhaps you and your siblings can visit the doctor with your mother. When you all have a more complete understanding of this condition you will be better able to care for your mother. At the same time, it sounds like your family may need some help learning more effective and gentle ways to communicate. You mentioned that one of your siblings is “talking ugly” to your mother. I am not sure how severely your sibling is talking to your mother, but it is important for all of us to remember that verbal abuse is a form of elder abuse.  A counselor could help you with communication skills. Your local Area Agency on Aging can also recommend resources to help you.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Dementia is one of the biggest fears that many older adults face. U.S. adults fear Alzheimer’s more than heart disease, diabetes or stroke, but few prepare…MetLife Foundation Survey reveals little planning for Alzheimer’s among its key findings. It is an illness that attacks nearly 50 percent of those who live past age 85.

These are two key findings from a report, “MetLife Foundation Alzheimer’s Survey: What America Thinks,” conducted by Harris Interactive for MetLife Foundation. The survey also found that more than a third of U.S. adults have a family member or friend who has Alzheimer’s, and three out of five are concerned that they may someday have to provide for or care for someone with the mind-robbing disease.

Other major findings in the MetLife Foundation survey are that while U.S. adults surveyed (93%) say they know a lot or a little about the disease, and eight out of 10 think it is important to plan ahead for the possibility of getting Alzheimer’s, fully 87 percent have taken no steps to prepare for the possibility of Alzheimer’s. For example, more than half (58%) report that they have not designated anyone to take care of their affairs if they were to get Alzheimer’s disease.

First, seniors who lead sedentary lifestyles and consume a lot of sodium in their diet may be damaging their mental health. A study from Canada has found evidence that high-salt diets coupled with low physical activity can be detrimental to cognitive health in older adults. While low sodium intake is associated with reduced blood pressure and risk of heart disease, this is believed to be the first study to extend the benefits of a low sodium diet to brain health in healthy older adults. Elsewhere, evidence from a recent study of seniors indicates that consuming fish oil supplements has a positive impact on brain health and aging.

It’s important to stay active and eat healthy. If you need help at home caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s, call Home Instead Senior Care. We provide well-trained CAREGivers who has deep knowledge of how to work with patients living with the disease.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Older adults take longer to process information, but that’s apparently no indication of mental acuity, according to recent research. In a matched test, the brains of older people were not as fast as those in a group of younger people, but they performed just as well because their brains are wiser, say Canadian scientists.

When the young participants made a mistake and had to plan and execute a new strategy to get the right answer, various parts of their brains were recruited even before the next task began. However, when the older participants learned that they had made a mistake, these regions were only recruited at the beginning of the next trial, indicating that with age, we decide to make adjustments only when absolutely necessary. The older brain apparently is more impervious to criticism and more confident than the young brain.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, now is the time to address this looming epidemic that currently has no effective disease-modifying treatments that halt or delay the progression of the disease.

An overall healthy diet also is a proven preventative, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Research suggests that high cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell damage. And there is growing evidence that a diet rich in dark vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain cells, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A mounting body of research also has shown that keeping the brain active is one important part of healthy aging. The Boston Home Instead Senior Care office has a number of resources for family caregivers at www.caregiverstress.com that can help keep seniors healthy and engaged.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

The devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease have taken their toll on your dad and now you are suffering, too. He wanders the house keeping you awake all night. Your brother refuses to discuss the situation. You’re thinking of putting Dad in a nursing home. Is that the best option?

You are in the throes of one of the most stressful caregiving situations. Those who care for Alzheimer’s patients are more likely to report a high level of emotional stress than those who care for seniors with other conditions, 40% versus 28%, according to “Caregiving in the U.S., A Focused Look at Those Caring for Someone Age 50 and Older.” In a survey of family caregivers conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network, 90% say they have episodes of feeling anxious or irritable, 77% say the needs of their seniors are overwhelming and 56% are ill more often.

For your own health, you need to address your situation immediately. First, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 help line at 1-800-272-3900 (e-mail info@alz.org). In Canada call the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada at 1-800-616-8816 (e-mail info@alzheimer.ca).

They can give you resources in your community and help you talk through the issues and determine what options are available to you. There are companies that provide respite care in the home that allow Alzheimer’s caregivers like you time away. Many communities also have wonderful facilities to care for an Alzheimer’s patient. By attending a local Alzheimer’s Association chapter, you can connect with others in the same situation and receive moral support and ideas for your own caregiving dilemma.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

For an individual with Alzheimer’s, the disease affects every part of their life and will impact the lives of the family members and friends.

The disease affects lives in so many ways, a good example is; a man who once lived alone and was independent now requires 24-hour supervision just to ensure his basic safety. Or an articulate, highly educated woman does not even recognize her children, or becomes overwhelmed when choosing which blouse to wear. And the exhausted, anxious family members and friends struggling to cope with the responsibilities of Alzheimer’s care desperately seek the support of respite services.

We can all agree on this: those with Alzheimer’s disease always get worse and always end up needing full-time assistance with daily living.

So, what is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s – the most common form of dementia – is a progressive, irreversible and incurable disease that causes the deterioration of brain cells.

It does this by creating a buildup in the brain of abnormal substances called amyloid plaques (which are harmful protein deposits) and neurofibrillary tangles – twisted fibers inside of brain neurons that inhibit their normal function.

As a result, people with Alzheimer’s typically exhibit behaviors such as anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss and withdrawal – with these early signs of the disease eventually progressing to more serious symptoms such as hoarding; pacing or wandering; restlessness; disorientation; and personality changes.

Home Instead Senior Care has teamed up with The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers in San Diego, CA., a prestigious organization to develop the first training program of its kind for non-medical caregivers. This manual provides CAREGivers with comprehensive, practical training in caring for Alzheimer’s clients at home. The materials cover these topics:

• The pathology and symptoms of the disease;

• Understanding other diseases similar to Alzheimer’s;

• Building a relationship with a client who has Alzheimer’s;

• Working within the person’s physical surroundings;

• Managing his or her difficult behaviors; and,

• Helping the client remain independent for as long as possible.

Home Instead Senior Care has helped those with Alzheimer’s do the things they’ve always enjoyed doing – and in the comfort of their own homes. If you need help caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s, please call Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.

Some of the best ways to prepare for the safety and comfort of aging relatives is to think ahead and put in place a plan long before your loved ones need help. Fall prevention begins with proactive thinking. Don’t find yourself waiting till an accident happens to do a home safety audit, instead look for potential hazards during your next visit. Many times, families wait till after an accident has occurred and it’s the older adults who suffer most. Family caregivers need to think proactively and anticipate potential dangers to seniors by installing safety equipment, removing tripping hazards, and evaluating the day-to-day tasks that are difficult for an aging loved one to do independently.

As caregivers and concerned family members, it is our job to help plan for our aging relative’s future; by arming ourselves with knowledge and thinking proactively, we can ensure that they receive quality caring throughout their elder years.

Here are additional things to look for when checking on an aging loved one’s safety at home:

• Assess their driving skills. Even though they have been driving for many years, it may no longer be safe for them to continue.
• Make sure they are getting proper nutrition.  If your loved one can no longer prepare nutritious meals, arrange for food to be delivered.
• Check on finances. They can become forgetful and neglect to pay bills on time.
• Watch for balance problems. Watch how they walk and go up and down stairs.
• Consider buying them a medical alert device.
• Make note of changes in their memory. Try to talk about recent events to see what they recall.
• Make sure they are not forgetting to take their medications.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Q. My 83 year old mother helps care for my dad, age 86. His health is failing so he does not get out of the house much.  As a result, my mom is at home more too.  She is stronger than my dad and still in good health.  How can I encourage her to go out more with friends and to develop hobbies – but not neglect him?

You’ve identified one very important aspect of family caregiving that too many people overlook.  Spousal and family caregivers suffer from poor health because they neglect their own.  If your mother plans to continue having good health and be a support for her husband, she needs to continue enjoying her favorite pastimes. This is a crucial part of her routine.

Tips to share with your mom:

• Set aside a little time each day to talk with friends.  Even if she can’t go out, suggest that she call them on the telephone to chat, if just for a few minutes. 
• How about establishing a weekly movie night with a friend?  If she can’t go out every week, suggest she host the movie at her house!
• What family caregivers often need most is help.  According to a recent Harris Interactive survey conducted for Home Instead Senior Care, 31 percent of family caregivers admitted they would like more help with caregiving.

Coping with Caregiving

If your Mom feels overwhelmed at times caring for your Dad, here are more tips to share with her:

•    Develop a schedule. Plan how much time you are going to dedicate to a project each day.
•    Have realistic goals. Approach your tasks systematically.
•    Be in an environment that allows you to function at your best.
•    Ask for help if you are overwhelmed.
•    Establish priorities.
•    Take a break when you need one.

And if loneliness is the issue, why not help your Mom connect with others who could share her life.  Home Instead Senior Care could help.  Our CAREGivers serve as companions to older adults and can also assist around the home.  Many are seniors themselves and could provide the support your Mom.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.557.4600.