Falling for financial scams? It may signal early Alzheimer's disease

Findings from a new USC Dornsife study suggest that when older adults fall for financial scams, it could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers used MRI scans to find that older adults with thinner brain regions linked to memory and decision-making -- areas often affected early in Alzheimer's -- were more likely to be vulnerable to financial scams. The findings offer hope that financial vulnerability could be used as a simple screening tool to help identify early signs of cognitive decline, especially in people over 70.


http://dlvr.it/TCyT2C

It's Not the Person -- It's the Disease

 

Preparing for the Longest Day - Alzheimer's Fundraising

 

From the Alzheimer's Association:

"The Longest Day is the day with the most light — the summer solstice....Thousands of participants from across the world come together to fight the darkness of Alzheimer's through an activity of their choice. Together, they use their creativity and passion to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association."

The Longest Day - Outshine the Darkness of Alzheimer's

#TheLongestDay #ENDALZ

Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors

 Gathered Again has compiled a list of 10 Thanksgiving activities for seniors and those with Alzheimer's or dementia. Included are free downloads of games and coloring pages. 

Find the list here:
 10 Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors to Enjoy (And FREE Printables!) (gatheredagain.com)

Fun Halloween Activities for Seniors

Dementia Who! ( Home - DementiaWho! ) created a list of 10 Halloween Activities for seniors and those with dementia -- complete with detailed instructions for their caregivers.

Ideas range from no-carving pumpkin decorating to Halloween wordsearching to cupcake decorating. 

Find the list here: 10 Fun Halloween Activities for Dementia, Seniors & the Elderly - DementiaWho!

16 WAYS TO ADAPT 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS by Daily Caregiving

 

Whether your seniors like to stay in or go out, Daily Caring-- DailyCaring.com --has suggestions for Independence Day Activities --   16 Ways to Adapt 4th of July Activities for Seniors – DailyCaring

Dementia Patients Working on Farms in Holland

 

Reasons to be Cheerful reports that Holland has hundreds of "care farms" for people facing health challenges. At Boerderij Op Aarde, most of the farm workers have dementia. See the article here: 

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/netherlands-care-farms-aging-dementia-work/

Altzheimer's: It's Not Their Fault

 

Robotic Cats Calm Dementia Patients

Connecticut's The Atrium at Rocky Hill is providing residents with fake kittens that "meow, purr, and even knead like real cats."

"[These pets have] been shown to reduce agitation and improve mood and cognition." 

Read the full article at:
Dementia Patients Respond Eagerly to Lifelike Kittens that Remind Them of Their Pets | The Alzheimer's Site News (greatergood.com)

Reader Reviews

 

Available:
B&N https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/georgette+tarnow?_requestid=1304112

BAM! https://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=7744794963189&query=georgette+tarnow&filter=

Apple https://books.apple.com/us/author/georgette-h-tarnow/id474609614

 

 

 

Is it Possible to Analyze a Person's Typing to Detect Signs of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's?

 

A study from MIT, neuroQWERTY, shows promise in detecting Parkinson's disease through the timing of a patient's keystrokes.
Home | neuroQWERTY (mit.edu)

A discussion of the use of this technique in early detection of  dementia is here:
https://pharmaphorum.com/views-and-analysis/can-your-typing-patterns-reveal-if-you-have-alzheimers/

Retro Furnishings in Dementia Facilities

New Vision wrote an interesting blog a few years ago, Nostalgia Spaces for Dementia Care, discussing the use of vintage furnishings to comfort residents of UK nursing homes and other facilities (http://www.new-vision.co.uk/health/article/nostalgia-spaces-for-dementia-care)

Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers developed the "Town Square" adult day center in the US consisting of 14 vintage storefronts with activities. Rosie's Diner, for example has 1950s decor and food, and a juke box playing music from that era. Other storefronts are a library with period books and a pet shop for Pet Therapy Programs.

(TOWN SQUARE® LOCATIONS – The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc.®)

A Book for Caregivers

 

It's Not the Person -- It's the Disease

 

Early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is affecting more younger Americans

A recent report using the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Index^SM showed the number of people aged 30 to 64 diagnosed with dementia increased 200%. 

The report can be accessed here: https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/early-onset-dementia-alzheimers-disease-affecting-younger-american-adults

 

Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Dementia

 

A recent study in Japan investigated the connection between childhood events and the development of dementia in later life. Having three or more adverse experiences before the age of 18 apparently increases the dementia risk.

The research examined seven risk factors: parental death, divorce, and mental illness; family violence; physical and psychological abuse; and psychological neglect.

The full article can be found here:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2760439

Early Retirement Increases Risk of Developing Dementia

Scientists at Binghamton University tested more than 17,000 people aged 60 and older and found that those who no longer worked outside the home scored significantly more poorly than did those who were still working.

For more information:

https://blog.thealzheimerssite.greatergood.com/early-retirement/?utm_source=ALZ&utm_medium=social-twt&utm_campaign=social-bubbles&utm_content=blog-share

Native Language Impacts Communications Issues in Dementia Patients

 

 

Scientists at UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center and at the Neuroimaging Research Unit and Neurology Unit at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan have discovered that speaking and reading problems in dementia patients vary based on their native languages.

Most dementia research is based on native English speakers. Health care providers need to be aware of this factor when treating patients who do not speak English or have English as a second language.

More information here:

https://blog.thealzheimerssite.greatergood.com/native-tongue/?utm_source=ALZ&utm_medium=social-twt&utm_campaign=social-bubbles&utm_content=blog-share

Advice for Holidays with a Loved One Who Has Dementia

The following articles may help you prepare for the holidays with dementia patients.

https://www.alzheimers.net/12-9-14-dementia-during-holidays/
Good advice, especially "redefine success."

https://blog.northbridgecos.com/2017/12/06/10-tips-caregivers-dementia-holidays
Another article with good ideas, including the possibility to keep the holiday a secret.

https://www.thememorycenter.com/handling-the-holidays-with-a-parent-who-has-dementia/
Tips to minimize stress when caring for aging parents during holidays.

http://blog.aginglifecare.org/blog/making-holidays-loved-one-dementia/
Managing anxiety during festivities.

https://alz.org/help-support/resources/holidays
From the Alzheimer's Association, a helpful list that includes explaining to guests,  before an event. what to expect.

https://www.understandtogether.ie/get-support/living-well-with-dementia/travelling-and-holidays-with-dementia/
Top 10 list of suggestions when traveling with a person who has dementia.

Meet a Woman Who Experiences Joy in Helping Those with Dementia

 

Jael Weinberg is "the life enrichment director and a therapist at Callahan House in Shoreline, one of Aegis Living’s memory care communities." Her creative approach toward the residents, truly improves their lives.

Read more here:  https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/finding-joy-in-enriching-the-lives-of-those-with-dementia/