Moms More Likely Than Dads to Pass Alzheimer’s to Kids, Study Shows

by Mary Beth Sammons 
Mar 1st 2011 12:45PM

First, moms were blamed for the baldness gene. Now, Mommy Dearest is getting the bad rap for putting kids at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Research has already shown that people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease are four to 10 times more likely to contract the condition. But a new study provides evidence that the chances of getting Alzheimer’s are worse if your mother, rather than your father, had it, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The findings, reported in the journal Neurology, however, don’t mean children of mothers with Alzheimer’s disease will develop the condition, Jeffrey Burns, director of the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Alzheimer’s and Memory Program, which conducted the study, tells the Wall Street Journal.

“It’s not clear on an individual basis how much this risk applies,” he tells the newspaper.

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Always Best Care of Kane County can provide a caregiver to take care of your loved one, from hourly to live-in.  Caregiver burnout is very common, you deserve a break today.  If you have any questions please feel free to call our office (630) 365-9755 or check out our website at www.alwaysbestcarekanecounty.com.

Alzheimer’s nose spray: New Alzheimer’s treatment?

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Question

Alzheimer’s nose spray: New Alzheimer’s treatment?

I recently heard about a new Alzheimer’s treatment, a nose spray containing insulin. How does it work and is there an Alzheimer’s nose spray available?

Answer

from Glenn Smith, Ph.D.

Insulin — a hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar — appears to play a role in normal memory processes. Insulin irregularities may contribute to cognitive and brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

In the past several years, researchers have been investigating the use of insulin to treat Alzheimer’s disease. One of the challenges is how to provide insulin in such a way that it improves brain function without disrupting your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar drops too low, for example, it can create complications, such as confusion, heart palpitations, anxiety and visual disturbances.

Preliminary research suggests that when taken as a nose spray, insulin reaches the brain within a few minutes and improves memory. However, this research involved small groups of participants who had either early Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment. Although this research is promising, more research on the safety and effectiveness of intranasal insulin therapy for Alzheimer’s disease is necessary.

A phase II clinical trial on the use of inhaled insulin to treat Alzheimer’s disease is under way. This treatment is available only to current study participants. The study involves about 170 people who have Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment.

‘The Talk’ With Mom and Dad

FEBRUARY 23, 2011             By SUE SHELLENBARGER

 …It’s an agonizing discussion for adult children: whether elderly parents can no longer live on their own. Some 42% of adults between ages 45 and 65 cite the topic as the most difficult one to discuss with their parents, according to a 2006 survey of 1,000 people by Home Instead Inc., an Omaha, Neb., provider of in-home care. And 31% said their biggest communication obstacle is getting stuck in the parent-child roles of the past.

“We take on old family roles,” says Paula Spencer, a senior editor at Caring.com, a caregiving website, and a speaker on elder-care issues. “We don’t want to rock the boat. We’re concerned about parents’ privacy, worried about the consequences, thinking, ‘Maybe Dad will hate me if I move him to assisted living.’ “…

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Always Best Care of Kane County, we specialize in Non-Medical In-Home Care and Free Assisted Living Placement Services.  We are also trained and certified with the American Red Cross to teach their new Family Caregiving Program.  If you have any questions please feel free to call us (630) 365-9755 or check us out on the web at www.alwaysbestcarekanecounty.com.

How Old is Old & How Long Will You Live?

By: James Tait

The oldest old is considered anyone over the age of 85.  This is the fastest growing segment of American senior population.

• 2006:  5.3 million 85+
• By 2050:  19.3 million 85+

This shows that there will be a greater need for health/home care related services. 

Life Expectancy Calculator

• How old you will live to be?
• 40 quick questions, 10 minutes
• Personal “to do” List
• Number of years you will add

www.livingto100.com

If you know anyone in their eighties that may need some assistance with their daily activities of living please free to call Always Best Care of Kane County (630) 365-9755.  We would be more than happy to answer any of your questions or help provide the care for your loved one.  Please visit our website www.alwaysbestcarekanecounty.com.

Depression May Be Leading to Your Loved Ones Failing Health

Signs and symptoms of depression in the elderly

Recognizing depression in the elderly starts with knowing the signs and symptoms. Depression red flags include:

• Sadness
• Fatigue
• Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes
• Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home)
• Weight loss; loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
• Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing)
• Increased use of alcohol or other drugs
• Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts