Chapel Hill Senior Care - The Effects of Nutrition on Memory

By:  Todd Palmer

Chapel Hill Senior Care - A well-rounded diet is an important aspect of health for seniors, as the foods that elderly individuals consume directly impact their ability to carry out a wide range of functions—including making, storing, and recalling memories. As a result, it is incredibly important that your elderly loved one receives the proper nutrition in order to keep their cognitive function capabilities as strong as possible. Here are a few things to remember about nutrition and how it can impact a person's memory:[1]

• When seniors skip meals their bodies are not receiving the vitamins and minerals they need. When this happens, their bodies may find it difficult to regulate the neurotransmitters that are released throughout their many systems—and that play a crucial role in memory. Choline and thiamin are just two of many substances that seniors need to keep their brains running properly.
• Low carbohydrate diets can ultimately result in memory loss due to the fact that glucose, which is used as a fuel by the brain, is reduced drastically. Carbohydrates are converted into glucose after they are digested and this glucose powers cells, including brain cells. As such, it is important that seniors get the right amount of the right carbohydrates, meaning that they should eat complex carbohydrates instead of the simple variety. Whole grains are a wonderful dietary source of complex carbohydrates and can be added to virtually any meal.
• Running a high calorie deficit (which, simply put, means not eating enough) can also interfere with memory. In this case, short-term memory can become impaired if enough calories are not consumed over the course of the day.

As you can see, a well-rounded, healthy meal plan is essential in keeping your senior's memory as strong as possible. Because of today's fast-paced lifestyle, though, you may not have the time to see to it that your elderly loved one has access to the foods they need. As such, it is a good idea to consider whether or not the assistance of a home care professional (or the transition from aging in place to a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other elder care community) would prove beneficial for your loved one. 

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[1] http://voices.yahoo.com/how-nutrition-affects-memory-2356812.html

Durham Elder Care - The Effects of Living Alone on Memory

By:  Todd Palmer

Durham Elder Care - Living alone doesn't seem to, in and of itself, cause memory loss; however, many seniors who live independently may experience complications of existing memory loss or, in some cases, declining cognitive function due to limited interaction with others. As such, the home care professionals of Durham, North Carolina, urge you to consider your elderly loved one's memory when deciding whether or not it's time to call upon the services of a senior care provider, whether that means enlisting the assistance of a home care professional or helping your loved one transition to life in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other such elder care community.

The Physical Dangers Associated with Memory Loss

Forgetting a detail or two here and there is not something that should indicate severe memory loss in your elderly loved one, as such mild forgetfulness is to be expected with age. But it is true that disruptive memory loss can cause a great deal of harm to your senior if they are living alone. Here are some of the ways in which memory loss can end in physical injury for your senior:

• Forgetting to turn the stove or other appliances off can result in a fire or other potentially dangerous situation.
• Seniors who have severe memory impairment may tend to wander, and your loved one may end up walking through their neighborhood alone. If they do not remember the layout of their community or city they could easily become lost.
• Forgetting to eat and take care of personal hygiene can result in malnutrition, infection, and other harmful situations.

Isolation Can Harm Seniors

If your elderly loved one lives alone and does not have regular contact with other people, they may begin to feel isolated and lonely. Cognitive function, part of which is the creation and recollection of memories, can be maintained through engagement with mentally challenging activities, such as games, social situations, etc. As such, seniors who are isolated may find it difficult to access the mental stimulation necessary to keep their memory as strong as possible.

If your elderly loved one lives alone, it might be a good idea to consider the ways in which elder care professionals can assist in creating a safer living environment.

Chapel Hill - Durham Elder Care: The Effects of a Head Trauma on Memory

By:  Todd Palmer

Chapel Hill - Durham Elder Care:  The brain is an extremely complex organ; virtually the control center of the body, the brain is responsible for every function that the body's many systems carry out. But it is more than just the organ that makes it possible to eat, breathe, sleep, and regulate hormone production; the brain allows for the creation and recollection of memories. Memories, when stored properly, allow individuals to recall important information and experiences. The brain is, as such, a vulnerable organ that can suffer lasting damage if it is the victim of trauma. While the skull serves to protect the brain from such damage, traumatic events and accidents can impair this organ. When it comes to how such a trauma can impact an individual's memory it is important to consider the different kinds of memory that the brain engages in and the varying nature of such trauma.

Trauma Location: Where Damage Occurs is Essential in Determining Lasting Impact

The brain is divided into several different sections, each of which spearheads varying tasks. While many of these sections work together, the location of an injury can impair different mental processes. For instance, a blow to the head in the frontal lobe (the foremost part of the brain that controls judgment) can result in erratic behavior. In terms of memory, the location of an injury can determine if it affects long-term, short-term, or sensory memory. Because so many parts of the brain are involved in these forms of memory production and recollection a neurological specialist has to look at several different factors to determine where the injury has taken place and how it will interfere with memory creation and storage.

Different Kinds of Memory, Different Effects of Head Trauma

The location of a trauma determines the kind of memory impairment that occurs and, as an extension, the way in which an individual's life is changed. If someone suffers from damage to sensory memory they may have a difficult time remembering how things smelled, tasted, sounded, looked, or felt. Long-term memory impairment, if severe, can lead to amnesia and other conditions that prevent seniors from remembering the early parts of their lives. Short-term memory impairment can interfere with the ability of seniors to remember small details.

Head trauma is a complex issue that affects seniors differently and should be discussed with your loved one's doctor if it occurs.

 

Chapel Hill Elder Care: The Effects of a Stroke on Memory

By: Todd Palmer

Chapel Hill Elder Care: A stroke can have a long list of effects on a senior, one of which is memory loss. John from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has recently assisted his mother with settling back into her home after recovering from a minor stroke. Although she has been able to return to her independent lifestyle thanks to the daily assistance of a home care provider, his mother suffers from a bit of memory loss due to her stroke. John set out to research the ways in which this memory loss developed and how it impacts his mother's cognitive capabilities. Here are some of the important facts that he discovered during the process:[1]

• Because a stroke cuts off blood supply to the brain, the lasting effects that this event has on a senior varies based upon the part of the brain that is affected. Memory loss is more common in individuals who have suffered a stroke that has impacted the right hemisphere of this organ.
• In addition to memory loss, strokes in the right hemisphere can also cause an elderly individual to have difficulty focusing on a task, conversation, or other object.
• Verbal memory, including the names of individuals, information pertaining to language, and stories, is often disrupted by a stroke.
• Visual memory, too, can be impaired by a stroke. This type of memory includes directions, shapes, the faces of friends and family members, and other information that is visually collected.
• Informational memory, or the memory regarding information and skills, is also frequently impacted by a stroke. This type of memory loss can make it difficult for seniors to learn new things.
• Vascular dementia is commonly associated with stroke. This form of memory loss entails a more general decline in cognitive abilities.
• The symptoms of memory loss vary from one senior to the next; however, the most common signs that memory impairment has taken place include loss of short-term memory, confusion, wandering, and trouble following directions.

John knows that helping your senior cope with a stroke and its subsequent effects can be extremely difficult. But by understanding these basic facts about memory loss you can better care for your loved one as they recover from their experience.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

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[1] http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=memory

Durham Eldercare: The Effects of Parkinson's Disease on Memory

By:  Todd Palmer

Durham Eldercare: Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that is progressive, meaning that it becomes increasingly severe over time. Because the more common symptoms of this condition are related to the movement of the body (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability), it often comes as a surprise that Parkinson's disease is also responsible for memory loss in a large number of individuals.[1] Heather, who is a senior care provider and provides eldercare in Durham, North Carolina, recently did a bit of research to better her understanding of the effects on memory that this particular disease can have, as one of her new patients suffers from this condition. Through her research, she learned several important facts about the relationship between Parkinson's disease and cognitive function—particularly memory loss.[2]

• Mild cognitive impairment is a symptom experienced by many seniors who suffer from Parkinson's disease, as the changes that take place in the brain that cause the other symptoms of the condition can also reduce the rate at which individuals can recall memories and think.
• Stress, depression, and medication can exacerbate the cognitive impairment that Parkinson's disease can create.
• Approximately 50 percent of the individuals who have Parkinson's disease also develop memory loss.
• Declarative memory and non-declarative memory are the two kinds of memory that the brain utilizes, engaging the recollection of specific ideas or experiences and the ability to perform familiar tasks, respectively.
• To create a solid, lasting memory, the brain must encode, store, and retrieve it.
• In individuals who have Parkinson's disease, the brain fails to properly absorb information and then organize it appropriately. Because of this, it has a difficult time recalling specific pieces of information in the future. This can be likened to improperly labeling and alphabetizing files in a cabinet and then going back to try to locate one file in particular.
• Prospective memory is commonly interrupted by Parkinson's disease. As such, individuals who have this condition may plan for a certain event or activity but not follow through with all aspects of their plans (i.e. put a letter to be mailed on the counter but leave for the post office without bringing it along).

Heather believes that understanding the relationship between Parkinson's disease and memory impairment can help caregivers better see to the needs of seniors who have this condition.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

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[1] http://www.pdf.org/en/about_pd

[2] http://www.pdf.org/en/cognitive_impairment_pd

Durham Senior Care: What is Working Memory?

By Todd Palmer

Durham Senior Care: Memory is an essential part of life; it is through memory that individuals recall the significance of important events, learn about the world around them, and build relationships with people they care about. While memory is a crucial aspect of life, it is true that there are actually different kinds of memory. Julie of Durham, North Carolina, learned a bit about working memory as she was researching memory loss to better understand her aging mother's condition. Here are some of the highlights about this type of memory that Julie believes are important for all caregivers to understand.[1]

• Working memory can be thought of as a Post-it note for the brain, as it allows the mind to juggle multiple activities at once. Because the brain is processing new information as it is storing it, it is important that working memory can keep all of the data coming into the brain straight.
• Through working memory, individuals can retain involvement in an activity longer than without it, as it allows the brain to keep information in focus while applying it to the activity at hand.
• Information may dissipate if working memory is impaired.
• Working memory plays an integral role in the planning process, as it allows individuals to think about their goals as they create their plans.
• There are different types of working memory, including verbal (also called auditory) and visual-spatial.
• If an individual is experiencing issues with their working memory they may exhibit the following signs: quickly abandoning a project or activity, inability to focus, difficulty following through with a task.

Seniors naturally experience memory loss as they age, as the brain is not able to work as efficiently as it once did; however, the natural memory loss that occurs during the aging process is not disruptive and should not interfere with your elderly loved one's ability to maintain a high quality of life. Julie encourages you to contact your senior's doctor if you think they are suffering from more severe memory loss, as the inability to use working memory and other cognitive functions can prove dangerous if your senior needs assistance that they are not receiving.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care in Durham.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

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[1] http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/executive-function-disorders/what-is-working-memory-why-does-matter