packed with people who were mentally and physically ALL ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S:
active and with the finest education--hardly a couch potato
Overview - Alzheimer s Association s 2009 Report (3) can be found.)*
By Betty Weiss Women are more likely to have Alzheimer s and other
dementias than men. Fourteen percent of all people aged In June s column, the most common types of dementia
71 and older have dementia. Women have higher rates than were briefly described, Alzheimer s disease being the most
men, 16 percent to 11 percent. Studies of the age-specific well-known. As of now, no treatment is available to slow or
differences for men and women have shown no significant stop the deterioration of brain cells in Alzheimer s. A handful
differences in gender. Essentially, women are more likely to of drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug
have Alzheimer s and other dementias because they live Administration that may slow the worsening of symptoms
longer. Gender is not a risk factor, but age is. Of those over for up to a year in about half of individuals who take them.
age 71 with dementias, 70 percent are due to Alzheimer s; As understanding the biology of the disease increases,
17 percent are due to vascular dementia; and 13 percent researchers have identified strategies that may have the
are due to other dementias. potential to change its course through therapies that are
The Association lists the help normally provided by being clinically tested in volunteers.
family, universally unpaid, and as the disease progresses, Nonetheless, disease-modifying therapy studies
the caregiving increases. It requires shopping for groceries, consistently show active care of Alzheimer and other
preparing meals, providing transportation; helping the dementia patients can significantly improve quality of life
person take medications correctly and follow treatment through all stages for both the patient and the caregiver.
recommendations for the dementia and other medical These would include use of available treatment options,
conditions; managing finances and legal affairs; integration of managing any other coexisting treatments
supervising the person to avoid unsafe activities such as into a cohesive plan, and supportive services like
wandering and getting lost; bathing, dressing, feeding and counseling, adult day care, activity and support groups.
helping the person use the toilet or providing incontinence (Editor s note: There are some support groups for both the
care; making arrangements for medical care and paid in-patient and the caregiver, together or alone, and I would
home assisted living or nursing home care; and managing add on-line support groups. Caregivers often think their
behavioral symptoms.loved one is not ready for certain activities, feel that no one
Alzheimer s caregivers assist with all kinds of intimate else can care the way they do, that their loved one will reject
personal care. They bathe the person 35 percent versus 25 such activities and sometimes they do. However, it s
percent of non-Alzheimer s caregivers; deal with bladder worth trying different options again from time to time as the
and bowel incontinence 32 percent versus 13 percent for illness progresses and the patient s attitudes change.)
non-Alzheimer s caregivers. These tasks are often made One study found that people with less than 12 years of
more difficult by the confusion, disorientation and agitation education had a 15 percent greater risk of developing
of the person with dementia who may be unable to dementia than those with 12 to 15 years of education and a
cooperate and may even resist care. When someone with 35 percent greater risk of developing dementia than people
dementia moves to a care facility, the caregiver s help may with more than 15 years of education. It may be that with
change, but it is far from over. Many continue to take care of more education, individuals have a cognitive reserve  that
financial and legal affairs, make arrangements for medical allows them to compensate for Alzheimer s and dementia
care and to provide emotional support. They may also help symptoms. Achieving higher education may be due to
with bathing, dressing, feeding and other personal care socioeconomic effects. Where one lived, access to
needs. education, lower levels of occupational attainment and
(Editor s note: As the sole 24/7 caregiver for my husband physical conditions in adulthood may also be associated
with Alzheimer s in our home for ten years, I can attest that it with developing dementia.
is a far more difficult task than anyone can imagine. From Many scientists suggest that the health of the brain is
time to time I had help in the house for a few hours a week, closely linked to one s overall health. There are some
our adult children gave me respite on occasion, they were indications that management of cardiovascular risks like
there for emergencies and stayed with him when I had to be high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and
someplace; briefly, he was in a care facility. Most caregivers being overweight may help avoid or delay cognitive
do not get any help physically, financially or emotionally, it decline. Regular exercise, low-fat diets rich in fruits and
commonly falls on one person alone, usually a woman.)vegetables may support brain health, and even an active
This overview of the Alzheimer s social life and mental stimulation may help. (Editor s note:
Association s 2009 Report will continue in I m in no position to challenge such findings by a coterie of
next month s column. Betty Weiss is the scientists, however, my husband always had low
author of the best selling book When the cholesterol, low blood pressure and low blood sugar, he
Doctor Says, Alzheimer s - Your Caregiver s was naturally wiry, not overweight and had lots of exercise
Guide to Alzheimer s & Dementia and and mental stimulation in his work. We were both well
Alzheimer s Surgery: An Intimate Portrait.educated, although I m the one who, otherwise, has the
*To learn about some of the world s most brilliant, mentally most common markers for the disease. I don t think that s
and physically active people who have or exceptional. It can t hurt to lead a healthy, active life style, to
h a v e h a d A l z h e i m e r  s , p l e a s e v i s i t : embrace education, but don t count on any of it to be a
www.geocities.com/caregiving4alz. Click on You re in guaranteed safeguard. The Alzheimer s world is jam
Good Company. 
Today s Senior Magazine does not endorse copy of contents of articles, editorials or ads 19 www.TodaysSeniorMagazine.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56