Category: Alzheimer's - Legal Solutions for Seniors

What Are The Early Signs of Alzheimer's?

6/23/2016

Today, a shocking one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. In fact, the latest survey shows that an estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease (see more facts and figures from the Alzheimer’s Association). Yet despite the fact that it’s such a common illness, only 45% of people with Alzheimer’s disease, and their caregivers, report being told of their diagnosis. That’s why it’s important to stay alert and learn to recognize the early signs and symptoms.

Some memory loss is considered a normal sign of aging (learn more about that here). But memory loss that’s severe enough to affect daily life could be an early indication of Alzheimer’s. How can we tell what’s normal and what’s not? A little forgetfulness may not be cause for alarm, but if your loved one is asking the same questions repeatedly, forgetting key dates or events, or spacing on recently learned information, it could be time to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

Other signs to watch out for are confusion, dizziness or trouble following conversations. Is your loved one getting lost more than usual? Have you noticed that they have difficulty judging distance while driving? Does it seem like they've been misplacing things a lot lately? To learn the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's, see this great fact-sheet about early detection from the Alzheimer’s Association.

For now, Alzheimer’s disease has no cure. However, scientists are making breakthrough advances in developing treatment for the illness (read more about that here). So why is it important to detect Alzheimer’s in its early stages? Knowing your diagnosis sooner will help provide you with a better understanding of the disease and of what to expect. Those who receive an early diagnosis will have better access to medical treatment and support services. Most importantly, detecting the disease early on will help you and your family prepare, to ensure you will have the best medical, financial and legal resources heading into the future.

ALzheimer's Memories May One Day Be Recoverable, Study Suggests

3/24/2016

The progression of Alzheimer's disease robs patients of their most precious memories, leaving even their closest loved ones unrecognizable. Memories of family vacations, past Christmas mornings, wedding days and children's graduations are invaluable to all of us. The loss of cherished memories is a heartbreaking reality for Alzheimer's patients and their families, and until recently the scientific community had generally accepted these memories were lost forever. But a new study has shed light on an inspiring possibility: these memories may not be lost, only inaccessible. Scientists now have hope that memories could be returned.

Researchers at MIT, led by Nobel Prize winner Susumu Tonegawa, have conducted a study of the brain affected by Alzheimer's using mice. Two groups of mice- a healthy control group and a group given Alzheimer's-like symptoms- were placed in a box and subjected to a mild electric shock. When the healthy mice were placed in the box a second time, they remembered their prior negative experience and showed a normal fear response. When the mice affected by Alzheimer's symptoms were placed in the box again, they quickly forgot the previous shock and showed no signs of anxiety.

Scientists then stimulated certain cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory, with a special blue light. When these cells were stimulated, the mice with Alzheimer's symptoms recovered their memories of the electric shock. When they were placed in the box again, they showed the same signs of fear as the healthy group.

Tonegawa's group believes these treatments are boosting neurons to regrow connections with other cells. Their groundbreaking study has transformed the way scientists have viewed Alzheimer's disease. While the technique is still far from being safe for human trials, it offers very promising results for future treatments. While these treatments are still a long way from being fully developed, this study's findings bring hope that could change the lives of the millions of people worldwide who are suffering from dementia.

LISTEN: Lack of Deep Sleep May Set Stage for Alzheimer's- from NPR

1/25/2016

"There's growing evidence that a lack of sleep can leave the brain vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease," NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.

Game-Changing Alzheimer's Treatments to be Available Within a Decade

1/21/2016

Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed… yet. Scientists are hard at work on new treatments for dementia that are projected to be available by 2025. So far treatments have only been able to target Alzheimer’s symptoms, but now scientists are finding ways to slow or even stop the disease’s progression. Two new drugs called solanezumab and aducanumab- antibody infusions that destroy plaque buildup in the brain- are currently undergoing clinical trials, and have thus far shown promising results. These are the first drugs that truly target the root cause of Alzheimer’s, not just the symptoms.

Today, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. A decade from now, these figures could be a part of history we’ve left behind. Imagine a world without dementia; where so much fear about aging would be a thing of the past. Researchers believe that an inexpensive, once-daily pill to treat Alzheimer’s is on the horizon that will make the disease manageable and allow for years of continued mental functioning. Experts assert that a five year delay in the progression of dementia will reduce its death rate by approximately half.

Professor John Hardy of the Institute of Neurology at University College London believes that 2016 will prove whether we are on the brink of “a new era of better treatments for slowing or stopping the development of Alzheimer’s disease.” He goes on to say: “I think we will get to a situation where we will manage it in the way we manage diabetes now. I see a day where dementia will not be a major issue.”

Seniors: Top 10 Scams to Beware Of

12/30/2015

It’s more than unfortunate that countless American seniors are scammed each year. Loneliness, isolation and lack of awareness or understanding of some of the more modern technology make seniors prime targets for fraud and other forms of crime. It’s important to remember to always be wary of money transfers and prepaid cards, as these are the untraceable currencies of scam artists. Here are 10 common scams to watch out for that are frequently directed toward seniors:

1. The Grandparent Scam

This is certainly one of the most insidious scams out there. A senior gets a call from an unknown number:

“Hello?”
“Grandma?”
“Is that you, Henry?”
“Yes, it’s Henry! Grandma, I’m in trouble.”

The caller then goes on to describe how they’re in Mexico or some other foreign country on a school trip and they’ve been arrested. They explain that they were too embarrassed to call their parents. “Could you wire the money for my bail?” They plead. “Please don’t tell my parents.”

Of course, the caller is only a stranger looking to take advantage of a kind-hearted grandparent. Many of these scams involve wiring money through businesses like Western Union. It’s important to remember that when wiring funds, you must be absolutely certain of the receiver’s identity.

2. The Lottery Scam

Perhaps you’ve heard this one before. A senior receives an official-looking letter in the mail that reads: You’re a Winner! They’re convinced that they’ve won money from a foreign lottery and are asked to pay taxes and fees before they can collect their winnings.

3. The Jury Duty Scam

This scam, like many others, runs on fear. A senior receives a call from the “courthouse.” They’re told that they’ve failed to report to jury duty and there is a warrant out for their arrest. They’re given the choice between paying off the warrant or getting arrested.

4. The Anti-Aging Scam

With a booming beauty industry, there are a lot of anti-aging products on the market. Make sure you do your research before you buy into a fraudulent treatment, such as fake Botox offered at a shopping mall or a totally useless homeopathic remedy.

5. The IRS Scam

This involves getting a phone call from someone claiming to work at the IRS. They tell you that you failed to pay your full taxes and you’ll be fined, audited or even arrested unless you pay what’s owed. Then they ask for a credit card number.

6. The Electricity Scam

This is a common scam in which a senior receives a call from someone claiming to work at the electric company. They tell them their electric bill is three months overdue and their power will be shut off if they don’t receive payment immediately.

7. The Funeral Scam

It’s shameful to think that people can prey on the bereaved, and that’s just what these scammers do. They’ll troll funerals or cemeteries looking for a senior who’s suffered a recent loss. Then they’ll claim the deceased owes them a deal of money and demand repayment of the debt.

8. The Charity Scam

Those red-framed photos of starving African children make a charity look convincing, but the fact is that a lot of people peddling buckets for charity on city streets or trolling for donations online or over the phone are not representing real charities. They’re trying to reach your wallet through your heart. Before you donate, make sure the charity is legitimate.

9. The Investment Scam

Many Americans are nervous about retirement and worried about having enough savings to maintain them through the end of their life. It’s this fear that drives investment schemes. Seniors will be approached with “investment opportunities” that turn out to be unfounded, or part of a pyramid scheme. Often these would-be investors use confusing or intimidating economist language to their advantage, chatting about hedge funds and capital gains.

10. The Health Lab Scam

This scam usually comes in the form of a portable health lab appearing at a health club, fitness center, mall or retirement community. This lab offers fake or unnecessary medical tests and then charges the “patient” and their insurance.

If you believe that yourself or a loved one has been the victim of fraud, report it here. Call the AARP ElderWatch hotline: (800) 222-4444 (option 2).

The 3 Major Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease

10/29/2015

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It is a devastating illness that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed (however, regular exercise throughout life has been proven to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Read more about that here).

Let’s take a closer look at the major factors that influence our susceptibility to developing Alzheimer’s:

1.       Age

Age is certainly the biggest risk factor when it comes to developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. In fact, most people who suffer from Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the likelihood of developing the disease doubles every five years after age 65. Unfortunately, no one knows for sure what causes the risk to climb so high as we age.

2.       Family history

Those who have a family member such as a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s has a greater risk of developing the disease. This risk increases with the number of family members who have been diagnosed.

3.       Genetics

Heredity is the third major risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists know that both risk genes and deterministic genes are involved in Alzheimer’s. Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing the disease, while deterministic genes guarantee that the disease will develop. When a person holds deterministic genes, Alzheimer’s symptoms nearly always develop before age 60.

Read more about the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease on the Alzheimer’s Association website.

Watch: Alzheimer's is Not Normal Aging- and We can Cure it! a TED Talk from Samuel Cohen

10/26/2015

Unsafe Driver: How to Take the Keys From an Aging Parent

10/15/2015

On average, 15 older adults are killed and 586 are injured every day in car crashes in America. Fatal crash rates per mile traveled increase dramatically after age 70, with the highest among drivers age 85 and older.

Asking an aging parent to give up driving is one of the toughest decisions you will make as a caregiver. An aging parent can view your request as an assault on their independence. But if your loved one suffers from a physical or mental condition that affects their ability to drive safely such as vision impairment or worsening dementia, it’s in their best interest (and in the best interest of those sharing the road) to protect them from getting behind the wheel. So what can you do?

First, have a conversation. Consider asking your loved one if they feel safe when they’re driving. Offer them alternative means of transportation, whether that’s public transportation such as a bus, a community ride-share or an independent mobility device such as a scooter. Ask them about their concerns, and listen to what they have to say. Where do they most want to go? What activities would they feel were threatened if they couldn’t drive, and how could you help them find an alternative plan to access those activities?

If your loved one still refuses to give up driving after alternative solutions are offered, consider reaching out to their physician or their optometrist. No one wants to hear that they need to give up driving, but hearing it from a trusted and respected source such as a doctor might help them take it more seriously.

If all else fails, you can take your concerns to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You can report an impaired driver to undergo a driver fitness and medical review. You will need this form, information such as the driver’s full name and date of birth, along with specific information about your concerns. The process is confidential, and the DMV cannot release information on the source or the reason for the report. Your loved one will then undergo a vision test, a written test and an examination drive with an inspector to determine whether their license should be revoked.

The first and best step to keep your loved one from driving is to convince them to give up the car keys voluntarily. If this isn’t possible, as is oftentimes the case, seek help from a third party such as a doctor, lawyer or religious advisor who is respected by your loved one. Although contacting the DMV about reviewing your loved one’s ability to drive may feel like a harsh action to take, just remember that you are taking the necessary action to protect them from the dangers of unsafe driving.

Not Just a Nurse: Miss Colorado speaks Up About her Alzheimer's Patient

9/21/2015

Calling Dr. Fido! Animal Therapy for the Elderly

8/20/2015

More and more studies are finding that animals make great therapists, increasing our quality of life.

Loneliness may be the most harsh and relentless cause of suffering for America's seniors, and a pet makes a great companion. An animal offers unconditional love and a strong bond based on trust and dependence. This non-verbal relationship may be the key to lifting the spirits of an aging adult who is often alone. Touch is a powerful thing, and a loving pet can provide the touch and warmth of another creature.

Of course, there are many situations where an aging adult is unable to provide the necessary care for pet ownership. In those cases, pet visitors have proven to be extremely effective in alleviating depression and boosting morale. So much so, in fact, that a few years ago a Japanese robot manufacturer created Paro, a fuzzy, cuddly "medical device" used in nursing homes. But there's no need to save up for an interactive robot. Your family dog, or cat, or ferret, or parakeet... will do the trick.

Animals are especially helpful to patients with dementia. A pet encourages movement: petting, walking and grooming. While this may not seem like much, these small activities make a world of difference in improving the condition of a patient with dementia. An animal friend stimulates the mind and caring for an animal provides a sense of purpose that can't be measured.

Some say animals make the best company. If you have an aging loved one in your life, consider introducing them to a furry friend. It could be more helpful than you know.