ElderThink

Deciding To Adopt A Dog: Should It Be An Older Dog Or A Puppy

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:21:37 -0700

Ten Reasons To Adopt An Older Dog

Our Cat Friends Can Live 20 Years Or More

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:20:43 -0700

Aging is a natural process and advancing age in a kittie is well-described by

Older Dogs Rarely Complain But May Need Help

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:35:59 -0700

We change some as we grow older and so do our pets. There are ways to improve their quality of life and there might be some lessons here for us humans too.

First Steps With A New Cat

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:19:13 -0700

The first 24 hours are pretty important to your new cat or kitten friend. There are some things you can do to make your new pet more comfortable with this big change.

Give Your Older Person A Pet

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:18:28 -0700

Deciding to give a pet to an older person needs some careful thought. It's true that the right animal can be a great comfort, a source of exercise, and a defense against loneliness.

Tips For Leaving A Pet Behind

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:17:40 -0700

It's perfectly normal be anxious about leaving a pet behind for an extended period of time. We might want to travel, or have an emergency that keeps us away.

Loss Of A Pet Is Harder For Old People

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:16:55 -0700

Losing A Pet Is More Difficult for Older People

Older People Who Have Pets Live Better and Longer

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:16:05 -0700

Thirty years ago, researchers discovered that pets are good for older people (and sick people too.) Today, we can find beloved kitties and pups in just about every assisted living or nursing care facility. Volunteers take pets for hospital visits, and doctors even prescribe pets for recovering patients.

Some Thoughtful Tips About Traveling With A Pet

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:15:04 -0700

Some pets really love to travel, especially in the car. Others just tolerate traveling because we ask them to. If you are planning a long trip with your pet, it might be a good idea to step back and ask yourself if your animal should really go along. If you decide to

Loneliness Can Lead To Despair And A Downward Spiral

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:14:00 -0700

People can actually die of loneliness. Researchers have learned that social isolation is bad for our health. In a 2010 British study of over 308,000 people, researchers found that people die sooner when they have very few or no social relationships.

About Memory Loss Caused By A Stroke

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:12:10 -0700

Stroke frequently causes memory loss but not the same way for everyone

Poor nutrition can cause confusion and memory loss

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:11:25 -0700

Eating wrong is the same as "not eating right." Older people can be quite suddenly become exhausted caregivers, suffer from energy-depleting illness, or live alone for the first time.

When Memory Loss Is Not Alzheimer's

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:10:42 -0700

Often this form of depression is accompanied by forgetfulness and memory loss. It seems like the person might have Alzheimer's Disease

Tests and Quizes for Memory Loss

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:09:55 -0700

Researchers have developed tests for memory loss that you can take online or on paper

Medications That Cause Memory Loss

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:09:09 -0700

Memory loss in older adults can be caused by medications

Loneliness Causes Serious Problems Including Memory Loss

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:33:09 -0700

ongoing loneliness heralds a deep despair and memories are lost in the darkness

We Must Exercise Both Memory And Concentration

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:07:33 -0700

Think about "concentration" and "memory" as two different things like your back and your legs

Sometimes Heart Desease Causes Forgetfulness

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:06:48 -0700

Dementia is not always a result of heart disease. Sometimes the vessels that carry blood to the brain become narrowed or blocked, resulting in vascular de

Grief Can Cause Memory Loss Before Healing Begins

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:06:00 -0700

Grief and emotional trauma can cause memory loss. Usually, as the person recovers, memory returns. Grief from bereavement is especially

Memory Loss Caused By Depression

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:05:13 -0700

Memory loss can be caused by depression. It is as though a cloud of sadness filters out the will to remember even the smallest things

Causes of Memory Loss: ElderThink Reports

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:04:25 -0700

Older people worry about memory loss. There are plenty of jokes about older people forgetting things. Actually, we do forget things but there are lots of reasons. Researchers have discovered much more since I first wrote about memory loss in 2010.

Reversible chronic anxiety can cause memory loss in older people

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:03:37 -0700

My neighbor Sandy worries about everything. She worries about each and every household duty, if there is enough gas in the car, if her husband is late, if her socks are the wrong color, endlessly she worries. I think it must be in her nature to worry a lot.

Addictions to Alcohol or Medications Can Cause Memory Loss

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:02:38 -0700

According to researchers, regular alcohol consumption by older people can cause reduced mental capacity, including memory loss. Physicians once believed

Prescription Drug Abuse Among Older People

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:29:48 -0700

Prescription drug abuse among older adults is one the rise, what does this mean?

I wanted to learn about my great grandmother

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:28:24 -0700

I had always planned to spend some time discovering what I could find about my great grandmother so when I retired a couple of years ago I decided to see what kinds of help might be available on the web

There Is Much More To Ancestry Than I Thought

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 07:24:19 -0700

I began researching my family tree using Ancestry.com. That site is so easy to use, it was great for getting me started. But I could not find any information about my great grandmother. I knew that she

Older Hearts and Heart Disease

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:43:00 -0700

Only a few years ago, the medical community believed that the aging heart became smaller and less able after age 65. This was thought to be a natural part of the aging

Heart Valves Needing Repair As We Age

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:42:03 -0700

Just like a trombone, we have valves in our hearts. Our heart valves are operated by our heart's electrical system and their job is to make sure that blood flows freely and in a forward direction with no backward leakage. A

Heart Rhythm Disorders: Arrhythmia

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:41:04 -0700

It's called a "disorder" but that doesn't necessarily mean you're in trouble.

Hyertension Another Name For High Blood Pressure

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:40:16 -0700

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is especially common in the elderly. It can damage the heart and other organs and increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Heart Failure Not Certain Death

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:39:20 -0700

"Heart failure" does not mean a person is dying, or the heart has stopped and is not working. I know "heart failure" is a terrible term because it scares us, but it does not mean certain death.

Cholesterol: The Beginning of Heart Disease

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:38:25 -0700

As soon as someone starts talking to me about all the bits and parts of cholesterol and which part is which, and what to eat or not eat, I get SO confused. Usually, I just tune out and have a little butter on my toast. Butter is good, right?

Arteriosclerosis Means Hardening Of The Arteries

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:37:15 -0700

As heart disease advances, we get hardening of the arteries, also called arteriosclerosis.

Healing From Depression Reaching For Wellness

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:32:18 -0700

Realizing that you have depression is astounding. Healing takes time

Depression Is Not Normal At Any Age

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:31:13 -0700

Most of us retired people are generally happy. Maybe it's better to say we are not unhappy. We have our coffee in the morning, bathe and groom ourselves, and move through our day. There are other people in our lives and

Depression In Older People

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 09:28:20 -0700

Depression in older people can be disabling for them and they truly can't help themselves. For loved ones, the most difficult

Give Your Older Person A Pet

Sat, 10 May 2014 05:04:14 -0700

Deciding to give a pet to an older person needs some careful thought. It's true that the right animal can be a great comfort, a source of exercise, and a defense against loneliness.

Older People Who Have Pets Live Better and Longer

Sat, 10 May 2014 04:55:27 -0700

Thirty years ago, researchers discovered that pets are good for older people (and sick people too.) Today, we can find beloved

Immunotherapy for Alzheimer's

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 12:54:34 -0700

Immunotherapy is a medical treatment designed to produce immunity to a disease or to enhance resistance by the immune system. In other words, it coaxes our bodies to fight off a disease. Imagine a vaccine for Alzheimer's.

Insulin Nose Spray Relieves Alzheimer's Symptoms

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:08:33 -0700

Insulin Given By Spray Through Nose Helps Alzheimer's. Researchers from the University of Washington have reported that insulin given by spray through the nose could help with memory and functioning in Alzheimer's patients.

Seven Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 12:59:30 -0700

For different people these stages will be longer or shorter. From The Definitions Published by Barry Reisberg, MD, 1982

Ten Signs of Alzheimer's: Forgetting That Is Not Normal

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:00:46 -0700

We all forget things, our grocery list, people's names at the moment of introduction, or why we walked into a room. Of course we remember later and slap our heads. This type of forgetting is probably due to just plain having too many other things to think about. This is normal forgetting. It's not Alzheimer's. Here are the ten signs:

Different Alzheimer's Treatments for Body and for Mind

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:21:00 -0700

Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease are broken into two categories described as cognitive and behavioral. Cognitive symptoms involve memory, language, paying attention, and judgment. Behavioral symptoms include emotional expressions like temper outbursts, suspiciousness, or withdrawal.

How To Talk About Your Alzheimer's Disease

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:05:16 -0700

So you've learned you have Alzheimer's and there are people you need to tell. These will be tough times for you, but it's so very important to talk to those you love. Begin by

The Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Can Be Tricky

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 12:45:20 -0700

Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires a careful evaluation. It's important to rule out other possible (and more easily treatable) causes of memory loss. Read about exams and tests.

Does Exercise Improve Alzheimer's Symptoms?

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 16:56:32 -0700

Regular exercise that makes us huff and puff definitely slows down the aging process in general. The increased blood flow and charge of exygen does wonders for our skin and all our other organs. Best of all, it "clears the mind" by recharging the brain.

Is There A Diet That Stops Alheimer's Disease?

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 16:59:03 -0700

Can we choose foods to prevent or correct Alzheimer's Disease? Do supplements like fish oil and vitamins help? Maybe. Read on for recent discoveries.

The Alzheimer's Gene In Plain English

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 12:50:40 -0700

If your parent has Alzheimer's, you may be at risk but that doesn't mean you will inherit it for sure. This article is a bit technical, but even a light reading helped me understand. If you become confused about alleles, scroll down for an explanatory video.

A Relationship Between Alzheimer's and Heart Disease

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:02:16 -0700

Researchers have discovered that people who are at risk for heart disease or who have heart disease, are also at risk for Alzheimer's. Let's take a closer look.

Hidden Inflammation and Alzheimer's

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:07:12 -0700

Alzheimer's actually causes inflammation. Researchers have long known that the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain stimulate an inflammatory response. Some of this news is good and some of it is bad. There is a delicate balance. I'll explain.

Blood Test May Predict Alzheimer's

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 11:41:47 -0700

Researchers at Georgetown University have developed a blood test can accurately predict the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. They showed that testing levels of 10 fats in the blood could predict - with 90% accuracy - the risk of the disease coming on in the next three years.

Breakthroughs In Alzheimer's Research

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 11:48:08 -0700

Researchers in the U.S. and around the globe are searching for ways to prevent and cure Alzheimer's Disease. Many believe that understanding the cause of Alzheimer's will provide valuable clues to prevention and treatment.

Is High Cholesterol Linked to Alzheimer's

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:48:41 -0700

Health, Wellness & Wisdom: People Don't Believe Alzheimer's Can Be Treated

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 09:10:21 -0700

The basic information is often based on a modest study using a few laboratory animals or a small survey of humans. Then, sometime later, a new bit of information is released that contradicts the first. It's just like crying wolf. After awhile, we stop believing any medical news.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Can Be Tricky.

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:50:05 -0700

Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires a careful evaluation. It's important to rule out other possible (and more easily treatable) causes of memory loss.

Relationship Between Folic Acid, B12 and Alzheimer's Disease

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 09:37:51 -0700

Usually, when there is a folic acid deficiency, there is also a B12 deficiency. B12 symptoms include all those noticed for folic acid, such as numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, memory loss, paranoia or hallucinations, and general weakness.

Why Bother With Diagnosis If I Know I Have Alheimer's

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:45:49 -0700

If I think I might have Alzheimer's, what's the point in asking a doctor? They can't really tell if I have it and if I do, then I'll just have to live with it and so will everyone else. Besides, I won't notice because I won't remember.

My Optometrist Referred Me To An Ophthalmologist

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 13:01:07 -0700

I have Glaucoma. For years, I managed it by taking eye drops regularly seeing an Ophthalmologist every six months to monitor my eyes for changes. Previously, I wrote about my first visit hoping that others could benefit by my experience.

What Kind Of Training Does An Ophthalmologist Have?

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 13:00:25 -0700

Doctors Who Care For Our Eyes
Their Titles All Start With "Opt" What's The Difference?

Visiting the Ophthalmologist

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 12:59:37 -0700

To be truthful, I didn't know the difference between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist (much less how to spell them) when I

Changes To Our Eyes

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 13:02:11 -0700

Many things about us change as we grow older, including our eyes. The first thing we might notice is having to hold something further away when we read.

Floating Things and Flashes In Your Eyes

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 12:58:12 -0700

You may sometimes see small specks moving in your field of vision. These are called floaters. You may often see them

Losing Sight

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 12:55:18 -0700

As we age, the most common diseases of the eye include difficulty focusing up close and

Elderly Are Quiet Alcoholics

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 14:44:10 -0700

It's being called an "invisible epidemic" by health care experts -- the growing number of senior citizens with out-of-control drinking problems.

Can Smoking Cause or Cure Alzheimer's?

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:16:25 -0700

Heavy smokers in their 50's are doubling the risk of developing Alzheimer's after the age of 70. Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland tracked 21,123 people beginning in 1978. By 2008, more than 25% were diagnosed with dementia and though some had vascular dementia, most had developed Alzheimer's.
But in the same study, the researchers learned that former smokers or people who smoked less than half a pack a day did not have an increased risk for Alzheimer's.

Insulin as an Alzheimer's treatment

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:24:37 -0700

In July, 2010, researchers from the University of Washington reported that insulin given by spray through the nose could help with memory and functioning in Alzheimer's patients. Using nasal pathways allows the insulin to reach effected brain areas. To be effective, the treatment needs to be administered twice a day. It has been recognized for some time that patients with Alzheimer's Disease have reduced brain-insulin signaling as well as lower levels of insulin in the spinal fluid.

Does inflammation cause Alzheimer's?

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:22:56 -0700

Is Alzheimer's related to Heart Disease?

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:21:52 -0700

A clear discussion of chemical changes within our bodies that cause Alzheimer's and how we can control those changes.

Aerobics might help Alzheimer's patients

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:17:22 -0700

Do food choices cause Alzheimer's?

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:17:48 -0700

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center studied the dietary patterns 2,148 older adults and assessed them for the development of Alzheimer's. One pattern stood out and the conclusion is that combinations of foods reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease: large amounts of nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, salad dressing, fruits and cruciferous and dark green leafy vegetables; and small amounts of dairy, red meat, organ meat and butter.

Is Cholesterol related to Alzheimer's?

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:18:03 -0700

Over the past decade, there have been several studies that suggest a correlation between high cholesterol in middle age and Alzheimer's. In 2009, researchers reported on a 40-year long study of nearly ten thousand people in northern California. That's a very long study with a lot of subjects considering that medication trials take three to seven years and involve a few hundred people as subjects.

When You Know You Have Alzheimer's

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:23:18 -0700

My best friend has Alzheimer's Disease and this is what he told me, word for word:
"I admit, at first I thought it was a mistake. I was often annoyed with the darling person who shares my life. I was irritable with her because she was pointing out my problems. I used wrong words. I couldn't finish sentences. Of course she thought I just wasn't paying attention to her.

Forgetting That Is Not Normal

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:20:27 -0700

We all forget things, our grocery list, people's names at the moment of introduction, or why we walked into a room. Of course we remember later and slap our heads. This type of Alzheimer's is probably due to just plain having too many other things to think about. This is normal forgetting. It's not Alzheimer's. Here are ten tell-tale signs.

Alzheimer's Profoundly Effects Both Patients And Caregivers

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:15:00 -0700

One out of eight of those over 65 in the U.S. will die from Alzheimer's within ten years. Some sooner as they are further down the progression-trail of the disease. Most of them are cared for by their adult children who are struggling to manage jobs, households, and their own family activities. Information about diagnosis, treatment and research in terms the ordinary person can understand.