by National Institute on Aging

If you do not see an aging friend or relative often, changes in his or her health may seem dramatic. In contrast, the primary caregiver might not notice such changes or realize that more help, medical treatment, or supervision is needed. Or, the primary caregiver might not want to accept the fact that the health of his or her spouse or parent is failing. Sometimes a geriatric care manager or other professional is the first to notice changes.

For families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, it can be easier to cover for the person—doing things for him or her, filling in information in conversations, and so on—than to acknowledge what is happening.

As a caregiver, you can provide support by helping an aging friend or relative get the care they need.

A few good questions to help you start the conversation with the primary caregiver are:

If you thought there might be a change in Aunt Joan’s condition, whose opinion would you seek?

I didn’t notice Dad repeating himself so much the last time I was here. Do you remember when it started?

Forgetfulness: Normal or not? infographic icon. Click through for full text.

Read and share this infographic to learn whether forgetfulness is a normal part of aging.

Some changes may not be what you think. Occasional forgetfulness does not necessarily indicate dementia. Before you raise the issue of what needs to be done, talk to your parent and the primary caregiver about your concerns.

Try not to sound critical when you raise the subject. Instead, mention your particular worry, for example, “Mom, it looks like you don’t have much food in the house—are you having trouble getting to the store?” and explain why you are asking. Listen to what the primary caregiver says about the situation and whether he or she believes there are problems.

Discuss what you think could be done. For example, you could ask:

Would you like me to arrange to have groceries delivered on a regular basis?

Do we need to get a second opinion about the diagnosis?

Can you follow the medication schedule?

Would you like some help with housework?

Try to follow your suggestions with practical help, and give specific examples of what you can do. For example, you might arrange to have a personal or home health aide come in once a week. You might schedule doctors’ appointments or arrange for transportation.

In some cases, you may have to be forceful, especially if you feel that the situation is unhealthy or unsafe. Do not leave a frail adult at risk. If you have to act against the wishes of your parent or the primary caregiver, be direct and explain what you are going to do. Discuss your plan, and say why you are taking action.

by Dr. Richard Hodes Office of the Director (OD).

Ready for a new year of tackling the many opportunities and challenges in research on aging related biology, diseases and wellness? NIA is off to another monumental start: Our FY2020 budget indicates continued congressional support for our work that is enabling unprecedented advances, including efforts to combat Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). Specifically, this year’s budget includes a 3.3 percent increase in NIA’s general appropriation plus an additional $350 million designated for AD/ADRD, bringing NIA’s total budget to $3.5 billion and the NIH-wide spending target for AD/ADRD to $2.818 billion.

With these increases, NIA remains, budget-wise, the fourth largest of the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers, and the largest public funder of AD/ADRD research in the U.S.

To sustain the momentum, it is absolutely essential to increase the number and diversity of participants in AD/ADRD clinical trials. NIA’s substantial recruitment and retention efforts are designed to enhance efforts in this area nationwide.

We are also strengthening our support for research to help those living with AD/ADRD and their caregivers. Our work this year will include hosting the National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers in Bethesda March 24 and 25. Of note, the draft findings of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Evidence-based Practice Center Program systematic evidence review on AD/ADRD care/caregiving interventions will be released for public comment during this meeting. Although this reflects only the first step of a two-part study, it will provide initial indications about which interventions are showing promise for wider dissemination and implementation.

On other research fronts, NIA recently hosted an intriguing Geroscience Summit and is exploring additional ways to keep this evolving scientific field moving forward while broadening interest among stakeholder communities. We are building on recent research success in healthy aging, including non-drug interventions for diseases and conditions affecting older people, falls prevention and supporting the health needs of diverse populations of older adults.

NIA is also continuing our emphasis on and making gains in data- and resource-sharing to fortify the research community and amplify the impact of public spending. We look forward to updates on new and existing data resources including the Healthy Cognitive Aging Project, multiple Initiatives and Resources from the Division of Neuroscience, the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, the AgingResearchBiobank, a broad range of Data Resources for Behavioral and Social Research on Aging, the CALERIE Research Network, the Longevity Consortium, the Longevity Genomics Project and others. In addition, our Research Center Collaborative Network remains an important catalyst for interdisciplinary, collaborative aging research nationwide.

These are just some of many examples of the research NIA is supporting toward the ultimate and overarching goal of the right treatments for the right people at the right times to help maintain health and independence as we age.

Ventura County Library READ Adult Literacy Program is now recruiting adult volunteer tutors who would like to help other adults in Ventura County improve their reading and writing skills. No teaching experience is required and the training is free. The next five-week tutor training series will be starting in February in Ventura and Simi Valley.

The READ program trains adult volunteers to provide free one-to-one reading instruction for adults in need of basic literacy skills. Instruction in basic literacy includes the development of phonetic reading skills combined with communication skills. Ventura County Library is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of the free program.

After completion of the five-week training, tutors will meet with their adult learners at one of the assigned tutoring sites. Tutoring is scheduled by the availability of the tutors and the learners.

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market.

For more information about how you can support literacy and make a difference in someone’s life, call (805) 677-7160.

Jill Swaim visits the Hill Road Library on Thursday, February 6, at 4:30pm to deliver a presentation entitled Road Scholar: Adventures in Lifelong Learning. Do you love to travel? Do you enjoy learning new things, exploring interesting places, and meeting people who share a love of adventure? Join in for a lively discussion of the many programs offered by Road Scholar, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover, and travel.

Road Scholar is the world’s largest—and America’s first—educational travel organization for adults, offering nearly 5,500 affordable programs each year in about 150 countries worldwide. These programs offer a chance to expand your mind while being in the company of other people who believe learning is one of the best parts of life.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180. The Hill Road Library is located at 1070 S. Hill Road in Ventura. Hours of service are 10am to 6pm Monday through Wednesday, 2pm to 6pm Thursday, and 10am to 2pm Friday through Sunday.

From The Lexington Assisted Living blog

Getting some shut-eye can be one of the best parts of the day, but as you age, it can become more difficult to do so. Older adults can have a more difficult time getting to sleep, whether it is due to medications, stress, or other factors.

Anh Nguyen, PACC Resource for Ensign Services, says many elderly people suffer from insomnia and are sleepy during the day. “Excessive tiredness is not only frustrating, but it can lead to difficulty driving and performing other daily activities,” she says. “It is important for people suffering from sleep problems to talk to their doctor about changes that can help them sleep better.”

Although sleep troubles are common among the elderly, you don’t have to chalk it up to getting older. Some lifestyle changes can make a big difference in getting a good night’s sleep. Here are a few things you can do—or not do—to make your sleep more sound.

Don’t Self-medicate

If you are having trouble sleeping at night, it is important to talk to your doctor before you head to the pharmacy and grab some over-the-counter sleep aids. A recent poll found that 46 percent of older adults have trouble falling asleep one night or more each week, but most of them did not talk to their doctor about the problem. Of those polled, 14 percent said they regularly take a medication or supplement to help them sleep. However, sleep aids are not meant to be used long-term and can cause problems for elderly individuals. Older people can experience confusion, constipation, and a higher risk of falls. Before reaching for a sleep aid, talk to your doctor about the best way to tackle your sleepless nights.

Cut Back on Alcohol

People who have trouble sleeping may use alcohol to help them fall asleep. While alcohol can make a person fall asleep faster, it can also have some unintended consequences that lead to a lower quality of sleep. Alcohol can cause a person to wake up frequently at night and earlier in the morning, both of which may make a person tired during the day.

Get Your Snoring Checked

A major contributor to disrupted sleep and feeling tired during the day is sleep apnea, though many people may not know they have it. Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing for periods as they sleep. If people tell you that your snoring can be heard in other rooms or that you stop breathing at night, talk to your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea.

Practice Better Hygiene

One tip that is often recommended for better sleep is something called “sleep hygiene.” Sleep hygiene includes all the activities you do during the day that affect how well you sleep at night. Good sleep hygiene practices include establishing a regular bedtime, staying away from caffeine within a few hours of bedtime, and starting a pre-bed ritual. It also helps to take a short afternoon nap and exercise regularly.

Create a Calming Sleep Environment

Make your bed and your bedroom a restful sanctuary. Keep it cool, dark, and quiet, and try using blackout curtains and earplugs to tune out the noise and light. Make your room a calm place, without bright and loud electronics. Keep a book by your bedside rather than a screen.

If going to sleep is difficult for you, you are not alone. Many older adults have a hard time falling asleep for a variety of reasons. Give these tips a try, and be sure to talk to your doctor about any underlying problems that could be contributing to your sleep issues.

by the National Institute on Aging

Being creative about your physical activity plans and trying new forms of exercise can keep you motivated by preventing boredom. A change in seasons is an excellent time to be creative about your exercise routine and try something new. There are many ways to be active throughout the year.

Grandfather and granddaughter in garden

If you have holiday shopping to do, walk the entire mall each time you’re there.

Cold outdoor temperatures are an excellent reason to join a mall-walking group.

Start the new year by trying out a fitness center—many offer New Year’s Resolution specials.

As the weather begins to cool, join an indoor sports league, such as basketball, handball, or bowling.

Give your heart a Valentine’s Day gift with dance lessons, such as salsa, tango, or belly dancing.

As the temperatures start to get warm, get your garden ready for spring and summer. The lifting and bending you do when gardening are great for strength and flexibility.

A bike ride is a great way to enjoy the warmer temperatures.

Build your endurance and strength with a bike ride during National Bike Month (May). Remember your helmet.

Swim laps or take a water aerobics class. These are both refreshing once the weather gets steamy.

Walking in the mall is a cool way to beat the heat.

If you’ve heard about the benefits of yoga but haven’t tried it yet find special events and trial classes for beginners.

Fall provides great opportunities for physical activity. You can take long walks to see the beautiful fall colors. Once the leaves have fallen, raking is good exercise.

With such an exciting year for dementia research behind us – and with 2020 promising to be even more thrilling – the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a Community Research Forum for residents of the City of Ventura. The forum will be held at the NAMBA Performing Arts Space in Downtown Ventura on January 31st at 1PM. The Alzheimer’s Association is offering this free forum as a way to wrap-up all the advances that have been made in the last year, including:

• A healthy lifestyle may counteract genetic risk for dementia.
• An Alzheimer’s blood test may be on the horizon.
• Alzheimer’s risk and progression differs by sex.
• Vision and hearing loss might increase dementia risk – especially when combined.
• New possible treatments and drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter Research Champion, Donna Beal, will discuss the landscape of Alzheimer’s and dementia science; the latest advances in clinical trials, treatments, and lifestyle interventions; and updates on the work being done locally, including new education and support group opportunities.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the premier source of information and support for the five million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease. Through its national network of chapters, it offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers and represents their interests on Alzheimer’s-related issues before federal, state and local government and with health and long-term care providers.

Call 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org/CACentralCoast to learn more and to register.

by Patty Jenkins

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to invite our members, friends and the public to attend our first meeting of the New Year. Wayne Pickerell of SC3 Research Group – Neurosearch, will help us start the New Year with an educational overview of Parkinson’s Disease followed by a question and answer period where we will have the opportunity to ask Wayne questions about Parkinson’s Disease and share some of our own experiences of how we cope with the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease.

Wayne Pickerell has been involved in Parkinson’s Disease for over 19 years and has managed Clinical Research for Neurosearch for more than 15 years. Wayne will give us an overview of Parkinson’s Disease and current treatment options. He will also update us on new treatment options and discuss clinical trials and the progress being made in the search for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

SC3 Research Group – Neurosearch conducts clinical research at clinics in Southern California with a team of board-certified neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and researchers. Their team is currently investigating new treatments for Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and other neurologic conditions. They are all committed to improving the lives of their patients and participants by advancing medical science through research and quality clinical care.

Please join us on January 8, from 12:30PM -2:30PM at Ventura City Hall ; 501 Poli Street, Community Meeting Room #202. The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes the public along with those who find themselves navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. Hand-out resources available at every meeting. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with any other organization or group. For more information and important detailed directions to our meetings, please call Patty at 805-766-6070. http://www.neurosearch-usa.com/about.html

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s award-winning Fall Prevention Program is offering several classes that focus on increased mobility and balance. New classes are currently scheduled to begin in January in Ventura, Ojai, and Simi Valley. All classes are free and open to the public.

Classes currently being offered include Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, Walk with Ease, and A Matter of Balance. Each class emphasizes practical strategies to manage and prevent falls. Participants will learn methods to enhance and increase activity levels and mobility, making the changes necessary to reduce fall risks.

Individuals concerned about falls or those who have recently experienced a fall, as well as those who are interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength, are encouraged to participate.

Nationally recognized research shows that one in four adults over the age of 65, and half of the population over the age of 75, fall each year. Of those individuals, half will die within a year from complications and injuries sustained from the fall.

Current class locations include the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, Ventura Adult & Continuing Education, E.P. Foster Library, HELP of Ojai, and the Simi Valley Senior Center. To learn more about the Fall Prevention Program or classes offered, or to register for a class, please contact the VCAAA at (805) 477-7300 and select option 6. More information can also be found by visiting www.vcaaa.org.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities, to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.