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A PUBLICATION OF

Alzheimer’s & Dementia HANDBOOK

R ESID EN CE FIN D ER

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FIN A N CIN G 101

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table of contents 6 10 16 21 24 28

The Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia – What’s the Difference? Prevent Alzheimer’s Before It Sets In – 5 Secrets

Healthy Exercise, Healthy Brain In Pursuit of Good Health

Find the Alzheimer’s Care You Need


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4

T H E

FACTS

A B O U T

A L ZH EI M ER'S

D I S E AS E


5

The Facts About Alzheimer's Disease BY

JA M ES

H U ININ K

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease that slowly and irrevocably destroys memory, thinking and brain activity related to many simple tasks. It is the most common form of dementia, incurable and terminal. Most cases of Alzheimer's are diagnosed in those 65 and older, although there are cases of early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease was named in the early 20th century by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychologist and neuropathologist. Dr. Alzheimer diagnosed alterations in the brain tissue of an autopsied patient, who had suffered from symptoms including memory loss and unpredictable behaviours. Significant findings of his examination were the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Today, these are two of the three most prevalent features of Alzheimer's disease, along with a loss of connection between brain neurons (nerve cells).

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca T H E FA C T S A B O U T A L Z H E I M E R ' S D I S E A S E

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Alzheimer’s Facts: • Approximately 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease • Damage to the brain can begin as early as 10 or 20 years before any symptoms begin to manifest. Using brain imaging, these early signs are beginning to be tracked but there is still much research to be done • To a degree, individuals' risk of contracting Alzheimer's can be reduced through keeping the mind nimble and exercising memory • Other studies have shown that social activity is also beneficial in combating Alzheimer's disease • There is some divergence of opinion when it comes to Alzheimer's and gender but a 2008 report put the risk ratio at 1:6 for women compared to 1:10 for men • The same 2008 report also reported that risk factors for each gender were different, with depression a contributing factor for woman and stroke the primary indicator for men • Prevalence over the age of 65: a US survey in 2010 pegged the percentage of those with Alzheimer's at one in eight, or 13% • Denial and defensiveness are common reactions of family members: "For families, it's a real struggle if a mother who was always sweet now wants control over everything and gets angry if she can't get it," according to Lynn Gallagher of Toronto's Family Service Association • Every day 1200 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, according to Alzheimer's Reading Room. Approximately 100 Canadians every day are also diagnosed. • Over 50% of Canadians' lives are affected by Alzheimer's disease • Snoezelen is still regarded as a worthwhile stimulant to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease


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Alzheimer’s Signs and Symptoms: • According to the US National Institutes of Health, memory problems at a young or middle age may indicate a propensity of Alzheimer's disease. People with more memory problems than others may have a condition called amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A higher percentage of people with MCI go on to develop Alzheimer's disease than those without MCI • Brain imaging and biomarker studies can be used to diagnose early stage Alzheimer's in those with MCI or a family history of Alzheimer's. As of 2011, this is an indication of our deepening understanding of the disease and progress toward treatment and a cure. Read more about Alzheimer's signs and symptoms The causes of Alzheimer's disease are still not well understood. But it is thought that the disease arises as a result of a mix of causes that includes genetics, the environment and lifestyle choices. It is thought that Alzheimer's affects aging people more than the rest of the population because of atrophy as well as inflammation and the increased production of free radicals. But as with so much related to this disease, there is still much research needed to fully understand this disease and implement proper prevention, treatment and cures.


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A L ZH EIM ER’S

D IS E ASE

A N D

D EM EN T I A

–

W H AT’S

T H E

D IFFER EN CE?


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Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia – What’s the Difference?

Many people seem to use Alzheimer’s disease and dementia interchangeably, although they are not synonymous. These two terms are similar but they should not be confused with one another. Dementia is a broader term than Alzheimer’s disease. In order to clear up the confusion people might have, let’s take a closer look at the relationship between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Dementia in Relation to Alzheimer’s Disease? According to the Dementia Guide, dementia is the, “impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with a person’s ability to do things which he or she previously was able to do.” In essence, dementia is the slow deterioration of our cognition, consisting of its own signs and symptoms, and is classified as a syndrome rather than a disease. Alzheimer’s disease is one disease of many that can fall under the umbrella of dementia.

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca A L Z H E I M E R ’ S D I S E A S E A N D D E M E N T I A – W H AT ’ S T H E D I F F E R E N C E ?

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Symptoms of Dementia Causes of dementia may include: • Loss of memory • Loss of judgment and reasoning

• History of head trauma

• Changes in mood and behaviour

• Consistently high blood pressure

It’s important to note here that we all experience

• Drug abuse

forgetfulness in our daily lives due to stress and

• Side effects from certain medications

being on the go, and that changes in memory as we age (such as not processing information

• Alcoholism

as quickly as we used to) is quite normal. By

• Thyroid function abnormalities

contrast, dementia is the debilitating loss of memory, decision-making skills, social skills, and overall personality, which is not normal.

• Vitamin B12 deficiencies Just as there are many forms of dementia (which is why dementia is considered an “umbrella term for a variety of brain disorders”), there are many causes of dementia, and Alzheimer’s is known to be one of them.


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What is Alzheimer’s Disease in Relation to Dementia? Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that causes dementia. In fact, it is one of the most common forms of dementia. It not only destroys brain cells, but also causes significant problems with memory, thinking and behaviour severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies SY M P TO M S & CAU S E S O F DEMENTIA · LO S S O F M EM O RY · L O S S O F J U D G M EN T A N D RE ASONING · C H A N G ES I N M O O D A N D B EH AV I O U R

or social life. Over time, Alzheimer’s can drastically affect a person’s inability to take care of themselves as they find they can no longer perform the most basic activities of daily living. In its most severe state, Alzheimer’s can cause a person to forget family members and friends, get lost in familiar places, experience rapid mood swings, and lose the ability to

· H I STO RY O F H E A D T R AU M A

understand basic language.

· C O N S I ST EN T LY H I G H B LO O D PR ES S U R E

On a scientific level, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the

· DRUG ABUSE

appearance of plaques and tangles in the brain. These occur naturally

· S I D E EF F ECTS F R O M C ER TA I N M ED I CAT I O N S

as we age, but there is an abnormal amount shown in people with Alzheimer’s, which interfere dramatically with brain function. Therefore Alzheimer’s is also called, pathological rapidly aging of the brain.

· A LC O H O L I S M

· T H Y R O I D F U N CT I O N A B N O R M A L I T I ES

· V I TA M I N B12 D EF I C I EN C I ES


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The Canadian Alzheimer Society lists these 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s: 1. Memory loss that affects day-to-day function 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks 3. Problems with language 4. Disorientation of time and place 5. Poor or decreased judgment 6. Problems with abstract thinking 7. Misplacing things 8. Changes in mood and behaviour 9. Changes in personality 10. Loss of initiative


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Risk factors include: • Age • Family history and genetics • Female gender • Cardiovascular disease • Diabetes

Treatment There remains no cure for reversing or stopping dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, however there are many treatment options available, ranging from medications to improve the symptoms and cognitive training to improve some areas of cognitive thinking. While the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is not as readily apparent, and while not everyone who may have dementia gets Alzheimer’s disease, it is important as always to seek advice from a health professional to determine your own risk factors and talk about any symptoms or concerns. For more information on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, what to look for and where to get support, please visit: http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/on.


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PR E V EN T

A L ZH EIM ER’S

B EFO R E

IT

SE TS

IN

–

5

S ECR E TS


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Prevent Alzheimer’s Before It Sets In – 5 Secrets BY

JA K E

ROT H

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a degenerative condition through which you lose your memory, thinking, and brain activity. Even if your current cognitive capacities are normal, harm to your brain can start as early as 10 – 20 years before you see any symptoms. There are ways to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease before any signs of it begin to manifest. Here are some of them….

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca PRE VENT AL ZHEIMER’S BEFORE IT SE TS IN – 5 SECRE TS

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“

Tr y t o

consume the right k i n d s o f f a t . Yo u r b r a i n does not do well w it h industrial trans fats, but it does especia lly well w it h O mega-3 oi ls .

1. Diet: Many medical professionals recommend that you eat a Mediterranean diet, which denotes significant amounts of: • Fruits • Vegetables • Fish • Unsaturated fatty acids • Judicious amounts of wine These foods are rich in nutrients that decrease stress on your brain. For example, red wine has high levels of resveratrol, which is packed with antioxidants. Try to consume the right kinds of fat. Your brain does not do well with industrial trans fats, but it does especially well with Omega-3 oils. Your diet or supplements should also include B12, vitamin D, and polyphenol antioxidants, which you will find in fruits and vegetables.


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“

Physica l

act iv it y a llows you r blood to f low more e f f i c i e n t l y, w h i c h

reduces you r r isk of A l z hei mer ’s d isea se.

2. Physical Activity: Physical activity allows your blood to flow more efficiently, which reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Case in point, a lack of exercise may lead to a condition called hypercholesterolemia in which excess cholesterol builds up in your blood. In so doing, it does not allow blood to flow properly to your brain. Exercise can help mitigate this risk!

3. Working Out Your Brain: Placing high demands on your brain can build ‘cognitive reserves.’ In other words, exercising your brain produces efficacious neural networks that are difficult for Alzheimer’s disease to penetrate. Brain games, like crossword puzzles and Sudoku, exert high demands on your cognitive system and keep it in shape! Reading a challenging text, like a Shakespearian play, will keep your mind full of life. Even being socially active can keep your brain busy! One excellent quiz website that you may want to try is Sporcle. It contains over 270 000 free games, but be careful-it can be extremely addicting!


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4. Sleep: Sufficient sleep lets your brain age properly. Indeed, a lack of sleep may allow toxic plaques to form in your brain.

5. Stress: Remembering things is easier when you are relaxed instead of stressed. Researchers have found a relationship between high levels of stress and brain proteins that are conducive to Alzheimer’s disease. Finding ways to manage your stress may decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Make sure that you have time to yourself, time off from work, and a support system (i.e. family and friends) to whom you can openly talk. Yoga is also a great way to relax your mind. While some factors that lead to Alzheimer’s disease may be out of your control, there are multiple lifestyle considerations that may reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease: • Eat well • Exercise your body • Exercise your brain • Get enough sleep • Find time to relax


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H E A LT H Y

E X ERCISE,

H E A LT H Y

B R A IN


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Healthy Exercise, Healthy Brain BY

JA N A

Z A L M A N OWIT Z

M.CL.SC

The body undergoes many changes as we age. As kids, humans typically grow taller, get stronger, and learn. Our brain is made up of little things called neurons, which connect and essentially “talk” to each other to make our brain function. We start out with thousands. At age three we have approximately 15000 neurons. Then by the time we’re adults, we’re down to about half the neurons we were born with. What has happened is that our brain has recognized which areas are being used the most and devoted more of its energy there, cutting back on other areas. As humans age, our thought processes get slower which can have an effect on our language. The words can be harder to find. We need extra time to respond to what is being said. We are slower to respond. The thought of losing half our brain by the time we’re adults is pretty disturbing! So how can we combat our aging brain?

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca H E A LT H Y E X E R C I S E , H E A LT H Y B R A I N

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Recent research is suggesting our brains can change. If you work hard at strengthening the connections you have, not only might they become stronger, you may even build new connections. So put your brain to the test, and add mental exercises to your physical exercise regimen. Build some new connections! Here are some suggestions on how:

• Play word games: Scrabble, Boggle, Scattergories, Catchphrase, Taboo etc. These expand the way you think about letters and words. Notice how after you have played a few rounds you have improved? That’s your brain in action! • Try to learn a new language: Even the act of trying causes your brain to think differently than you normally would, therefore, exercising your brain. • Read! You’ll be exposed to new words, words you may not hear often and will open your brain to new ideas. Reading stimulates thinking. If you usually read one type of book, try another to give your brain that extra challenge. • Try to remember: Ever notice how we no longer remember phone numbers? How we rely on all our gadgets to remind us of things? Take a step back from the gadgets and focus on remembering. Use mnemonic devices like acronyms to help you remember (for example: Never Eat Shredded Wheat…for North, East, South, West). Challenge your brain to be your best gadget.


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IN

PU RSU I T

O F

G O O D

H E A LT H

–

A L ZH EIM ER’S

A N D


D EM EN T I A

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In Pursuit of Good Health – Alzheimer’s and Dementia BY

G R A N T

A N D

D I A N E

H ER N D EN

Much has been written about the need to stimulate your mind with crosswords, Sudoku and card games to ward off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This definitely should be part of your plan to keep your mind sharp but it is not the only strategy you should employ. Some of the best ways to reduce your risk are to exercise, drink tea and get your vitamin D.

Exercise If you engage in moderate to heavy exercise, you can reduce your risk of developing any type of dementia by 40%, with the benefits of exercise lasting well into your 80s. The flip side is not so good. Those with the lowest levels of physical activity were 45% more likely to develop dementia.

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca I N P U R S U I T O F G O O D H E A LT H

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To stay mentally alert and free of dementia, regularly engage in a combination of: • Aerobic activity 3 to 5 times a week that increases your breathing, heart rate and warms you up • Strength training 3 times a week with free weights heavier than you normally would lift • Flexibility exercises 3 to 5 times a week focusing on breathing deeply to enhance the stretch This combination has been shown to have the best neuro-protective effect on brain and cognitive functions. To get you started, try our “Core Exercises Workout For Home or Gym” post.

Vitamin D Being deficient in vitamin D may put you at increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia later in life. Studies show that cognitive impairment is about 42 per cent higher in people who are deficient in vitamin D, and 39% higher in people who are severely deficient. Factors that influence your ability to produce vitamin D include: • Aging – the skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D with age • Limited amount of sunlight – a reality for many people for much of the year • Foods and diets containing inadequate levels of vitamin D So, what do you need to do? Aside from eating foods high in Vitamin D (salmon, tuna, eggs, milk and cheese), you may want to talk your healthcare practitioner about vitamin D supplementation.


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Tea According to researchers from UCLA,

Although green tea has been found to contain

a delicious cup of tea may also provide a boost

compounds that have numerous health benefits,

to your cognitive health. Their findings

this study did not indicate which teas had the

showed that people who drank tea at a variety

best prevention benefits.

of levels showed 17 to 37% less cognitive decline than those who didn’t drink tea

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are

at all. Coffee, however, did not show any effect,

heartbreaking diseases. Keep your mind sharp

pointing out that that the benefits of the tea

with a few simple lifestyle changes.

where unlikely related to caffeine.


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FIN D

T H E

CA R E

YO U

N EED


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Find the Care You Need Alzheimer’s disease is a profoundly difficult problem for a family to deal with. Indeed, watching a loved one deteriorate and completely change is emotionally draining. Thus, if your family member has this debilitating condition you should definitely consider finding professional help, which often refers to an Alzheimer’s home. Over the past decade, Alzheimer’s treatment and research has seen its most impressive improvements. Because technology and innovation have advanced, Alzheimer’s homes, including those that we list on our site, now have better resources to deal with this disease than they have ever had. Canada’s Alzheimer’s homes will provide your family member with twenty-four hour on-site certified nurses and security. You could rest assured knowing that your loved one is safe. Unlike his or her own home, an Alzheimer’s home will be well-equipped to handle the disease’s dangerous symptoms, like wandering. While each home offers different services (and case-dependent services), there exist some commonalities between most Alzheimer’s care facilities. Almost all such homes have supervision for safety, social interaction with other residents, games, and other types of mental activities. Most importantly perhaps, each suite typically contains an emergency communication system.

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca FINANCIAL SECURIT Y FOR SINGLE WOMEN

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Private Care Although you may use public or subsidized retirement homes, paying for specialized Alzheimer’s care would almost certainly be worthwhile. Canada’s healthcare system often faces budget shortages and cuts. On the other hand, private, long-term care facilities offer incredibly comprehensive care that, in many cases, are resplendent with numerous luxuries, like scheduled transportation, personal laundry, and in-suite meals. And, private homes will ensure that you know all about the treatments that your loved one is receiving. They will give you the power of knowledge.

Innovative Therapies New Alzheimer’s therapies continue to emerge. Here are some current innovative treatment and therapy options that your retirement home may attempt:

• Music therapy — Listening to particular songs could be a really powerful tool to remember past experiences. • Light therapy — Just brightening your room’s lights during the day could ameliorate your mood and thought processes. • Socializing — Motti Zelikovitch, director-general at Israel’s Melabev care center, explains that living in a seniors home is ideal for Alzheimer’s patients, as it keeps them socially active. Though you may not remember people in your care home, just talking to others keeps your brain busy!

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca F I N D T H E A L Z H E I M E R ’ S C A R E YO U N E E D

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• Caregivers — A really nice bond between an Alzheimer’s patient and his or her caregiver could also be extremely helpful. Researchers at John Hopkins University and Utah State University found that this relationship may help Alzheimer’s patients retain some their brain function. Many retirement homes have health care on site or allow you to hire home health care. • Brain games and brain gym — They force your mind into activity. The best games for Alzheimer’s patients involve problem solving. Here, Sudoku and other brain puzzles are fantastic options! Comfort Life can help you find the right type of Alzheimer’s and Dementia care. Use our Retirement Home Finder to find a retirement home that will provide you with outstanding Alzheimer’s care. Looking for Alzheimer’s care in your home? Comfort Life can help you find in home care that is right for you.

Canada's Guide to the Best Retirement Communities | www.comfortlife.ca F I N D T H E A L Z H E I M E R ’ S C A R E YO U N E E D

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Get more information on topics related to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia at www.comfortlife.ca You’ll find many resources about Alzheimer's disease and Dementia including these helpful articles:

D EM EN T I A

F I V E

WAYS

PH YS I CA L:

E X ER C I S E

H E A LT H Y

TO

R ED U C E

E X ER C I S E

YO U R

A L Z H EI M ER'S

A N D

B R A I N

TO

R I S K

A N D

K EEP

M EM O RY

F I T N ES S

K EEP

YO U N G

M I N D S

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