Studies show that taking a regular, daily walk is good for physical health. Now, it appears that it may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and ward off mental decline, as well. The amount of walking needed to realize these benefits to the brain is more than just a stroll around the block. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh concluded that to guard against cognitive decline, you've got to put in an average of at least five miles a week, every week, for about 10 years.
The investigators analyzed data from an ongoing 20-year study looking at the weekly walking patterns among 426 seniors. At the start of the study, 44 of the participants already had Alzheimer's and another 83 had mild cognitive impairment. In half of all cases, mild cognitive impairment eventually progresses to Alzheimer's. All other participants were cognitively healthy.
Ten years into the study, after accounting for age, gender, body-fat composition, head size and education level, the researchers found that brain volume was largest among participants who exercised the most. Further, walking five miles a week appeared to protect those with some form of cognitive impairment against further cognitive decline. Greater brain volume is a sign of general brain health and less brain cell death. The healthy participants had to walk six miles a week to protect their brain health.
After 12 months of a moderate exercise intervention, 70 percent of participants showed significant improvement in memory function. And the more the participants exercised, the greater the improvement. For more information, click here.
Also, please attend Lunch-N-Learn, September 2012. Lunch-N-Learn will run again from January to October, 2012. In September, Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke (Associate Professor of the Department of Walking Behavior, Pennington Biomedical Research Center) will be speaking on this very topic!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Connections in November
As we were taking down the Faces of Alzheimer’s Photo Exhibit at the Shaw Center this week, a young LSU Student from Houston tapped me on the shoulder and asked if she could have a copy of one of the photos hanging on the wall……. “the couple dancing,” she asked. That couple is Narses and Luz Barona, married for almost 53 years, and still sharing their love and commitment with each other even though this intruder called Alzheimer’s has entered Narses’ life.
Luz gave me permission to send a copy of the photo to this young student and I mentioned in my email to her that the photo must have had a huge impact on her. She quickly replied after I emailed the photo to her, “It really was sooo touching and reminded me of something very important to me!”
These “connections” were not uncommon from the remarks from individuals who viewed the exhibit, those who left comments, and through the number of emails and phone calls shared with our organization throughout the month of November, which was National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Impactful, to say the least, the 65 photos on the wall and the over 200 various photos in the video display truly touched people in ways indescribable to others. The “connections” were even deeper when we, as staff, mourned the loss of two individuals in the displayed photos who passed away during the month, a heartrending reality of the beginnings and endings of this devastating disease.
Our other November awareness activities had caregivers “breaking bread” and “connecting” with other caregivers at a very special cooking demonstration and luncheon with Chef John Folse and Paul Gates at White Oak Plantation. Caregivers also learned healthy eating habits at a delightful afternoon with Chef Peter Sclafani at Ruffino’s Restaurant. And, at mid-month, we all gathered at the steps of the State Capitol to light our candles in remembrance of those persons who have passed away with Alzheimer’s disease as well as honoring those who currently suffer with the disease.
Every 69 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I can’t count the number of times people tell me that they know a friend, or a friend’s friend, or a grandmother who had/has Alzheimer’s. The “connections” are growing with the rising statistics.
The Faces of Alzheimer’s Photo Exhibit certainly connected many people, whether through the range of expressions in the photos themselves, the stories of the individual lives, with others viewing the Exhibit, with the families in the video display, or just through one particular photo, like the one of Narses and Luz Barona dancing. An LSU student connected the photo to an important moment in her life and it made a powerful impression on her. We hope the Exhibit, and the month of activities in November, did the same for you.
-Dana Territo, Director of Services
Luz gave me permission to send a copy of the photo to this young student and I mentioned in my email to her that the photo must have had a huge impact on her. She quickly replied after I emailed the photo to her, “It really was sooo touching and reminded me of something very important to me!”
These “connections” were not uncommon from the remarks from individuals who viewed the exhibit, those who left comments, and through the number of emails and phone calls shared with our organization throughout the month of November, which was National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Impactful, to say the least, the 65 photos on the wall and the over 200 various photos in the video display truly touched people in ways indescribable to others. The “connections” were even deeper when we, as staff, mourned the loss of two individuals in the displayed photos who passed away during the month, a heartrending reality of the beginnings and endings of this devastating disease.
Our other November awareness activities had caregivers “breaking bread” and “connecting” with other caregivers at a very special cooking demonstration and luncheon with Chef John Folse and Paul Gates at White Oak Plantation. Caregivers also learned healthy eating habits at a delightful afternoon with Chef Peter Sclafani at Ruffino’s Restaurant. And, at mid-month, we all gathered at the steps of the State Capitol to light our candles in remembrance of those persons who have passed away with Alzheimer’s disease as well as honoring those who currently suffer with the disease.
Every 69 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I can’t count the number of times people tell me that they know a friend, or a friend’s friend, or a grandmother who had/has Alzheimer’s. The “connections” are growing with the rising statistics.
The Faces of Alzheimer’s Photo Exhibit certainly connected many people, whether through the range of expressions in the photos themselves, the stories of the individual lives, with others viewing the Exhibit, with the families in the video display, or just through one particular photo, like the one of Narses and Luz Barona dancing. An LSU student connected the photo to an important moment in her life and it made a powerful impression on her. We hope the Exhibit, and the month of activities in November, did the same for you.
-Dana Territo, Director of Services
The Holiday Season
Thanksgiving begins the holiday season and families often gather to celebrate. For many it is when they first notice signs of memory loss or strange behaviors in mom or dad or maybe an aunt or other relative. I know it is when my siblings notice it most in my mom. There are several factors that contribute to it that we as caregivers need to be aware of to reduce the stress. These are some of the suggestions I gave my siblings as they prepared for Thanksgiving and are preparing for Christmas. Give yourself permission to keep things simple and not overdo things. Instead of cooking everything yourself perhaps you can purchase a part of the meal you traditionally made yourself such as pies or making gravy. Accept offers for help if someone wants to bring something to help out.
For my mom, having the whole family was always her favorite part of the celebration. With 8 children, spouses, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren it was a crowd. She always said, “The more the merrier.” and “Everyone is welcome at my table. “ My brother hosted Thanksgiving at his house which removed the burden off the traditional meal at my mom’s. As much as she loved it, the “crowd” is now confusing to her. When I phoned to wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving, mom didn’t know that the three little ones were not her grandchildren, but were nieces and nephews from my sister-in-laws side of the family. I suggested to my sister to sit my mom in a comfortable chair after the meal and have family visit with her one at a time and make sure they mentioned their names as they joined the conversation. It would also be helpful to her if the family used the names instead of pronouns when they were speaking of someone.
My siblings were surprised at the changes in mom’s memory. They hadn’t realized how much it had been affected until they saw her in the crowd. They hadn’t realized the crowd would cause stress and a little agitation in her. They didn’t realize how slowly she ate now. They didn’t realize she would tire so quickly and be ready to go home so soon. They didn’t realize she wouldn’t know someone 10 minutes after she met them and might need to be introduced again. All of these little things can be handled easily if you prepare for them. It reduces the stress and allows everyone to enjoy the holiday. I had recently converted old family slides to digital format and placed them on a digital photo frame so mom could enjoy them again. I suggested my sister bring the frame so mom could enjoy the pictures and share stories that she does remember that are included in the photos. The grandchildren would love to hear them and she would love telling them. It was a great addition to the day and created more wonderful memories.
For my mom, having the whole family was always her favorite part of the celebration. With 8 children, spouses, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren it was a crowd. She always said, “The more the merrier.” and “Everyone is welcome at my table. “ My brother hosted Thanksgiving at his house which removed the burden off the traditional meal at my mom’s. As much as she loved it, the “crowd” is now confusing to her. When I phoned to wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving, mom didn’t know that the three little ones were not her grandchildren, but were nieces and nephews from my sister-in-laws side of the family. I suggested to my sister to sit my mom in a comfortable chair after the meal and have family visit with her one at a time and make sure they mentioned their names as they joined the conversation. It would also be helpful to her if the family used the names instead of pronouns when they were speaking of someone.
My siblings were surprised at the changes in mom’s memory. They hadn’t realized how much it had been affected until they saw her in the crowd. They hadn’t realized the crowd would cause stress and a little agitation in her. They didn’t realize how slowly she ate now. They didn’t realize she would tire so quickly and be ready to go home so soon. They didn’t realize she wouldn’t know someone 10 minutes after she met them and might need to be introduced again. All of these little things can be handled easily if you prepare for them. It reduces the stress and allows everyone to enjoy the holiday. I had recently converted old family slides to digital format and placed them on a digital photo frame so mom could enjoy them again. I suggested my sister bring the frame so mom could enjoy the pictures and share stories that she does remember that are included in the photos. The grandchildren would love to hear them and she would love telling them. It was a great addition to the day and created more wonderful memories.
Common Eating Problems in Alzheimer's Patients
As Alzheimer’s progresses, eating problems can make the situation worse.
Consider the following:
Do dentures still fit?
What medications could be affecting appetite?
What other chronic conditions are present, such as diabetes or digestive problems?
What time of day is your loved one most alert and hungry?
Senses of taste and smell diminish and your loved one may forget to eat and/or lose the skills necessary for eating.
1. Gently remind your loved one to eat.
2. Understand that table manners and judgment diminish. Your loved one may try to eat from others’ plates or from serving bowls.
****Be alert that your loved one may eat anything in sight, including items not intended to be food.
Mealtime TIPS
1. TURN OFF radio, TV, telephone, etc. to reduce agitation.
2. Remove clutter from table.
3. Use brightly colored plates(red or blue)
4. Use placemats that do not slip.
5. Feel free to substitute:
bowls for plates
spoons for forks
6. Bendable straws and lidded cups are helpful.
7. Try placing one food at a time on the plate.
8. Cut food into bitesized pieces or introduce finger foods.
9. Try serving your loved one several small meals during the day.
****Consult with your loved one’s physician if you notice a sudden weight loss.
Consider the following:
Do dentures still fit?
What medications could be affecting appetite?
What other chronic conditions are present, such as diabetes or digestive problems?
What time of day is your loved one most alert and hungry?
Senses of taste and smell diminish and your loved one may forget to eat and/or lose the skills necessary for eating.
1. Gently remind your loved one to eat.
2. Understand that table manners and judgment diminish. Your loved one may try to eat from others’ plates or from serving bowls.
****Be alert that your loved one may eat anything in sight, including items not intended to be food.
Mealtime TIPS
1. TURN OFF radio, TV, telephone, etc. to reduce agitation.
2. Remove clutter from table.
3. Use brightly colored plates(red or blue)
4. Use placemats that do not slip.
5. Feel free to substitute:
bowls for plates
spoons for forks
6. Bendable straws and lidded cups are helpful.
7. Try placing one food at a time on the plate.
8. Cut food into bitesized pieces or introduce finger foods.
9. Try serving your loved one several small meals during the day.
****Consult with your loved one’s physician if you notice a sudden weight loss.
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