What is Vascular Dementia?

While most of us are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, there are other less common forms of dementia with one of those being vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is a general term describing problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes. It is often caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain like during a stroke, but thankfully it depends on the location and severity of the stroke damage. Other conditions that can harm blood vessels, reduce circulation, and deprive the brain of oxygen and nutrients, are brain hemorrhage caused by things like high blood pressure as well as abnormal aging of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and diabetes. 

The Mayo Clinic explains vascular dementia can imitate many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease but the biggest difference of vascular dementia is people suffer a greater loss in the speed of organizing thoughts and problem-solving rather than actual memory loss. The condition can come on suddenly such as after an event like a stroke or as a more gradual decline like Alzheimer’s. Researchers also have found many people with telltale signs of brain vascular disease also have Alzheimer’s disease.  

Symptoms of vascular disease include: 

• Confusion

• Trouble paying attention and concentrating

• Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions

• Decline in ability to analyze a situation, develop an effective plan and communicate that plan to others

• Slowed thinking

• Difficulty with organization

• Difficulty deciding what to do next

• Problems with memory

• Restlessness, agitation and depression

• Unsteady gait 

The condition is rare in those under 65 and increases significantly in those over 90 years of age. To mitigate your risk, doctors say maintain a healthy blood pressure, keep weight and cholesterol in check and prevent or manage diabetes. If you smoke, quit; and engage in regular physical activity. A healthy low-fat diet also is a factor in preventing heart disease and strokes, which in turn helps prevent vascular dementia. 

At MorningStar at North Ridge, we provide compassionate, comprehensive alzheimers care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Along with 24-hour care, residents receive daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and activities tailored to their special needs.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s memory care in Albuquerque. 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest alzheimers care in Albuquerque, NM.

Just Three Nights of Poor Sleep Can Negatively Impact Your Heart Health

In recent years researchers have focused on the many benefits of a good night’s sleep. Now a study appearing on the Medical News Today websitereports that even three consecutive nights of poor sleep can adversely affect our health. The study from Uppsala University examined how lack of sleep affects the body, with a focus on heart health. Their finding concluded that biomarkers associated with inflammation and heart health increased after just three nights of little sleep.

Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, said the results are not surprising as poor sleep can negatively impact numerous health factors. In addition to cardiovascular health, he explains it can negatively impact endocrine and immune functioning.

With an abundance of research regarding the importance of sleep, what can people who have problems getting to sleep or sleeping through the night do to improve sleep patterns? Suggestions include adopting better sleep habits like reducing nicotine and caffeine along with limiting blue light devices several hours before bedtime, adopting routine bedtimes, and keeping the room dark.

Using a sleep tracker may also help you to understand your sleeping behavior and detect trends in your sleep cycle; and if appropriate, the data can be shared with your doctor. Sleep trackers generally use an instrument called an accelerometer to track movement and an algorithm interprets the data to provide an overview of a person’s sleep patterns. Some devices also include a heart rate monitor. A 2018 study suggests that sleep trackers can accurately track total sleep time and time spent in bed. However, while not as effective as sleep studies in detecting when people wake up, researchers say “sleep trackers are a valid way for people to track their sleeping habits and note that these devices may become more accurate as technology advances.”

The devices can also help identify possible health issues such as sleep apnea, lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. It is important to note sleep disturbances can also play a role in the onset or exacerbation of various mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Talk to your healthcare provider about ongoing sleep problems.

MorningStar at North Ridge offers families trusted, compassionate memory care in Albuquerque. We create an individualized care plan for each resident to address personal needs and provide a gentle flow of purposeful activities.  We elevate and celebrate life by trying to connect with and nurture the individual each day, and ensure they are treated with the utmost respect and dignity they deserve.  Please visit our website for more information about our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our dementia care. 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care in Albuquerque, NM.

Holiday Celebrations When a Loved One has Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association warns families not to expect too much from a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia disease during the holiday season.  They explain that “The holidays are often filled with sharing, laughter and memories, but they can also bring stress, disappointment or sadness.” Their website offers tips and ideas to adjust and adapt for a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Start by going over holiday celebrations with other relatives and close friends and make sure everyone is aware of the situation. The National Institute on Aging cautions that big, crowded celebrations can cause confusion and anxiety for a person with dementia so you may want to limit the number of people gathered at any one time.  

Involve the person with Alzheimer’s in safe, simple activities such as asking them to help prepare food, hang ornaments, or to wrap packages.  This can be a nice time for them to open up and reminisce about the old days.  It is best to avoid using candies or other edibles as decorations and keep in mind that blinking lights may confuse a person with dementia.   

Also, maintain the person’s routine so the holidays do not become too disruptive or confusing, and remember to stay flexible.  Experts say it may be better to have your celebratory meal at noon rather than in the evening as some people with Alzheimer’s experience evening confusion or “sundowning.” Keep a room available where the person can go and rest if they are feeling too stimulated or confused.  Here you can have a quiet activity laid out for them such as a photo album they will enjoy looking through or play calming music. 

MorningStar at North Ridge lovingly provides memory care for seniors with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. We are a team of compassionate professionals who feel privileged to serve our special residents.  We also consider supporting family members as part of our job as we understand that dementia can be a challenging journey. Visit our website for more information about our exceptional Alzheimers care community. 

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest Alzheimers care in Albuquerque.

Is it Normal Age-related Memory Loss?

Experts report “at least half of those over age 65 say they are more forgetful than they were when they were younger, experiencing ‘senior moments’ about things like where they put things or recalling somebody’s name.” While several studies show as many as 40 percent of seniors suffer from some level of memory loss, this doesn’t necessarily mean Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Doctors say we need to remember Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, and there are some characteristics which separate age-related memory loss from dementia. One example is forgetting how to program your remote control or operate a piece of machinery after not doing it for a while. They stress this is common and typically not a cause for concern but forgetting how to get home or perform routine tasks may be a sign of a bigger problem.

Another symptom of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases is forgetting what an object is used for or what it is. Someone with Alzheimer’s can forget they wear glasses or not recognize the glasses as their own. The same goes for forgetting names. A common problem is to forget a person’s name but a more serious problem is to use the wrong word to describe something or to forget the name completely.

Falls in the elderly can have deadly consequences so it is important to know another symptom of Alzheimer’s is balance problems. Even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, falls can be common and as the disease progresses generally get worse.

However, feeling you are forgetful may be cause for concern according to Dr. Barry Reisberg, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Resources Program at New York University Langone Medical Center. In a study in which Dr. Reisberg was involved, the findings showed “seniors with subjective memory complaints are, over many years, 4.5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those who do not have such memory complaints.” Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any worries you may have.

MorningStar at Jordan’s holistic memory care includes meaningful activities, trained caregivers, food service, security and more as well as a physical environment designed to allow residents the freedom to safely explore their surroundings. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, we consider it our privilege to walk alongside your family on this challenging journey. For trusted memory care in Centennial, CO, please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Centennial, CO.
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Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/just-forgetful-or-is-it-dementia

Separating Normal Age-related Memory Loss from Dementia

Experts report “at least half of those over age 65 say they are more forgetful than they were when they were younger, experiencing ‘senior moments’ about things like where they put things or recalling somebody’s name.” While several studies show as many as 40 percent of seniors suffer from some level of memory loss, this doesn’t necessarily mean Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. 

Doctors say we need to remember Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, and there are some characteristics which separate age-related memory loss from dementia. One example is forgetting how to program your remote control or operate a piece of machinery after not doing it for a while. They stress this is common and typically not a cause for concern but forgetting how to get home or perform routine tasks may be a sign of a bigger problem. 

Another symptom of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases is forgetting what an object is used for or what it is. Someone with Alzheimer’s can forget they wear glasses or not recognize the glasses as their own. The same goes for forgetting names. A common problem is to forget a person’s name but a more serious problem is to use the wrong word to describe something or to forget the name completely. 

Falls in the elderly can have deadly consequences so it is important to know another symptom of Alzheimer’s is balance problems. Even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, falls can be common and as the disease progresses generally get worse.

However, feeling you are forgetful may be cause for concern according to Dr. Barry Reisberg, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Resources Program at New York University Langone Medical Center. In a study in which Dr. Reisberg was involved, the findings showed “seniors with subjective memory complaints are, over many years, 4.5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those who do not have such memory complaints.” Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any worries you may have.
 
MorningStar of Boulder’s holistic memory care includes meaningful activities, trained caregivers, food service, security and more as well as a physical environment designed to allow residents the freedom to safely explore their surroundings. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, we consider it our privilege to walk alongside your family on this challenging journey. For trusted memory care or assisted living in Boulder, CO, please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Boulder, CO offers.
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Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/just-forgetful-or-is-it-dementia/

The Benefits of Stretching Exercises for Older Adults

For many years, people thought stretching exercises were done mainly to help athletes avoid injuries. Research now shows the value of stretching for older adults. The Harvard School of Medicine’s journal reports that doing “simple stretches just two or three times a week can dramatically help anyone increase flexibility, improve balance, and relieve the pain caused by muscle and joint stiffness.”  

Improving balance and increasing flexibility helps seniors retain the ability to do the things they need to do to remain as independent as possible. Studies show stretching can also improve circulation, muscle control and coordination. In fact, the Journal of Gerontology reported on the results of a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults, which found participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also reported a decrease in pain.

It is important to talk to your doctor before you begin any new exercises including stretching. Once you get the go-ahead, experts say stretch at least 10 minutes twice a week; and do it after a five- or ten-minute walk or jog to warm up your muscles if possible. They say to take a deep breath, and to slowly exhale while holding the stretch for 30 seconds. Be sure not to stretch too far as to cause pain. For recommended stretches for seniors, check with your physical therapist or physician, or visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. 

MorningStar at Jordan has 55 assisted living suites, and another 22 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our beautiful community provides tasty, nutritional meals as well as suitable exercise programs and activities to meet the needs of residents physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. If you are looking at senior living communities in Centennial, CO, we encourage you to consider MorningStar.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about one of the finest senior living communities in Centennial, CO.