Friday, May 27, 2011

Blood test could help spot Alzheimer's disease


Researchers in Montreal say they may have uncovered the method for creating a blood test that could diagnose Alzheimer's disease in its early stages, when early treatment could help slow disease progression.
The research, published in this month's issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, shows how searching for a precursor of a biochemical marker called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), appears to identify people with early Alzheimer's.

DHEA is a brain hormone that should be present at high levels in the brain where it provides a wide range of roles in brain function. Patients with early Alzheimer's disease seem to have abnormally low levels of the hormone in their blood.
The test involves performing a chemical reaction, called oxidation, on a blood sample. Oxidation causes production of DHEA if an as-yet-unidentifed DHEA precursor is present in the blood.
The study found that in non-Alzheimer's patients, the oxidation process produced the hormone, but the blood from Alzheimer's patients did not produce DHEA.
In a telephone interview with CTV News, the test's developer, Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, director of the McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, said that the test was used on 83 patients, half with early-stage Alzheimer's; the rest were healthy controls.

"All the patients with Alzheimer's disease tested positive. All the normal patients were negative," he said.
Papadopoulos called the results "exciting" because not only could the test one day be used to identify patients early -- a test that has so far eluded researchers -- but it might help doctors monitor the effectiveness of drug treatments.
"Until now, there has been no definitive diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's, other than postmortem analysis of brain tissue," said Papadopoulos.

Currently, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease relies on an evaluating family history and symptoms. Absolute confirmation can only be conducted through post-mortem brain analysis.
Papadopoulos has collected about 400 more blood samples from other Alzheimer's patients. His team will also recruit samples from an equal number of cognitively healthy control subjects for a larger study to see if they can replicate the initial results. Further tests might also be able to measure the effects of various medications on the progression of the disease.

The study was co-sponsored by the U.S National Institutes of Health and the manufacturer working to develop the blood test, Samaritan Pharmaceutical

CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Wed. May. 4 2011 4:58 PM ET

Help find missing seniors in Ontario




TORONTO — Premier Dalton McGuinty says Ontario will develop a province-wide system to help find missing seniors with Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments.
McGuinty says the advisory is a simple and cost-efficient way to help families and seniors deal with what can be a traumatic event by creating a community-based alert system that allows for a quick and efficient response.
He says the government will work with police and Alzheimer's organizations to ensure the right kind of program is put into place.
The "Silver Advisory" is similar to the Amber Alerts used when children go missing and will be in effect next year.
More than 180,000 Ontarians have some form of dementia, and McGuinty says that in nine years that number will grow to 250,000.
The program will be the first of its kind in Canada, although such programs have already proven to be a success in 12 American states.

The Canadian Press
Date: Wednesday May. 25, 2011 10:47 AM ET

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Elder Abuse is on the Rise

As a Geriatric Care Manager and home care provider for the past ten years, I have recently seen an alarming increase in the number of cases of elder financial abuse. Phone calls from family and friends of older adults urge me to help protect their loved ones after they discovered their loved ones were victims of financial abuse. It becomes my job to set up safety nets so such abuse does not happen again. As a member of the Lafayette Senior Service Commission, I decided it was important to incorporate such safety nets for all of Lafayette residents through an Elder Abuse Prevention Program. My first action step is to educate the public of the elements of elder abuse.

The majority of these crimes against the older adults are committed by family members, friends, and caregivers. The Institute of Aging describes elder financial abuse as “taking, secreting or appropriating money or property of an elder or dependent adult by a person who has the care or custody of, or who stands in a position of trust to, that elder or dependent adult.” In Contra Costa County a caregiver and her family embezzled more than $800,000.00 from an elderly man with no immediate family. The abuse went undiscovered until a distant relative came to visit and found her uncle destitute. The uncle, feeling dependent on the caregiver, gave her full reign of his finances. Little did the victim know that he was supporting her entire family.

Older persons should be wary of friends, family or caregivers who express unusual interest in their financial affairs. However, it is sometimes helpful to choose a trusted family member or friend to disclose financial matters and thereby thwart possible abuse. Relatives and friends can help to protect older adults from such abuse by looking for signs of suspected financial abuse. Some warning signs of possible abuse are irregular patterns of spending, frequent withdrawals of cash, purchasing inappropriate items, unpaid bills, or a “new best friend.”

Also on the rise is financial abuse committed by total strangers through Internet scams, lottery and sweepstake offers, home improvement companies, identity theft, predatory lending, and living trust mills. In one case a woman was paying a bogus Florida lottery company $500 per month for the promise of a large payout. When a family friend started to help the woman pay her monthly bills, she was alerted to the thousands of dollars already sent to the Florida lottery company. Here, as in many such cases, the abuse would have gone unreported without accidental intervention. Even when the abuse is discovered by the victim, many fail to report the abuse out of embarrassment, disbelief or denial.

To protect themselves from such abuse, older adults should follow a few basic rules. Be wary of allowing strangers into your home, as many con artists offer home repairs or other services to gain access. Remember that nothing is free, and throw away sweepstake checks and never send money to receive a “free prize.” Obtain professional legal advice when making changes to a will or trust. Never give social security numbers or other personal information in an email or website.

Persons who believe they or someone else may be a victim of elder financial abuse should contact the local Area Agency of Aging. Reporting such abuse is pertinent to the protection of all older adults.

By Barbara Schuh, MA, CMC, Owner of Companion Care, Inc.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Flu Virus - tips to stay healthy



Get both seasonal and H1N1 flu shotsGet a seasonal flu shot
  
Wash your hands oftenGood hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.
  
Use alcohol-based sanitizerKeep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work, home and in your car. It needs to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
  
Cough into your upper sleeveCover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue out. Cough into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
  
Stay home when you are sickAvoid large crowds of people where viruses can spread easily. Stay home when you are sick.
  
Disinfect items and surfacesKeep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.


Cleaning your hands is the best defence against the flu

Proper hand cleaning is an important way to guard against the flu and limit the spread of the flu virus. Flu viruses can live on your hands for up to five minutes and they can live on hard surfaces that you touch with your hands – like countertops and telephones – for up to two days. So clean your hands often to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.
Hand washing
Soap and water work well. Wash your hands thoroughly for about 15 seconds. Try humming a favourite tune and keep washing until the song is over to make sure you wash your hands long enough.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are as good as soap and water to clean your hands, unless they are visibly dirty. Make sure you really rub the sanitizer all over your hands, and be sure to use a sanitizer that contains 60 – 90% alcohol base. Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizer handy at home, at work, at school, and in the car.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Keep your hands away from your face. The flu virus usually enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.

For More Information
For information about flu
Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-877-844-1944 (accessible north American wide)
TTY 1-800-387-5559
TTY (Toronto) 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
To speak with a registered nurse
Visit Telehealth Ontario or call 1-866-797-0000
TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Hours of operation : 24 hours, 7 days a week
To find health care options in your community
Visit ontario.ca/healthcareoptions or call 1-866-330-6206.
To find a health care provider
If you don’t have a health care provider, you can register for the Health Care Connect program. Visitontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.


http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/publichealth/flu/prevention.aspx

Your social ties can improve more than just your mood; they can also improve your health!


Your social ties can improve more than just your mood; they can also improve your health!
 
A recent medical study referenced in The Economist has concluded that social individuals are at lower risk of developing illnesses associated with chronic inflammation than lonely or isolated individuals. These illnesses include heart disease and certain cancers. In fact, loneliness can be as detrimental to your lifespan as smoking or drinking alcohol!


So what can you do to avoid these illnesses associated with chronic inflammation? If you are not extroverted by nature, make a concerted effort to interact with others or seek companionship. Whether you join a charity, book club, senior center or other community group, interacting with others is a healthy practice for body, mind and heart. 

If you or a loved one is homebound and find it difficult to participate in social activities, consider hiring a Home Care Assistance caregiver to visit on a regular basis. Not only do our screened, bonded and trained caregivers offer assistance with activities of daily living but they also serve as a welcome source of companionship, comfort and mental stimulation!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Asthma Affects Many, Tips to Help Ease Attacks


This week Home Care Assistance celebrated the world asthma day, an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma(GINA) to raise asthma awareness and improve care around the world. 
World Asthma Day began in 1988.  Each year links a theme to the day.  Since 2007 the overlaying theme has been “you can control your asthma”.  This year, an added initiative was to reduce asthma related hospitalizations by 50% worldwide by 2015. 
By definition, asthma is a chronic disease in the airways and lungs that occurs when they become constricted and inflamed. Different triggers can set off asthma in an individual, but it varies from person to person.  When this inflammation and constriction take place, it leads to recurring periods of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing.  If you have these symptoms be sure to consult a doctor.  Asthma suffers are widespread. Over 300 million people are affected by this disease worldwide. And in 2009 it was the cause of 250,000 deaths.  
If you suffer from asthma it is important to know what triggers it, so you can avoid those things at all costs – if possible. Common triggers include, but are not limited to, pet allergies, smoking, diet and exercise.  There are different methods for each to avoid an attack.  For example, asthma attacks that result from exercise can be avoided through warming up, pacing yourself, having an inhaler nearby and cooling down.
So if you or a loved one suffers from asthma, be sure to document what appears to trigger these attacks.  This way you will be able to clearly convey these triggers to your doctor.  While we may not have a cure for asthma yet, those with this disease can take proactive steps to keep attacks at bay and better their health