Excuse me if I am a bit rusty but I simply have not had time to “Blog”.  It makes one wonder how people who blog all the time ever have much time, to put into action what they are blogging about.  Certainly spending time with clients and families eats into “blogging time”.  Blogging about clients or experiences is a slippery slope as I am conscious of the fact that every client is different and also conscious that information can be misunderstood and misconstrued.  Blogging that consists of regurgitating other peoples words and information is another reason that I take the “less is more approach”.  I’ve seen my words and work passed off as someone else’s before and hope to avoid that experience going forward.  Some people think anything goes in “business” and will take any opportunity to make a sale, close a deal, to make money! Nurses tend to have a different set of values  and a commitment to doing what is right for an individual (s), not what is right for the bottom line.  Too often nurses that are self-employed (in Canada) are treated as though they are somehow no longer a “real” nurse when in fact many of us are doing what we do because of our commitment to quality care!  Others pass judgement on being “for profit”.  Nurses in Independent Practice do a lot of work for which they are not compensated.  All members of the health care team are “for profit” as they all get paid.  The only difference is that clients choose to pay Nurses in Independent Practice.  Most recently a group of Nurses in Independent Practice have started to get together here in Ottawa.  It is really wonderful to meet with such a skilled and caring group of people who want to improve the health care experience.  Together we will share information, support one another, network and reach out to the community, who knows we might even start a Blog!

The word “misremembering” has been in the news a lot recently.  Brian Williams, anchor of NBC news got into a lot of trouble by “misremembering” that the chopper that he was flying in was hit by enemy fire (it was not).   Mr. Williams repeated the story over a period of years and the details of that experience and interesting anecdotes of his involvement with other military missions grew.  Ultimately it all came crashing down (pardon the pun) when US military personnel clarified that his recollections were not accurate or true.  Brian Williams admitted that he was guilty of misremembering and others said he had been lying.  It is widely accepted that human memory is not perfect and most people can relate to the concept of misremembering.  To misremember details is quite common, to embellish a story is common but to misremember something such as being shot at, in a crash or connected to something important in a way that is simply not factual – well something else may be at play.  Misremembering, embellishment, lying – what is the difference?  The difference is not really, “the degree” of inaccuracy  but perhaps rather the intent.  To embellish facts to make them more interesting is one thing but to retell stories in a way that changes the who, what, where and when (the corner stone of any story) well that simply isn’t good journalism, as it is no longer factual.  Why one would share inaccurate information would fall into the following categories:  they really do not know the difference, they wanted to make the story work for their own purposes or they want to deceive.  We rely on journalist for accuracy and for that reason, the misremembering has caught the attention of millions.   We live in a world where information is manipulated constantly so as affect our understanding and beliefs and to support corporate interests and sadly this is true in the senior care sector…. think about it.

Ann

I am so very tired of hearing the phrase “suffering with Alzheimer Disease (or dementia).  This should not be, in any way, considered “the norm” for individuals experiencing various types of dementia.  This is not to say that people with dementia are not capable of experiencing anguish and pain, for we all are.  To promote the concept of “suffering with dementia” as a norm, is to undervalue the significant benefits of good treatment and management. An integrative approach to care is the only measure which has the ability to enhance health and ones sense of well-being.  Those quoting the suffering, may want to ask themselves “What is making them suffer?”  Could it be that they are not being seen as a unique and valuable person but rather a person “suffering with dementia”?                                                                      Ann

Mild Cognitive Impairment causes cognitive changes (primarily in short term memory) that are significant enough to be noticed but not enough to impair daily life.  Changes associated with MCI can be detected through an assessment.  A diagnosis of MCI should only be made by a medical doctor, as other potential medical causes must be ruled out.  
 
Individuals diagnosed with MCI are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer Disease.  Currently no medications have been approved for the treatment of MCI though medications for the treatment of Alzheimer Disease are frequently offered to patients.  
 
Like most conditions, medication is only one part of treatment.   With the right information and support, one can make lifestyle changes that will support both physical and cognitive health.  The goal of Memory Matters Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is to provide interventions which will assist the client with maintaining a broad range abilities and preventing unnecessary decline.  Our customized approach  addresses individual challenges and utilizes individualized strengths, so as to optimize abilities.   Experience has taught us that an integrative approach to MCI is best and yields the best possible experience for all involved.                                    
Ann Dobbins RN, E.D Memory Matters

We all want to protect our brains as we age.  People are turning to alternative and natural approaches to health and as a result, people are interested in the benefits offered by supplements. This is why more people are asking whether supplements such as Ginkgo and Ginseng can help to protect their brain.  First of all, I am a big supporter of an integrative approach to health but I am also a big supporter of getting information from people who are qualified sources.   I do know that many people regard supplements as natural and therefor harmless and that simply is not the case.  Supplements are potent and therefor have the ability to do good but also to harm.  As potent substances they also have the potential to interfere with other medication or supplements and these are just some of the reasons that people should consult with a qualified naturopathic doctor, pharmacist or nutritionist prior to adding supplements to their health routine.  To my knowledge research has not substantiated a correlation between taking any supplements and preventing cognitive decline.  This is not to say that a benefit does not exist but rather that research has not substantiated the correlation.  More study is needed on alternative medicine as is investigation as to the safety of various supplements.  In November, the New York Times reported on DNA testing that revealed some companies supplements had a high concentration of powdered rice, weeds and fillers which could be hazardous to ones health.  The moral of the story is to consult with a qualified Naturopathic Doctor or your Family Doctor before you start taking supplements.  Supplements may be natural but so are crocodiles!

Ann

Four years of sustained regular physical activity boosted the likelihood of healthy ageing sevenfold compared with consistent inactivity, the findings show.

The researchers tracked the health of almost 3500 people, whose average age was 64, for more than eight years. All were participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which involves a nationally representative sample of the household population of England, born on or before 29 February 1952.

The researchers wanted to quantify the impact of physical activity on the risk of developing long term conditions, depression, and dementia, and on the likelihood of “healthy ageing.”

This is usually taken to mean not only an absence of major disease and disability, but also good mental health, the preservation of cognitive abilities, and the ability to maintain social connections/activities.

There’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that regular physical activity is essential for the maintenance of good health, while across the developed world, inactivity is ranked alongside smoking, excess drinking, and obesity as a leading cause of reduced life expectancy.

Participants described the frequency and intensity of regular physical activity they did in 2002-3, and then every subsequent two years until 2010-11.

Their responses were categorised as: inactive (no moderate or vigorous activity on a weekly basis); moderately active (at least once a week); and vigorously active (at least once a week).

Any changes in frequency and intensity were noted at the two yearly monitoring sessions: always inactive; became inactive; became active; always active.

Serious ill health, such as heart disease/stroke, diabetes, emphysema, or Alzheimer’s disease, was confirmed by medical records.

Cognitive abilities and mental health were assessed using a battery of validated tests, while disability was measured according to participants’ responses to questions about the ease with which they were able to carry out routine activities of daily living, and an objective test of walking speed.

Nearly one in 10 of the sample became active and 70% remained active. The rest remained inactive or became inactive.

At the end of the monitoring period almost four out of 10 had developed a long term condition; almost one in five was depressed; a third had some level of disability; and one in five was cognitively impaired.

But one in five was defined as a healthy ager. And there was a direct link to the likelihood of healthy ageing and the amount of exercise taken.

Those who had regularly indulged in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least once a week were three to four times more likely to be healthy agers than those who had remained inactive, after taking account of other influential factors.

Those who became physically active also reaped benefits, compared with those who did nothing. They were more than three times as likely to be healthy agers.

And those who sustained regular physical activity over the entire period were seven times as likely to be healthy agers as those who had consistently remained inactive.

“This study supports public health initiatives designed to engage older adults in physical activity, even those who are of advanced age,” conclude the authors.

<h5>Having Good Quality Sleep Especially Important For Clients With Early Alzheimer Disease?</h5>
Scientists continue to research and debate the need and reason for sleep including: processing memory, saving energy or time for regulating body systems.

Despite the continued pursuits of researchers, most people would agree that adequate sleep is essential for focus, learning and functioning safely.

Now research in mice is supporting the theory that sleep may actually help clear away cellular waste in the brain.

For this research, conducted at the University of Rochester Medical School, brains of mice were injected with beta-amyloid – a substance that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

The study tracked the substance and found that mice that slept were able to clear the beta amyloid.

The reason may be that during sleep, the brain (of the mice) seems to shrink thereby allowing products to move and ultimately be cleared.

Sleep it seems is essential for this process as the mice that did not sleep did not experience the same clearance.

So it would appear that sleep may have the ability to detox the brain and remove waste that may contribute to serious brain disease.

<strong>1.</strong>  Take care of your vascular health by remembering that heart health = brain health. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, not smoking, exercising and eating a healthy diet will go a long way in preventing vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common type and is often diagnosed in conjunction with Alzheimer Disease.

<strong>2.</strong>  Move every day…being physically active promotes health in a number of ways whereas being physically sedentary puts your health in jeopardy. Exercise can be achieved in a variety of ways so think outside the box and keep moving!

<strong>3.</strong>  Acknowledge and value the importance of your feelings. Emotions and physical health are inter-related. Feeling a sense of “dis-ease” may be a wake up call to make some changes.

<strong>4. </strong> If you are concerned about memory loss, have Alzheimer Disease in the family or have loved ones expressing their concern for you, speak to your family doctor. Your doctor will be able to rule out other causes or contributing factors. Should there be reason for additional assessment your doctor has the ability to refer you to a medical specialist.

<strong>5.</strong>  Be proactive, hopeful and seek information and support from appropriate health professionals as this is an essential part of caring for your health.

Mayo Clinic, news release, Sept. 18, 2013

Blood tests might be able to help identify Parkinson’s disease patients with the greatest risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests.

A genetic mutation called GBA leads to early onset of Parkinson’s and severe mental decline in about 4 percent to 7 percent of Parkinson’s patients. It also alters the way the body metabolizes certain kinds of fats.

Mayo Clinic researchers found that Parkinson’s patients who do not have this genetic mutation have higher levels of these fats in their blood. They also discovered that Parkinson’s patients with high levels of these fats in their blood are more likely to have mental impairment and dementia, according to the study, which was published online Sept. 18 in the journal PLoS One.

Mental impairment is a frequent symptom in Parkinson’s disease and can be even more debilitating for patients and challenging for their caregivers than the characteristic movement issues such as trembling, stiffness, poor coordination and balance problems, the Mayo researchers noted.

They said that early identification of Parkinson’s patients at greatest risk of developing dementia is important for preventing or delaying the start and progression of mental impairment. Changing the levels of these fats in the blood could be one way to do that, the study suggests.

There is also a possibility that assessing the levels of these fats in the blood could help predict who will develop Parkinson’s disease, and research is being conducted in this area.

“There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but the earlier we catch it, the better chance we have to fight it,” study first author Michelle Mielke said in a Mayo Clinic news release. “It’s particularly important we find a biomarker and identify it in the preclinical phase of the disease, before the onset even begins.”

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