Can Vitamin E Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects the judgment, memory, and behavior of elderly individuals. A progressive illness, it deteriorates their mental capacity and requires them to receive a high degree of care as they age. Researchers have, for decades, been looking for a cure for this disease. To date, Alzheimer’s remains an incurable condition; however, there are treatment options that can slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of elderly individuals. One popular treatment method is vitamin E. As an antioxidant, vitamin E is thought to protect brain cells, as well as other tissue, from chemical damage.

The use of vitamin E was first sparked by a study carried out by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS). ADCS is the research division of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Released in 1997, the initiative revealed that vitamin E, when administered in high doses, could delay the progression of the condition. This resulted in the ability of elderly individuals to continue to carry out activities of daily living for a longer period of time. Additionally, it allowed families to put off the placement of their loved ones in elder care communities for numerous months.

Although vitamin E has been shown to slow Alzheimer’s disease, it can also be very dangerous. Studies conducted after the aforementioned 1997 study have revealed that an increased risk of death is associated with high doses of the vitamin. This was particularly true for individuals who also suffered from coronary artery disease.

For this reason, it is important that elderly individuals do not take vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease unless they are doing so according to doctor’s orders. When taken under the supervision of a trained, experienced healthcare professional, vitamin E can assist in treating this condition; however, the treatment offers too high a risk to be taken independently.

The dementia care professionals in Durham, North Carolina, are dedicated to assisting seniors and their families in coping with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s care providers encourage elderly individuals to follow the treatment directions provided by their doctors in an effort to slow the progression of the illness and enjoy more time with their loved ones.

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects the judgment, memory, and behavior of elderly individuals. A progressive illness, it deteriorates their mental capacity and requires them to receive a high degree of care as they age. Researchers have, for decades, been looking for a cure for this disease. To date, Alzheimer’s remains an incurable condition; however, there are treatment options that can slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of elderly individuals. One popular treatment method is vitamin E. As an antioxidant, vitamin E is thought to protect brain cells, as well as other tissue, from chemical damage.

The use of vitamin E was first sparked by a study carried out by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS). ADCS is the research division of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Released in 1997, the initiative revealed that vitamin E, when administered in high doses, could delay the progression of the condition. This resulted in the ability of elderly individuals to continue to carry out activities of daily living for a longer period of time. Additionally, it allowed families to put off the placement of their loved ones in elder care communities for numerous months.
Although vitamin E has been shown to slow Alzheimer’s disease, it can also be very dangerous. Studies conducted after the aforementioned 1997 study have revealed that an increased risk of death is associated with high doses of the vitamin. This was particularly true for individuals who also suffered from coronary artery disease.

For this reason, it is important that elderly individuals do not take vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease unless they are doing so according to doctor’s orders. When taken under the supervision of a trained, experienced healthcare professional, vitamin E can assist in treating this condition; however, the treatment offers too high a risk to be taken independently.

The dementia care professionals in Durham, North Carolina, are dedicated to assisting seniors and their families in coping with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s care providers encourage elderly individuals to follow the treatment directions provided by their doctors in an effort to slow the progression of the illness and enjoy more time with their loved ones.

Family Emotions Following an Alzheimers Diagnosis

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be very difficult for family members to accept. While there are treatment options for this condition, it is an incurable disease that affects the judgment, behavior, and memory of elderly individuals. For this reason, family members often anticipate having to care for their loved ones as they slowly decline—which can cause individuals to experience a variety of emotions.
Dealing with these emotions can be difficult. Anger, frustration, sadness, grief—these feelings and others are commonly felt once the diagnosis is announced. But there are healthy ways to handle these circumstances.
Understanding What You Are Feeling

The first step in understanding the emotions family members are experiencing is to pinpoint them. Both one on one and in groups, talk to family members about how they are feeling. You may be met with resistance at first, but remember that this is natural. Make it clear to your family members that, when they are ready to talk, you will be there for them.
For some families, counseling is the best way to overcome this emotional challenge. Therapy, both individual and in groups, can help family members identify their emotions and work through them. This may be a better option for some individuals, who may be embarrassed by their feelings or hesitant to discuss them with anyone who is close to the situation.

Recognizing Feelings on a Daily Basis

Learning that your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is a stressful experience. This stress can amplify the emotions that family members may feel, leading them to inadvertently take their frustration, anger, or grief out on others. Encouraging your family members to recognize the feelings that are prompting their actions can help keep tempers cool and avoid familial conflict, which may arise as care plans are developed for your loved one.

The stress of caring for an elderly individual who has Alzheimer’s disease can also cause conflict. If your family needs a bit of guidance, the Alzheimer’s care professionals in Chapel Hill are happy to provide assistance. Dementia care providers understand the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and can assist in any arrangements that need to be made.

Alzheimers Care

Alzheimer's disease can be very difficult with which to cope—and it is a condition that will almost certainly require that your loved one have assistance with activities of daily living. When you take on the responsibility to provide dementia care to your elderly loved one, it is important that you understand that kind of care your senior will need. Whether you choose to hire an Alzheimer's care professional, share responsibilities with a dementia care professional, or provide the care that your loved one needs yourself, it is important that you understand what it is that your senior will require.

Creating a Safe Environment

Marjorie, an Alzheimer's care professional from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, knows that the most important thing you can provide your elderly loved one is a safe, secure environment. Because Alzheimer's disease often makes seniors feel disoriented, it is crucial that they live in a stable household.

Marjorie recommends creating this steady environment by adhering to a daily schedule. Help your senior stick to a regular schedule while allowing some room for new activities. Depending upon how advanced the disease is your elderly loved one may be able to attend community events or participate in games or other activities with the family. Consider their health when coming up with the schedule and revisit it often to adjust it according to your loved one's needs.

Asking for Help

If you are providing dementia care to your loved one, then there is no doubt that you are dedicated to their wellbeing. But taking a step back now and again is not something to be ashamed of and does not mean that you love your senior any less. As your loved one's illness progresses, Marjorie encourages that caregivers consider relying upon the expertise of professional Alzheimer's care providers.

The great thing about dementia care professionals is that they can provide whatever degree of service your loved one needs. Marjorie offers part time care to simply give primary caregivers the chance to take a day or two off each week. She also offers more constant care. In these instances, she is the primary care provider.

When your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it is important to consider the care options available to your family.

Alzheimers Treatment

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that is, as of yet, incurable; however, seniors who suffer from this condition have several treatment options available to them. By understanding the severity of your elderly loved one’s case, and talking to their doctor about the latest treatment plans, you may be able to ease your loved one’s symptoms and improve their quality of life through the right treatment options.

Mark, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has been taking care of his grandmother for five years. After her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, Mark knew that he would need to be an advocate for his grandmother in order to get her the best in treatment and care options. With the help of dementia care professionals, Mark has assisted in creating a secure, positive living environment for his grandmother.

The first step in choosing the right treatment option is to open up the lines of communication with your elderly loved one’s doctor. Every Alzheimer’s case is different, meaning that the treatment options available to your senior may be different than those available to other patients.

Once the doctor has outlined the options available to your elderly loved one, it is important to understand what each of them entails. Ask any questions you may have about these options and, if you like, your senior’s doctor should be able to provide you with literature and other resources regarding these care plans. 

At their most basic, the options available to Alzheimer’s patients are meant to manage their symptoms and slow the disease, which is progressive in nature. Medication and treatment for memory loss, behavioral changes, and sleep disturbances are commonly used to improve the quality of life for Alzheimer’s disease patients. Mark’s grandmother has responded well to these medications and has, as a result, been able to maintain a normal sleeping schedule.

If these options do not work, or do not suit the needs of your loved one, there are also a number of clinical trials available at any given time. Although risky, these trials are designed to develop new treatment methods and improve the primary treatment options available to Alzheimer’s patients.

Mark knows that choosing the best treatment can be difficult; however, with the assistance of your senior’s doctor and the right information, you can choose the treatment that best fits your loved one’s needs.

Alzheimers Diagnosis

A kind of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is difficult to diagnose. In fact, a confirmed diagnosis of this condition is often only possible after the individual has passed and their brain tissue can be examined. For this reason, healthcare professionals use what is called a differential diagnosis to rule out any other possible health conditions before coming to the conclusion of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pat, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, whose mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, understands that the lack of a single test can make the diagnostic process incredibly stressful—for both elderly loved ones and their families. While there is no fast track to answers about your senior’s condition when it comes to this disease, there are four different factors that can assist doctors in accurately identifying your elderly loved one’s illness. These are:

1. Physical and neurological examinations
2. Testing regarding mental status
3. Thorough medical history
4. Blood tests, brain imaging, and other testing procedures to rule out possible conditions

Many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are commonly experienced with other illnesses, such as depression, thyroid disease, drug interactions, and vitamin deficiencies. For this reason, it is crucial that doctors are able to perform all the tests necessary to rule out these other conditions before making a diagnosis.

Pat knows that a key part of the diagnostic process is trusting in the right healthcare professional. Finding the right doctor, one who is both knowledgeable and experienced, will allow seniors to feel more comfortable with their healthcare team and trust in the expertise of their medical professional. This is important, as the cooperation of your elderly loved one through these tests is essential.

Though primary care physicians can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, they may send your senior to a specialist if they feel as though their case needs more targeted care. Pat’s mother was referred to a neurologist, who specializes in conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. Other specialists who take on Alzheimer’s patients include psychiatrists and psychologists.

Pat understands that the diagnostic process pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease can be long and stressful; however, knowing what condition your elderly loved one is up against, and having the resources necessary to treat it, are well worth the time and effort.

Signs of Alzheimers

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that affects seniors. This condition, which is progressive, targets the parts of the brain that control memory, judgment, and planning. Because of this, it can impact several mental and physical capabilities.

Dedicated Alzheimer's care is important in keeping this illness from getting worse too quickly. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are treatment options that can slow the progression of the condition. For this reason, early detection is important in allowing dementia care professionals to create the highest quality of life possible for your loved one. This means that knowing the signs of Alzheimer's disease and detecting them if they arise are important. The Alzheimer's home care professionals of Chapel Hill know that the following 25 signs are important to look out for if you suspect your loved one may have this condition.

1. Memory loss/severe forgetfulness
2. Mood swings
3. Issues with judgment
4. Financial struggles
5. Inability to complete familiar tasks
6. Difficulty problem solving or planning
7. Frequently misplacing items
8. Inability to keep up with time or place (not knowing where they are or what year it is)
9. Inability to communicate clearly
10. Repetitive actions or speech
11. Withdrawal from social and familial relationships
12. Challenges dressing
13. Tendency to wander
14. Inability to understand spatial relationships
15. Signs of depression, including a loss of motivation
16. Aggression
17. Paranoia
18. Skipping meals
19. Inability to recognize friends and family
20. Performance of activities that may seem purposeless
21. Impaired motor skills and physical sensitivity
22. Discounting of personal hygiene
23. Inappropriate actions
24. Insomnia
25. Childlike behavior

By catching these signs early, you can assist your elderly loved one in getting the dementia care they need to slow the progression of the condition. In-home dementia care can improve quality of life for both seniors and their family members, as it takes a great deal of stress off of each of them and allows them to enjoy the time they have together.

The senior care professionals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, know the importance of securing Alzheimer's care as quickly as possible. As such, they are dedicated to assisting you in detecting and addressing any of these signs that may emerge.