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GPS SmartSole® Is a Game Changer for Caregiving

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

GPS SmartSole® is a discreet trackable smartphone hidden in a shoe insole. GPS SmartSole® is enormously helpful if you are worried your loved one may wander or get lost. This patented product is a game changer for caregivers of people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism or other developmental disabilities.

60% of them will become “lost” at least once.

70% of those will become “lost” 3 or more times.

46% of wanders not found within 24 hours may die.

GPS SmartSole® is water resistant and sealed in a trim-able shoe insole. It uses GPS and cellular technology, is charged about every day, and requires a service plan – all just like your phone. And, just like your phone, it works in areas with cellular coverage. The key advantage is GPS SmartSole® is discreet and your loved one won’t forget to bring it with them! GPS SmartSole® automatically logs its location, tracking your loved one. If you have a network of caregivers, you may share your app login name and password so multiple caregivers and track your loved one at the same time. The map will pin-point the address, whether it was stopped or in motion, the direction it was headed, as well as the time of the update.

Over 15 million people care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. People suffering from memory loss often will not comply with wearing a bracelet or other tracking device. However, they will wear their favorite shoes. GPS SmartSole® makes safety and independence affordable, which gives caregivers peace of mind.

Senior.com offers both child and adult sizes of the product and multiple options for the monitoring service. For more information please click here.

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10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress
Conditions & Treatments

How To Prevent Agitation In Dementia Patients

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

 

Statistically speaking, dementia risk is something that everyone should consider when a loved one is getting older. For adults over the age of 71, the amount of incidence is roughly 13.9%, rising to 37.4% for people above 90. One of the most common side effects of dementia in older patients is agitation. In some cases, this can be represented by just simple restlessness, in others, it can progress to combativeness that may make caring for them difficult. Here are some key points where it comes to understanding and mitigating this condition.

The Facts Behind Dementia Patients and Agitation

Part of what can make dementia-related agitation difficult to work through is the fact that it is rooted in a variety of potential causes. The reason why it’s so deeply tied to dementia is the fact that the disease robs people of their ability to properly process new stimuli and information, so something that a person would normally be able to work through becomes agitating. Some sources of agitation include the following:

  • Moving to a new residence
  • Changes in caregivers
  • Something perceived as a threat
  • Boredom
  • Discomfort
  • Need for exercise
  • Fear
  • Fatigue
  • Medication interactions

 

As you can see, these issues can range from occasional to daily problems. The first step you should always take when a dementia patient is experiencing agitation is to make sure you bring them in for a medical checkup. In some cases, they may be feeling discomfort or other problems due to a medical issue. Since a dementia patient may not be able to communicate this effectively, it’s important to eliminate medical problems as a cause before working to treat the agitation.

Creating A Safe and Relaxing Setting

So, with this in mind, let’s say that you do have a person you are caring for/loved one with dementia experiencing agitation. You get a medical checkup and determine there’s no health-related cause. What steps do you take next?

The single most important thing you need to understand is that even if they are losing a lot of their facilities, a person with dementia is still an individual person. They have their own set of fears and concerns that may set off an agitation episode, so you need to employ a personalized approach. A good way to do this, especially if you suspect it’s due to an environmental change, is to try and make this new environment as relaxing and familiar as possible.

Finding activities for seniors with dementia is also important. In many cases, restlessness is a root cause behind the agitation. Craft activities, some form of exercise/walking, or even approaches like pet therapy or music therapy can be helpful. If you employ caregivers to help with your loved one that has dementia, it may be a good idea to see if they have gone through training to help handle episodes of agitation. There is a way to approach an agitated person in order to help them feel more at ease. Generally, the steps you want to take in the moment include:

  • Trying to determine the source of frustration, if they are able to communicate.
  • Using calming phrases to make the person feel safer, and reiterate that you will be present.
  • Make sure you’re not doing things like raising your voice or making sudden movements that may alarm them.
  • Use physical contact appropriately. Research has shown that physical contact can help ease the symptoms of dementia.

 

There’s likely going to be a bit of trial and error when it comes to finding the best approach, but you can always use your past experience with the individual, including before they showed dementia symptoms.

We should also close the conversation by addressing drugs as a form of treatment. In extreme cases, some have tried to use antipsychotics to help lower the incidence of agitation, especially of the symptoms make the patient a threat to themselves and others. However, studies have shown that only a small selection of the drugs used have a marked effect on lowering agitation. Compounding the issue is the fact that introducing a drug may mean a variety of medication interactions that you need to account for. While scientists acknowledge drugs as an option, they should always be a last resort after personalized care changes fail.

By Casey Ribick

Casey Ribick is a writer for Senior Care Center and manages an assisted living facility in Southern California. Originally from Romania, he has a passion for outdoors and travel. He writes about the health, senior care, and financial planning and enjoys connecting with audiences with his writing.

 

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20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know
Conditions & TreatmentsHealth

20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know

by Silverado
written by Silverado

When accompanying a loved one on the journey of dementia, new and unfamiliar words are encountered almost daily. Understanding these words and phrases is essential to navigating the road ahead and ensuring that the best care possible is provided. 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know
The following list of 20 common dementia-related terms that caregivers and loved ones may find useful.

  1. Activities of daily living (often called ADLs):Personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing and using the toilet.
  2. Alleles:One of the different forms of a gene that can exist at a single locus (spot on a chromosome) or site.
  3. Amyloid:A waxy translucent substance consisting of protein in combination with polysaccharides that is deposited in some animal organs and tissues under abnormal conditions (such as Alzheimer’s disease).
  4. Amyloid plaque:Buildup of amyloid protein and a primary hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
  5. Aphasia:An acquired inability to use certain aspects of language. It can be either an expressive or a receptive language disorder. “Aphasia” is a very broad term that is made more useful by descriptive qualifiers indicating the type of language impairment involved.
  6. Ataxia:Loss or failure of muscular coordination. Movement, especially gait, is clumsy and appears to be uncertain. Ataxic patients often sway while walking. Ataxia usually results from an inaccurate sense of position in the lower limbs. Difficulty with gait increases greatly when the patient is asked to walk with eyes closed.
  7. Autonomic nervous system:The part of the nervous system concerned with visceral and involuntary functions.
  8. Beta amyloid:An amyloid derived from a larger precursor protein; it is a component of the senile or neuritic plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
  9. Bradykinesia:A motor disorder, frequently seen in Parkinson’s disease, which results from rigidity of muscles and which is manifested by slow finger movements and loss offine motor skills such as writing.
  10. Dopamine:A neurotransmitter that is important in reward-motivated behavior. It is the neurotransmitter deficient in those with Parkinson’s disease.
  11. Dysphagia:Difficulty in swallowing.
  12. Gamma secretase: An enzyme partly responsible for plaque buildup in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer’s.
  13. Hippocampus:An area buried deep in the forebrain that helps regulate emotion and memory.
  14. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): A syndrome of memory impairment that does not significantly affect daily activities and is not accompanied by declines in overall cognitive function.
  15. Neuropsychiatrist:A specialist in the medicine concerned with both neurology and psychiatry.
  16. Neuropsychologist:A psychologist who has completed special training in the neurobiological causes of brain disorders, and who specializes in diagnosing and treating these illnesses using a predominantly medical (as opposed to psychoanalytical) approach.
  17. Positron Emission Tomography (PET):A highly specialized imaging technique using short-lived radioactive substances. This technique produces three-dimensional colored images.
  18. Synapse:The space between the terminal end of an axon and another cell body. Neurotransmitters are released in the synapse and carry signals from one nerve cell to another.
  19. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs):Brief episodes of insufficient blood supply to selected portions of the brain.
  20. Ventricles:The spaces within the brain through which cerebrospinal fluid circulates.

For a comprehensive dementia care glossary, please visit Silverado.

20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know

20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know

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Why do people with Alzheimer's remember old memories?
Caregiving

Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Navigating the journey of a loved one’s memory loss to Alzheimer’s can be quite difficult, particularly understanding why some memories fade while older memories may be resurrected. A common question is why–and how–does someone with Alzheimer’s remember old memories while new memories fade? Though the workings of the brain can still be mysterious in a lot of ways, research has suggested a few reasons. Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?
The best explanation is that Alzheimer’s affects recent memories first, debilitating retention of new information. Memories of childhood or from long ago are well encoded since the person has had longer to process and remember specific events. In contrast, when Alzheimer’s symptoms start to show, think of “Last in, first out.” It can be difficult for a person with dementia to remember something from 20 minutes ago. Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?
More technically speaking, new experiences or memories register in the part of the brain called the hippocampus, which sends the memory to the brain’s “storage bank.” When Alzheimer’s develops, the hippocampus is one of the first areas to be affected. Because that area of the brain can’t remember a new memory or person, the hippocampus can’t assist in “retrieving” the memory from the storage bank. These new memories also don’t have as much emotional attachment to them, as other memories stored in a different area of the brain, which suggests why it’s so difficult to retain a new memory.

Alzheimer’s affects the brain in such a way that even those long-term memories will fade over time as well. Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?
Sources:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/memory-loss-in-alzheimers-148992.htm
https://www.caring.com/questions/alzheimers-patients-remember-past

Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?

Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories? Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories? Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories? Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?

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Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer's Patients is a Hit
Exercise & Fitness

Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit

by Silverado
written by Silverado

You Won’t Believe What These People with Alzheimer’s do on the Beach Every Week

Breathe in, breathe out. Close your eyes, and take in the warm sand and sound of waves along the coast on this mild summer day. Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit

You Won’t Believe What These People with Alzheimer's do on the Beach Every Week Breathe in, breathe out. Close your eyes, and take in the warm sand and sound of waves along the coast on this mild summer day. If you’re part of the Yoga on the Beach group at Silverado San Juan Capistrano, it’s likely you hear those words every Wednesday morning. And when you open your eyes, you look around to see a beautiful day at the beach. Every week, a group of residents from the Silverado San Juan Capistrano memory care community takes a trip to the beach to meet their yoga instructor for an hour-long class on the sand. The group began taking these trips earlier this year as part of Nexus at Silverado, a special program created to help residents in the early stages of dementia build and maintain cognitive ability. Nexus — which is available at every Silverado memory care community— includes 20 hours a week of specialized programming based on the latest dementia research, which has shown that programs like this help people with very early stage dementia and mild cognitive impairments. While dementia or Alzheimer’s cannot be cured or prevented, memory-care communities like Silverado find ways to keep people living with those conditions engaged and active. Yoga is a stress-relieving activity that is shown to provide numerous benefits to individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. From reduced brain atrophy and increased brain blood flow, to reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, stress reduction is one of six pillars that make up Nexus. Learn more about our innovative Nexus program here.

 

If you’re part of the Yoga on the Beach group at Silverado San Juan Capistrano, it’s likely you hear those words every Wednesday morning. And when you open your eyes, you look around to see a beautiful day at the beach.

Every week, a group of residents from the Silverado San Juan Capistrano memory care community takes a trip to the beach to meet their yoga instructor for an hour-long class on the sand. The group began taking these trips earlier this year as part of Nexus at Silverado, a special program created to help residents in the early stages of dementia build and maintain cognitive ability.

Nexus — which is available at every Silverado memory care community— includes 20 hours a week of specialized programming based on the latest dementia research, which has shown that programs like this help people with very early stage dementia and mild cognitive impairments.

While dementia or Alzheimer’s cannot be cured or prevented, memory-care communities like Silverado find ways to keep people living with those conditions engaged and active. Yoga is a stress-relieving activity that is shown to provide numerous benefits to individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. From reduced brain atrophy and increased brain blood flow, to reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, stress reduction is one of six pillars that make up Nexus.

Learn more about our innovative Nexus program here.

Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit

Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit Weekly Beach Yoga for Alzheimer’s Patients is a Hit

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Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?
Conditions & Treatments

Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

by Silverado
written by Silverado

We’ve all had it happen – forgetting a person’s name or not being able to find the right word. Maybe you miss an appointment or misplace the TV remote. Some memory loss is only natural with age, but the question is often asked – is this just normal aging, or is it the beginning of something bigger? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?
While minor memory loss is common with aging, it is not inevitable. Dementia, on the other hand, is generally a progressive condition originating in a specific disease or neurological disorder. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, while conditions such as Lewy body disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and others can also lead to memory loss.

So when should you be concerned?

Because the human brain is so complex and every person’s physiology is different, diagnosing dementia is not a simple task. Only a doctor can give a proper dementia diagnosis, but there are some definite signs that you may want to visit a medical professional with your concerns: Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

  • You have trouble handling multi-stepped or ongoing tasks.These generally manifest as financial difficulties – overdrafts, forgotten bills and other actions that involve a level of thinking things through. This applies to most kinds of complex planning, including travel or even cooking.
  • Forgetfulness interferes with your daily life.Forgetting a name or momentarily misplacing something is a hassle, but these happening more regularly and causing financial or interpersonal difficulties are reasons for concern.
  • You can’t seem to find the right words.While we often experience the frustration of having a word “on the tip of my tongue,” an increased frequency of this happening should be a warning sign. This is particularly true if it affects normal ability to communicate.
  • You experience problems retracing your steps.When we misplace our keys, phone or remote this is generally resolved by asking “where was I a few minutes/hours ago?” Since dementia often affects the short term memory first, a decline in memory involving recent things should merit a trip to the doctor.
  • You lose your sense of place and time.Not knowing where you are, how you got there or what day it is can be serious signs that a medical consultation is necessary.

It’s also important to listen to those closest to you if they voice concerns about forgetfulness or mention that you’ve asked the same question repeatedly. Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

Can you do anything about it?

While there is currently no cure for most types of dementia, research is showing that certain activities and lifestyle choices can help delay its onset or slow its progression. The Nexus at Silverado program in which residents in Silverado memory care communities participate is based on these findings. For more information on Nexus, click here.

Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia? Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

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Life Lessons

His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer's

by Silverado
written by Silverado

His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a real problem facing real people every day. If you or someone you know has faced it, you understand the emotional toll it takes. When we came across one couple’s journey, it touched us so deeply that we spent two full days capturing their love story to be shared with the world.
John and Kerry McNeely learned of Kerry’s Alzheimer’s in 2014, shortly after a trip to Europe. Soon after, John sought help for her at Silverado. At the memory care community, he was able join a family support group to openly discuss his experience. During one of those meetings, he put his thoughts on paper — words he didn’t realize at the time would touch more than 100,000 lives.
Join those 100,000 people. See John’s words come to life.

His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer’s

His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer’s His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer’s His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer’s His Love was Stronger than Alzheimer’s
 
 

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Caregiving

10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Providing dementia care for a family member is rarely easy. But it gets easier if you regularly remind yourself about positive aspects of caregiving. The following eleven mantras for dementia care providers offer needed perspective to family caregivers and professional care providers alike. 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers

  1. “I Am Creating Positive Change.”

Caregivers sometimes feel like nothing they do is really making a difference. During tough moments, it can be hard to see the positive impact that you’re having on your loved one’s life. It pays to remind yourself how much tougher those moments could be without your presence.

  1. “Quality of Lifeand Quality of CognitionAren’t the Same Thing.”

When a loved one starts to lose their cognitive abilities to dementia, it can be easy to confuse this with a loss of quality of life. While the two are linked, it is still possible to live a happy, comfortable, and meaningful life in the face of a dementia diagnosis. As a caregiver, it’s important not to lose sight of this distinction.

  1. “My Loved One Needs Affirmation, Not Correction.”

Even experienced caregivers can sometimes fall for the trap of trying to correct or argue with someone suffering from dementia. When your loved one is confused, remind yourself that trying to correct them will only make things more confusing. By affirming their experience — even if it’s mistaken — you will help them feel more comfortable, at ease, and secure.

  1. “Caregiving Missteps Are Learning Opportunities.”

No one has ever provided care for a loved one without making missteps along the way, especially when caring for someone with an illness as complicated as dementia. Remember that mistakes almost always present an opportunity to learn and become a better caregiver.

  1. “There’s Nothing Wrong with Asking for Help.”

Caregivers often take the weight of the world onto their shoulders, feeling like it’s their responsibility to bear the burden. At a certain point, we all need to recognize that we need help from others. That might be from family. It might be from friends. It might be from professional dementia careproviders. No matter who it’s from, it’s crucial that you allow yourself to ask for help when it’s needed.

  1. “Self-Care Is an Essential Part of Caregiving.”

As a caregiver, any moment you spend on your own well-being can feel like an indulgence. “How can I be focused on myself when my loved one’s care needs are so much greater than my own?” But without taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to adequately care for your loved one. And remember: caregiving isn’t supposed to be a case of trading your quality of life for your loved one’s.

  1. “There’s Always Something New for Me to Learn.”

The learning curve never truly ends when you’re providing dementia care for a loved one. Whether you’re learning from other caregivers at a local support group, acquiring information from medical professionals, or taking part in an online community like The Caregiver’s Voice, there are always new perspectives and new information for you to learn.

  1. “Routine and Structure Shouldn’t Be Taken for Granted.”

Routine, structure, and familiarity can be crucial to those coping with dementia. Familiar surroundings offer comfort and security, helping those with dementia manage moments of stress and anxiety. Caregiver’s shouldn’t underrate how important a familiar routine can be to their own lives. Creating a stable routine gives you much less to worry about, allowing you to focus on care responsibilities.

  1. “There’s No Such Thing as The Perfect Caregiver.”

When a loved one’s well-being is in your hands, it’s easy to expect perfection from yourself. But there’s no such thing as the perfect caregiver, and caring for someone with a memory disorder will put you in situations where there’s no perfect solution.

  1. “I’m Not Alone.”

Memory disorders create confusion and disorientation for those with dementia and their caregivers. When caring for a loved one with dementia, it’s common to feel lost and alone. But there are millions of people who are in your shoes or who have walked miles in them at some point in their lives.
10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers
10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers 10 Mantras for Dementia Care Providers
 
 
 

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Healthy Living

Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay

by Silverado
written by Silverado

For years science has been building and ever-expanding body of evidence that staying social has benefits to those with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairing diseases. Along with exercise (and sometimes incorporated directly with it), social interactions may be one of the best and easiest ways to help individuals facing the challenges with dementia. Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay
Released by The Lancet Neurology in 2006, a study titled “The effect of social networks on the relation between Alzheimer’s disease pathology and level of cognitive function” showed a relation between social network size and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Public Health titled ”Social network, cognitive function, and dementia incidence among elderly women” showed evidence that larger social networks have a protective influence on cognitive function in elderly women.
So what does this mean in a practical sense?
Individuals in the early stages of dementia should be encouraged to engage with others in a social setting as much as possible. As a part of the Nexus at Silverado® program, this is put into practice through resident engagements like social clubs (cooking, crafts, etc.) and volunteer events to help people (and animals!) in need.
Often times these engaging activities are combined with physical activities such as walking groups or Tai Chi, layering on the benefits of exercise and stress reduction (also science-based Nexus activities). The underlying benefit to all of these activities is staving off the isolation and depression that often come with dementia, as they can exacerbate symptoms.
Community centers, churches and civic organizations are all great places to find activities for your loved one and yourself, offering meet-ups, day trips, crafts and other great ways to stay social. There aren’t many better ways to have fun and do something beneficial!
For information on brain-health studies, click here.

Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay

Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at Bay Staying Social to keep Dementia at BayStaying Social to keep Dementia at Bay

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