Artistic therapy makes for healthier, happier seniors

Who said art was strictly for artists? A new program that encourages active participation in the arts from the elderly is growing in popularity because of marked improvements in the participants’ physical and emotional well-being.

Instead of being passive viewers of choirs or plays at nursing homes, the elderly have been singing and writing and acting in the plays themselves. In the program, seniors are encouraged to take part in dance sessions as well, and the improved interaction has resulted in decreases in pain and feelings of loneliness, while increasing mobility. Seniors from 36 facilities  have come up with 300 original songs, all of which they’ve either written lyrics to or composed melodies for.

Even patients suffering from dementia have been contributing to storytelling exercises.  A photograph is shown to residents to start off the discussion, then open-ended questions are posed and the responses crafted into a story that is then read back to the residents.

Read more about the program here.

Social interaction cuts dementia risk, dogs reveal

Yes, you read that headline right; a study recently showed that dogs have large brains in relation to their size due to their ability to socialize within a group, which in turn arguably makes them smarter than most other domesticated pets, including cats. This level of sociability and interaction has had an undeniable positive effect on the comprehension of dogs everywhere, and even more significantly, other studies have also shown that sociability among humans cuts the risk of dementia by a whopping 26 percent.

What’s the take-away of this revelation? Having scheduled get-togethers with friends and family won’t just bring everyone closer together, but it could give you a better chance at living dementia-free for longer.

Read the article here.

8 common Alzheimer’s myths debunked

The mental trap that Alzheimer’s places on those who suffer from it is difficult to imagine. Those whose loved ones suffer from the condition are often faced with caring for a person who sometimes doesn’t appear to recognize the lengths their family goes through to adapt to their predicament. Love counts for much of the perseverance, but it’s common to sometimes fall into frustration, all too often we take it out on the sufferer, the one who needs our care the most.

Self-proclaimed mindfulness-based psychotherapist Marguerite Manteau-Rao has taken a look at the most frequent situations where Alzheimer’s seems the most mysterious, and shows us a better way through the situation. Here’s a quick list of the 8 most common myths debunked:

1. The fact that the person does not speak does not mean that she doesn’t hear or understand.
2. Not recalling facts does not mean that the heart does not know or does not remember.
3. The loss of abilities, no matter how severe, does not mean that all abilities are lost.
4. What appears as nonsensical behavior actually makes a lot of sense from the person’s perspective.
5. The person is not a child or a baby, although some of her behaviors may cause us to treat her that way.
6. It is not all downhill from here, at least not always.
7. The fact that the person struggles with initiating tasks does not mean that she in incapable of making any decisions.
8. Asking what to do with the person can be the wrong question.

Each of the points that Manteau-Rao discusses is followed by an easy-to-read blurb with the likeliest explanation for the sufferer’s behavior. For example, #2 explains that even Alzheimer’s sufferers are “extremely attuned to the quality of their relationships”, which means that interactions with them, whether positive or negative, have an impact on their mood even if they don’t remember the act that brought it about.

Read the entire article here.

Foods that help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s

It is a sad fact of our time that there is no cure for dementia and Alzheimer’s, but it’s been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so here’s a quick list of foods that can help stave off the occurrence of these dire mental deficiencies.

• Red wine
• Dark chocolates
• Asparagus
• Clams
• Walnuts
• Wild Salmon
• Apples
• Turmeric
• Cherries

At the core of this list are the vitamins and minerals that directly contribute to brain and body health like flavonoids, folate, B12, and Omega-3 and 6 oils. With the holiday season upon us, this list could help give your holiday meal a mind-healthy angle. And since wild salmon is especially easy to come by here in Vancouver, there’s no excuse finding ways to incorporate these ingredients in your holiday meals creatively!

Children aid the “War on Dementia” in South Korea

South Korea is at the forefront of the battle on dementia with some 30 million existing cases in the country,  and their government programs supporting the cause seem nothing short of astounding. A raise of 6.6 percent to the national health insurance premium of its citizens have gone to a long-term care insurance system that ensures South Koreans have an extensive network of diagnosis and care well into their twilight years. As reported by the article:

“Hundreds of neighborhood dementia diagnostic centers have been created. Nursing homes have nearly tripled since 2008. Other dementia programs, providing day care and home care, have increased fivefold since 2008, to nearly 20,000. Care is heavily subsidized.”

In addition, the South Korean government has instituted training programs for “dementia supporters” meant to teach individuals to recognize dementia and ways to care for patients. Perhaps most impressive is a program to train 11 to 13 years olds that involves them donning splints, harnesses, and fogged up glasses and doing everyday tasks. The hope is that by experiencing what life is like for the aged and mentally afflicted, that they will better understand how to best deal with loved ones who suffer (or will) from dementia.

But times are hard. Nearly 9 percent of those over 65 suffer from dementia, and the cost of care is weighing heavily both economically and socially. The hope is that by putting the systems and awareness in place, that families will be able to care for their loved ones as long as possible without having to rely on government subsidies.

Read the entire New York Times article.

Money problems could be early sign of Alzheimer’s

We had previously covered the issue of financial troubles foisted upon those with dementia, but what if the problem’s source was the sufferer? A New York Times article discusses the factors surrounding the controversy of how to properly assess a loved one’s mental competence when money problems start to occur.

The law is still unclear on the right way to deal with an elder who is suspected of mishandling their own funds. Lawyers are compelled to protect their clients and to follow their wishes, however at what point is a lawyer allowed to turn a blind eye towards obviously faulty financial spending? The most evident recommendation is to withdraw as the elder’s counsel, although that decision may also not be in the client’s best interest.

Family members can intervene and be given guardianship, but this can cause rifts between parents, children, and siblings because the dementia sufferer may not take the news of losing their independence well.

Unfortunately, there is no black and white decision that can be made on behalf of either the dementia sufferer or the family members who are dependent on the sufferer’s funds. As it stands, each case must be dealt with uniquely in order to preserve not just the clan’s financial stability, but the Alzheimer’s-stricken elder’s dignity.

Read the article.

The Aging Revolution Event for seniors comes to West Vancouver

The Aging Revolution Event for Seniors – Age Independently, Gracefully, Purposefully

Event will be held November 7, 2010 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the West Vancouver Seniors Center and is open to the public, free of charge

Carolina and Jay Orosa of Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of non-medical in-home care for seniors, are producing and hosting the first ever, Aging Revolution Event on Sunday, November 7th, at the West Vancouver Seniors Center from 1-3:30 p.m. This inaugural event is open to the public, free of charge, and will offer valuable information, resources and presentations for seniors and adult children on aging well, increasing quality of life and longevity, lifestyle choices and activities, eldercare planning, etc.

“We are very excited to be hosting this event because we believe that there needs to be a paradigm shift in the way society views aging,” said Carolina Orosa, Co-Owner of Home Care Assistance. “We see this event as being the forum to jumpstart that shift and enlighten seniors and their adult children about how to age with grace and purpose. We also want them to be aware of the various resources in the community that are available to help them plan for the future, maximize their independence and sustain a high quality of life.”

The Aging Revolution Event will include the following:

• Fifteen plus booths featuring various community resources catering to seniors
• Presentations by senior care industry leaders which will inform and inspire all who attend
• Complimentary tea and sweets
• Prizes from participating companies

The industry leads that will speak at the event are:

Stay Fit to Stay Vertical – Angela Sealy, Coordinator. Active Choice Program (UVIC). Her background as a Psychologist and extensive experience facilitating groups helps her successfully encourage physical activities through conscious choice.

The 3 D’s of Parents Every Adult Child Should Know – Peter Silin, MSW, RSW, Principal, Diamond Geriatrics.  He has worked with seniors over 30 years on various issues and provides services such as eldercare consulting, counselling, and case management.

Brain Gain – Creative & Intellectual Activities – Yoying Orosa, RSW, Therapeutic Program Director, George Derby Centre. She is a music therapist and social worker with over 25 years of exploring the use of music and the creative arts to stimulate the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual well-being of seniors.

Ed Kry, Chair, Elder College Program, Capilano University.  Aside from being committed to continuing education for seniors, he is also a very active member of the community, serving as the Chair of the North Shore Cardiac Rehabilitation Society.

Happy to 102, An Inspirational Story on Aging Well – Olga Kotelko, holds multiple track and field world records. She is a 91 year old athlete who competes to this day and is a living example of how to age with purpose.

For more information about Greater Vancouver Home Care Assistance please visit: www.homecareassistance.com or call us at 778-279-3634.

The Aging Revolution Event is sponsored by: Park Royal Shopping Centre, North Shore News, Hollyburn House and produced by Home Care Assistance and Christine Monaghan.

“Sundowning” behaviors: Communicating with dementia sufferers

Placing ourselves in the shoes of those afflicted with dementia can be an extremely hard task, most especially for caregivers. Dementia sufferers can often display erratic and unexplainable behavior that are seemingly triggered by random events. Written by an actual caregiver, this article we found on the Enduring Care website is an enlightening look into dementia patient behaviors that can help caregivers interpret and care for their wards properly.

The article calls to mind a phenomenon called “sundowning”, which refers to unexplained behaviors exhibited by those with dementia that commonly occurs late in the day or at night without any apparently cause. The article (Part I in a series) begins the discussion by bringing up two behaviors types and how caregivers can help deal with them.

The first behavior, elder anxiety and caregiver environmental scanning, speaks on moments when the elder becomes visibly agitated and anxious. The article recommends shutting off televisions and taking note of what was being shown at the time (was there a distressing news report playing?) Reassuring the elder that you’re aware of occurring regular noises in the area (planes flying overhead, car alarms going off, etc.) also helps greatly. Doing these exercises is also a great way to have a conversation.

The second behavior, elderly pacing at home, could signal that the elder is acting on a seeking pattern, where they’re looking for what they need to do next. The best way to deal is to provide re-direction to help guide them towards a positive activity. If that doesn’t work, the caregiver shouldn’t feel rejected; if ever, the pacing is a great way for the elder to get some much-needed exercise.

The article’s best advice is simply to go with the flow instead of letting your caregiver anxieties kick in. Sometimes the situation is a lot simpler than it looks.

Read the article.

Horticultural therapy helps people to heal

For many, gardening is a form of therapy they’ve adopted into their daily routine. But moved into a more structured environment, one where progress is tracked and supervised by an experienced therapist, can make gardening an actual measurable therapy with quantifiable results.

A horticultural therapy program at the Vancouver General Hospital seems to be making headway towards validating the process. Studies have already shown that being able to view a garden or park helps recuperating hospital patients recover faster. Doing gardening work like planting, trimming branches, and prepping seeds–besides stimulating movement and coordination–also has a calming and stress-relieving effect on victims of stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Therapist Shelagh Smith adds, “It’s a lot easier to talk about end-of-life issues in a garden. You can talk about life and death and it feels more natural in a garden setting because you can see the circle of life all around you.”

Read more in the article.

Dementia sufferers over 65 at increased risk for flu mortality

There’s more to watch out for this fall season than new TV shows. Studies have shown that those over 65 who are suffering from dementia are highly unlikely to recognize if they’ve contracted the flu, and therefore run a greatly increased risk of dying from it. Because those with dementia are less likely to know that they have the flu (due to their decreased cognitive functions), simply asking them “Are you feeling sick?” isn’t enough to deduce their existing state of health. In fact, it’s been observed that many dementia sufferers wind up being discharged sooner from their hospital stays and receive less treatment for their condition, resulting in a higher mortality rate (50 percent higher).

The only surefire way of ensuring that caregivers and health care practitioners can effectively deal with dementia sufferers and the flu is to give them flu shots, thereby decreasing the chances of the virus being contracted. In this way, getting the elderly individual to assess their own well-being–a potentially inaccurate method, but essentially the most telling way a doctor will be able to determine the best course of treatment for any patient–can be lent less influence on the patient’s overall health assessment and subsequent treatment.

You know what they say: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Read the complete article here.