82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

82 Year Old Man Missing From Adult Foster Care Facility Is Found Safe

Locally, the news reported a story about a man who is 82 years old, has a diagnosis of dementia, and went missing on Monday. He lives at an adult foster care home and was last seen leaving the facility with a visitor. For the past two days, it has not been known where he was, if he was receiving the medications he requires for his other medical concerns, or if his life was in danger.

The good news? He was found safe today near Chicago and has been receiving care there. I don't know the rest of the story, but I do know it's great to hear that he's been located and is safe.

This story serves as a reminder about a couple of things:

• If you are taking a friend or family member out of a facility or away from his home, remember to communicate these plans with those responsible for caring for him. Many facilities have a sign-out sheet to document if a resident is on a leave of absence.

• Additionally, about 60% of people with dementia will wander at some time as their disease progresses. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia, she is at risk.

Although this latest incident with the missing man was not due to wandering away, many cases are. So, here are some helpful tips on that note:

• Practical and Effective Tips to Prevent Wandering
• How to Respond to Attempts to Wander (Also thought of as: "Help! My dad is trying to leave.")
• How to Search for a Missing Loved One with Dementia

If you have any other tips or strategies, feel free to share them here.

US Government Announces 130 Million for Alzheimers Research Over Next 2 Years

We took a big step today in the fight against Alzheimer's. The Obama administration announced that they are making $50 million available this year for Alzheimer's research, and an additional $80 million for next year. This research, among other things, will include work on targeting specific genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer's as well as work on developing and testing drugs through increased clinical trials.

The government also promised $26 million in caregiver support, healthcare training and public awareness.

One criticism previously levied against the draft of the National Alzheimer's Plan was that funding was not indicated or promised anywhere. The step taken today is a small victory and one step forward in our goal of effectively treating and preventing Alzheimer's and other related dementias.

Mental Exercise in Early Middle Years Reduced Brain Plaques Later in Life

Think you're too young to try to prevent Alzheimer's disease? Think again.

The latest research published in the Archives of Neurology journal concludes (as have other studies) that brain exercise is an important tool in reducing your risk of Alzheimer's. But this time, researchers looked at the level of mental exercise in early and middle life as self-reported by 65 participants with an average age of 76. They found that individuals who reported an active cognitive lifestyle (defined by reading, writing and playing games) in their early and middle years displayed fewer beta-amyloid deposits on current PET scans. Beta-amyloid deposits are found in abundance in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and are a main component of amyloid plaques, one of the diagnostic hallmarks of the disease. Interestingly, no correlation was found with current mental activity and beta-amyloid deposits.

Most of the other research up to now has connected current mental fitness and activity levels with the absence of symptoms of Alzheimer's. This new research is significant in two ways:

• It correlates brain exercise in the early and middle years of life with outcomes later in life.
• It demonstrates a reduction in the physiological development of brain plaques that accompany Alzheimer's disease.

If our brains are impacted decades before Alzheimer's develops and we can reduce the risk simply by working out mentally, that's a pretty time and cost-efficient way to work towards prevention of a disease that affects over 5.3 million Americans.

Wondering where to start? Here's a list of 12 ways to exercise your brain.

Research Finds Similar Gene Mutations in Early and Late Onset Alzheimers

When we consider early onset Alzheimer's disease (where symptoms appear before the age of 60) and late onset, there is a tendency to categorize early onset as familial, meaning that it has a strong hereditary component, and late onset as sporadic, meaning that it is much more random.

However, based on what researchers are learning, we may need to rethink this. A recent study discovered similar gene mutations in cases of both early and late onset Alzheimer's disease. This indicates that there may be a higher amount of heredity in late onset Alzheimer's disease than we have traditionally thought. These researchers also point to evidence that people with Alzheimer's often have multiple relatives who have Alzheimer's, other kinds of dementia, or a neurological disorder such as Parkinson's.

Additionally, the study, published in PLoS One, found evidence that some people who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's actually had gene mutations more consistent with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD is an umbrella term that encompasses several disorders including behavioral variant FTD, primary progressive aphasia, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. These disorders affect people's behavior, mobility, and communication. Often it's not until the later stages of FTD that memory is impaired.

As we learn more about how to treat these disorders, being able to distinguish between them will become increasingly important.

New Definition of Mild Cognitive Impairment Blurs Distinction between MCI Early Alzheimers

A recent article in Neurology reported that a revised definition of mild cognitive impairment has been developed by a work group from the Alzheimer's Association and National Institutes of Aging. The previous distinction between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early stages of Alzheimer's disease relied on this difference: in MCI, the person's cognitive deficits, like memory, for example, did not interfere with activities of daily living (which includes skills such as dressing, bathing, eating meals).

Historically, MCI has been thought of as the dysfunction that may occur between normal cognition and the development of a dementia such as Alzheimer's. With this new definition, the line between Alzheimer's and MCI is blurred since both can now exhibit cognitive problems and daily functioning challenges.

One reason the group is making this change is because they found that even though a diagnosis of MCI required a person to exhibit normal functioning in daily life, research demonstrated that many people with MCI were experiencing impairments in their activities of daily living.

The take-away? Some people already diagnosed as having Alzheimer's or another dementia in the early stages may now fit the criteria for MCI instead. While this change gives the clinician more authority to use his or her judgment in diagnosing, it also reduces uniform definitions of both MCI and Alzheimer's since the previous boundary of impairment in daily living skills - that key distinction - has been removed.

Study Belly Fat Correlated with Lower Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults

The journal Age and Ageing recently published a study that discusses the relationship between being overweight and cognitive decline. There were 250 people involved in this study, and researchers measured their stomach fat, weighed them to calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI), and evaluated their cognitive performance using the MMSE.

What they found was not surprising since previous research has supported it as well: People with higher BMIs who specifically carried their weight in their stomach areas performed lower on cognitive functioning tests. These results were especially significant for participants who were between the ages of 60 and 70.

As we look to identify ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer's and other dementia, research continues to suggest that a physically and mentally active lifestyle seems to provide some protection against dementia.

Recent Study Highlights Risk of Haloperidol Haldol for Persons with Dementia

A recent study published in the online journal BMJ outlines research on antipsychotic medications and their use in people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Antipsychotics are a specific type of psychotropic medication that are often used to help control some of the challenging behaviors that people with dementia experience. The initial approach to behaviors should always be to use behavior modification strategies and attempt to determine the causes behind the behaviors, since we know that most behavior has meaning. However, medications are also prescribed when these non-drug approaches are ineffective.

This recent study reviewed more than 75,000 people in the United States who had been prescribed antipsychotic medications in nursing homes from 2001-2005. (Data from people in nursing homes is fairly easy to collect; nursing homes are required to report data regularly since they receive funding from Medicare and Medicaid.) Researchers tracked the doses and the type of antipsychotic medication, as well as the mortality rates of those receiving the medications.

The results show that those receiving a specific type of antipsychotic medication called Haldol (haloperidol) have a significantly increased risk of death, especially shortly after treatment is started, compared to other types of antipsychotic medications.

Haldol is a typical antipsychotic, which places it in a classification of an older medication that often has more risks. Several of the other antipsychotic medications they reviewed were of the atypical class, which is a newer kind of antipsychotic medication that usually has less side effects than the typical ones.

A couple of thoughts about this study:

• Having been in the nursing home industry for several years, I can say with confidence that good facilities monitor the use of antipsychotics very closely. These medications have to be periodically reduced, and should not be used without trying non-drug interventions first.

• When research shows a clear risk, as it does here, it highlights your role as an advocate for a family member or friend with dementia. If your loved one is on an antipsychotic, particularly haloperidol, you might consider asking questions about why that drug was chosen, if another medication could be used instead, or if the medication can be decreased or stopped.

National Alzheimers Advisory Committee Debates Moving Up Treatment Goal to 2020

In January, I mentioned the National Alzheimer's Plan draft and invited you to send comments to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Several of you did that, and they've now posted those comments and several others to their website at http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/napa/Comments/PubCom.shtml.

They also have posted the minutes from the meetings that were held in January where the Alzheimer's plan draft was discussed in detail. Of note, they debated the proposed goal of effectively treating and preventing Alzheimer's by 2025. Discussions were held around the idea of changing that timeline to 2020, and rewording that goal to read: "Prevent, effectively treat, and substantially delay the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease by 2020."

"The subcommittee's justification for a 2020 target date was guided by the group's belief that the National Plan goals should be bold and aggressive, yet maintain the support of the research community who will be carrying out the work proposed. The subcommittee maintains that the difference of 5 years is meaningful to the millions of people who will be affected by Alzheimer's disease and that, given sufficient resources, the research community is prepared to meet this deadline."

-January 2012 Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

They also note that moving up the target date from 2025 to 2020 creates the "sense of urgency" and "adds credibility" to the plan. They are not guaranteeing a cure by 2020 but do add that development of a medication that effectively controls the symptoms of Alzheimer's could meet that goal.

The minutes don't state that this change in date and wording (which was recommended by a subcommittee) was approved as of yet, but rather noted and discussed.

Any thoughts on this?

Pat Summitt Steps Down to Fight Battle Against Early Onset Alzheimers

Pat Summitt recently announced she's giving up her head coaching role at Tennessee. Summitt was the head coach of the Lady Volunteers and has the most wins ever of any NCAA coach.

Pat's decision comes after announcing a few months ago that she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease at the age of 59. Coach Summitt has been hailed for her decision to go public with her battle against Alzheimer's, and along with her son, has established a foundation to further research and raise awareness of the disease. She will also continue to serve as head coach emeritus.

Coach, we're rooting for you! Thanks for your many years of shaping collegiate basketball.

10 Things to Stop Doing in Order to Improve Your Health

Interested in improving your health? Several of the guides for about.com have compiled lists of 10 things to stop doing in order to accomplish this.

If you're wondering why this format was chosen, one thing that many of us fall prey to are bad habits. Sometimes, we're so busy dealing with various challenges that we don't even realize the ruts we're in.

So, with the goal of helping you out, here are a couple for those of us struggling with the challenges of Alzheimer's disease:

10 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself With Alzheimer's Disease

10 Things to Stop Doing if You're a Caregiver for Someone With Alzheimer's Disease

Do you have any suggestions to add to these? Which is the hardest for you?

Study Shows Cognitive Decline Can Start as Early as Age 45

As people age, they often show a slight decline in the ability to remember or process new information. This is different from the development of dementia and is often referred to as normal age-related changes. It has commonly been thought that this kind of cognitive decline doesn't typically show up until after the age of 60; however, a study published two days ago in the journal BMJ asserts that declines in memory and reasoning can surface as early as 45.

This recent study involved 7390 participants. Researchers tested men and women three times a year for 10 years to measure their cognitive abilities on various tests. The results indicated an overall gradual decline for both men and women in all age categories tested, even in the youngest age group of 45-49. (The exception for this decline was in the area of vocabulary, which often remains more stable.)

Why is this important (as well as scary)? There have been several other previous studies concluding that little or no cognitive decline is found in typical adults before age 55 or 60. If this new study is correct, it could impact the way we do research on prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Not all age-related brain changes develop into Alzheimer's, but if brain changes are beginning decades before we previously thought, we should be conducting research and treatment far earlier in the process.

Also, this study serves as a reminder for those of us who put off exercise and healthy eating for later in life, thinking that we'll change our habits when we're older or when we start to have medical problems. Physical exercise, mental exercise, and a healthy diet all contribute to a healthy brain. This latest research underscores the importance of being intentional with maintaining an active, healthy body and mind now, no matter what your age.

So, what's one thing you're going to do today to improve your health?

How to Have Meaningful Visits with Someone Who Has Alzheimers

I was talking with someone the other day who had recently visited a couple of people with Alzheimer's disease. She confessed to me that she wasn't sure what to say to them or how to make her visits with them meaningful. Knowing her as I do, I'm sure she did a great job, but it got me thinking about the answer to that dilemma. How indeed do you make the time you spend with a loved one who has Alzheimer's or another dementia meaningful?

For me, the answer shifts a bit depending on what stage of Alzheimer's that person is in. Our approach to someone who's just been diagnosed should be different than when we're interacting with someone in the late stages. One thing that holds true, though, no matter who that person is or what stage they're in, is that we need to offer ourselves genuinely during our time with them. We need to set aside our random, distracted thoughts and really be there with them. Their memory might not be the best, but they can often feel our distractedness or our hurriedness.

With this in mind, here are some tips on how to make the most of those visits:

7 Tips for Visiting People in the Early Stages of Alzheimer's

10 Tips for Visiting People in the Middle Stages of Alzheimer's

6 Tips for Visiting People with Late Stage Alzheimer's

How to Talk to Someone With Dementia

I hope these suggestions are helpful for you. Feel free to comment below with other ideas or thoughts.

LateLife Depression Antidepressant Use and Decreased Brain Size Linked

The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease recently published a study that measured brain volume of older adults without dementia who had symptoms of depression and/or were taking an antidepressant medication. What they were trying to determine was if depression and/or the use of antidepressant medications affected brain size.

This is important because previous research has shown that brain volume in people with Alzheimer's disease is smaller than in those without dementia. Additionally, depression has been identified as a risk factor for Alzheimer's.

In this latest study, researchers analyzed 630 older adults whose average age was 80 and whose cognitive functioning was intact. They used MRI scanning to measure amounts of total brain volume; left, right and total hippocampal volume (size of the hippocampus); and amount of white matter volume/lesions. (Lesions in the brain are areas of damaged or dead cells.)

Here are the study's results:

• Increased symptoms of depression (as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale) were not correlated with smaller brain size.

• However, antidepressant use was correlated with a decrease in total brain volume and hippocampus size, and with an increase in the amount of white matter (lesions) in the brain.

The study's authors offered a few ideas about why this may be the case, including the possibility that antidepressants are prescribed for symptoms other than depression, and that those receiving antidepressants were likely to have more severe depression.

The researchers concluded that depression, and perhaps specifically antidepressant use, in older adults is correlated with brain shrinkage and white matter lesions.

My 2 cents: It's been generally accepted that antidepressants are fairly safe for older adults (although all medications have the potential for some level of risk), have less side effects than other psychoactive medications, and can provide significant benefits for people who are challenged by depression. This study's results demonstrate the need for further research on antidepressant use in older adults.

So, should you run out to your doctor to discontinue your antidepressant medication? Not necessarily. Keep in mind that some antidepressants have to be decreased gradually or you can have serious withdrawal symptoms. Also, the benefit you receive from your medication may be very important for your well-being. If you're concerned, you should consider talking with your doctor about the ongoing risk and benefit of your antidepressant medication.

The ClockDrawing Test New Research on Scoring and Usefulness

The clock-drawing test has been around for many years and is sometimes used independently to quickly screen people for signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and other dementia. It's also been integrated as a part of other screening tests such as the Mini-Cog. Some family members have even used it in their homes to unofficially screen a loved one if memory problems or behavior changes have become a concern.

Here's a couple of things I've found recent research on, as they relate to the clock-drawing test.

• The MMSE is often used as a standard test to screen for dementia, but did you know that the clock-drawing test can identify a significant deficit in executive functioning that the MMSE might miss?

• There are more than 15 different scoring methods. If you've administered the clock-drawing test before, which one do you use? Recent research suggests a simple scoring method is just as accurate as a complex one.

Read more here about the how the clock-drawing test is conducted, further research about different scoring methods, and why it's useful as a screening tool for dementia.

Babyloid New Robotic Baby Designed to Comfort Nursing Home Residents

A new robotic baby invention called a Babyloid was recently developed in Japan to "interact" with nursing home residents. The goal is to help alleviate depression in nursing home residents, perhaps by providing something for them to care for and nurture.

Babyloid has a simplistic, non-realistic face and responds to being rocked or held using sensors that turn his cheeks red when he's happy and blue when he's sad. Babyloid might even fall asleep if it's being rocked or cry LED tears if upset. More than 100 different sounds are programmed in Babyloid. The inventor, Masayoshi Kanoh, apparently recorded his youngest child's baby sounds and used them in developing Babyloid.

Preliminary research was conducted at a nursing home, concluding that residents who held and interacted with Babyloid for eight minute intervals for a total of 90 minutes a day experienced a reduction in their symptoms of depression. The estimated price for Babyloid is $1300 USD.

You can see pictures of the Babyloid here.

I've recommended before that baby dolls be used to provide comfort for people who have Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia. They can also be beneficial when offered as something to hold on to while care is being provided, especially if your loved one has some behavioral challenges.

I'm all for reducing the loneliness and depression that is sometimes present for older adults in facilities, but I'm not quite ready to jump on this bandwagon yet. There's certainly something important about providing people with the chance to be a caregiver and have meaningful activity, but it feels almost like they're trying to replace human interaction and affection with science fiction-like inventions. How about we take the time to hold someone's hand, to bring our cat or dog (with facility permission) to visit the pet-lovers, or bring our children to visit our older loved ones?

What do you think?

Reduce Challenging Behaviors in Dementia by Determining the Cause

Does your loved one with Alzheimer's or another dementia struggle with challenging behaviors? One effective way to handle this is to try to determine what might be causing those behaviors.

All behavior has meaning, so what might your loved one be communicating to you? Here are three different causes of difficult behaviors to consider:

• Physical Causes of Challenging Behaviors, including pain, discomfort, and hunger.
• Psychological / Cognitive Causes of Challenging Behaviors, such as anxiety, boredom, and confusion.
• Environmental / External Causes of Challenging Behaviors; for example, too much noise, change in routine, or caregiver approach.

While there are several medications available for treating the behavioral and emotional symptoms of dementia, the first approach should be non-drug interventions, beginning with an analysis of the possible cause.

If your loved one with dementia has displayed difficult behaviors, have you been able to determine a cause for them?

A Mothers Day Tribute One Daughters Love Through Alzheimers

As Mother's Day approaches, I'd like to share a brief story with you.

Margie, a reader who had been caring for her mother with Alzheimer's disease, recently contacted me and we began an email conversation. Margie wrote about the different symptoms her mother exhibited, the difficulty and helplessness of not knowing how to respond to those changes in her mother, the struggle of whether to keep her mother at home or have a facility help care for her, and the void in her heart since her mother passed away in November.

I asked Margie for permission to share her experiences, and she agreed with the hope that you would be encouraged and reminded that you are not alone in dealing with Alzheimer's.

Margie's struggles with the effects of this disease are a poignant picture of the challenges of Alzheimer's, but her patient and caring approach toward her mother is a beautiful, even more powerful, picture of a daughter's love. Take a moment to read Margie's story, and have a happy Mother's Day.

An Interview with Margie (Part 1)

An Interview with Margie (Part 2)

An Interview with Margie (Part 3)

Research Group Activities Improve Cognition for Those With Dementia

The Cochrane Collaboration recently published a study that reviewed previously conducted research on cognitive exercise and its effect on dementia. The basic question of the review reflects this concern: We tell people to stay active mentally, do their puzzles and engage in group activities, but does it really make a difference?

The answer is a clear "yes". The researchers reviewed 15 different studies involving a total of 718 participants. The oldest study dated back to 1979 and the most recent studies were published in 2011. Although the studies were not all conducted in the same manner, the basic structure was similar.

Most of the groups were led by trained facility staff and consisted of four or five people who were diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia. The activities included discussion of current or past events, puzzles, games, baking or indoor gardening for approximately 45 minutes two to five times a week. Some of the studies also involved training family members to carry out similar activities at home with their loved ones.

The studies measured their results by using tests to evaluate the participants' memory and other aspects of cognitive ability. The results consistently demonstrated significant improvement in cognition immediately following the mental exercise. Some of the studies also measured cognitive functioning over time and found that at one to three months after the mental stimulation, the cognitive benefits were still maintained, which is pretty impressive.

Furthermore, some of the studies also measured quality of life and overall well-being, and reported improved communication and social interaction, in addition to improved cognition.

While medication is sometimes helpful in treating the symptoms of Alzheimer's and other dementia, it's heartening to see improvements from the kind of brain workouts outlined in this review of research.

Interested in working out your brain? Review these 12 ways to stretch your brain with mental exercise and consider where you or your loved one would like to start.

Whats the Story on Coconut Oil and Alzheimers Disease

If you've been following Alzheimer's research, you may have heard about the use of coconut oil in treating Alzheimer's disease. A physician in Florida has written about her experience with using coconut oil to treat her husband's symptoms of dementia, noting that he showed significant improvement after she added it to his diet.

So the question from a few of my readers is: Do you recommend coconut oil to treat Alzheimer's? In response, I conducted a review of the literature published online and summarized the information I found here:

Coconut Oil: Is It Effective in Treating Alzheimer's Disease?

If you've tried using coconut oil in response to symptoms of Alzheimer's, feel free to comment below if you found it to be helpful or not helpful.

Please note that this information should not be considered medical advice. Any supplements or other dietary changes should be discussed with the physician responsible for the care of the person with Alzheimer's disease.

Go Nuts Walnuts Coffee Olive Oil Wine Improved Memory

According to a recently published study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD), some foods that are often part of the Mediterranean diet benefit both your body and your brain.

Researchers studied 447 people between the ages of 55-80. These people were part of a study that was already being conducted called PREDIMED (PREvencion con DIeta MEDiterranea). PREDIMED is a multi-year study of the Mediterranean diet and its effect on individuals who are at a high cardiovascular risk due to a history of smoking, a higher BMI, high blood pressure, or other risk factors.

Participants agreed to several cognitive assessments that measured different aspects of memory, language, and overall cognitive functioning. According to the JAS, here are some of the findings:

• Total olive oil increased immediate verbal memory. Immediate memory refers to the ability to repeat information that was just presented; some clinicians refer to this as short-term memory.
• Virgin olive oil and coffee improved delayed verbal memory (the ability to retrieve information presented longer than 30 seconds ago).
• Walnuts (not any other nuts) were highly correlated with improved working memory, the application and use of information.
• Moderate wine consumption increased scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination, a test that assessed overall cognitive functioning.

A Mediterranean diet is generally higher in fruits, vegetables, fish, unsaturated fatty acids, and other antioxidants, and often includes moderate wine intake. While some previous research has alluded to possible benefits of these foods, the results of this study are quite significant. Specifically, the benefits related to virgin olive oil and walnuts were highlighted as "novel", not having been scientifically demonstrated previously.

Researchers expressed hope that this type of diet will counter-act the trend of cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

Creative Ways to Preserve Memories in Alzheimers Disease

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia, you might feel an urgency about capturing precious memories. One person described it like trying to hold wet sand in her hands and having the ocean waves make it slip through her fingers.

In the early stages of Alzheimer's, although the short-term memory is likely to be impaired, research has shown that memory strategies can still be effective in helping people learn new information. There are also a few other ways that may make it easier to hold onto those special memories, such as through music, photos and more.

Here's an article I wrote about documenting and holding onto memories in the midst of Alzheimer's disease:

Living With Alzheimer's: 5 Ways to Preserve Memories

You might also want find these related articles to be helpful:

6 Tips to Improve Your Memory and Recall

What to Expect in the Early Stages of Alzheimer's

Please feel free to comment below with other ideas to preserve memories in dementia.

Study Good Fat Better Brain Functioning in Older Adults

Here's more research that a heart healthy diet is also good for the brain. According to a recent study published online on May 18, 2012 in the Annals of Neurology, eating "good" fats was associated with less cognitive decline over a four-year period.

This study involved 6,183 women over the age of 65 who were evaluated over a four-year time frame. They reported their diet to researchers and were tested several times throughout the study to assess their cognitive functioning.

Participants whose diet consisted of more monounsaturated fat (or "good" fat), such as olive oil, nuts or seeds, showed better memory and overall cognitive functioning over four years than those whose diets contained more "bad" fat, such as the saturated fat contained in butter, cheese and red meats. The women who ate more "bad" fat demonstrated a bigger cognitive decline throughout the study.

Research consistently has demonstrated that eating right, exercising, and staying mentally active can reduce the risk to develop Alzheimer's or another dementia. So, while scientists continue to work on isolating the causes of Alzheimer's, knowing how to reduce the risk plays a key role in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Also, here's more research on diet and its effect on cognitive functioning.

Tips for Communicating with Someone Who Has Dementia

Ever wonder how to approach someone who has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia? Much of the time, how we communicate is more important than what we communicate.

For example, a friend (we'll call her Mary) recently shared with me a conversation she had with her father and mother. Her mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease but very much wants to be involved in decisions. Mary told me that her mother stopped her twice in their conversation to ask Mary to look at her when she was talking. Mary's mother noticed that when important things were being talked about, Mary directed all of the conversation to her father, and her mother sensed that she was being ignored because Mary never gave her any eye contact.

Those little things, which are not always easy or fully efficient, can make a difference in how Mary's mother feels about herself and how she copes with her early dementia. For more ideas on communicating with someone who has dementia, consider these 7 simple tips.

Potential Alzheimers Drug Dimebon Fails in Clinical Trials

Dimebon, a drug that has been in phase three of clinical trials for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, has recently been discontinued after studies concluded it was ineffective. Dimebon is a drug that was first used in Russia decades ago as an antihistamine, and in the last few years has undergone testing to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's in the United States. Dimebon was never sold or marketed in the United States.

Initially, the drug showed some positive results in patients with Alzheimer's, so clinical trials were expanded to study its effects when given with the drug denepazil (Aricept), a medication currently used to treat early Alzheimer's. This past week, Pfizer and Medivation, the two drug companies that were conducting the trials, announced the discontinuation of Dimebon after it failed to show benefits for the recipients. In fact, some of the people receiving it declined more than those who received the placebo.

This is disappointing news, especially in light of our nation's recent draft document on Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias. One goal outlined in this draft is to effectively treat and prevent Alzheimer's by 2025. Evidently, the manner in which we do this won't include Dimebon.

For more information on clinical trials for Alzheimer's, feel free to visit the Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch tool, the National Institute on Aging AD Clinical Trials Database, or ClinicalTrials.gov.

Elder Abuse Should You Be Concerned About It

Estimates range that anywhere from 2 to 10 million older Americans are abused every year. That includes the different kinds of elder abuse such as neglect, financial, physical, sexual, emotional, involuntary seclusion, and abandonment. While an accurate number of cases is difficult to find because there's no way to ensure comprehensive reporting and compiling of those statistics, it pays to be aware of the risk factors and signs of abuse.

You or your loved one may be at risk for elder abuse if:

• You have to rely on someone for your physical care needs
• You live in your own home and are socially isolated
• You have adult children who have problems with finances, drugs or alcohol
• You live with someone with a history of controlling and abusive behavior
• You have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another dementia

Take a minute to review the different kinds of abuse and related statistics, as well as learn how to spot and respond to possible abuse or neglect.

While I don't want to focus on the negative too much, I do want to take this opportunity to raise awareness. If it makes a difference in one person's life, it's clearly well worth it.

Feel free to comment here. You can also email me at alzheimers.guide@about.com if you have other questions.

Alzheimers Association Fact Alzheimers Strikes Every 68 Seconds

The Alzheimer's Association just released a new Fact Sheet this week. Here's a synopsis of some of the sobering statistics they provide:

• Every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's. That number is projected to grow to one every 33 seconds by 2050, resulting in 16 million Americans with dementia.
• Currently, an estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's. 5.2 million are over the age of 65, while approximately 200,000 are younger than 65.
• The cost of caring for persons with Alzheimer's in the U.S. in 2012 is $200 billion. Those costs are largely due to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for care and services provided. The estimated cost in 2050 is $1.1 trillion in today's dollars.
• 1 in 8 adults over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's. Over the age of 85, almost half of Americans have Alzheimer's.
• 1 person out of 7 with Alzheimer's lives alone, and up to half of those don't have an identifiable caregiver.
• Of the top 10 causes of death, Alzheimer's is ranked at number six. While all other top ten causes have declined from 2000 to 2008, the number of deaths due to Alzheimer's has increased by 66%. All other top 10 causes also have had some success in effectively preventing or curing the disease, while Alzheimer's has none. There are a few medications that attempt to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, but their success is limited.
• Approximately 60% of caregivers for Alzheimer's or other dementias report that they're highly or very highly emotionally stressed, and a third of caregivers report feelings of depression.

View the dementia statistics for each state to see how your area is faring.

We all need to increase awareness of the widespread devastation and cost that this disease brings with it. Spread the word, please.

Study Healthy Food Healthy Brain

Here's one more reason to eat healthy in 2012. A recent study again confirmed what several other studies have shown- healthy eating is good for your brain.

According to the journal Neurology, researchers in the Oregon Brain Aging Study tested the blood of 104 participants for levels of various nutrients. They then looked at symptoms of brain health, such as cognitive function and brain size as seen on an MRI. While past studies have relied on individuals' reports of what they ate, this study tested actual levels of nutrients present in the participants.

The results? People in the study who showed high levels of nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C, D, E and B had better brain health. They were less likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and their brains were less likely to display signs of aging on MRIs such as shrinkage.

Additionally, participants whose blood showed high levels of trans fat experienced a decline in their memory and ability to process thoughts.

Wondering where to get this brain food? Omega-3 fatty acids are mostly found in fish, such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon, as well as other foods such as nuts, beans and flax seeds. The great thing about omega-3 fatty acids is that they're associated with better heart health as well.

Unfortunately, trans fat is found in many of the things I love to eat...cookies, fried foods, donuts and more. Guess it's time to put those resolutions to work!

You may also be interested in these articles:

12 Ways to Exercise Your Brain

Symptoms of Alzheimer's

6 Tips to Improve Your Memory and Recall

Study Alzheimers Travels Through the Brain Like a Virus

What if we knew how Alzheimer's progressed in the brain, and could put up a roadblock to stop it? The latest research presented in the online journal PLoS ONE outlines a study that suggests that this may become possible.

In this study, researchers engineered mice to have a human gene that developed abnormal tau protein in the brain's temporal lobe. This lobe is where it seems that the tau protein first accumulates, based on the early symptoms of Alzheimer's. They then observed the brains as the mice aged and found that the tau spread through the brain from one area to the next, traveling like a virus. It appears that the tau jumps across the synapses in the brain, which help neurons communicate with each other.

This research is important because it has potential implications for early treatment of the disease. If we're able to physically stop the spread of the tau through the brain, eventually we may be able to stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Now, that would be even more exciting than the upcoming Super Bowl...