Loved Ones May Notice Signs of Alzheimer's Disease During the Holidays

The holidays are times for family members to gather from near and far to celebrate the season. Often this may be the only time all year that families get together. Family members may begin to notice subtle changes in loved ones that might not have been visible the year before.

What to Look For: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

Everyone forgets a name or misplaces keys occasionally, and many healthy people are less able to remember certain kinds of information as they get older. But the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are much more severe than simple memory lapses. People with Alzheimer's experience difficulties communicating, thinking, reasoning and learning—problems severe enough to have an impact on an individual's work, social activities and family life. Here are some signs that might be of concern:

1. Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later. What's normal: Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
   
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game. What's normal: Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.
   
3. Problems with language. People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. For example, they may be unable to find the toothbrush and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth." What's normal: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
   
4. Disorientation to time and place. People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home. What's normal: Forgetting the day of the week or walking into another room and forgetting why you went there.
   
5. Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer's may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money. What's normal: Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.
   
6. Problems with abstract thinking. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used.  What's normal: Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
   
7. Misplacing things. A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places, such as an iron in the freezer or wristwatch in the sugar bowl. What's normal: Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
   
8. Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings—from calm to tears to anger—for no apparent reason. What's normal: Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
   
9. Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependant on a family member. What's normal: People's personalities do change somewhat with age. They may become less flexible or reluctant to try new things; however, normal changes are not generally dramatic.
   
10. Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer's may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities. What's normal: Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.

If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, you should consulting a doctor. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and support services.
This information is from the U.S. Alzheimer's Association, whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

For More Information
For local resources and more information about Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that cause cognitive impairment, go to the website of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Alzheimer Society of Canada provides support, information and education to people with Alzheimer's disease, families, physicians and health-care providers. The Society identifies, develops and facilitates national priorities that enable its members to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's and related diseases, promotes research, and leads the search for a cure.

10 Ways to Achieve a Healthy, Happy New Year

The International Council on Active Aging reminds us that increasing our level of activity can help every senior, no matter what their physical or mental capabilities.

When we cry out "Happy New Year!" we mean it! Everyone wants to be happy in the new year. As we grow older, we better understand that happiness stems less from material possessions and more from health, good relationships, and fulfilling activities which keep us engaged in life. In fact, according to many polls, losing their health is the greatest worry of seniors.
You can take action to have both health and happiness in the new year. Get active. Not just physically active, but intellectually and socially active, too. You'll feel better, improve your health and attitude, and keep your brain working.
Each year the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) of Vancouver searches current research by a skilled group of experts in successful aging to find studies most pertinent to an active aging lifestyle. Use this key message to create a "Get Active" plan for the year!
Plan to be Active in 2011
Get out the calendar and schedule 15 minutes each day for the next four days to plan how you'll get started. Plan on trying these activities over the next months; don't do everything at once. Get a friend to join in and keep you motivated. Work on all of the 10 ways to get active; each will bring you a year's worth of rewards.

1. Invest in a good pair of shoes. When your feet are happy, so are you. Foot pain is not a normal part of the aging process. If you have pain in your feet, see a podiatrist (foot doctor). Comfortable, well-fitting shoes and socks are a must and worth the investment.
   
2. Play games. Games keep your brain working and cognitive skills healthy. Plus, it's a fun way to spend time with others. Trivia, math, memory—there is a game for most personalities. You can be competitive or challenge yourself. There are many free games on the internet, along with sources for those you can purchase.
   
3. Take a walk. Walk around the block, walk to the store, walk a mile. Walking improves lower body strength, maintains mobility, and helps prevent cognitive decline. Research studies have shown that two short walks a day can be as good as a single, longer stroll. Need a "personal coach"? Get a dog and walk it at least twice a day. Once you are walking well, increase your speed and distance.
   
4. Stand on one leg. Actually, you will work up to standing on one leg by performing balance exercises. Good balance helps you with everyday activities, like reaching into a cupboard, and avoiding falls. When you have confidence in your balance skills, you also have confidence to walk outside or visit a museum. Many exercise classes designed for older adults also incorporate balance training. For example, tai chi is gaining a lot of attention for improving balance.
   
5. Visit an eye doctor. Failing eyesight is not a given as we age. One recent study reported that much of the vision impairment in a large group of people over 60 years old could be improved with corrective lenses. An optometrist can prescribe the best plan for your eyes.
   
6. Increase your physical activity.  Make opportunities for activity, like a weekly walking date with a neighbor or friend. Remember that physical activity includes housework or yardwork, walking to the store, and playing ball with the neighbor kids. Join a wellness center, community center or a health club that is geared to your interests. (Find a likely place by reading "How to select an age-friendly fitness facility" and "How to choose an age-friendly personal trainer" on the ICAA website.)
   
7. Seek out your friends, family and neighbors. Social connections are good for your emotional well-being. Studies have shown that friendships and a vibrant social support network not only prevent loneliness, but also provide a ready source of intellectual, physical and volunteer activities. Data even suggests that people with a strong social network lower their risk of Alzheimer's disease.
   
8. Eat fruits and vegetables. Switch to a Mediterranean diet (emphasizing fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, some fish and moderate alcohol, and limiting dairy and meat) and you can lower your body weight and cholesterol levels. People who eat a balanced, plant-based diet don't worry much about counting calories, and gain many vitamins and minerals. You can find fruits and vegetables fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and juiced.
   
9. Laugh a lot. Laughing increases circulation, immune system defenses and mental functioning while decreasing stress hormones. Watch comedies or read a humor book and the comics.
   
10. Get enough sleep. When life gets hectic, adequate sleep seems to fall by the wayside. Don't let it go. Get your seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Insomnia affects almost half of adults 60 years and older, making it the most common sleep complaint. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, make a few changes in your habits, such as skipping daytime naps, adopting a nighttime routine, and starting a regular exercise program. Changing your habits is more successful at improving sleep than taking medications.

Did you notice that virtually every activity improves your mental health and reduces the risk of dementia? By increasing your levels of physical activity, social interaction and intellectual engagement, your New Year plan of activities will increase your health and happiness.

The International Council on Active Aging is the world's largest membership association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. Visit the ICAA consumer resources website to find information about empowering baby boomers and older seniors to improve quality of life and maintain dignity.

Holiday Season Can Be an Excellent Time to Assess a Senior's Home

Is Mom's Home Ready For Winter?

Holiday Season Can Be an Excellent Time to Assess a Senior's Home 
As the holiday season approaches, families should set aside time to discuss livability issues and determine what steps, if any, should be taken to improve a senior loved one's home environment in preparation for winter.

Older homeowners, for instance, are perhaps the least likely to take on a "home modification" project. Yet they are the ones who could most benefit from upgrades and improvements that can make a home more energy-efficient and free of the physical barriers that cause injuries and falls.
"People of all ages value their ability to live independently. But without a plan for aging in place, it can be hard to stay in control of your life," said Peter Bell, President of the U.S. National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC). "Knowing your health risks and financial options can make a big difference in your ability to stay in a familiar place."

Besides home modifications, family members should assess whether a parent needs outside assistance with financial planning and budgeting, in-home healthcare and chore services, transportation and meal services, or supplemental income from a reverse mortgage. The NAIPC's website features A Guide to Aging in Place, with online information about home modifications and innovative adaptive devices.

This material is adapted from the U.S. National Aging In Place Council, which serves as an ongoing forum for professionals from the private, public and non-profit sectors and businesses to work together to promote aging in place. Coalition members include skilled persons from a wide variety of fields, including remodeling, architecture, interior design, financing, elder law, product design and manufacturing, urban planning, social services, health, and others.

To learn more about home safety for seniors…
The Public Health Agency of Canada offers the online booklet The Safe Living Guide: A Guide to Home Safety for Seniors, which offers suggestions for making your loved one’s home a safer, more environment for healthy aging.

Time, Money and Distance: the Story of Boomers on Call

Call it being a caregiver, parenting your parents, or just being "on call." A new Investors Group poll reveals that Canada's baby boomers are devoting their time, their money and racking up the mileage to help their aging parents with everything from a drive to the doctor's office to making financial and health decisions.

According to a national survey of Canadians 43 to 63 years of age, 69% still have at least one living parent or parent-in-law. Among this group, 35% report they are providing care in one form or another for aging parents. Specifically, these caregiving boomers are travelling a monthly average of 225 km and devoting the equivalent of a work week (42 hours) each month to provide support on a variety of fronts. In addition to these commitments, 39% of caregivers are also providing financial assistance to their parents. The price tag: an average of $498 per month.
"Taking care of your parents is nothing new, but we are definitely seeing its effect on boomers' resources as they approach retirement," said Jane Olshewski, Manager, Financial Life Planning at Investors Group. "As this group and their parents grow older, more and more boomers will need to learn how to cope with these duties."

It's not about the money
Although some caregiving boomers are spending an average of nearly $6,000 per year on their parents, financial support is only one of the responsibilities that boomers have taken on to support their parents. According to the poll, everyday activities such as companionship (65%), transportation to appointments or social events (64%), home maintenance (56%) and household chores (55%) mingle with weightier matters like help with their parents' banking and investment activities or financial decision-making (61%) and ensuring that their healthcare needs are met (55%).
Time-crunch
Only 9% of caregivers identify their financial commitments to their parents as a source of stress. In fact, nearly half say it makes them feel very good to provide this support and two-thirds feel like they're repaying their parents for the time and effort that went into their own upbringing.
Instead of a money crunch, the poll found that caregiving boomers consider the demands on their time and emotional resources to be more stressful. 40% identify their parents' demands on their time as a strain, which may not be surprising since 32% of caregivers say their responsibilities result in lost time at work.
Among those providing help to their parents, roughly a third are also parents themselves. Many of these "sandwich" boomers describe these combined duties as a source of additional stress.
"Our research shows that boomers don't mind making these sacrifices, but many people may not be prepared for the volume or the emotional weight of these responsibilities," said Olshewski.
It's all worth it, say caregivers
Despite giving up a portion of their incomes, emotional energy and personal and work time, the poll shows that to most caregiving boomers, the benefits of being on call have proved invaluable.
More than half agree that their relationships with their parents have improved and their connection as a family has strengthened as a result of their responsibilities. And 60% say they spend more quality time together than they would have otherwise.
It takes a village
To cope with these challenges, the poll found that boomers are finding support in their own networks. Only 22% are going it alone; nearly three-quarters share the load with their spouses, siblings or other family members. The poll also reveals that while women are more likely to provide help to their parents, they're not shouldering the entire load. Of those boomers assisting their parents, 46% per cent of caregivers are men and 54% are women—suggesting that men and women are taking on near-equal responsibilities.
"Caring for your parents appears to be a trade-off—you're giving, but you're also getting back," said Olshewski. "At the same time, it's important to try for a sense of balance, so that you're not sacrificing your own priorities in the long term."
Source: Investors Group, a national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians through a network of approximately 4,600 consultants located throughout Canada.





Not Everyone Has Found Balance While Providing Care
Providing care to someone you love is truly rewarding, but can also be overwhelming. Many families do feel stress and anxiety as they continuously deal with ever-changing health care needs. It is important to understand the challenges you are facing and ensure that some level of balance is obtained with work, family, and caring for your loved one. If you haven't found that balance yet, your family may need some additional support.
The right team of home care professionals will be able to anticipate the needs of your loved one and help make decisions on issues before they become a crisis. This proactive approach saves lives, reduces stress and provides peace of mind to the whole family.
With a proper Home Care Service Package in place, a plan of care that makes sense for you and your loved one can be arranged. By receiving some support with your busy schedule, your stress can be minimized and critical health issues can be dealt with proactively. It is important to find balance and peace of mind—for you, as much as for your loved one.

Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Parents

Discussing important and very private issues with loved ones who are growing older can be a challenge. Preparing ahead of time can sometimes mean the difference between life and death; however, studies show that few families have these types of conversations until a major event occurs—a sudden health crisis, the loss of a spouse, or even a holiday visit by children during which it becomes apparent that Mom or Dad is having trouble with normal daily activities. Waiting until a crisis occurs is not a good planning strategy. Although it is critical to bring up these subjects before a crisis arises, you should keep it casual, and don't overwhelm Mom and Dad; let them feel your love and concern.  And remember: helping your parents to plan for the future is not only important for their well-being as they age, but it will make a difference in your financial, emotional and physical health as well.



Topics to think about and discuss as a family:

• Living options—Do your parents want to stay in their current home as long as possible? Or are they considering "downsizing" or moving to a senior living community? Discuss what they would prefer if they were to experience a decline in health and need greater assistance with their daily activities.  Whatever their choices, help them find options.  What home care services are available? What options do they have for assisted living? 
• Home modifications—Is your parents’ home keeping up with their needs? What repairs and modifications could make their house, apartment or condominium safer and more convenient?  From non-slip stair coverings to curbless shower stalls, find out how to improve their home so they can safely age in place.
  
• Fall prevention—Especially if they have already experienced falls, many older adults are reluctant to discuss this topic. But did you know that fall protection is actually an important part of planning for the future? Falls are one of the leading causes of incapacity…and this is one risk factor for incapacity that we can take proactive steps to avoid.  Conduct regular home safety inspections to identify areas of high risk in the home, and make changes where necessary. 
  
• Advance care planning—Have your parents completed advance directives for healthcare, including a healthcare power of attorney and living will? Have you discussed with them what their wishes are if they were to be incapacitated and unable to make their own healthcare decisions?  There are free publications on Advance Care Planning across Canada that can guide them through these decisions.
  
• Government subsidies—Are your parents taking advantage of all the benefits available to them? The government offers basic subsidies for some healthcare products, home care services, and residential long term care. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional for information on subsidies in your area. Where subsidies end, there are private companies that help supplement the level of care you are receiving. Research all your options ahead of time.
  
• A plan to stay physically active—Study after study shows that regular physical activity is the most important contributor to healthy aging. No matter what a person's condition, adding exercise is of benefit. Encourage your loved ones to add more exercise to their lifestyle.
  
• A goal to remain socially connected—Meaningful social interaction is vital to the physical, emotional and intellectual health of people of every age. Recent studies show that seniors who socialize not only with family members but also with other groups have better emotional, intellectual and physical health.  Contact your local Seniors’ Centres for a list of activities that your parents will enjoy.
  
• Estate planning—Do your parents have an up-to-date will? If their plan is to pass property to family members, have they talked to a financial advisor about the best way to do that?  How can their assets help provide for their care in case of a decline in health or incapacity? It is important to speak with a professional, and ensure that it is reviewed regularly.
  
• Avoiding crime and fraud—Unfortunately, criminals and con artists often target vulnerable seniors. Scams and unethical sales methods aimed at older people can cause serious financial loss. Seniors who have been victimized are often ashamed to discuss the incident. So bring up the subject and educate yourself and your parents.

These topics are intended to provide a framework for people who would like to speak to their aging parents about planning for the future.  If the "teamwork" aspect isn’t working as well as you'd like, consider adding outside members to the team. Perhaps a known healthcare provider, physician, financial planner or even a trusted family friend can provide valuable help and guidance.