Warning Signs from the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association’s website is loaded with the most up-to the-date information regarding all the various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease.   Part of their extensive information includes a check list of 10 early warning signs of the disease.  This is important to know as an early diagnosis allows someone an opportunity to seek treatment and to make plans for the future.  While everyone’s journey is different, they recommend if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of memory loss, to consult with a doctor. 

The first sign of Alzheimer’s as stated by the Association is memory loss that disrupts a person’s daily life. This is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages.  Examples include forgetting important dates or events as well as recently learned information. 

The second sign is experiencing difficulties in developing a plan or working with numbers.  It may affect everyday tasks such as balancing a checkbook or keeping track of monthly bills. 

Next they cite new problems that develop in completing familiar tasks around the home, at work or leisure.  The person experiences difficulties when driving to a familiar location, managing a budget or remembering the rules of a favorite game.  

Fourth on the Alzheimer’s Association’s list is signs of confusion regarding time and place.  Examples include losing track of dates and what time of the year it is as well as forgetting where they are or how they got there.  

Another sign of Alzheimer’s is problems understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This can mean difficulty reading, judging distances and determining color or contrast.  Further along in the disease, a person may not recognize their own reflection. 

The sixth sign on their list includes experiencing new problems with words when speaking or writing.  Another sign is misplacing things and not having the ability to retrace their steps.  People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. 

The eighth sign includes decreased or poor judgment such as giving away large amounts of money to fraudulent causes or paying less attention to grooming habits.  The ninth sign stated by the Association is withdrawing from work or social activities.  Last on the list is a significant change in mood and personality.  People with the disease can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.  Please see the Alzheimer’s Association’s website for the complete details on the early warning signs of the disease.    

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 

MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities.  Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Driving Safety Tips for Seniors

Older drivers can still be good, safe drivers, but there are some things to consider both for your safety and the safety of others.  The Mayo Clinic recommends that seniors stay as active as possible in their day-to-day life which helps to maintain overall strength, flexibility, and range of motion.  Drivers need to be able to turn and look over their shoulder and move their head with ease.  They must be able to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and legs need to be strong enough to apply pressure to the gas pedal or brake. 

A senior’s peripheral vision can decrease with age or from certain medications and other eye problems may cause drivers to have trouble seeing in the dark or experience blurred vision.  Hearing problems can interfere with detecting sounds of sirens from emergency vehicles or approaching cars.  Be vigilant about scheduling vision and hearing tests regularly as part of your wellness care and follow your doctor’s advice as to how often they should be done.  Many problems can be corrected if caught early enough. 

Remember that certain medications can cause drowsiness so make sure you know the side effects of your prescription drugs and do not drive if you are feeling sleepy.  It may be a good idea to limit trips in the car to daylight hours and when the weather is good.  Keep in mind that a person’s reaction time slows with age as do their motor skills.  You may need to re-evaluate your driving every so few months, especially if you find yourself having incidences of accidents that almost happen. 

The MedicineNet website has some safe driving tips for seniors:

Planning before you leave:

• plan to drive streets you know 
• add extra time for travel if conditions are bad
• don't drive when you are stressed or tired

While you are driving:

• always wear you seat belt
• stay off the cell phone
• avoid distractions

MorningStarof Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities.  Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

It is estimated that 7 to 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease.  In the U.S. alone, a million people are living with the disease and as many as 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.  While there is not a cure for the disease, there is treatment; however anyone with symptoms needs to have a medical diagnosis in order to rule out other causes.  

The Mayo Clinic’s website provides a list of some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s.  The first sign can be a tremor that affects one hand and a person may frequently exhibit a back-and-forth rubbing motion of the thumb and forefinger known as a pill-rolling tremor.  Tremors usually occur while the individual is at rest, and can affect the hands, limbs, and posture. 

Another common sign of the disease is slowed movement known as bradykinesia. This can worsen over time and eventually affect a person’s ability to walk well or have trouble getting up out of a chair.  In some cases one foot may drag, making walking even more challenging.  

Other symptoms of the disease include rigid muscles and stiffness within any part of the body, and impaired posture and balance that may cause a person to become stooped or lead to falls.  The disease can also cause a loss of automatic movements such as blinking, smiling or swinging your arms as you walk.  In addition many people experience changes in their speech such as speaking in a monotone or more softly, more quickly or with a slur.  

Finally many people suffering from Parkinson’s have problems writing.  Often their writing becomes smaller and it is more difficult to do because of the tremors. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 

MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities.  Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Source:pdf.org/en/parkinson_statistics

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20028488

Your Eyes May Change with Age

As we age, our vision declines much like other parts of our bodies.   So while some loss of vision is normal, there are other signs that may be an indication of more serious medical problems.

Presbyopia is a normal condition of the eyes that starts around the age of forty and is the hardening of the lens.  It causes the eye not to focus as well on objects close at hand.  While it is easily corrected by reading glasses or multi-lens glasses, it does continue to worsen as we age.  Generally people need stronger and stronger prescriptions through the years or several different sets of glasses for different tasks.  There are surgical procedures called conductive keratoplasty or monovision lasik that can be done to correct the problem.

Cataracts, which are a clouding of the eyes’ lens, are so common among seniors and easily treated that they are now considered a normal part of the aging process. Surgery is very safe, and in most cases, the doctor removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a plastic lens.

Glaucoma is another disease that strikes mainly older people and is caused by too much fluid pressure inside the eyes.  There is no pain associated with early stages of glaucoma and it may lead to vision loss and blindness.  It can be treated so early detection is important.

Vision Aware, the American Foundation for the Blind recommends contacting your doctor if you experience any of the following changes in your vision:

• severe. sudden eye pain
• recurrent pain in or around the eye
• hazy, blurred, or double vision
• seeing flashes of light or sudden bright floating spots
• seeing rainbows or halos around lights
• seeing floating "spider webs"
• seeing a "curtain coming down" over one eye
• unusual, even painful, sensitivity to light or glare
• swollen, red eyes
• changes in the color of the iris
• white areas in the pupil or the eye
• sudden development of persistent floaters
• itching, burning, or a heavy discharge in the eyes
• any sudden change in vision

There are several other vision problems that can lead to blindness.  Macular degeneration (also called age-related macular degeneration or AMD) is one of those.  It is the leading cause of vision loss or blindness among older Americans.  The All About Vision website states: “Early signs of vision loss from AMD include shadowy areas in your central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision.  An Amsler grid (used to diagnose AMD) consists of straight lines, with a reference dot in the center. Someone with macular degeneration may see some of the lines as wavy or blurred, with some dark areas at the center.”

It is very important for seniors to have regular eye check-ups and see their doctor if something changes.  Eye diseases can be very serious and early intervention is important.

For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health.

MorningStarof Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities.  Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Sources:  visionaware.org/info/your-eye-condition/eye-health/symptoms-of-vision-problems/125

allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm, http://www.mayoclinic.org/

How to Help Your Loved Ones When They Are Grieving

We all feel helpless when someone we care about is going through a tough time.  It is difficult for a person to experience the loss of someone they love and as a friend or family member; it is hard to watch.  There are some things you can do to help a person with the grieving process.

It is important to let the person know that you care about them and want to help out in any way possible.  Do not let your discomfort with the situation allow you to shy away from the situation.  The best thing you can do is to be supportive.  Be prepared to listen (avoid giving advice) and allow the bereaved person to talk or just sit quietly.  Let them know you hear and acknowledge their pain without minimalizing their loss.

Here are some suggestions to use as a guide when trying to comfort someone who is experiencing a loss:

• Acknowledge the situation.  Example: "I heard that your_____died."  Use the word "died".  That will show that you are more open to talk about how the person really feels.
• Express your concern.  Example:  "I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you."
• Be genuine in your communication and don't hide your feelings.  Example:  I'm not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care."
• Offer your support.  Example: "Tell me what I can do for you."
• Ask how he or she feels, and don't assume you know how the bereaved person feels on any given day.

    *Source: American Cancer Society

Just keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, nor is there a set time table.  Everyone grieves in their own way, but do keep in mind that there are some warning signs that a person is not adjusting to their new situation.  The loss of the ability to function in their day-to-day life, extreme feelings of anger or guilt, withdrawing, and abuse of alcohol or drugs may be a signal that they need professional help.

Morningstar of Sparks' unique mission statement "to honor, to serve, to invest" sets us apart from other senior communities.  Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Source: helpguide.org/articles/grief-los/supporting-a-grieving-person.htm