What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. Dementia is a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Other types of dementia include frontotemporal disorders, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia.

What are the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, though different people may have different initial symptoms. A decline in other aspects of thinking, such as finding the right words, vision/spatial issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is a condition that can also be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease — but not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer’s. In addition to memory problems, movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have been linked to MCI. If you have MCI, it’s important to see a doctor or specialist regularly to monitor any changes in memory or thinking .

What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease progresses in several stages: preclinical, early (also called mild), middle (moderate), and late (severe). During the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease, people seem to be symptom-free, but toxic changes are taking place in the brain. A person in the early stage of Alzheimer’s may exhibit the signs listed above.

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses to the middle stage, memory loss and confusion grow worse, and people may have problems recognizing family and friends. As Alzheimer’s disease becomes more severe, people lose the ability to communicate. They may sleep more, lose weight, and have trouble swallowing. Eventually, they need total care.

What are the causes of Alzheimer’s disease?
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease in most people. In early-onset Alzheimer’s, which occurs between a person’s 30s and mid-60s, there may be a genetic component. Late-onset Alzheimer’s, which usually develops in a person’s mid-60s, arises from a complex series of age-related brain changes that occur over decades. The causes probably include a mix of these changes, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. These factors affect each person differently.

Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Some sources claim that products such as coconut oil or dietary supplements can cure or delay Alzheimer’s. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several drugs to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease, and certain medicines and interventions may help control behavioral symptoms.

Scientists are developing and testing possible new treatments for Alzheimer’s. Learn more about taking part in clinical trials that help scientists learn about the brain in healthy aging and what happens in Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Results of these trials are used to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods.

Currently, there is no definitive evidence about what can prevent Alzheimer’s disease or age-related cognitive decline. What we do know is that a healthy lifestyle — one that includes a healthy diet, physical activity, appropriate weight, and control of high blood pressure — can lower the risk of certain chronic diseases and boost overall health and well-being. Scientists are very interested in the possibility that a healthy lifestyle might delay, slow down, or even prevent Alzheimer’s. They are also studying the role of social activity and intellectual stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease risk.

For more information about Alzheimer’s
NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380 (toll-free)
[email protected]
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

For many, the holiday season is a joyful one spent together with loved ones—including families affected by dementia. Being adaptable and building an inclusive environment are key to creating dementia-friendly holidays and celebrations. With the holiday season right around the corner, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing tips on how families affected by dementia can adapt holiday gatherings to make them safe and dementia-friendly during this festive time.

“The best way to support someone with dementia during the holiday season is to create an inclusive environment to enjoy holidays and celebrations, while understanding and adapting to changes and being aware of the many emotions the holidays can bring,” said Jennifer Reeder, LMSW, AFA’s Director of Educational and Social Services.

Families caring for someone with dementia should consider the following steps:

Build on old traditions where you can, such as enjoying favorite music or movies. Start new ones around things the persons can, and likes to do, such as touring neighborhood holiday lights, and do it together. Whenever possible, involve the person by asking what traditions are important to them (this will help you prioritize and plan). For example, if the person used to do all the holiday cooking, make it a new tradition to cook together as a family. If they oversaw hanging holiday lights, make it a group effort.

Excess stimuli may be challenging for someone with dementia. Too many flickering lights or an abundance of decorations can be overstimulating and disorienting. Also, be aware of the person’s sensitivity to factors such as loud noises.

Avoid fragile decorations (which can shatter and create sharp fragments) and ones that could be mistaken for edible treats (which can create a choking hazard or broken teeth). Reduce clutter to avoid potential tripping hazards. Securely hook Christmas trees to the wall to avoid falls and utilize menorahs or kinaras with electric candles to reduce fire hazards.

Like with traditions, adapting celebrations is key for a dementia-friendly holiday. Try to focus on what they enjoy while keeping in mind their safety and comfort.

Before the celebration

Prepare the person.

Help build familiarity and comfort by showing them photos of the guests or arrange a phone call/Facetime chat with the visitors beforehand.

Consider sharing beneficial information with guests beforehand, such as ways they can communicate with the person, what they respond well to, and what may upset them—especially visitors who don’t regularly interact with the individual. This will guide them on how they can be helpful and supportive.

During the celebration

Preserve normal routine.

Changes in daily routine can be challenging for someone living with dementia. If the person usually takes an afternoon walk, build in time for that. If they go to bed early, hold the celebration earlier in the day so that everyone can participate.

Take a Strengths-Based and Person-Centered Approach.

Focus on what the person is still able to do and what they choose to do now, rather than dwelling on what they used to do.

The AFA Helpline is available seven days a week to help provide additional information about creating dementia-friendly holidays or any other caregiving questions. Connect with a licensed social worker by calling 866-232-8484, web chatting at www.alzfdn.org or sending a text message to 646-586-5283. The web chat and text message features can serve individuals in more than 90 different languages.

Fraud occurs when someone tricks an elder into handing over assets such as money or investments. Watch out for many different schemes and scams. Remember, fraudsters vary their scams to catch their victims off guard. Financial elder abuse is most often perpetrated by someone an elder knows such as a caregiver, friend,or sadly, a relative. It involves taking assets by directly taking control of an elder’s finances or becoming close with an elder and convincing them to hand over their assets. Things to watch for include: making unauthorized (or fraudulently obtained) withdrawals or purchases using the elder’s ATM or credit card, or making unauthorized (or fraudulently obtained) changes to an elder’s will or power of attorney.

The need for senior fraud awareness and prevention has become greater than ever. Seniors are often easy targets for fraud, whether it’s for fraudulent sweepstakes prizes or too-good-to-be-true investment returns. Fraud can happen by phone, mail, online, and in person. Fraud can happen to wealthy seniors, and to those of limited means and on fixed incomes. Although anyone can commit senior fraud, the Los Angeles branch of Adult Protective Services reports that about 90% of their cases involve allegations that a family member has financially abused an elder. Education and awareness are the first steps to help protect seniors from becoming a victim of crime and fraud.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), con artists are more likely to target seniors than other age groups. Seniors are more susceptible to such scams because they are polite and trusting and often have good credit and own their own home and/or have other financial assets. The FTC reports that fraudulent telemarketers direct up to 80 percent of their calls at senior citizens. Seniors citizens continue to be a rapidly increasing segment of the population, and that makes them a prime target for con artists and thieves. Education and awareness are the first steps to help protect seniors from becoming a victim of crime and fraud.

The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked – but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

Many people make assumptions about aging, what it is like to grow “old”, and how older age will affect them. But as we are getting older, it is important to understand the positive aspects of aging. Research has shown that you can help preserve your health and mobility as you age by adopting or continuing healthy habits and lifestyle choices.

1. If a family member has Alzheimer’s disease, I will have it, too.

A person’s chance of having Alzheimer’s disease may be higher if he or she has a family history of dementia because there are some genes that we know increase risk. However, having a parent with Alzheimer’s does not necessarily mean that someone will develop the disease.

Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as exercise, diet, exposure to pollutants, and smoking also may affect a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s. While you cannot control the genes you inherited, you can take steps to stay healthy as you age, such as getting regular exercise, controlling high blood pressure, and not smoking.

2. Now that I am older, I will have to give up driving.

As the U.S. population ages, the number of licensed older adults on the road will continue to increase. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recorded a record-high 221.7 million licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2016, including 41.7 million — or almost one in five — who are 65 years or older. The question of when it is time to limit or stop driving should not be about age, rather, it should be about one’s ability to drive safely.

3. Only women need to worry about osteoporosis.

Although osteoporosis is more common in women, this disease still affects many men and could be underdiagnosed. While men may not be as likely to have osteoporosis because they start with more bone density than women, one in five men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture. By age 65 or 70, men and women lose bone mass at the same rate.

Many of the things that put men at risk are the same as those for women, including family history, not enough calcium or vitamin D, and too little exercise. Low levels of testosterone, too much alcohol, taking certain drugs, and smoking are other risk factors.

4. I’m “too old” to quit smoking.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you have been smoking, quitting at any time improves your health. Smokers who quit have fewer illnesses such as colds and the flu, lower rates of bronchitis and pneumonia, and an overall better feeling of well-being.

The benefits of quitting are almost immediate. Within a few hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood begins to decline and, in a few weeks, your circulation improves, and your lung function increases.

5. My blood pressure has lowered or returned to normal, so I can stop taking my medication.

High blood pressure is a very common problem for older adults — especially those in their 80s and 90s — and can lead to serious health problems if not treated properly. If you take high blood pressure medicine and your blood pressure goes down, it means the medicine and any lifestyle changes you have made are working. However, it is very important to continue your treatment and activities long-term. If you stop taking your medicine, your blood pressure could rise again, increasing your risk for health problems like stroke and kidney disease.

More in next issue.

Engaging in high or medium levels of physical activity was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in people with high or low levels of tau, compared to those with little physical activity. Led by researchers from the Rush University Medical Center, the findings were published in JAMA Network Open on Aug. 11. The researchers noted that measuring levels of tau, a protein that is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, in the blood could help identify people who might benefit from early intervention to slow cognitive decline.

In people living with Alzheimer’s, abnormal accumulation of tau builds up into tangles in the brain. Higher levels of tau are associated with cognitive decline and an increase in memory and thinking problems. Research has shown that physical activity may help slow cognitive decline, but it was unknown if physical activity rates were associated with slow cognitive decline in people who have high levels of tau.

A team of researchers used data from 1,159 older adults who took part in a large study called the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) between 1993 and 2012. CHAP researchers assessed cognitive function using various tests, asked participants about their physical activity, and collected blood samples from the participants, who did not have Alzheimer’s at the start of the study. In 2019, researchers measured tau concentrations in the blood samples, which had been frozen, and compared rates of cognitive decline among people with high and low tau concentrations and high, medium, and low physical activity levels.

The researchers found that, among participants with high tau concentrations, those who had reported medium levels of physical activity had a 58% slower rate of cognitive decline than participants with low physical activity levels. Those who reported high physical activity levels had a 41% slower rate of cognitive decline than those with low self-reported physical activity levels. For participants with low tau concentrations, those with high physical activity levels had significantly slower cognitive decline than those with medium or low physical activity levels.

The study had some limitations. It included only white and African American participants, and it measured the duration but not the intensity of physical activity. The researchers also note that the rate of cognitive decline was sometimes lower among participants with medium physical activity levels than among those with high physical activity levels; the reasons for this variation warrant further study.

The findings suggest that measuring proteins — such as tau — in the blood could help identify people who would benefit from increased physical activity or other behavior changes that could help slow cognitive decline. Measuring such proteins could also help future studies measure the benefits of behavior changes in people who are at higher risk of Alzheimer’s.

This research was supported by NIA grants R01AG03154, R01AG051635, RF1AG057532, and R01AG058679.

by National Institute of Health

Statistical trends show that by 2050, approximately a quarter of the world population will consist of older adults. This forecast highlights the need for strategies to promote healthy aging and the development of biological markers that can identify which individuals are at increased risk for age-related conditions and disabilities.

The risk and progression of multiple aging conditions can be influenced by several fundamental mechanisms and processes such as damage and repair of tissue components, alterations in cellular bioenergetics, and changes in genomic structure and function. Thus, the discovery of biomarkers — whether circulating in the body or in specific organs and tissues — can help us track and better understand how these mechanisms and processes affect long-term health outcomes. Biomarkers could also lead to better ways of testing new therapies to treat or prevent age-related conditions.

With this immense scientific potential in mind, NIA seeks to support technological innovations that make new biomarker discoveries possible. Among the areas we hope to develop are:

High-throughput ways to analyze blood and its components

Translational research on crucial methodologic issues for collection and storage conditions for human biospecimens to assess the activity of specific cellular pathways

Development of statistical methods that will help researchers evaluate the relationships of mechanistic markers to aging-related outcomes

Research to understand the relationships between levels of a marker in one tissue compared with other organs and tissues

NIA’s Predictive Biomarkers Initiative

In 2019, NIA launched the Predictive Biomarkers Initiative and established an innovative research network focusing on the development and validation of high-throughput assays to examine several aging-related processes through biomarker detection and validation. This network is currently assessing and refining analytical methods, developing and validating markers of multiple aging mechanisms, testing variability of markers in human populations, and establishing relationships between biomarkers and aging-related traits from a variety of longitudinal cohort studies and/or clinical trials.

There is exciting progress being made already! Project highlights include:

Biomarkers focusing on cell-specific profiles and mechanistic measures in blood and skeletal muscle biopsies

Validating and optimizing the use of the epigenetic clock as a biomarker of healthspan and lifespan using blood and saliva samples

Applying state-of-the-art proteomics technologies to identify and refine robust senescence-related biomarkers

Investigating viral burden and systemic inflammation as predictive biomarkers for chronic disease and frailty

Validating non-invasive single-cell imaging technologies as reliable biomarkers

87-year-old Lee Mills of Ventura and daughter Lori Mills ran the Surfer’s Point marathon on Nov.7. Lee won Gold for being the oldest racer in the 10k. Daughter Lori ran the half marathon. 

Lee lives in the California Veteran’s Home in Ventura. Lori is the owner of the Malibu Contemporary Art Gallery.

by National Institute on Aging

A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For many families, caring for a person with dementia isn’t just one person’s job, but the role of many people who share tasks and responsibilities. No matter what kind of caregiver you are, taking care of another person can be overwhelming at times.

These tips and suggestions may help with everyday care and tasks.

Tips for Everyday Care for People With Dementia

Early on in Alzheimer’s and related dementias, people experience changes in thinking, remembering, and reasoning in a way that affects daily life and activities. Eventually, people with these diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks. This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing. It may be upsetting to the person to need help with such personal activities. Here are a few tips to consider early on and as the disease progresses:

Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.

Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.

Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.

When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.

Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.

Use a sturdy shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.

Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.

Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.

Tips for Changes in Communication and Behavior for People With Dementia

Communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias because they have trouble remembering things. They also can become agitated and anxious, even angry. In some forms of dementia, language abilities are affected such that people have trouble finding the right words or have difficulty speaking. You may feel frustrated or impatient, but it is important to understand that the disease is causing the change in communication skills. To help make communication easier, you can:

Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to his or her concerns and frustrations. Try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful.

Allow the person to keep as much control in his or her life as possible.

Respect the person’s personal space.

Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.

Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.

Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”

Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.

Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.

by Richard Bitner

After a certain age, some level of decline should be expected year after year. In our forties and fifties, this decline is incremental. It happens slowly, and while it can affect our physical and mental performance, most of us are still able to live our lives comfortably. But in our sixties and beyond, decline begins to speed up. Eventually, seniors reach a point of functional decline. This is the point where elderly care is required for seniors to live comfortably and safely.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to spot functional decline. While decline accelerates in seniors, it still happens gradually enough that functional decline can go unnoticed. As a result, seniors who require elderly care in some form — either from family caregivers, in-home elderly care professionals, or facility living — end up without the support they need. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

To determine whether or not your loved one may need elderly care or another senior service, you need to know the signs of functional decline. Keep in mind that functional decline relates to physical and cognitive function, so you need to be aware of the signs of decline for both.

People sometimes miss signs of decline because they don’t know what to look for. But more often, people miss them because they aren’t really looking. Decline happens gradually enough that family members fail to recognize the point where elderly care may be necessary. To help prevent this from happening, family members should be making a conscious effort to monitor their elderly loved ones and track changes in their functional abilities.

One strategy is to take stock of the things your loved one has difficulty with over the course of a typical week or month. You can do this mentally, or you might consider taking private notes. This will allow you to compare how your loved one is functioning now compared to the past. Gradual changes become much more stark if you can compare how well they’re doing now to six months or a year ago.

You may also wish to have conversations with family members. Sometimes, individual family members each notice different signs of decline, but nobody notices all of them. Conversations with your loved one will also give you a better sense of the areas where they feel they’re having the most trouble. These conversations can also give insight into signs of decline that occur in private.

Should you determine that your loved one is suffering from functional decline, you may wish to explore elderly care options. If you are considering in-home elderly care, we invite you to contact your local Visiting Angels. Th care coordinators at our local offices will be happy to provide guidance about coping with decline, speak with you about your care options, and schedule your loved one for a free, in-home elderly care assessment. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is extending a call to action to the community and local schools as we relaunch the Holiday Greetings Campaign, which aims to reach older adults and people with disabilities who are living in Ventura County. The VCAAA is seeking greeting cards that are handmade or premade with a short holiday greeting written inside. Cards will be distributed as part of the VCAAA’s meal service and care management programs. The first phase of the campaign will focus on Thanksgiving, while phase two will focus on the winter holiday season. 

Thirty percent of Ventura County’s older adults are living alone, and the isolation, loneliness, and depression many of them are experiencing worsened during the COVID-19 crisis. With the holiday season quickly approaching, the VCAAA recognizes that this is the most critical time to extend not only our services to these populations, but also our care and support. 

The VCAAA has received more than 15,000 letters and cards from the community since the Letters of Support and Holiday Greetings campaigns were initially launched in 2020. Those interested in participating should send completed greeting cards to the VCAAA through December 17^th. Greeting cards may be mailed to, or dropped off at, 646 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, Ca. 93003. Please notate VCAAA Holiday Greetings Campaign on the envelope. All cards will be reviewed and then delivered to older adults and people with disabilities throughout Ventura County. 

The VCAAA continues to encourage family members and neighbors to safely connect with loved ones who may benefit from similar holiday greetings, and from support with grocery shopping or other errands. It is extremely important to keep open lines of communication to help minimize the isolation so many Ventura County residents are experiencing.  

Community members interested in participating in this program may e-mail [email protected] for more information, or call (805) 477-7306. 

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.