Alzheimer's Disease and Medication

For people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease there will be medication that needs to be administered. This raises the question of whether or not it's ethical to hide their medication in food if they resist taking it voluntarily. As a caregiver you'll have to decide if and when you need to hide medication in food so that your patient gets the medication needed.

People who have Alzheimer's Disease are often given powerful anti-psychotic drugs and sedatives. It's important not to over-sedate patients. Strong doses of medication may make it easier for you to care for your patient but it won't be in the best interests of the person who has Alzheimer's Disease. Studies show that patients who are cared for in nursing homes are medicated more often than patients who are given care in their homes by a caregiver. As a caregiver you'll need to be conscious of the quality of care that you provide and this includes monitoring medication carefully and accurately.

Your patient's doctor will be in charge of which medications to prescribe at what doses. It will be up to you to make sure that your patient takes the medication on time each day. Correct medication is crucial to the management of Alzheimer's Disease. There will be stages of the disease when it becomes more difficult for you to get your patient to take their medication. At these times you'll have to find ways to get the medication down without a struggle.

Try presenting medication to your patient with food. This way you can make the medication part of the meal time ritual. Some medications will have to be taken on an empty stomach and this can present some difficulties. You'll have to practice some patience as you wait for you patient to take the medication. In extreme cases you'll have to ask for the doctor's advice to ensure that the medication is being taken.

As a caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient there are many things that you'll have to know about medication besides what dose it should be given at. This includes possible side effects and over dose symptoms. Always make sure that you keep medication safely away from your patient so that there is no chance of an over dose occurring. Keep a list of the medication that you're giving the patient along with times that it should be taken. Mark down each dose that you give the patient so that there is no chance of you duplicating the dose.

This is important since you are the one who will be responsible for the care of your patient and the administering of all drugs.

The Beginning Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

When someone close to you has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease one of the first things that you should do is explore any treatment options. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's Disease but there are medications available that will help some patients cope with the symptoms. You'll want to discuss the pros and cons of these medications with the patient's doctor so that you can weigh the benefits and risks. The Alzheimer's Society will also have information for you that is current and up to date. Keep in mind that there are often drug trials that the patient can participate in depending on what researchers are looking for and what stage of the disease the person is at. If the patient chooses to take part in any clinical trials you may need to offer your help.

As a caregiver you need to recognize that you'll be going through many feelings and emotions, especially if the patient is a close family member. Some of the emotions that you'll be experiencing include embarrassment, anger, frustration, fear, denial, guilt, and sadness. These are all normal emotions that are very common in caregivers. There are some days where you'll feel more emotions than other days. The most important thing to remember is that you be gentle with yourself. If you find yourself falling into a deep depression that won't lift you'll need to see your own doctor. You need to be in good emotional shape if you're going to be any good to your Alzheimer's patient.

It's important that you support the Alzheimer's patient in making plans for the future. Some of the decisions about the future that will have to be made by and for the patient include both personal and work related issues. Try to keep the patient as involved in the decision process as possible so that they don't become frightened by the changes around them. There will be some paperwork that you need to get in order that may need to be signed by the patient; try to attend to this paperwork during the early stages of the disease so that the patient retains control of many of the decisions that will affect them.

Another thing that should be discussed and taken care of when Alzheimer's Disease is first diagnosed is decisions about finances and health care. The patient should write down their wishes when it comes to certain aspects of the future such legal issues and estate planning. There should also be a backup plan in place if, at some time in the future, you are unable to continue as the primary caregiver.

Alzheimer's Disease And Homeopathy

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. More than 60% of the cases of dementia are due to this. Its prevalence is age related is as high as 47% in persons of 85 years above.

Definition: It is a degenerative disorder of the cerebral cortex resulting in progressive senile dementia.

Causes

The persons in whom the onset of the disease is before 65 years of age, the genetic factors are considered to be one of the important causes.

The main cause of this functional debility is the irreversible death of the brain cells due to deposition of protein plaques.

Environmental agents like viruses are also considered to be one of the causes, but, enough evidence has not been found in this respect.

Risk factors

- Advancing age is a risk factor, though; all elderly persons do not invariably show these features.

- Having as family history of the disease.

- Alcohol toxicity, previous head trauma and some immunological factors may also add to the risk of developing the disease.

Screening diagnosis

The disease has a very insidious onset and it progresses very gradually. It basically affects the emotion, intellect and memory of the person. It develops through 3 stages:

Stage 1

- The memory of the person is affected in the initial stages. First, impairment of memory for recent happenings can be noticed which is later followed by impairment of long term memory also.

- Patients themselves complain of the difficulty in the initial stages.

- The person also has disorientation of time and place; he misidentifies things and people.

- He repeats his words again and again.

Stage 2

- Here, the patient denies that anything is wrong with him says that he is alright.

- Gradually, the person shows deterioration of his intellectual functions and certain personality changes occur. He may also develop problems pertaining to speech language.

- He may later develop aphasic syndrome (Lack of right word at the right time compels the patient to compensate by speaking around the subject- àparaphasia-àimpoverished vocabulary- also that the patient can't convey his feelings due to fragmented words sentences -a mutism results.)

- Constructional apraxia (Inability to draw two or three dimensional figures.) follows.

- The person finds it difficult to wave his h to someone, greet someone or even to use a pen for writing.

- Visual agnosia develops (inability to comprehend what he sees). Due to these functional deficits, the person develops some psychiatric disturbances like: depression, aggression, anxiety, delusions, sleeplessness etc.

Stage 3

- Finally, the person reaches a stage when he has to depend on others for his daily living activities.

- The person may develop self care apraxias like: dressing, shaving, bathing, combing hair.

- Visual agnosia is followed by auditory, tactile agnosias.

- In these advanced stages, even the musculature is affected. The patient walks in a shuffling manner with short steps. Stiffness of all the muscles leads to slowness and awkwardness of all the movements. The entire course of the illness is 5-8 years approximately. During the course of the illness, any coexistent illness worsens the condition of the patient acutely.

Diagnosis:

It is basically done by ruling out any other causes of cognitive disorders.

Progressive worsening of memory and at least two areas of cognitive impairment.

Onset between 40 years 90 years of age (mostly, after 65 years) the person should be in a state of normal arousal i.e. he should not be drowsy, or comatose or delirious.

Diagnosis is based on the order of the appearance of the symptoms can be supported by imaging techniques like: MRI, CT scan; which show enlargement of the ventricular space along with brain atrophy. But, this is not confirmatory of Alzheimer's as such changes are also seen in most of the other people of this age group.

Homoeopathic treatment:

The homoeopathic medicines cannot provide cure to the patients, but will help in recovery of the memory loss of the patient.

Our medicines will also help by altering the rate of progress of the disease. Also, the other psychiatric disturbances which the patient develops in the course of the disease like anxiety, depression, delusions, disturbed sleep etc can also be safely relieved by homoeopathic medicines.

If the patient is brought to us in the early stages, we have a lot to help for relieving the patient's complaints without any other side effects.

Environmental structuring: This means providing a safe, non stimulating, environment to the patient which provides him with consistency comfort.

Patient care

- For stage 1 patients, reality orientation is very helpful.

- For stage 2 patients, reality orientation is not possible; hence validation therapy is the best choice. Here, we should value support the patient's feelings thoughts.

- The patient should be encouraged to do self care, exercise his other activities. His mental and emotional states, his other vital signs body functions should be assessed for any deterioration.

- We should keep in mind the patient's capabilities our expectations should not exceed his abilities to perform any tasks.

- We should speak to the patient calmly allow him sufficient time to reply as we understands that the thinking process of the patient has slowed down. He should also be referred to appropriate support groups, counseling groups etc.

Visit us at: http://www.happylivin.com

Can Stress Cause Alzheimer's?

When we talk about Alzheimer's what many of us fail to realize is that the early onset of Alzheimer's disease can be brought on by stress. Stress can affect a persons life in such a way that it becomes difficult to live a normal existence. Having stress for long periods of time only change the way that a person thinks, it can also have a negative effect on brain cells, which in turn can bring about the early onset of Alzheimer's.

Over the years the number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease has increased greatly. Although the majority of sufferers are normally into their sixties and seventies, research has shown that people who are in their fifties have started to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. There is also some evidence that shows if you have a family history of Alzheimer's, then the chances of you developing the disease are much stronger. This shows that your genetic make up could play a part in whether you contract the disease or not.

Tests have proven that people who suffer with stress when they are younger, have been known to develop Alzheimer's disease at a younger age, and the disease has developed a lot quicker than it would do in a person who has developed the disease later on in their life. If you are one of those people who find it difficult to cope with stress, it is important that you seek medical advice. Learning to do yoga, deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can prove to be highly effective to decrease levels of stress. This will not only allow you to live a more relaxed and happier life, it could also help you fight against the early onset of Alzheimer's disease.

A lot of us can cope with stress, but for many people who suffer with stress for long periods of time can find themselves becoming depressed and start to suffer from other illnesses. It can get to the point were the stress can become all consuming. The stress becomes the focus of that persons life. This can lead to ill health of varying degrees, and because the mind is constantly under pressure, it leaves the door open for the early onset of Alzheimer's disease.

People who have been diagnosed as having the early onset of Alzheimer's, can suffer from a multitude of problems. The symptoms of Alzheimer's will include slurred speech, forgetting familiar faces, forgetting what they were saying in the middle of a conversation, time confusion, where they are unsure what time they actually exist in, these are just a few of the symptoms from this awful disease. The situation can become extremely distressing for the sufferer and the people that surround them.

If you want to decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer's then stress management is a definite must. There is lots of help available to you to help you cop with stress. If you don't feel like seeing your doctor about it, then there are other avenues that you could explore. We have already mentioned yoga, but hypnotherapy is another great resource that you could take advantage of. Even if you take up some sort of hobby that prevents your mind from focusing on the stressful areas of your life, will be a big help. Remember that your brain is similar to all the other muscles in your body, in that it can only take so much pressure until it breaks down. So the simple message is that if you want to lessen the odds of developing the early onset of Alzheimer's disease, learn to relax.

General Information About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a condition affecting the brain, resulting in a rapid and severe deterioration of mental capacities. It was first recorded in the early part of the 20th century by a German scientist, Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He noted its presence in the autopsy of a middle-aged patient suffering from an acute form of dementia (mental degeneration).

Because Alzheimer's disease has often struck both men and women in the 40 to 609 age bracket, it has sometimes been referred to as presenile dementia, a forerunner of senility, detected occasionally in the elderly. This term, however, may be a misnomer, since doctors are now finding that Alzheimer's afflicts older individuals as frequently as it does middle-aged ones. Some research indicates that Alzheimer's may be hereditary, which would help explain its occurrence in the middle-aged as well as in the elderly.

Question: What are the signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease?

Doctors have discovered that the nerve cells in the brains of Alzheimer's patients show certain distinct abnormalities. They have cited, for example, the existence of a tangle of nerve fibers, not observed in the brains of normal, healthy adults. They have also located a structure called the neuritic plaque, which is made up of deteriorating nerve endings.

People with Alzheimer's disease suffer from severe memory loss. They can no longer recall important events in their lives or recognize such significant people as spouses, children, and siblings. They frequently experience utter confusion and are unable to speak clearly or move with ease. Many patients exhibit a form of paranoia, having fears of things that do not exist. Some are incontinent.

Question: What is the precise cause of Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers have not been able to discover the cause. Some feel that Alzheimer's may be related to a chemical deficiency. Others speculate that the source may be a virus. Still, some research has hinted at an excessive accumulation of aluminum in the brain as the cause.

Recent research has also indicated the presence of an abnormal protein in Alzheimer's patients, A-68, that is absent in non-Alzheimer's patients. Development of a simple laboratory test could mean better diagnosis, the correction of misdiagnosed Alzheimer's patients, and better treatment at an earlier stage of the disease. A definitive explanation as to the cause of the disease has not yet been reached.

Question: What is the treatment for Alzheimer's disease?

There is, unfortunately, no effective treatment for preventing or stopping the ravages of the disease. Studies suggest that a good diet may help to slow the progression of the illness. Still, most Alzheimer's patients are eventually hospitalized or placed in nursing homes, since family members find it increasingly difficult to provide the constant, around-the-clock care and attention needed. Recently, support groups have been started around the country to help relatives of Alzheimer's victims cope with their own feelings and make adjustments in their lives.

The Remarkable Health Benefits of Red Wine

In 1991, 60 Minutes broadcast a story that dealt with a phenomena we have come to know as the "French Paradox". The story posed an important question. How can it be that coronary heart disease rates among French males is significantly lower than the rate for US males when the French consume much more saturated animal fat than Americans? The French Paradox appears on the surface to contradict everything health professionals have been telling us about the rules of healthy eating.

It's instructive to look at the details of how the French and American diets differ.

According to research data cited in Wikipedia, in 2002 the average French person consumed 108 grams of animal fat, while the average American consumed only 72 grams. The French eat four times as much butter, sixty percent more cheese and nearly three times as much pork as Americans. Overall the consumption of saturated fat is much higher in France. Yet astoundingly according to data from the British Heart Foundation for 1999, death among males 35-74 was 230 per 100,000 in the US, but only 83 per 100,000 in France.

How to explain this? The 60 minutes story attributed the French results to the red wine that is a staple of French diets. Many researchers believe red wine is the magic bullet that explains the mystery. This article endorses that finding, while also acknowledging that other factors in the French diet likely contribute to greater longevity. For example the French are less inclined to snack-on-the-run and are not as keen on fast foods as Americans. The French diet in addition tends to be more varied and the portions smaller on average.

Scientists believe the key to the healthful benefits of red wine lie in the antioxidants, or flavonoids. Flavonoids help to reduce the production of LDL, low density lipoprotein - sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol. They also have the effect of increasing HDL, high density lipoprotein, the so-called "good" cholesterol. These combined effects help to prevent blood clots and improve the lipid profile overall.

Some researchers claim that the positives of drinking red wine go beyond cardiovascular benefits. A number of studies have discovered that an antioxidant concentrated in the skin of the grape, resveratrol, may actually help inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. Research into the properties of resveratrol also indicates that it may be helpful in the formation of nerve cells, and so could potentially be a factor in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

However since resveratrol occurs in wine at very low levels of concentration, it's unlikely that this antioxidant alone can explain the French Paradox. It appears to be best explained by the combination of elements in wine, including the very important oligomeric polyphenols. Some scientists believe that they offer the greatest protection to human blood vessel cells. Interestingly enough these polyphenols are found in greatest concentration in European red wines from specific areas. Wines made from the Tannat grape, grown in the Gers region of south-west France have some of the highest concentrations.

Aside from these Tannat vintages, which wines confer most health benefits? Based on flavonoid count - Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Petit Syrah rank highest. Although Merlot and Zinfandel have become more popular in recent years, they tend to have fewer flavonoids. White wine is even lower on the scale, and the sweeter the white, the fewer the flavonoids.

Although most medical advice recommends moderate wine consumption, new research appears to indicate the contrary. In a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School and National Institute of Aging, large amounts of red wine extract was fed to mice. Even though the mice were fed a high fat diet, they lived a long and healthy life. Scientists hail the results as "spectacular". The death rate for the mice on the wine extract supplement dropped 31%, as compared to the untreated mice. The treated mice also lived longer than average. Another aspect of the study that surprised researchers, was that the organs of the overweight mice that received the extract looked entirely normal.

Scientists caution that it is too soon to tell how these benefits will carry over into humans and that people shouldn't be tempted to overdo the wine consumption on the basis of these results.

Based on the research over the past few years, there is little doubt that red wine does indeed confer significant health benefits. But as I mentioned above, other factors also come into play. The benefits of red wine will be less apparent if a person has a driven lifestyle high on stress, with junk food as the primary diet. But when the eating habits are conducive to a healthy lifestyle the benefits of red wine rank high.

Here's to everyone's good health!

Alzheimer's Caregiving Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer's may range from managing finances to managing behavioral changes, to getting your loved one dressed for the day.

Handling such a variety of duties can be very hard work. However, by learning such care giving skills, you are making sure that your loved one feels as safe and secure as possible. It is also important that you take care of yourself and your own well-being.

Caring for a loved one with dementia or any other disease that involves dementia can be extremely stressful and time-consuming.

A care giver can do many other things to help the patient while also reducing the sometimes overwhelming burden that goes along with caregiving:

Be Informed - Knowledge is empowering. The better educated you are about Alzheimer's disease and the signs and symptoms of dementia, the better able you will be to deal with challenges that will most likely arise.

Share Your Concerns With Your Loved One -- An individual with early stage dementia and who is only moderately impaired will be able to assist somewhat in his or her own care. Create memory aides and other strategies that may be very useful to the individual with dementia, as well as to the caregiver. This may be easier said than done, but may actually be a relief to your loved one. It will encourage conversation about the problems at hand and will most likely make you both feel better about reaching some sort of solution. That being said, it is vitally important to understand that the patient you are dealing with, if they are still in touch with reality, will more than likely be in some stage of denial.

Take One Problem At A Time - Problems may seem insurmountable at times. Try to focus on one problem at a time. You don't have to solve them all at once and trying to do so will only lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed.

Be Creative - Your ability to adapt is one of the main keys to coping with Alzheimer's. If you aren't able to solve a problem one way, try another approach. For instance, if the individual insists on eating with his or her hands, don't fight it--try building as many meals around finger foods, as possible.

Encourage The Individual's Freedom And Activity Within Limits. Since a stable schedule is necessary for medications and meals, you may want to encourage outside activities that the patient can tolerate such as a visit with an old friend or taking a walk in a nearby park.

Give Yourself a Break - It's important to remember that the individual with Alzheimer's disease is not the only one with needs that must be considered. As a caregiver, your desires and needs must be met, also. Most importantly, you should regularly try to find time for yourself. This may sound impossible, but it's very important that you have some time each week to do something that you enjoy. You need this diversion to clear your head and maintain some sort of balance in your life.

Don't Isolate Yourself -- Maintain contact with family and friends. If you feel you have no one to turn to, it's very easy to become burned out. It is very important to maintain healthy contacts and you can do so by becoming part of the Alzheimer's Association or some other local support group. Visiting with other families who are experiencing same challenges will be very reassuring. You'll come to realize that you are not alone in your daily struggles to care for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease.

10 Reasons to Learn Mandarin Chinese

Very often people will have their own reasons for learning a new or foreign language, but some languages have extra added benefits or advantages in the World today. Mandarin Chinese is one of these.

There are many reasons  why Chinese is one of the most important second languages that can be learned by people of any country--but here are just 10.

1) Almost one quarter of the World's population speaks Chinese.

This in itself may not be an overwhelming reason to learn the language but when you consider that there are over 1.3 billion people in China itself, not to mention the millions elsewhere in Singapore, Taiwan, South East Asia, America and Europe that also speak Chinese, it is obvious that the language is spreading and growing around the World. Being able to speak the language then, will obviously open up billions of new friends, customers or possible partners than you had before.

2) China has had the fastest growing major economy in the World for the past quarter of a century.

From a business perspective, China is the place to do business. Their economy has been growing steadily (up until very recently) at just under 10% per year. This puts China on a course to being one of the biggest economic powerhouses on the World stage within a few years and very probably the biggest economy in the World. Just like people learned English to break into the US trade, Chinese will soon become one of the major business languages in the World. Why wait?

3) One of the US's top trading partners

Imports and exports flow like water between China and the US. It is mainly US imports that have driven the Chinese economy so strongly over the past few decades and yet the newly found wealth is allowing the Chinese middle classes to indulge in western luxuries. This open trade between the two countries has made many businesses very successful. Learning Chinese will give any business an advantage over the competition within this market.

4) Definite Edge in Competing for JobsLearning any language is an advantage when looking for a job. Employers like bilingual people. As well as showing dedication, it also gives them an extra language available within the workforce. Chinese is probably the biggest advantage of them all. Any business that are involved in overseas trade or communication will prize Chinese speaking applicants above all else. As stated above, Chinese-US and Chinese-European trade is huge and companies are crying out for people who can speak to the locals. Learn Chinese now and multiply your job prospects.

5) Excellent option for College Application.

Chinese Mandarin is fast surpassing German, French and Portuguese to be one of the most studied languages in the US and Europe. Schools that once taught exclusively French or Spanish are now offering Chinese as an alternative or as a replacement and children are being brought up to speak Chinese. Why is this? Well apart from the obvious business and employment opportunities afforded those that learn the language, students of Mandarin are also looked upon favourably when considered for college application. Just as employers, colleges see the dedication involved to learn Chinese and the opportunities it offers later.

Learn Chinese today and get ahead of the rest of the crowd.

6) Mentally Challenging

It has been scientifically proven that learning a language is good for the brain. It keep the brain young and healthy and can enhance the learning of other subjects, even seemingly unrelated subjects like Math. It has been shown that bilingual students consistently do better on their SATs than non-bilingual ones. This also applies to older people: It has been shown that people who learn languages are less susceptible to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and can keep their brains sharper for much longer. This effect is even greater for Chinese: The fact that Chinese is so different from English in sound, tones and script means that learning it is even more mentally stimulating than other languages. Learn Chinese and keep learning for a long long time.

7) Chinese Culture is one of the oldest in the World.

The Chinese culture is ancient. They invented gunpowder and paper, and discovered America before Columbus was even born. Their history and culture is immense and colourful, diverse and fascinating and learning the language will give you insight into this history and culture that you would otherwise never have. If you are interested in Chinese medicine, Chinese Opera or theatre, or even Chinese Kung-Fu movies, then learning the language can give you that added extra appreciation.

8) Never Been Easier

Possibly not the best reason for learning a language but definitely the best time. Since the introduction of Simplified Chinese to unify the different dialects and form one national language, the Chinese language has been more accessible than ever before. This was made even easier by the Government's sweeping introduction of Pinyin, a transliterated version of the Mandarin script into Roman letters. This means anyone can be speaking and reading Pinyin in days and then progress to the tougher script later on. There are now of course also a multitude of excellent courses available to help you learn Chinese mandarin. These range from small, free vocabulary websites to huge software bohemoths that can teach you everything there is to know about a language... for a price. If you're serious about learning Chinese though and want to reap the rewards that Mandarin Chinese will bring, then it is definitely worth both the time and the money

9) World Affairs

Sure this is linked to some of the previous reasons but is just as important in its own right. China is playing an increasingly major role in World affairs today, not just economically but also politically and environmentally. China is becoming a superpower but has a lot to work on before its human rights and environmental policies are acceptable globally. These issues will become increasingly more important as China grows, and if you have an interests in these issues, learning the language could certainly put you in a good position to go about changing some of them.

10) Similar Languages

Learning Chinese can give you a strong foundation for learning other languages--most noticeably Japanese. The Japanese and Chinese script are actually almost identical, and although being able to read the script will not mean you will be able to speak Japanese, it will certainly give you a good base from which to learn.

Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver - Finding the Positive

Alzheimer's steals so much from its victims and their families. Caregivers for Alzheimer's patients often face a unique level of depression due to the continuously changing behaviors and capabilities of their loved one. Finding anything positive in the process is not easy, but if you look hard enough you can find a few bright spots along the way. Our six-year journey as Alzheimer's caregivers has yielded some valuable life lessons:

* We've been reminded of the importance of making the most of every day. Learn to see today as the best day you'll ever again have with your loved one. Make new memories of today that will be cherished tomorrow. Plan gatherings of family and friends to take advantage of the time your loved one is still with you.

* Learn to find joy in simple pleasures. It's amazing how much happiness an Alzheimer's sufferer can experience from things most of us would never think important. A favorite food, polished nails, a new garment, playing a game, a small child's visit, a cuddly animal, or an old familiar song can brighten the world for someone with the disease. Focus on some of your loved ones favorite things and provide them with opportunities to enjoy them as often as possible. Include favorite activities, too. Some adaptations may be necessary. If so, do whatever you can to give an opportunity for the person to do the things she's always enjoyed. One of our friends with Alzheimer's was an avid golfer. His disease eventually prevented his going to a course to play. However, the assisted living center where he resided had a small putting area where he spent hours every day. The game was different, but the pleasure he gained from golf never left him.

* Photo albums help connect the present with forgotten faces and places of the past. Time spent looking through old family photos helps to strengthen the relationship with your loved one as you remember your common past together. Take new pictures that will become priceless to the family as the Alzheimer's victim slips further away from you.

* Reminiscing about stories of long ago allows the person with Alzheimer's to connect with their past, too. Our loved one who suffers from the disease is able to remember most of her childhood, but not the answers to questions she asked moments ago. Enjoying older stories allows her to laugh and provides comfort to her.

* Learn to see the innocence of those with Alzheimer's disease. Just as young children possess an innocent quality in their actions and conversations, so do those who become childlike again due to their disease. Children can be amusing. Laughing at their behavior is not making fun or ridiculing them. The same is true of Alzheimer's patients. They, too, can be amusing in the things they do and say. Learning to laugh can help the Alzheimer caregiver survive the ugly side of the disease.

* Take time to make friends with other Alzheimer's caregivers who are responsible for the care of a family member. The bonds you share because of the disease will form the basis of some wonderful new relationships.

Learning to look for something positive along the journey through Alzheimer's disease will help any Alzheimer's caregiver maintain their own sanity and wellbeing while caring for their loved one.

Alzheimer's Disease - The Role of Tangles and Plaques

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that affects a person's memory, thinking and behavior. This disease is a form of dementia that is found mainly in people over the age of 65. Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 70 percent of dementia cases.

Alzheimer's disease was first recorded by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who specialized in neuropathology and histopathology, in early 1900's. One of his patients, a woman names Auguste Deter, had completely lost her memory and developed strange behaviors. When she passed away, Dr. Alzheimer decided to examine her brain to find out the causes of the symptoms. He noticed two differences that have come to identify Alzheimer's disease, gumlike clumps outside some cells and an abnormal collection of protein inside other cells. He dubbed these plaques and tangles.

Tangles

The nutrients from the cell body need to be transported to nerve endings. Inside the healthy brain cells, long threads of proteins serve as tracks for this transport of nutrients.

When scientists examined the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease who had died, they discovered that some of these transport proteins were tangled. Neurons with tangles in their branches could not send nutrient molecules to their nerve endings, and therefore they could not communicate with other neurons. Tangles are found in the cerebral cortex of the brain mainly in the temporal lobe structures.

Plaques

The second thing Alzheimer took note of was the neuritic plaques. The neuritis plaques are made of a protein called amyloid, normally found in the body. In a person with alzheimer's disease, large sediments of the protein accumulate between the nerve cells. These plaques were later found to be comprised of deposits of aluminum silicate as well as the amyloid protein.

Amyloid plaques damage the connection points between neurons and interfere with their ability to communicate with one another. Plaques seem to develop initially in the cortical areas in the temporal lobes, which explains why Alzheimer's patients first develop profound memory loss.

Patients who suffer from a more severe form of Alzheimer disease have far more plaques than those with mild forms. The brains of persons unaffected by Alzheimer can have a few plaques.

Scientists are now on searching to find out why millions of plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease while very few found in the brains of healthy older peoples.

Amyloid plaques seem to trigger an inflammatory response. In the brain, the inflammatory cells may cause injury simply by their arrival in and around the plaques. The inflammatory process appears to destroy large numbers of brain cell in Alzheimer's patients.

Another contributor to Alzheimer's disease may be that the natural repair mechanism that rid the body of free radicals is faulty. Apolipoprotein E, which has the potential to protect the lipid membranes against free radical injury, might be less efficient (in repairing the damage) variant in the brain of an Alzheimer's patients. Without an adequate protection, the free radicals that are brought to the inflammation sites around a plaque can kill nearby innocent neurons too.

Antioxidants such as vitamin E, which aid in the absorption of free radicals, seem to ease the burden of Alzheimer's disease in some patients.

Arithmophobia - The Fear of Numbers

Had every one of the most obscure of all the many phobias that exist in the world, Arithmophobia is the fear of numbers. There are literally hundreds of different types of phobias and there are people who suffer from just about anything you can imagine. The fear of numbers is one of the more obscurities and is brought about by a rational and illogical fear, as are most phobias.

The fear of numbers is a factor that makes had a lot harder for many people suffering from it to learn mathematics and arithmetic properly. It is a condition where the brain simply cannot get around a number of figures and becomes frustrated and anxious because while they may want to achieve more, they find that there is a hidden obstacle in the way and this is that irrational fear.

Most phobias can be cured by a number of psychological methods. A fairly popular method of curing phobias is hypnotism, although this is not being confirmed to work by those involved in science. Overcoming a phobia is particularly important, since irrational fear something can severely damage your lifestyle.

Some may consider that the fear of numbers is a type of dyslexia. The problem is that arithmetic is all about logic and the fundamental basic laws of the universe. Unfortunately, our brains are not really meant to work in a particularly logical way of thinking so this can leave us open potentially to a number of confusions and complications.

The fear of numbers can be quite diverse. It could also be the fear of a particular number or larger numbers that you can't get your head around. Getting to control your phobia and starting to realise how illogical it is, is the most important step in finally recovering. If you go about it the right way, it is generally not difficult to do.

Alzheimer's Disease Part X - What to Avoid

As we mentioned in previous articles Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder named after German physician Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect language communication, memory, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer's gets worse over time, and it is fatal. In this article, we will discuss what to avoid so you can cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

1. Limit intake of processed sugar

Study shows that intake of high amounts of processed sugar over a long period causes worse learning and memory retention and in the brain and increasing amyloid plaque deposits. Sugar beverage causes the increasing blood levels of beta-amyloid, a sticky protein substance that builds up in the brain resulting in Alzheimer's disease.

2. Limit intake of salt

Sodium is crucial for maintaining the health of every cell in the human system. Excessive salt consumption contributes to the development of high blood pressure heart disease and stroke causing depletion of oxygen in the bloodstream resulting in plague and tangle building up in certain regions of the brain.

3. Limit the use of aluminum cook ware

Overheating aluminum cookware will cause a chemical reaction and aluminum leaking into your food resulting in heavy mental accumulated in certain regions in your brain increasing the risk of Alzheimer' s disease.

4. Replace farm fish with wild fish

Farm fish that grows in crown areas, contains high amounts of mercury and lead that are not only harmful to your body but also causes the accumulation of such chemicals in your brain resulting in a increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

5. Use purifier in your tab water

In order to avoid the intake of heavy metal through water drinking, the best solution is to purify your tab water before drinking or drinking only boiled water.

6. Avoid foods that are stripped of vital nutrition

Food that contains caffeine, artificial additive and trans fat will strip away the vital nutrition resulting in nutritional deficiency causing many health problems including malnutrition of brain cells.

7. Limit intake of alcohol

Alcohol damage of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus region of the brain results in loss of memory and communication difficulty.

8. Stop smoking

Smoking depletes the oxygen level in our bloodstream and also causes the hardening, thickening of arteries and promoting calcium sticking to the arterial wall resulting in less nutrition to nourish our brain cells as well as causing rupture of the brain vessels.

I hope this information will help. If you want to more information of the above subject, you can follow my series of articles and visit my home page at:

Alzheimer's Disease Stages And The Symptoms To Look For

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of an individual's mental state. Most cases begin after age 65 but some individuals may be affected as early as age 40. This article shares the 10 warning signs and symptoms to look for when diagnosing the disorder and provides insights into the causes and treatments available for Alzheimer patients.

Alzheimer's Disease

Symptoms - The symptoms associated with this condition begin as mild memory loss or forgetfulness, irritability, and increased difficulty performing ordinary daily tasks such as housework. As the disease progresses, the individual experiences confusion, difficulty recognizing family and friends, a tendency to wander, and a lack of interest in normal hygiene. In the final stages a person afflicted with Alzheimer's disease may experience hallucinations, paranoia, and depression.

The Alzheimer's Organization outlines 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's and they are:

1. Memory loss that interferes with normal daily life

2. Difficulties in planning or solving problems

3. Challenges in completing familiar tasks at home, at work or during leisure time

4. Confusion with regards to time or place

5. Difficulty understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6. Unusual problems with words in speaking or writing that may make it difficult to join in a conversation

7. Misplacing items and losing the ability to retrace steps

8. Unusually poor judgment

9. Progressive withdrawal from work or social activities

10. Changes in mood and personality

Cause - The cause of this progressive disorder is not well understood but risk may increase with a family history.

Diagnosis - Observation of the aforementioned symptoms will likely be the first signs of a problem. It is not uncommon for family members to be the first to detected signs of this illness. When symptoms are noticed an evaluated by a physician should be scheduled. The evaluation may include a physical examination, CT scan or PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan, which may help form the proper diagnosis.

Treatment - There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Family members and friends of an Alzheimer's patient should learn as much as possible about what to expect and how to cope with the disorder. If home-care becomes impossible, a residential health care facility will become necessary.

How to Avoid Alzheimer's Disease

In 1906 Dr. Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915) a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist described the first case of the form of dementia during a lecture at the German Psychiatrists conference in Tubingen, which is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He was describing one of his patients, whose symptoms were memory loss, language problems and unpredictable behavior. After her death, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in her brain tissue, abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers. Since then, this disease is one of the most common dementia in the aging population, bearing Alzheimer's name.

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which shows progressive dementia and it is the fourth most common cause of death. There are clear pathological hallmarks of the disease, mainly in the form of plaques and tangles. Plaques are abnormal clusters and fragments of protein, which build up between nerve cells. Dying nerve cells contain tangles, which are made up of another protein. These plaques and tangles might be the reason for cell death and tissue loss in the Alzheimer's brain.

Our brain has three major parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brain stem. The cerebrum is the major content of our skull. Its main function is in the areas of remembering, problem solving, thinking, feeling and controlling our movement. The cerebellum located at the back of our head, under the cerebrum and it controls our coordination and balance. The brain stem is located beneath the cerebrum in front of the cerebellum. It connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls functions which are automatic, such as breathing, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure.

The brain is nourished by networks of blood vessels comprised of arteries, veins and capillaries. The arteries carry blood to fuel our brain with each heartbeat.

The unique outer layer of our brain is called the cortex, which is quite clearly mapped according to specific functions. Among the major functions we can notice our sight, sound and smell, thoughts, problem solving, memory storing and retrieving and controlling certain movements.

Our brain is divided into two hemispheres; the left half controls the right body's side and the right half controls the left side. The speech-language area is on the left side in most people. The brain contains over 100 billion neurons or nerve cells, which branches and generates connections at more than 100 trillion connection points. Brain signals are traveling via the network of neurons involving our memories, thoughts, and feelings. Nerve cells are connected to one another at synapses. A burst of chemicals called neurotransmitters are released at the synapses when triggered by the appropriate electric charge and so the 'message' is carried to other cells.

Alzheimer's disease is responsible for the destructions of those neurons and to the disruption of the activity of the neurotransmitters. We also know that Alzheimer's disease leads to nerve cell death and tissue loss throughout the brain. Over time, the brain shrinks dramatically, affecting nearly all its functions. Shrinkage is especially severe in the hippocampus, which is an area of the cortex that plays a major role in formation of new memories.

Early symptoms are in the area of learning and memory, thinking and planning, which may interfere with work or social life. At this stage people may get confused and have problems expressing themselves, organizing and handling money.

As Alzheimer's progresses, individuals may experience changes in personality and behavior and have trouble recognizing friends and family members. People with Alzheimer may live an average of eight years. In certain cases it maybe more depends on other health conditions and other factors like genetics.

What causes Alzheimer?

It is assumed that the cause is a complex sequence of events comprising of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. We do not understand the exact cause or the contributions of those factors and it varies from case to case.

What diagnostic tools are available?

Until today, there are no effective therapies to cure, to halt or to slow down the progression of Alzheimer disease. At the same time there are many diagnostic tools to identify the disease, such as non-invasive imaging techniques to assess the aspects of neuro-anatomy, chemistry, physiology, and pathology of the disease and its evolutionary status.

One of the popular examinations is using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), mainly because it enables the visualization of the brain structures in three dimensions. Computed Tomography (CT) is another visualization tool used for the diagnosis and evaluation of dementia, especially for cases at early stages. The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan shows brain activity in real-time associated with functions such as: reading, hearing, thinking and saying words. High activity areas are marked with red and they decrease in colors as activity level decreased. PET scan is also used to detect alterations in regional brain metabolism. This metabolic over activity is reflected as "red-hot-spots" on PET images, enabling doctors to confirm the status of suspected tumor area and assess whether they have spread. Recently, new devices combining multi-modalities are being developed such as MRI/PET. This is a hybrid imaging technology that utilizes MRI soft tissue morphological capabilities with PET functional imaging, which is effective for tumor detection.

What parts of the brain are affected?

Alzheimer eventually affects most parts of the brain. However, each person is affected differently as the disease progresses. The main brain regions affected by Alzheimer are the frontal, temporal and the parietal lobes.

The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain and controls a range of functions such as intelligence, making decisions, solving problems and other mental and social functions.

Damage to this area causes decrease in quality of life and generates severe problems for patients to take care of themselves.

The temporal lobe is located at both temples and ears and they are responsible for the long and the short term memories. Episodic memory helps us to remember events such as where we parked our car or where are our house keys. Remembering such events requires the storing and retrieving processes located at our temporal lobe. The Ability to learn is located in these regions, so damage to these areas may lead to memory loss. This loss causes the inability to register new information and retrieve it later when needed.

Speech ability is located behind the temporal lobe at the parietal lobe. This region is also responsible for the visual system and enables visual analysis and stimuli. Damage to this area may cause abnormal speech and visual problems.

Alzheimer first affects the hippocampus which is located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain. It is the area of the brain in which new memories are formed. It then moves to other areas affecting different functions such as reasoning or emotions. The cerebellum and the brain stem are the last areas of the brain to be affected. This is when we lose control of basic functions such as breathing, heart-rate and blood pressure. This is Alzheimer's final stage leading to death.

What medications are available to treat Alzheimer?

There are four FDA approved medications to treat Alzheimer. Donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine are used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer and moderate to severe Alzheimer is treated by memantine and also donepezil. These drugs are regulating neurotransmitters. They may assist in memory improvement, speaking and help with certain behavioral problems. The problem with these drugs is that their efficacy is limited to certain group of patients and for a limited period.

What do we know about the statistics of Alzheimer's disease?

• More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer.


• The number of Alzheimer's cases doubles every five years after age 65 and the risk is about 50 percent after age 85. About 10 percent of all Alzheimer cases are at age around 30.


• More women than men develop Alzheimer's disease.


• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.


• Payments for care are estimated to be $200 billion in the United States in 2012. It is estimated that the total cost of Alzheimer's is $604 billion worldwide.


• High glucose levels can double our lifetime risk for developing Alzheimer's.


• Stroke and Alzheimer's share many risk factors and the likelihood of dementia is doubled after a stroke.

What are the risk factors?

There are uncontrollable risk factors such as genetics and aging and risk factors that we may control such as our life habits.

The known and established risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are genetics and aging; both uncontrollable. Alzheimer in our close family in most cases will increase our risk probability for Alzheimer's disease. However, even in those cases we still may not get the disease. So currently we don't have solutions, but it is assumed that adopting healthy brain life habits might delay or even prevent the appearance of Alzheimer's disease in certain cases.

What can we do to reduce the risk?

Healthy brain life habits are not only keeping fit from the neck down, but in addition to perform certain daily exercises. Recent emerging evidence suggests there are certain steps we can take to help keep our brain healthier as we age. Some of these steps might also reduce our risk of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

• Maintaining good blood flow - Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain. This is critical also for the generation of new brain cells. It also can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. According to the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation, this step may reduce the risk by 50 percent.


• Low cholesterol diet - Low fat, low cholesterol diet with dark vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain cells. We know that high cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell damage.


• Reducing stress - Social activity not only makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce stress levels, which helps maintain healthy connections among brain cells. Studies show that the more connected we are, the better are our memory and cognition.


• Sleeping well - Nightly sleep deprivation may slow our thinking and affecting our mood. We may be at greater risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Sleep apnea has long been recognized as a cause of decreased daytime alertness, but recent studies suggest it may also increase the risk of dementia.


• Stop smoking - Smoking will increase the risk factor and may reduce the age of Alzheimer's onset by seven years. Smoking has an extremely harmful effect on the heart, lungs and vascular system, including the blood vessels in the brain. There is a significant improvement in blood circulation when smoking habits are abandoned.


• Stop drinking alcohol - Brain changes from alcohol abuse can only be reversed in their early stages. Drinking above recommended levels of alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing dementias such as Alzheimer's, vascular and other alcohol-related dementias.


• Brain cells stimulation- "Use it or lose it" - Mentally stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles, reading, learning and interactive computer games may create new nerve cells and at the same time strengthen brain cells and the connections between them. It is believed that mentally active brain can better cope with the disease and may enable the delay of the dementia symptoms. Moreover, people who continue learning new things are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The best way to reduce the risk is to be involved in activities requiring interaction, communication and new learning skills.

Is there a Mind-Body connection?

We acknowledge a strong mind-body connection. Recent studies associate spirituality with better brain health. Meditating, praying and religious practice may immunize against the damaging effects of stress. Our immune system is built to protect us from many external threats; however it fails when emotion and stress are involved.

If we permit 'bad energy' to enter our brain, we are flooded by bad emotions that can affect our physical body. This is the negative power of belief.

The link of mind-spirit and body is obvious. We should realize that the power of belief can also work against us and may be a destructive force.Therefore, we should avoid negativism and seek positivism. Above all, we have to believe in ourselves.

Willpower is one of the significant human driving forces. We know that there is a power in our will, as in the saying: 'Where there is a will, there is a way'.

This willpower helps us to overcome the many difficulties and obstacles in our life. It is one of the major components needed for success.

A healthy soul requires a healthy body, as the Latin has it: anima sanain corpore sano, and in Hebrew: "Nefesh bria beguf bari".

We know that mind and body are connected. Our health is strongly dependent on how we deal emotionally and physically with various situations and conditions. Our immune system is affected when we suffer continuous stress. General illnesses can be largely stress-related. Stress is not always negative, however. Stress is a predictable, normal and sometimes desirable human response. Stress is activated in various circumstances, such as feelings of danger or urgency. In such cases stress protects us by alerting us to danger and keeping us focused.

When stress is continuous and unrelenting, this is the point at which it starts to be harmful. It can have a negative effect in both physical and psychological terms. There is a link between stress and life expectancy. Most researchers believe that stress is a major factor in reducing life expectancy.

The author, however, believes that a certain amount of stress in reaction to certain activities can have the opposite effect. Both ends of the spectrum, namely, no stress at all and extensive stress, are negative factors which influence our way and quality of life. Some stress in a multi-tasking environment, however, can have a positive effect on our life expectancy.

Being active in multi-disciplinary areas not only gives us positive emotions and satisfaction but could also extend our life expectancy.

This assumption is partly supported by the fact that diverse activities mean we activate different brain areas.

Research has shown that negative emotions such as anger and unhappiness have a significant impact on our nervous and immune systems and are probably the cause of certain diseases. On the other hand, positive emotions such as happiness and harmony are elements which have a positive influence on our health.

In neurobiology, the material functions of the mind could be a representation of certain mechanistic properties of the brain. The brain essentially shuts down the area which generates conscious thought during deep sleep and reactivates it on dreaming or waking.

The relationship of the brain with the mind is similar to that of computer hardware with software. This analogy of the mind as software is debated by scientists, who claim correctly that the human mind has powers beyond any artificial software.

Future proposed studies and methodologies

Accumulations of new databases (NDB) of Alzheimer patients are required. NDB should also contain genetic independent cases, above 50 years old, with their detailed history of activity or inactivity, during their last decade prior being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, a correlation imaging database using MRI/PET should be created.

We should concentrate in detecting the specific location where Alzheimer's disease may begin. This is probably a specific vulnerable area of the brain, from where the damage is spread to other areas of the brain.

We already know that Alzheimer first affects the hippocampus, which is the area where new memories are formed. We also know that the memory cells or circuit which is essential for generating and storing new memories is in the entorhinal cortex. The entorhinal cortex is an area of the brain located in the medial temporal lobe. It is functioning as a hub in a network for memory and navigation.

The entorhinal cortex is one of the first areas to be affected in Alzheimer's disease. It would be interesting to follow the assumption that people with less or no physical activities especially after the age of 50, tend statistically to be more vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease than those who are active physically and mentally. Accordingly, studies focusing in this area of the brain may lead to better understanding our brain system for enhancing memory.

Future gene research may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms of the disease, which hopefully will lead to the appropriate preventing treatment.

A promising research area is using stem cells for treating Alzheimer. There are many ways to approach this option. Among the various possibilities we may suggest to re-grow diseased parts, to heal rather than replace neurons or to use stem cells as drug delivery agents.

Adult stem cells have a positive effect on those who already have Alzheimer's disease. In future they may even prevent the disease.

Conclusion

I believe that mentally stimulating activities in conjunction with enhancing our mind-body connections, could lead not only to improvement in our way of life, but also to significantly reduce the risk involved with Alzheimer's disease.

Social Work Theory and Practice - Making the Links

Our experience is that many students on the social work degree can be intimidated by the word 'theory'. This immediately inhibits effective learning about theory. Theory in social work is about how we relate to others and how we make sure that we are providing effective services. It is important that theory is not seen as the preserve of academics or senior social workers. Through understanding and applying theory to social work practice our work with service users can become far more effective and person centred.

Lots of people think that theory is something purely academic, with no link to "real life". Many social work students cover theory at university, but begin their practice learning experience intimidated by the idea of how to apply theory to their practice and especially concerned about how to demonstrate the links they have made in their assignments and reflective accounts..

Practice learning is about relating the ideas learned in University to the practice setting. However, in order to link theoretical knowledge to practice, students need a firm grasp of the fact that theory is something everybody uses every day in social work and that theory has a clear link to common sense/what works/real life or whatever the phrase of choice is. Without this, theory can become something which seems abstract and this develops the idea that theory is something you learn at University and then forget when you enter the "real world" of work.

The Requirements for Social Work Training state that all social work programmes must:

"Ensure that the teaching of theoretical knowledge, skills and values is based on their application to practice." (Department of Health 2002)

Whilst the basic aspects of social work theory will be taught in the University setting, practice learning is about you transferring your knowledge and applying theory to your practice, and you will need to demonstrate that you can make the links in your written work.

What is theory?

It is our view that social workers in the field and social work students on placement are applying theory every day. However, they may not realise it, and they may not be able to describe the theory or name it.

Theories in social work are nothing more than an attempt to explain situations and social relationships. Theories have been developed since it became clear that there were similar patterns or repeating cycles of behaviour both in an individual's life and in the lives of lots of different people. Since theories have been expressed by academics and social scientists, they often use an academic language. Don't let that put you off. Theories are life dressed up! Many theories actually have a very straightforward, accessible message even if you sometimes have to look beyond the jargon.

There has been some debate about what actually constitutes a theory. Generally, a theory helps to explain a situation and perhaps how it came about. In science, a theory is seen as helping to:

** describe (eg: what is happening?)

** explain (eg: why is it happening?)

** predict (eg: what is likely to happen next?)

Sometimes theories are also seen as helping to control a situation and bring about changes.

Social Work Theory and Practice Learning

In supervision discussion, placement assignments, portfolios etc you need to be able to describe the situation you are working with, explain why you think this came about, what you can do to bring about change etc. In doing so, you will be drawing upon some form of theory. You may, however, not always be aware of this.

Whenever you are considering theory, we would urge you to:

1. Recognise that no single theory can explain everything: When a person engages in an action (or inaction) the reason for their behaviour can be rooted in a range of causes or motives.

2. Related to the first point, recognise that some theoretical approaches just don't work with some people. Applying Brief Solution Focused Therapy can be really effective with some people. For other people, it leaves them cold.

3. Take a critical approach to theory. If it doesn't "work", why not? Can you adapt aspects such that it is helpful?

4. Always apply the value base to theory - much of the theory used in social care practice and social work is drawn from outside of the profession. Theory may have its roots in education, psychology or management. As such, it may not incorporate social work values and you should take responsibility for applying these

5. And finally, never be intimidated by theory. You use it every day.

Why do we need to apply social work theory to practice?

Whilst individual social work theories have different purposes, using all kinds of theory in our work offers us, as social workers, some important things.

** Theories can help us to make sense of a situation. Using theory, we can generate ideas about what is going on, why things are as they are etc. For example the information obtained as part of an assessment can seem like a jumble of information - applying theory can help "make sense" of the information.

** Using theory can help to justify actions and explain practice to service users, carers and society in general. The aim is that this will lead to social work becoming more widely accountable and ultimately more respected.

** In work with individuals, making use of the theories which may relate to their specific situation will give us more direction in our work with them.

** Using theory can give an explanation about why an action resulted in a particular consequence. This can help us review and possibly change our practice in an attempt to make the consequences more effective.

It is clear then, that theory is important in practice - both for work with service users and for social work to be more valued in society.

Alzheimer's Test - PAL Test for Alzheimer's Disease

There is a new ten-minutes test which determines whether a person has alzheimer's is the PAL paired associates learning test or CANTAB. That open the possibilities' doors for alzheimer's treatment and that can also open many doors for new drugs, which may be tested on the live subject. It can make a distinction between alzheimer's patients and persons that haven't any neuropsychiatric disorder.

The test accuracy is higher than MME, FAST and other tests of alzheimer's. CANTAB PAL test has been developed by Dr. Barbara and Professor Robbins.

It can test the brain area which will be first affected by disease. Alzheimer's early diagnosis is the only alternative for patients because alzheimer's can't be treated. Alzheimer's statics show that 20% of people over 85 and 2% to 5% of people over 65 are suffering from alzheimer's. Early diagnosis and detection are an essential factor for treating alzheimer's effectively.

Preventive therapies' research can be speeded up by alzheimer's early detection. Whether therapies are techniques such as diet and drug therapies, researchers will have subjects that undergo a test to determine the therapies' effects.

The impaired performance has been suggested by that researches results on the neuropsychological test. PAL ( CANTAB paired associates learning ) is a test for episodic memory.

PAL test assesses the patient ability to learn and visual memory. It can prove tools for making and assessing determination on dementia types, age related memory loss and a patient with dementia resulted from alzheimer's.

PAL alzheimer's test features:

It is applied on a computer screen. It has many boxes, which are displayed on the screen. PAL boxes are opened in a random way. One box will display as a pattern. Patterns are displayed in the screen middle. Patient will be asked to touch correct boxes where the pattern was located.

Fish Oil Vs Flax Seed Oil - All the Same Thing?

Recently when I visited my parents, they proudly produced a large bottle of flax seed, and proceeded to put it in everything from salad dressing to oatmeal to spaghetti sauce! When I asked them why, they explained they were trying to get more omega 3 in their diets. I was intrigued, so I did a little research into the benefits of fish oil vs flax seed oil. Is one better than the other?

Turns out the body needs omega 3 in order to nourish the brain, the heart, the skin, the joints - even the eyes! It is broken down into three main parts: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ALA (alpha linolenic acid). The first two are found primarily in oily species such as salmon, herring and tuna; the latter in algae and other plant life.

Flax seed oil is a good source of fiber and of 6, along with several other vitamins. It's particularly effective as a laxative, and for fighting PMS and menopause. However, as with so many natural products, it easily goes rancid. It's very important to buy it in small doses, frequently.

Since it is a plant-sourced fatty acid, it produces ALA. ALA is converted in the body to EPA and DHA. This process isn't very efficient - your body can only get about 5% to 20% of the dose converted! So unless you're a vegetarian, it's recommended that you use a more traditional method of getting omega 3 if possible.

Fish oil, such as that found in mackerel, herring, anchovies and Hoki, on the other hand, is already converted into EPA and DHA. Your body gets the full benefit right away, giving you an edge over:

• Heart Disease


• Cholesterol


• Stiffness and Joint Aches


• Dementia and Alzheimers'


• ADD / AHDH

You have to be careful though when you choose an omega 3 from marine life. There is a risk of contamination if you don't look for specific qualifications on the bottle. You need to be able to trust the source of your product, and this is definitely not a good time to go for the cheapest on the market.

Look for a product sourced from very clean water, and from very very small fish, who are the least likely to be contaminated.

Finding Ways to Make it Through Alzheimer's

If you or a loved one begins suffering from Alzheimer's, it can be a very difficult and tragic experience. Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that attacks the brain. It usually starts small but becomes progressively worse. Currently, it affects millions of people, but the number is expected to double over the next 20 years.

When you realize exactly how many people are already suffering from this disease, it can be a scary thought. That's why it is so important that people who may be affected by Alzheimer's find a solution to provide care, like senior home care, or other methods to manage the disease.

Although the number of people that suffer from Alzheimer's is getting larger all the time, many people are still in the dark about how to spot the actual symptoms. But if you can catch the warning signs early enough, you will be able to take a more proactive approach to the problem and prepare yourself to deal with it as it gets worse. This will also help you figure out if you should look into some kind of senior home care system.

Some of the most common symptoms are (but are not limited to): memory loss that seems to get worse over time, various speech impairments, and an impaired ability to make decisions or a tendency to make decisions that are completely out of character. Of course, these symptoms may be more pronounced if someone has had a serious head injury or has had a history of Alzheimer's in the family.

If you suspect that a loved one is starting to feel some of these early stages of Alzheimer's then you should quickly consult a doctor for a formal diagnosis. Your physician will have to start monitoring the person to see if they can spot the important behavioral symptoms and determine whether or not it is impairing their ability to function properly or otherwise hindering their cognitive abilities.

Depending on how the prognosis comes out, this may be the time to decide if senior home care is your best option. This could also be the time to assign Power of Attorney just in case the patient is soon unable to make independent decisions. You should also expect to have regular appointments for continuing evaluations.

Perhaps the best advice for anyone taking care of an Alzheimer's patient is to be proactive about your care plans. Yes, there are drugs on the market and they can help, but there are many things you can do on your own. Select appropriate activities that they can participate in, or join in with an early stages Alzheimer's social group. You should also try to make their living environments safer and more comfortable.

Do your best to keep the patient involved and interested in their own treatment. You should also not hesitate to discuss all the legal and financial matters that have to be resolved. These are also cases when you might consider turning to some senior home care services to help you get everything sorted out.

Blood Protein Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia causes a gradual decline in brain function, in particular related to memory, thinking, language, understanding and judgement. Persons affected may also behave inappropriately in social situations, and have difficulty controlling their emotions.

There are several causes of dementia, the commonest being Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's usually occurs in people over the age of 65, cut can also affect younger people. There is no cure for the illness at present, but there is medication which can slow down the progression of symptoms in some people. Life expectancy is dependent on how quickly the symptoms progress, and this can range from anything between 18 months to 15 years.

Some groundbreaking research about Alzheimer's disease has been published this week in the Archives of General Psychiatry Journal. Scientists have found that high levels of a protein in the blood called CLUSTERIN, are linked to developing Alzheimer's. Increased levels of clusterin in the blood were found in people up to 10 years before they showed any signs of the disease in their brain. This is therefore an extremely early change. Levels of the protein were also measured in people who already had Alzheimer's disease. It was found that there was also a link between the level of clusterin in the blood and severity of the illness.

The hope for the future is that Alzheimer's could be diagnosed in the very early stages. This would then result in earlier treatment. People could also be encouraged to modify lifestyle factors which can also affect the progression of dementia. These lifestyle factors include exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a Mediterranean diet, giving up smoking, and maintaining alcohol intake within recommended guidelines. In fact with regards to alcohol, a modest intake of alcohol is more protective compared to no alcohol at all. This would be 2 small glasses of wine a day in a woman, and 3 small glasses of wine a day in a man. Being socially active has also been found to be protective against dementia.

Is it Alzheimer's Or is it CRS

CRS is, of course, an acronym for can't remember stuff. Memory is the second thing to go when we age; I used to know what the first one was, but I can't think of it right now. As a practitioner you have no doubt run across older patients who have problems with memory and concentration; and some who have actual dementia.

Mark Goodman Ph.D. believes that many patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease actually have dementia caused by a lack of vitamin B12. Dr. Goodman has an accredited Ph.D. in behavioral medicine (with a specialization in clinical neuropsychology) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Dr. Goodman is quoted in an interview by Kirk Hamilton that appeared in Clinical Pearls. Dr. Goodman says, " I initially suspected vitamin B12 limits were too low, when I encountered on consultation, geriatric patients admitted with Alzheimer's diagnosis whose frontal lobe functioning was obviously intact. This is inconsistent with Alzheimer's diagnosis. They were exhibiting other global neuropsychological deficits with a systemic/metabolic profile. They were all following cardiac lipid- lowering diets."

He went on to say that he believed that there are many elderly individuals who are sub clinically B12 deficient. Many times these patients have normal blood levels of B12. He points out that people who are B12 deficient experience neurological changes before there is changes in their blood count (pernicious anemia) and that a good dietary history is an important part of the evaluation. According to Dr. Goodman, "In the convalescent facility diet there is little red meat due to expense and the desire to have residents on a lipid lowering regime. Also, there is a normal increase in gastric atrophy in the elderly which reduces vitamin B12 absorption. Thirdly, there is a down-regulation of the enzymes required for the formation and the manufacture of vitamin B12 when less vitamin B12 is consumed." Dr. Goodman points out that if there is no frontal lobe degeneration, the dementia is not Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Goodman says that high doses of vitamin B12 are without any serious adverse side-effects. Some reports of reversible symptoms of diarrhea, cutaneous rash, polycythemia and possibly peripheral vascular thrombosis, but these are minor and reversible.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is fairly common in older people. Even when the tests for B12 levels are normal, symptoms like forgetfulness, fatigue and depression respond to B12 supplementation. Dr. Goodman's point is that the symptoms of this deficiency can be so severe that the patient is often diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease-even when the blood tests are normal.

Very commonly, poor concentration, forgetfulness or even depression in an older individual is due to a need for vitamin B12. Dr. Goodman has recommended B12 injections for patients needing B12. If you do not have a license that lets you inject your patients with vitamins, this often presents a problem. When I was first in practice I frequently sent elderly patients to their doctor to get a B12 shot. More often than not, the doctor would test B12 levels and tell the patient that the shot was unnecessary. There has, however, been research that shows that high oral doses (more than 3 milligrams per day) can be used to effectively restore vitamin B12 levels. I use a lozenge that has 2 milligrams of B12 and 800 micrograms of folic acid. It is a good idea to give the folic acid with the B12, because they cover similar neurologic territory.

Dr. Goodman's information has been valuable; it gives some scientific validity to a nutritional approach to a common problem. But like so many things in natural health care, we take some science, add some common sense and some clinical experience and come up with something really amazing.

The best stuff I ever learned about B12, I learned from Dr. Harry Eidenier who is a chemist and a bit of a clinical genius. Since deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folic acid can lead to a macrocytic anemia. So why wait until the MCV is over 100 to realize that there is a problem. A person isn't normal one day and suddenly their cells just swell up. Sure enough, if someone comes in with CRS, fatigue, poor attention span or depression, a simple CBC might show you the reason for the problem. An MCV higher than 90 may mean a need for vitamin B12 and folic acid.

It is worth mentioning depression here; Americans spend about $3 billion each year on antidepressants. I remember one patient who was severely depressed and had tried four different antidepressants without any success. The next step was electro-shock therapy. It was the late 1980s and I was shocked that they were still doing this. He had some lab work with him and his RBC was below 4 and his MCV was 97(still "normal" according to his doctors). He responded to the B12 and never did receive the shock therapy.

Another thing that you might see with a B12 deficiency is a low neutraphil count. Sometimes the whole WBC count is low and the percentage of neutraphils is low. If you see the forgetfulness, fatigue or depression and a high MCV, you might be looking at a B12 deficiency and not an immune problem or a chronic infection.

The other thing that Dr. Eidenier pointed out to me is that if an individual needs B12, it is likely that he or she is not producing enough HCl in the stomach. If a person doesn't produce enough HCl, he or she is likely to be deficient in various amino acids (many of which are precursors to neurotransmitters) and most minerals. This is the patient who has gas and bloating after meals. Interestingly enough, the patient may have gastric reflux. Fingernails break easily and bad breath is common.

As we get older, we produce less stomach HCl. So while Dr. Goodman states that the problem many older people have is that they do not eat meat. The truth is that they may not get the nutrients out of the meat even if they do eat it. People tend to develop a sweet tooth as they get older because protein becomes hard to digest. Very often the high cholesterol that Dr. Goodman speaks of is from a metabolic syndrome type of situation caused by eating too much sugar and starch.

A trace mineral, rubidium, is valuable for treating memory and concentration problems. I also learned this from Dr. Eidenier, who cited research that found high levels of rubidium in people who remained youthful late in life. I have to mention a particular company here, because I don't know of anyone else who makes a rubidium supplement. The combination of HCl, B12, and rubidium is a powerful combination that helps people who have too many "senior moments".

There are a number of studies that show the importance of antioxidants (both those found naturally, and in supplementation), DHA and omega 3 fatty acids in general to help protect from dementia. To quote Edward Zamrini, MD "A large body of evidence implicates oxidative damage in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis." (March 21, 2006 issue of Geriatrics and Aging). In a study, published in the journal, Neurology (March 2000;54:1265-1272) showed that vitamin C and E supplementation could protect against vascular dementia. Also there is research that shows that pesticides create neurologic damage. Of course the presence of aluminum in the plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease has many looking at aluminum in cookware, antacids and antiperspirants. Aluminum is one of the most plentiful elements on the planet. If may be wise to look at other heavy metals, especially mercury. Mercury can actually interfere with the body's ability to detoxify and get rid of other metals-maybe this is at the root of the aluminum accumulation. To protect against Alzheimer's disease get plenty of antioxidants, consume DHA and omega 3 oils, and remove metals and toxins from the body. The oils are especially important, there are studies that show consumption of fish or fish oil seems to protect from dementia.

Curcumin is an antioxidant found in turmeric. Turmeric is a perennial plant, botanically related to ginger that is native to India, China and Indonesia. It is a component of curry powder and prepared mustard. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. The lowest incidence of Alzheimer's disease in the world is in villages in India. Only about 1% of Indians over the age of 65 get the disease. So, perhaps the consumption of curry may be the reason that there are so few cases of Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin, found in turmeric, has been shown to fight the build up of the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Sally Frautschy, of the University of California, Los Angeles, presented these findings at the 2005 annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, California. Her paper was entitled: Curcumin Reduces Oxidative Damage and Amyloid Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic Mouse.

So the things that work for keeping the mind sharp are the same things that work for everything else. You need fresh produce as a source of natural antioxidants, good essential fatty acids, avoid trans fats, exercise and eliminate toxins.

What's Death Like in Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's is a neurological disorder and it was named after a German physician named Alois Alzheimer. In Alzheimer's, there is aggregation of amyloid plaques and tangles of neurofibrils in the brain tissue. This causes damage of nerve tissue and causes serious damage to the different centers in brain. The areas that are completely destroyed in Alzheimer's are related to memory and thinking.

At this point in time, there are about 4 million people in US alone who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The time span from diagnosis of this disease and death is about eight years on an average. This disease does not know any boundaries, race, religion, caste or creed. It hunts millions of people throughout the world. It is so sad. And we do not have any medicines to control or eradicate this deadly disease.

Now let us see as to what happens in between the time of diagnosis till death. This disease is diagnosed in a person with complaints of loss of memory in which one starts to forget the recently learned things as the primary symptom. We can simply break the time span from the diagnosis to death in three phases. The first phase starts from the time of diagnosis and in this the individual shows lack of energy and lack of interest in everything that they might have loved.

Such a change in someone you love is like trying so hard to look through a pitch black space. Life just seems to stop. It is in these first years that the personality change starts to show itself and one can clearly feel that they are losing the grip on their loved ones and everything is slipping right through. It is in the first phase that short term memory is greatly affected but long term memory is intact.

One might be able to carry their job duties but as soon as the person suffering from Alzheimer's approaches the end of this phase, life takes another turn. They have to leave their job. It just seems like gradually death is climbing up the stairs. The middle phase of this disease is the point that the individual is suffering from extreme mental confusion. This deterioration snatches the different characteristics of one's life.

And during the transition from middle phase to late phase the person suffering from Alzheimer's cannot drive, cannot perform their ADLs, cannot walk, have bedsores, inability to go to the bathroom, urinary and fecal incontinence, unable to understand as to what is going on, severe bouts of aggravation, falls, inability to eat, decrease in immunity, and in certain cases Alzheimer's when progresses to centers of brain that controls respiration can lead to respiratory arrest.

Doesn't it sound like one is already dead without being dead? It just seems like the body is there with no soul, no connection, no identity. It is so sad. It is in these last phases that the person just goes completely bed ridden, with death slowly creeping towards them to end their misery. At this point only conservative management occurs to treat any infections or other symptomatic conditions. And finally one day the death allows the misery to end forever.

What You Need to Know About a Sociopath!

Sociopaths and their negative and antisocial behavior are filling up the news more and more each day. This is bad news for everyone because the antisocial behavior that they push on to any and all who are around them causes untold misery and destruction everyday.

Sociopaths, according to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, is a "pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. Deceit and manipulation are considered essential features of the disorder."

The diagnostic criteria required for this disorder are disturbing but shed light on a complicated and sometimes, dangerous individual. Several of the diagnostic criteria for a sociopath are the following: failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behavior, deceitfulness, unable to plan ahead, aggressiveness and irritability, no regard for the safety of others, a pattern of irresponsibility, lack of remorse when mistreating another and not having a conscience.

You know you're in the presence of a sociopath when you experience some of the following behavior: constant lying or stealing, does not care if he or she hurts another, inability to hold down a job, unable to maintain long-term goals, has poor behavior controls, difficulties with the law, and aggressive and sometimes violent behavior.

From the National Comorbidity Survey, which uses DSM-III-R criteria, it has been found that 5.8 percent of males and 1.2 percent of females showed evidence of obtaining this disorder.

Causes of this disorder are not entirely clear; however, but biological or genetic factors may play a role.

It seems that if a parent has this disorder, it increases the chance that a daughter or son might have it, also.

It is interesting to note that Bowlby (1944) "saw a connection between antisocial personality disorder and maternal deprivation in the first five years of life." In addition, Glueck (1968) "saw reasons to believe that the mothers of children who developed this personality disorder usually did not discipline their children and showed little affection towards them."

In my experience with sociopaths-been around two of them in my life-- I have found that when possible, it is best to stay away from him or her and deal only with such a person, when absolutely needed.

When dealing with the sociopath, keep the relationship brief, professional and direct. Do not feed into their need for praise, attention or glory. This is what they live on. Avoid arguments but when you need to confront them in any way, keep it brief, direct and unemotional.

Keep in mind that sometimes a sociopath, if they think it will benefit them, will cry, plead for forgiveness and look sorrowful. Don't believe this for a moment! Remember, most sociopaths do not have a conscience and acting remorseful is an act. They can quickly turn on and off their emotions at the drop of a hat!

If the sociopath you're dealing with is a sibling or parent, be on your guard; however, there may come unique times when the door might open for decent, upfront dialogue that could lead to solid resolution and an 'enlightening' moment when he or she may see that their behavior is rude, negative and abusive. This 'enlightening' moment may bring about a better relationship or it may just be another subversive tactic. Let your 'conscience' be your guide. It you feel that they are just 'playing' with your mind, then ignore it and move on but if their behavior improves a bit, be happy with the improvement but continue on with your life, knowing that such improvements are fleeting.

Copyright Ann Star 2009

Alzheimer's Disease - A Quick Guide

What is Alzheimer's exactly? This particular disease can be described as a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain; and also happens to be the most common type of dementia. It is a horrible progressive terminal disease in which the patient's brain cells gradually die and slowly shut down many of the victim's body functions, like speech, thought patterns and memory. Research has shown that the largest risk factor for developing this disease is getting older. Having said that, Alzheimer's is a progressive neurological disorder of the elderly that does not necessarily have to be part of the normal aging process.

Discovering that you, or someone close to you has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's can be extremely upsetting, and the day to day caring of a loved one with this disease can be quite challenging. Another problem for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be the financial cost, this cost being directly related to the severity of the disease. Alzheimer's is, in my opinion the cruelest of the diseases that strike the elderly, the one bit of good news being, that in most cases, it is not inherited. Although there is not a lot you can do to protect yourself from developing Alzheimer's, one thing you can do is to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This disease is the fourth largest cause of death in America, and is the most common type of dementia, with roughly 10% of people over 65 being found to develop it. Studies have shown that the healthier and happier the person with this disease is, the slower the speed of their decline There is currently no cure and not a great deal of treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

One of the medications indicated for the treatment of this disorder is called cholinesterase inhibitors. Of course, examination by a qualified medical person is needed to guarantee the correct diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other similar disorders. Before any course of treatment for Alzheimer's is undertaken, the patient's wishes and also those of the family should be considered. One question I would like to ask, and has been asked by others is, this disease was discovered about 100 years ago, so why has the treatment for it not advanced at a faster rate.

Resveratrol May Help Brain Function

Many people already know that Resveratrol has gained a reputation as being a miracle substance. Resveratrol is thought to fight a whole range of age related diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Many people also know that Resveratrol can help people to lose weight. But many people don't know that Resveratrol may help to improve brain function.

Some months ago, researchers at Northumbria University, in England, conducted a study on the effects of Resveratrol on brain functioning. A group of twenty four adults were given either Resveratrol tablets or a placebo. Before the Resveratrol tablets were given to them, the adults took a battery of mental test.

Later, the adults took the mental test again. The researchers found that the adults who had taken the Resveratrol tablets performed significantly better on the mental test. In addition, the researchers monitored blood flow to the brain. Blood flow to the brain was significantly improved in the group who had taken the Resveratrol tablets. The researchers believe that the improved blood flow to the brain is the explanation for the improved brain function.

Prior research has also shown that Resveratrol may also help to fight Alzheimer's disease.

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that is made by a variety of plants. A phytoalexin is an antimicrobial substance that acts as a defense against invading bacteria and fungus. Resveratrol is found in a variety foods such as grapes, peanuts, and many types of berries. Resveratrol is also a very popular food supplement that is sold by many health food stores and online retailers.