Do you know someone who swears by Adderall? Someone who uses it to stay focused, complete a task, or combat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?As a drug becomes more common, its always good to learn more about benefits and risks especially for children who may need help with ADHD.We reached out to Dr, Ashley Chatigny,a double board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of behavioral health with Lee Behavioral Group, for some answers.What is Adderall?Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved Adderall in 1996.A Doctor Can HelpAdderall is not available without a prescription. But we invite you to talk to a doctor about any medication changes or questions about lifestyle, ADHD, or other concerns.Adderall for adultsAdderall helps people diagnosed with ADHD by improving their focus and concentration since it is a direct stimulant on the central nervous system. The medication has the same effect on those who do not have ADHD, and it's important to remember that Adderall has side effects such as nervousness, restlessness, headaches, problems sleeping, and more.Adderall withdrawal is also a serious issues, and it is extremely important that adults and children take Adderall under the supervision of a doctor.Stay tuned for a fuller story in March's Healthy News on adult usage of Adderall.How is Adderall prescribed for ADHD in children?ADHD, usually first diagnosed in childhood, is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder among U.S. children aged 2 to 17 years. ADHD begins in childhood when the brain is developing, Dr. Chatigny explains. Symptoms typically develop around age 7, during the early years of childhood.Many studies demonstrate that parents and siblings of a child with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves. Also, there's a lot of misinformation about what causes ADHD, like vaccinations. Thats not true, Dr. Chatigny says. It can have other causes, such as diet, environmental exposures, and complications within the uterine during pregnancy.Dr. Chatigny cautions that any evaluation for childhood ADHD should involve tests to rule out other mental and medical disorders. Adderall should be considered a part of a total treatment program that includes psychological, educational, dietary changes and social aspects.How many children with ADHD reach adulthood with ADHD?The symptoms of ADHD in children change over time, especially as they enter puberty.Many children will outgrow the symptoms as their brains change and they reach puberty, Dr. Chatigny says. They're learning coping skills, their cognitive abilities get better, and their ADHD sort of washes out.However, about 60 percent of children with ADHD will continue to exhibit some symptoms of ADHD into adolescence and adulthood. That's about 4 percent of adults, although few get diagnosed or treated for it. Most adults diagnosed with ADHD show symptoms of inattention or distraction.Adult ADHD symptoms are often more mild than those of children with ADHD, Dr. Chatigny says. For example, children with ADHD might have problems sitting still, completing tasks, acting out and impulsive/aggressive behavior while adults are more likely to have trouble focusing and staying organized.How can I tell if Adderall is working?Its unlikely Adderall will make every symptom of ADHD go away, but you'll know its working when some symptoms improve like the ability to stay focused on a task and complete it. Adderall may be working if a person with ADHD says they are doing better at work or school.Adderall helps reduce symptoms of ADHD in about 80 percent of my pediatric patients, Dr. Chatigny says. Children with ADHD experience what's called a paradoxical reaction to the medication. It calms them and most often improves their ability to focus.In people who don't have ADHD, because Adderall produces an excess amount of dopamine, users may experience feelings of euphoria and increased energy levels, as well as possible dangerous physical and emotional side effects.What are Adderall common side effects in people with ADHD?The greatest risks and side effects occur when the medication is not used as intended or the user takes more than the prescribed dose, Dr. Chatigny says.Stimulants can raise your heart rate and increase anxiety, so a person with high blood pressure, seizures, heart disease, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, or an anxiety disorder should tell their doctor about them before taking any stimulant.Is there a non-stimulant medication a person with ADHD can take instead of Adderall?Dr. Chatigny says brand drugs like Strattera and Wellbutrin are OK options for treating ADHD.Non-stimulant medications like these and others don't have abuse potential. However, the downside is they typically take longer to work, she says. Amphetamines like Adderall begin to work within 30 minutes to an hour. Non-stimulants like Strattera can take 4 to 8 weeks to reach maximum effectiveness at the proper dose.Dr. Chatigny prefers a non-stimulant treatment regime for patients with ADHD, especially in adults, because central nervous stimulants like Adderall are controlled substances, meaning theyre regulated by the federal government because they have a high potential for abuse, addiction and physical dependence.As always, talk to your doctor about Adderall, ADHD, and other medications.Dr. Chatigny is board-certified in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry, a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and is the medical director of behavioral health with Lee Physician Group. Her treatment interests include emergency psychiatry, treatment resistant depression, complex psychopharmacology, and substance use disorders.

Wouldn't You Rather Find A Place For Yourself Instead Of Your Kids Making The Decision For You?Many times, we get calls from adult children who are looking for a place for their mom or dad. We are more than happy to assist these families; however, we would encourage you to be part of the process since ultimately, you are the one living at the senior community.Let us help you with this decision. We spend the time to personally get you know you so we can better understand your lifestyle, preferences, timeframe and budget. We have a proprietary database that matches people with the right community.We have over 30 years of experience and have firsthand "boots on the ground' knowledge of every senior community in SWFL.Don't wait for your kids to make the decision for you.Let us help you find a place for yourself!Please reach out if we can be of any assistance.Call Bruce at 239-595-0207Website

The Community Foundation is launching a new service Collier 211 Information and Referral (I&R) with the help of many community partners and donors interested in gaining more information about the programs they fund. Collier 211 is a federally designated phone number and works like 911, but for non-emergency calls. The information for referrals comes from Collier nonprofits, critical for-profits and government providers of service. In many communities across the U.S. 211 Information and Referral service is the single most important resource for providing real-time data on needed services, especially for their most vulnerable citizens.In order to offer the highest quality service available, the Community Foundation is contracting with nonprofit Switchboard of Miami to provide 211 Information and Referral for Collier County. Switchboard of Miami was established in 1968. Their mission is to connect people in need with community resources, strengthen and preserve families, and develop and provide services where none exist. They offer comprehensive telephone crisis counseling and information and referral services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Their caring multilingual, professional staff and volunteers are available to respond in any language.Switchboard received more than 180,000 calls from the Miami-Dade community in 2009-10. These calls came from all over, such as families seeking help with basic needs; teenagers asking assistance on matters related to suicide, substance abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse; victims of domestic violence; and individuals with concerns related to suicide. Switchboard of Miami also provides additional counseling programs for seniors, teens, families of military employees and others.We are very fortunate to have such a highly-qualified and experienced resource available to Collier County says Colleen Murphy, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Collier County. In addition, we will work closely with community-specific information and referral services in Collier County to create the most comprehensive program for our community.It will cost approximately $200,000 a year to operate Collier 211. To date, several major sponsors have stepped forward to help start up this needed program: Wasmer Schroeder & Company, the United Way and Youth Haven, but we need additional help. A fundraising appeal was launched on May 11 with the help of The Arlington, Inc., and its director Vicki Tracy.For more information on how you can help launch this service, and the benefits of a corporate donation, please call the Community Foundation at 649-5000 or visit our website at www.cfcollier.org.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Colleen Murphy, President & CEO Community Foundation of Collier County.

Alzheimers or Dementia: Whats the Difference and What Should You Do? - Florida Senior ConsultingWhen Memory Issues Become a ProblemEveryone has memory issues.How many times have you lost your keys? Or come back from the grocery store without the one item you wanted? Or wandered through a parking lot as you beeped your car so you could find it? Or opened the refrigerator door and suddenly didnt remember why?Mild forgetfulness is a normal part of aging for everyone. It is usually not a sign of dementia or Alzheimers.But if your Senior loved one is having more severe issues, what should you do? What are the signs of dementia, and how do you spot them?There is a difference between forgetting to pay a bill on time and being unable to take care of your own finances. Forgetting to turn off a light is okay, but failing to turn off the stove or running bath water is dangerous.Below are a few quick tips and resources to help you decide how to best support your Senior loved one with increasing cognitive issues.Whats the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimers?While the terms dementia and Alzheimers are often used interchangeably, they are not the same.Dementia. Dementia is the general term for an impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions to the degree that interferes with everyday activities.Dementia is not a disease but the result of other diseases, conditions, or injuries. Though dementia primarily affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.Dementia ranges in severity. Mild dementia is when it just begins to affect someones life activities. Severe dementia causes the Senior to be completely dependent on others for all their daily life activities.Alzheimers disease is a disease of the brain and the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% 80% of all dementia cases. According to the National Institute of Health, Alzheimers is the seventh leading cause of death in the US. At first, Alzheimers disease affects the part of the brain associated with learning. Early symptoms usually include changes in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. But as the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe, and the Senior can experience confusion, changes in behavior, and more severe challenges.How Common is Alzheimers?In the US, about 5.8 million people have Alzheimers disease and related dementias, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And by 2060, that number is estimated to be 14 million people in the US.What Are Some Common Causes of Dementia?Alzheimers disease is by far the most common cause of dementia. The disease causes specific physical changes in the brain. Common early symptoms are trouble remembering recent events, like conversations just minutes or hours earlier. As the disease progresses, it becomes more challenging to remember older memories. And the progression eventually includes difficulty with walking or talking and personality changes.Vascular dementia accounts for about 10 percent of dementia cases. These cases are usually caused by blood flow issues to the brain, often during a stroke and mini-strokes. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.Lewy body dementia, Lewy body dementia, like most forms of dementia, affects memory loss. But it also causes problems in movement and balance, stiffness, and trembling. It can also result in difficulty in sleeping and visual hallucinations. Seniors who have this dementia may see people, objects, and shapes that are not there.Fronto-temporal dementia. Because of the area of the brain affected, this type of dementia can result in personality and behavioral changes. Affected seniors may behave inappropriately and embarrass themselves. And there are often problems with speaking and understanding language.Mixed dementia. Sometimes a Senior may have more than one type of dementia, especially when aged 80 and above. There might be Alzheimers and vascular dementia, progressing at different rates and making diagnosing even more difficult.Other Causes of Dementia includeLimbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathyChronic traumatic encephalopathyParkinsons disease dementiaCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseHuntingtons diseaseWhat Are the Signs of Dementia?Signs and symptoms may be difficult to notice in the early stages but become more prominent as the condition worsens.Seniors with dementia have difficulties withCommunicationMemoryAttentionReasoning and judgmentProblem-solvingVision and perceptionSome behavioral signs of dementia might include:Getting lost in their own neighborhoodUsing unusual words for familiar objectsForgetting names of friends and familyInability to remember old memoriesNot able to complete everyday tasks independentlyDementia Concerns? Your Next Best StepsFirst, realize that you are not alone. There are many resources to help. Here are a few steps that can help:Discussion: Discuss the issues with your Senior loved one. Everyones situation is unique to them. Learn about dementia and what is being done for the best quality of life. Talk about daily activities, including driving and keeping identification with them at all times.Assessment: See a medical professional and get an accurate assessment. There is no single test to diagnose dementia; your doctor may order several tests to pinpoint the diagnosis. These might includeCognitive and Neurophysical testsNeurological evaluationBrain Scans like a CT, MRI, or Pet ScanLaboratory TestsFamily Meeting: Family members want to help and can be a tremendous support resource. Planning is essential. You should have proper documentation to ensure your loved ones wishes are always carried out, including a Health Care Directive, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and estate planning documents.Review Memory Care Communities and Options: There are assisted living communities with specialized memory care. This includes staff specifically trained in helping Seniors with dementia, Alzheimers, and cognitive issues.Stay Informed: Doctors, researchers, and health professionals constantly work on helping those with dementia. There are medicines, therapies, supplements, exercises, and more to help seniors live their best lives.Institutions like the Mayo Clinic, the CDC, the NIH, the Alzheimers Foundation, the Alzheimers Association, and more have information and support for Seniors with dementia and their families.And the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimers Association has the latest information on Alzheimers and dementia, help, and support, and how you can get involved. Let Us HelpIf you have a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia let us help.Florida Senior Consulting helps Seniors and their families navigate the next stage of life while getting the best care possible.Our extensive knowledge and years of experience allow us to create unique paths forward whether you need in-home care or community living options.We will listen, answer questions, coordinate healthcare services, and stay by your familys side along the wayall at no cost to you.For peace of mind about your loved ones safety, call us today at (941) 661-6196 or visit us at floridaseniorconsulting.com.