Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s

Manny Alverez, MD - Body & Mind - HEALTH
Published December 11, 2011

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common forms of dementia.  Between 50 - 80 percent of people with dementia have Alzheimer's.  Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor of FoxNews.com, said there are some easy things you can do to prevent developing Alzheimer’s:

Seven Easy Ways to Help Prevent Alzheimer's:

• Add cinnamon to your diet – consuming a teaspoon of this spice has been shown to block the production of proteins in the brain that contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s.
• Drink apple juice – it boosts the production of a chemical compound in the brain associated with learning, memory, mood and muscle movement.
• Drink coffee – it acts as an anti-inflammatory that can block cholesterol buildup in the brain. One large study showed that men and women who drank three to five cups of coffee a day reduced their chances of dementia by 65 percent.
• Socialize more – studies show that a busy social life can improve your cognitive abilities.
• Protect your vision – your eyes are a good indicator of how your brain is functioning. Preserving your vision can actually cut your dementia risk by 63 percent.
• Meditate – this will lower your blood pressure and reduce stress, and it increases blood flow to the brain, which is why researchers believe it helps us retain mental acuity as we age.
• Eat a Mediterranean diet – a diet rich in leafy greens, fish, fruit, nuts and a little red wine can cut your dementia risk in half because it’s chock full of brain-protecting antioxidants.
“Taking steps to prevent dementia now will help cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as you age,” Alvarez said.

Walk In Bathtubs for Seniors

Have you ever wondered how the elderly are doing with their walk in bathtubs? I have. Everytime I see one of those commercials on tv I think about the time it takes to fill the tub and the time it takes to drain the tub. They aren't like regular bathtubs where you can get in after it has already been filled and step out before it empties.

So, you either have to wear a robe or towel and slowly pull up or down with the change in water level. Having to deal with a totally soaked towel or bathrobe wouldn't be easy. I just keep envisioning a lot of cold elderly people. Getting out of the bathtub wet can often be a chilling experience, but to have to sit there until it is emptied? Sounds cold to me. It is a pity because it is such a great idea for safety sake.

So what is the solution? A fan/heater blowing warm air until it fills or empties? Some sort of garment that you could wear that would keep you warm but doesn't absorb the water? Any ideas out there? Sounds like an opportunity to fill a need.

December 4-10 is National Influenza Vaccination Week!

An annual flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent this serious illness. CDC wants you to know it's not too late to vaccinate!

It's Not Too Late to Vaccinate!

Don't fall for the myth that it's too late to vaccinate against the flu once the Thanksgiving holidays are over. As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can provide protection against the flu. According to the latest CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are currently low across the country. However, flu activity doesn't usually peak until January or February in the United States and can last as late as May, so it's important to vaccinate now if you haven't already.

How to Mug a Snowman

National GERD Awareness Week

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy warns that your Thanksgiving Dinner may cause trouble for the estimated 30 million Americans with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but there are things they can do to be comfortable and symptom-free, experts advise.

GERD occurs when a faulty valve between the stomach and esophagus allows stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, acid regurgitation, wheezing, sore throat and cough, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Things that may trigger GERD symptoms include obesity, pregnancy, smoking, excess alcohol use and consumption of fatty foods, tomato-based products, chocolate, peppermint, citrus drinks and coffee.

Stroke Awareness Materials available for download

StrokeAwareness.com has downloadable posters, multi-lingual bookmarks, wallet cards and a "Stroke 101 Fact Sheet" containing stroke awareness facts and tips.  You can also order printed copies of their FAST materials. 

Medication Therapy Management

Improper drug use is the 5th leading cause of death
in the United States

ElderStore received a visit from Lynda Chapman, R.Ph.,J.D who is the founder and CEO of Rx Confirm, located in Atlanta.  Lynda explained  what Medication Therapy Management is and how the services of her company are potentially life saving.

Rx Confirm provides Personal  Pharmacist Consulting that comes to you!  They will review all of your medications from all sources.

• Medication Therapy Management helps you understand what medications you have and assist with communication with your physician(s.)
• The Consultant will also identify contra-indicative drug interactions and duplicattion of therapy.

I have asked Lynda is she would be willing to be an ElderStore Blog contributor to share her knowledge with our readers.

If you are interested in speaking with Lynda, she can be reached at:  404-840-6993.

Advances in Breast Cancer Care May Not Be Reaching Older Women

TUESDAY, Nov. 8 (HealthDay News) -- New research finds older U.S. women have higher odds of dying from breast cancer than younger women, suggesting that older patients may not be benefiting as much from advances in breast cancer care made over the past three decades.

Researchers analyzed U.S. government data from 1980 to 2007. They found that breast cancer death rates were stable throughout the 1980s for women aged 20-64 but rose for women 65 and older.

Between 1990 and 2007, the largest decrease in breast cancer death rates occurred in women aged 20-49 (2.4 percent per year), helped by widespread availability of mammography and the use of hormonal therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, according to the researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At the same time, the smallest decrease in breast cancer deaths was seen among women aged 75 and older (1.1 percent per year).

Remember!

Couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember ..

Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. 'Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?' he asks.

'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?'

'Sure..'

'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?' she asks.

Words of Wisdom to Think About

submitted by Susan C.  Thanks Susan!