Differentiating Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Many people use the terms “Alzheimer’s” and “dementia” interchangeably, which would seem to indicate that they are one and the same. However, they are not. These are two different conditions although they do have similarities. Just because a person has dementia does not necessarily mean that they have Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a set of symptoms rather than a specific disease. People may experience forgetfulness, poor judgment, language difficulties, or confusion about time or place. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms and there can be different causes. While Alzheimer’s is one potential cause of dementia, others include vitamin deficiency, drug interactions, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Other forms of dementia include Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Vascular Dementia. Depending on the cause, some of these conditions can be treated and possibly even reversed.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive brain disease that often causes dementia. It has a specific set of symptoms. Though researchers are not entirely sure what causes Alzheimer’s they have found links to abnormal amounts of protein and plaque buildup in the brain. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s. Symptoms include:

• Poor memory and asking the same questions repetitively
• Changes in personality
• Getting lost even in familiar places
• Trouble managing money and responsibilities
•  Poor sense of time

Contrary to what many believe, it is not a normal part of aging. Not everyone develops Alzheimer’s. Unlike dementia which can impact various parts of the brain, Alzheimer’s impairs those parts that control memory, language, and thought.

Coping with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

There are many different ways to support seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is important to have an accurate diagnosis. The doctor can conduct a variety of tests to determine whether cognitive issues and other symptoms are caused by Alzheimer’s or another disease. They may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and help seniors to function more normally and independently. In other cases they may be able to slow the progression or take steps to enhance quality of life.

Hiring an in-home care provider can support seniors in living more safely and comfortably with dementia or Alzheimer’s. They will have someone there to assist with activities of daily living such as managing medication, paying bills, doing light housekeeping, getting into or out of bed each day, preparing meals, or running errands. A caregiver can also be a positive source of socialization and companionship and is trained in responding to symptoms and keeping seniors safe and calm.

If the doctor does diagnose dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another condition, ask for more clarification and additional information for providing effective care. Don’t get confused thinking they are all the same. To learn more about in-home care services, contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville today at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.

Common Safety Hazards in Seniors’ Homes

More seniors are choosing to age in place, but this means their safety within their home is even more critical. The home should allow them to easily navigate and access materials with minimal risk of falling or injury.  According to Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville, in-home care providers can support seniors in living more safely and comfortably, but proper precautions should still be taken. There are several common hazards to be aware of when evaluating your senior’s home:

• Poor lighting: As people age, their vision may decrease making it more difficult to see in dim lighting. This can make them more susceptible to tripping and falling. Replace any burnt out lightbulbs and consider installing motion sensor lights or night lights, especially in hallways or stairwells. Common areas where seniors spend the most time should also be well lit.
• Tripping: Check for any pieces of carpeting or tiling that are loose or damaged. If rugs are used, make sure that they are securely fastened to prevent slipping. Seniors may shuffle their feet, especially if their vision is poor, and this can increase risk of tripping on uneven or slippery surfaces. Also check to make sure there are no cords stretched near walkways and that they are safely tucked out of the way.
• Furniture: It can become more difficult for seniors to get up and down or maintain their balance, so they may rely on furniture for help. While lightweight furniture is easier for them to move, it can be a hazard when shifting from a standing to sitting position or vice versa. Provide sturdy chairs with arms and higher backs for more support.
• Stairs: Tighten up existing handrails or install new ones if they are not already there. Also consider grab bars in the bathroom to assist with stepping over the side of the bathtub.
• Slippery surfaces: The bathtub and tiled floors can become slippery and dangerous, especially with condensation buildup. Use non-slip mats to provide more durable surfaces for standing and walking on. Encourage your senior to wear sneakers, slippers, or socks that fit snugly and have non-slip bottoms to further reduce fall risk.
• Clutter: Try to keep your senior’s home organized and remove any clutter that could fall or be a tripping hazard. Ensure walkways are clear and wide enough for easy navigating. Make items on shelves more easily visible and accessible. Put commonly used items where they are within reach to minimize reaching and stooping.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Check the detectors in your senior’s home every six months or as soon as there is an indication that a battery is dying. Smoke detectors should be installed in each bedroom and in common areas throughout the home. If your senior has hearing problems, consider alarms that also have flashing lights for increased awareness.

Conduct periodic checks for any potential hazards in your senior’s home and observe how well they are able to get around and tend to basic tasks. An in-home caregiver can assist your senior with many daily activities and help improve their safety and wellbeing. They can also notify you of any concerns that may arise. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit our website to learn more about how senior services can benefit your loved one.

4 Ways your Senior Can Benefit from Volunteering

While many people volunteer to assist seniors, there are also many seniors in the Hendersonville area who are active volunteers. Volunteering is something that can be done at any age and there are always organizations looking for help. Getting seniors involved not only gives back to the community and benefits others, but it also benefits them as well.

1. Gives a sense of purpose. After retirement sometimes seniors aren’t sure what to do with themselves. They have lost a lot of the structure to their schedule and find themselves with more free time. Volunteering can give them something to look forward to and they can take pride in knowing that they are helping others and making a positive difference. Help them to find an organization that is meaningful where they can put their skills to use. Feeling a connection to the work can be even more motivation.

2. Offers socialization. One concern that many families have about their elderly parents is worry about them being isolated. Spending too much time alone can contribute to depression as well. By getting out and volunteering they will meet others and make new friends. They can engage in stimulating conversation and simply enjoy the company. They may even find others who they share common interests with and can spend time with outside of volunteering.

3. Encourages mental sharpness. Volunteering can help to keep your senior more mentally alert. They are exercising different parts of their brain for organization, problem solving, planning, critical thinking, and other requirements of their volunteer work. They may have to think about and do things out of their normal routine. It also helps them to stay more mentally engaged and can promote self-esteem and confidence as they see the difference they are making.

4. Promotes physical activity. Volunteering allows your senior to get up and get moving. Even if they have physical limitations, they can most likely find a role that fits with their capabilities. They are not only working their gross motor skills but their fine motor skills as well. Staying active can help to reduce pain and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Explore different options available in the Asheville community and discover what would align with your senior’s interests and abilities. Encourage them to try different things until they find an activity that they like. For more options for companionship and outings, as well as assistance with activities around the home, consider in-home care through Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville. We can tailor our services to fit your senior’s needs. Contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.

4 Ways Grandparents Can Empower Grandchildren

The relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents is a quite remarkable thing. Growing kids often love spending weekends and summertime holidays with their grandparents, and the number of things that children learn from these seniors is vast. As we celebrate National Grandparents Day on the eighth of this month, let's look at some of the ways in which senior care professionals have noted that grandparents are able to empower their grandchildren.

1. Giving children the gift of self-confidence. Few people love as unconditionally as grandparents—and few people need such love as today's growing youth. Self-esteem is often a problem with kids who aren't sure about their place in the world or who feel as though they may or may not quite fit in with their peers. A grandparent's love and encouragement, though, can help grandchildren understand their individual worth and recognize that they are loved—and worthy of being loved. 
2. Teaching children about their heritage. Cultural roots are strong in many families, and it is important for kids to understand where their ancestors came from in order to truly embrace the traditions that their loved ones follow. Giving children a sense of belonging by explaining their heritage can empower them to learn more and forge a stronger personal identity.  
3. Exposing children to new ideas and challenging them to overcome difficulties. New ideas are thrown at kids each and every day, as they fight to overcome peer pressure and try to determine what is and isn't valuable with regard to the messages promoted by modern media. But in all this there are a few key ideas that are often overlooked, including compassion, kindness, and empathy. Grandchildren are certain to encounter challenges as they grow, but with these and other ideas instilled in them they can better navigate the world with sensitivity and a keen understanding of the experiences of others. 
4. Encouraging children to embrace their talents. From art to dance to music, children have a wide range of talents that allow them to express themselves and improve their confidence. But it is important that kids know it is a good thing to do so. For those grandchildren who may not fit the mold into which some people may want to put them (i.e. girls wanting to play hockey instead of dance) it can be difficult. By encouraging their grandchildren, grandparents can help them see that all of their talents are valuable and should be explored.

Protecting Your Senior against Scams

Seniors are, unfortunately, targeted by con artists, thieves, and other criminals with scams on a regular basis. It seems as though there is always a new approach to trying to take advantage of elderly individuals—and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest methods employed by these dishonest fraudsters. To help you protect your senior, elder care professionals at the National Council on Aging have compiled the following list of scams for which you should be on the lookout.1

1. Fraud: Senior care professionals warn that fraud is among the most prevalent of these cons, as it can take many shapes and forms. Medicare and insurance fraud occur when individuals pretend to be associated with healthcare organizations and gather sensitive information from seniors. Additionally, con artists may try to get seniors to buy into fraudulent anti-aging products, such as fake Botox. Finally, Internet fraud occurs when software steals personal information, such as financial and other details. 
2. Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals: These scams normally take place online, where individuals are lured in by low prices and are provided pills that are not what they are said to be. 
3. Funeral Scams: This type of con can take place in two ways. The first is the scammer taking advantage of widows and widowers by claiming the deceased owed them money. The second is the unethical practice of adding to the bills of families who are unfamiliar with the funeral process. 
4. Telemarketing: There are several scams that occur over the phone, as seniors are more likely to conduct purchases this way than other generations. It is important to encourage your elderly loved one not to make a donation or purchase over the phone without researching the cause first. 
5. Investment Schemes: These scams take advantage of the need for seniors to save for retirement by encouraging them to invest in businesses and other initiatives, such as pyramid schemes.  
6. The Grandparent Scam: In this situation, individuals call seniors and ask something akin to, "Hello Grandpa, do you know who this is?" When the senior names a name, scammers adopt that identity and ask for money. 

Unfortunately, these are just a few of the many scams out there right now. It is a good idea to do a bit of research to keep your senior protected against con artists.
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1 http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/economic-security-Initiative/savvy-saving-seniors/top-10-scams-targeting.html

Stroke: How Can It Impact Memory?

By Jim Smeaton

The home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that a stroke can impact your elderly loved one in numerous ways. In fact, the location and severity of your senior's stroke can result in a wide range of lasting side effects. Memory impairment is one of the most common effects of a stroke, but this interruption in memory can manifest in several different ways. Here are a few key pieces of information to remember if your elderly loved one has recently suffered from a stroke and you suspect that memory loss has take hold because of it.[1]

Different Types of Memory Loss

When it comes to memory loss, it is important to note that not all types of this cognitive disruption are alike. In fact, there are several different kinds of memory loss associated with stroke. Depending upon where the stroke occurred and how severe it was, your elderly loved one may experience difficulty with verbal, visual, or informational memory. Additionally, they may suffer from vascular dementia, which is a general and oftentimes progressive decline in cognitive function that spans more than one type of memory.

Exhibiting Different Symptoms

While memory loss may seem like it would impact your senior in a certain way, there are even more symptoms than types of memory loss that might result from a stroke. Confusion is a very common symptom, as well as short-term memory loss. Additionally, your elderly loved one might start to wander, might get lost in places with which they are familiar, may have a difficult time following simple instructions, or might begin facing challenges regarding money management and transactions.

Exacerbating the Condition

Memory loss that is sparked by a stroke or other condition can be devastating, but it is important to remember that there are environmental and other elements that can make this cognitive impairment worse. Certain medications can cause memory loss to strengthen in severity. Additionally, the use of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs can make memory loss more severe. Finally, sleep deprivation, stress, nutritional deficiency, and depression can also contribute to the exacerbation of memory loss. In addition, these issues can cause a loss of memory, so it is important to determine whether or not your elderly loved one's cognitive impairment is caused by the stroke or by their state following this event.

The elder care professionals at Always Best Care of WesternNC encourage you to learn more about the side effects of stroke, including memory loss, to best care for your loved one.

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[1] http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=memory

Four Steps to Successful Medication Management

Medication management is a very important responsibility. As a caregiver, you must ensure that your elderly loved one takes the right medication, in the right dose, at the right time each and every day. This can become an overwhelming task—especially if your senior has a variety of prescriptions. Although it is a big undertaking, successful medication management does not have to be too complicated.
In fact, simplifying the process is the best way to ensure that you succeed in providing the quality medication management that your loved one deserves. Here are four ways to make this task easier and more successful.

1. Fill all medications at the same pharmacy. Building a relationship with the pharmacist will allow you to feel comfortable asking any questions that may arise. Furthermore, your pharmacist may be able to catch incompatible prescriptions before your loved one begins taking the latest medication recommended by their doctor. Because seniors often have a variety of doctors on their side, this is an incredibly important aspect of proper medication management.
2. Keep all of the literature about your elderly loved one’s medications in one, easy to access location. With this bundle of literature, keep any notes that you take while speaking to the doctor or pharmacist.
3. Go with your senior to the doctor’s office if they are comfortable with you doing so. When a new medication is prescribed, ask the doctor any questions that both you and your loved one may have. By the time you leave the office, you should both understand why the medicine was prescribed, its intended effect, possible side effects, and how soon it should start working.
4. Maintain a list of all of the medications your elderly loved one is taking and when they are to be administered. Include the proper dosages. Additionally, mark each time you give your senior their prescription on a calendar or in a notepad so that you can document when they took each medication.

As you manage your senior’s medication, remember to monitor your loved one for any side effects or adverse reactions. Keen observation paired with these four tips will help you manage your loved one’s medication successfully.

Seven Tips for Fall Prevention

Falling causes an alarming number of injuries for elderly individuals each year. From tripping over rugs to stumbling over clutter in the walkway, seniors can fall due to a long list of hazards.  At Always Best Care of Western NC, which serves Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, senior care professionals encourage families to protect their loved ones against such hazards.

Accidents happen; this is a fact that cannot, in many cases, be avoided. Despite this fact, there are many instances in which fall prevention can keep your elderly loved one from sustaining painful and, in severe cases, fatal injuries.  The following seven tips will help you protect your senior against falls and the harm that they can cause:

• Clean your elderly loved one’s home. Seniors commonly fall after tripping over a misplaced object, such as a pair of shoes left in the walkway.  By cleaning up each day, you can maintain a safe and tidy environment that offers clear walkways to your elderly loved one.
• Examine the flooring of your senior’s home for any damage.  Cracked tiles, loose floorboards, and ripped carpet can cause them to trip and fall.  Should you find any warping, tearing, breaking, cracking, or other damage, fix it as soon as possible.  While doing so, make sure that all rugs are secured to the floor with double sided tape and that their ends lie flat.
• Ask your senior and their doctor if they would benefit from a cane, walker, or other mobility aid. Make sure that the equipment your elderly loved one uses is the right size and in good repair.
• Move any cords that are strung across walkways or in other hazardous areas. In some cases, this may require moving the furniture so that televisions, DVD players, and other electronics are closer to electrical outlets. You may also consider running them overhead if your senior does not want the furniture moved or if there are no other options.
• Install safety equipment, such as grab bars, bath chairs, non-skid mats in bathtubs and showers, and handrails along stairways.
• Keep stairways, hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms well lit. Additionally, have your senior’s vision checked annually to ensure that they can see any obstacles in their path.
• Have your senior wear slippers or shoes that have non-skid soles instead of just wearing socks.

At Always Best Care of Western NC, professional home care providers help families create safe environments for their seniors. If you need assistance making your loved one’s home a bit safer, do not hesitate to reach out to professionals for help.

Senior Care Asheville : Nutrition and Memory - Enhancing Cognitive Function through Diet

By Jim Smeaton
When it comes to food when providing senior care, it is important that seniors look at their meal plan like fuel; the food that your elderly loved one eats is what will allow their body to function properly. While a healthy diet cannot guarantee overall wellbeing, it is certain that a body that has access to the right vitamins and nutrients will be better able to maintain a higher degree of health. Surprisingly to some, this idea extends well beyond the physical and into the mental. The home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, providing Senior Care in Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, explain that, when it comes to keeping cognitive function—and, by extension, memory—as sharp as possible, it is important that elderly individuals stick to a healthy diet.

Here are some of the ways in which you can make certain that your loved one gets the nutrition they need to keep their memories on point:[1]  

1. Make sure that your senior does not skip meals. It can be quite easy for individuals who do not have home care providers to overlook eating, particularly if they have memory loss, if they are very busy, or if they have a difficult time preparing meals. Skipping meals can deprive the body of the calories, vitamins, and minerals it needs to function properly, and as such it can lead to decreased activity in terms of cognitive function and memory.
2. Refrain from completely cutting carbs out of your loved one's diet. Weight gain is a concern for many individuals as they age, so your senior may be watching the carbs that they eat in order to manage their weight. But the truth is that the body needs carbohydrates to function properly, as these foods turn into glucose during the digestion process—and glucose is what fuels the cells in the brain. Instead of cutting carbohydrates completely, help your senior choose complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, instead of processed, simple carbs.
3. Don't restrict caloric intake too drastically. While it is true that individuals of all ages need to monitor their consumption of calories, it is also true that they need these calories to fuel their bodies—and to keep the brain running. If too few calories are consumed individuals may experience short-term memory loss.

The elder care professionals at Always Best Care of WesternNC understand that keeping your loved one's memory sharp is a priority. As such, these senior care providers encourage you to keep these tips in mind when helping your loved one create a weekly meal plan.

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[1] http://voices.yahoo.com/how-nutrition-affects-memory-2356812.html

Senior Care in Hendersonville: Improving Memory - How to Help Your Senior

By Jim Smeaton

Memory loss is a natural part of the aging process, but this doesn't mean that it is easy to cope with. Furthermore, there are actually a few things that seniors can do to stave off memory loss and strengthen their ability to make and recall new memories. The home care professionals at AlwaysBest Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, encourage you to assist your elderly loved one in the following ways:[1]

•  Challenging Mental Capabilities: Basically, the brain needs to be used in order to keep cognitive function (including memory) as strong as possible. By engaging in new, fun mental activities, your senior can strengthen their memory while learning new ideas and having a great time. Some wonderful tasks your loved one may be interested in include learning a new language, playing an instrument, or putting together a challenging puzzle.
• Getting Enough Sleep and Exercise: The brain is a physical part of the body, and as such it is important that your elderly loved one takes care of their body in order to best maintain the strength of their brain. Sleep is important, as it provides a time for the body to recover and rejuvenate after a long day. Additionally, exercise creates a healthy body that allows the brain to work optimally.
• Eating a Well-Rounded Diet: "Brain food" is a term that applies to the items that support healthy mental activity. Omega 3s, green tea, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates all encourage brain health and stimulate mental function (which includes memory). In addition to adding these substances to your loved one's diet, limit the consumption of saturated fats and calories (within a healthy range).
• Encouraging Social Activity: Interaction with other people is key in keeping the mind sharp. Social activities allow your loved one to interact with individuals who share their interests while creating meaningful relationships. Laughter, which is beneficial to brain health because it stimulates so many areas of this organ at once, is often a side effect of a fun social gathering.

The home care professionals at Always Best Care of WesternNC  also recommend limiting stress levels, as long-term stress can cause damage to the cells in the brain as well as the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. These elder care providers encourage you to reach out to professionals if you need assistance creating a memory improvement plan for your loved one.

Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.

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[1] http://www.helpguide.org/life/improving_memory.htm

Parkinson's Disease in Hendersonville: How Does It Impact Memory?

By Jim Smeaton

When dealing with elder care and senior care in Hendersonville, we see that elderly individuals who suffer from Parkinson's disease experience a long list of symptoms. Categorized as a progressive movement disorder, this condition is characterized by rigidity, postural instability, tremor, and bradykinesia.[1] Because of this, the elder care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that many individuals are surprised to hear that memory loss, as well as other damage to cognitive function, is also associated with this condition. While this news may be unexpected, it makes sense when you consider the fact that the brain controls both movement and cognitive activity. As such, it is understandable that changes in the brain due to Parkinson's disease can have an impact on the memory of a senior.

Here are a few key points to consider regarding the role of Parkinson's disease in memory loss and how it might affect your elderly loved one if they have this condition:[2]

1. An estimated 50 percent of the seniors who suffer from Parkinson's disease also experience memory loss.
2. The changes that take place in the brain due to Parkinson's disease can cause the organ to work less efficiently, which can result in difficulty recalling memories and performing other cognitive functions, such as thinking.
3. Seniors who have Parkinson's disease can experience a higher degree of cognitive impairment, including memory loss, if they also suffer from depression, are under a great deal of stress, or are taking certain medications.
4. Memories require several processes in terms of storage and recollection; the brain must first record or encode a memory and then store it and then recall it when an individual thinks about it. Parkinson's disease keeps the organ from accurately retaining information or organizing it effectively once it is stored. As a result, recollection can prove incredibly difficult in seniors who have this condition. Think about it this way: the brains of individuals who have Parkinson's disease may be trying to locate a memory that is not properly stored, which is similar to trying to find a specific file without an organizational system.
5. Prospective memory, or the ability to follow through with planned activities, is another aspect of cognitive function that is frequently disrupted by Parkinson's disease. 

The home care providers at Always Best Care of Western NC understand that coping with the memory loss associated with Parkinson's disease is not easy for seniors or their caregivers; however, understanding why this cognitive interruption is taking place may make the process a bit easier.

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[1] http://www.pdf.org/en/about_pd

[2] http://www.pdf.org/en/cognitive_impairment_pd