Texas - Greater Dallas

Handling Difficult Behaviors in Adults with Memory Challenges at HomeJanuary 26, 2024wwillemsBeing there for a family member with memory challenges can be both fulfilling and demanding. As a reputable home care agency in North Texas, Assisting Hands Home Care is familiar with the distinct challenges of caring for individuals with memory difficulties. In this extensive blog, we will explore the nuances of managing challenging behaviors in adults with memory challenges at home, providing practical suggestions, expert perspectives, and empathetic guidance for families navigating this experience.Understanding Behaviors Related to Memory Challenges:Memory challenges can manifest in various ways, affecting both cognitive and emotional aspects. Difficult behaviors like aggression, restlessness, wandering, and evening agitation are prevalent among adults facing memory challenges. Its important to acknowledge that these behaviors often arise from the internal changes in the brain and can be a way of communicating when verbal expression becomes challenging.Tips for Handling Difficult Behaviors:Establishing a Consistent Routine: Constructing a structured daily routine can offer a sense of stability and assurance for individuals facing memory challenges. Consistency in daily activities, meal times, and sleep patterns can help minimize anxiety and reduce disruptive behaviors.Effective Communication: Clarity and simplicity are crucial when communicating with someone dealing with memory challenges. Use a calm and gentle tone, maintain eye contact, and avoid overwhelming them with excessive information. Non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, can be powerful tools for communication.Creating a Secure Environment: Minimizing potential hazards by securing the home environment is essential. Remove tripping risks, install handrails, and use locks or alarms on doors and windows to prevent wandering. A secure environment contributes to a sense of safety for both the individual facing memory challenges and their caregivers.Engaging in Meaningful Activities: Stimulating the mind through activities aligned with the individuals interests can be therapeutic. Whether its enjoying music, incorporating light exercises, or participating in reminiscence therapy, meaningful activities can enhance well-being and mitigate difficult behaviors.Empowering with Choices: Providing choices whenever possible empowers individuals facing memory challenges. Simple decisions, such as choosing between two clothing options or deciding on a preferred snack, can promote a sense of control and independence.Utilizing Distraction Techniques: In the face of difficult behaviors, redirecting attention to a different activity or topic can be effective. Distractions that align with the persons interests can shift their focus away from challenging behaviors.Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals: Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, including doctors and therapists, is essential to address any underlying medical or psychological factors contributing to difficult behaviors. Adjustments to medications or therapeutic interventions may be recommended based on individual needs.Family and Caregiver Support: The emotional and physical demands of caring for someone with memory challenges can be overwhelming. Seeking support from family, friends, or local caregiver support groups is crucial. Respite care services from Assisting Hands Home Care can provide temporary relief, allowing caregivers to recharge and maintain their well-being.Educating and Training Caregivers: Providing family caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to offer effective care is essential. Training programs, workshops, and informational resources can boost caregiver confidence and competence.Conclusion:Supporting a family member with memory challenges requires a holistic approach rooted in understanding, compassion, and practical strategies. Assisting Hands Home Care in North Texas is dedicated to assisting families in handling difficult behaviors in adults with memory challenges at home. By implementing the suggestions and insights shared in this blog, caregivers can foster a nurturing environment that enhances the well-being of both the individual with memory challenges and those providing care. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and support is available to help you navigate the challenges with empathy and expertise.

Modern Square DancingCan seniors Square Dance? The short answer is YES!  Many seniors in their 60s, 70s and 80s regularly participate in dancing one or more times each week. There are several clubs in the Dallas Fort Worth area that a senior can join for very low cost. These clubs accept singles as well as couples. Many clubs visit other clubs to enjoy and enhance square dancing skills.As the name implies, square dancing is performed in a square with eight other people having two people on each side of the square. A Caller will call out the required formation and the dancers will perform the movements to the music to achieve that formation. Then the Caller callas out the next formation and the dancers move into their positions.  Its a lot of fun and no one ever makes a mistake (well, only one or two times a night).There are many benefits to modern square dancing including:1.     Fun You are part of a group whose purpose is to get together and have fun, fun and more fun.2.     Exercise Moving to music is great physical exercise.3.     Fellowship There is time after each tip to visit plus there are many non-dancing activities including dinners out, picnics, theater, etc.4.     Mental Square Dancing has been proven to increase mental alertness.5.     Coordination Dancers must move to the music at the same time and arrive in the required position thus positioning themselves for the next call.6.     Listening Dancers must listen carefully for the next call then move into position.7.     Low Cost Most clubs will dance one or twice a month and membership can be a low as $10 a month, a bargain in todays world.Unless you already know how to square dance you will need to take lessons. The Texas Reelers and other clubs typically offer lessons once or twice a year.Submitted to Seniors Bluebook February 13, 2023 by Dan Ray | Texas Reelers Square Dance Clubwww.TexasReelers.orgTexas Reelers Square Dance ClubRichardson Senior Center1st and 3rd Friday every month7:30 10:00 pm  Fee: $8.00 Square and round dancing.  Lessons start in March and Septemberwww.texasreelers.org and www.facebook.com/texasreelersContact president@texasreelers.org for details

Alzheimers Disease is not a single thing.  Years of research show that you cannot point to 1 single thing as the cause of Alzheimers Disease.  For years the healthcare industry agreed that the unifying component of Alzheimers Disease was age.  Sadly, many groups still define Alzheimers Disease as an old age disease.  When in reality the most common person diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease is a 52-year-old female (example picture below).Alzheimers Disease is not something you will wake up with one day after you turn 80 (example picture below).  Most people slowly develop Alzheimers Disease over 20 30 years. The  52-year-old female we met in the previous paragraph was 22-32 when the beginning of Alzheimers Disease was triggered in her brain. When I look at the next 2 pictures below of a 22 and a 32-year-old female, it is upsetting to think that she could be unknowingly triggering Alzheimers Disease in her brain.  At this age, these women are usually busy establishing their careers or starting their families at this age.  They both have their entire life ahead of them. I find it easier to differentiate the types and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease to address what caused it. They are:Type 1Type 1s primary characteristic is inflammation. Type 2Type 2s primary characteristic is low levels of nutrients, hormone factors, and/or trophic factors. Type 1.5Type 1.5s primary characteristic is insulin resistance (diabetesType 3Type 3s primary characteristic is exposure to toxins.Type 4Type 4s primary characteristic is low blood flow to the brain.Type 5Type 5s primary characteristic is brain damage.This week we will review what causes Alzheimers Disease in Type 1, Type 2 & Type 1.5 Alzheimers Disease.Type 1Type 1s primary characteristic is inflammation. What is inflammation?Harvard Medical School explains inflammation like this: Think of inflammation as the body's natural response to protect itself against harm. There are two types: acute and chronic. You're probably more familiar with the acute type, which occurs when you bang your knee or cut your finger. Your immune system dispatches an army of white blood cells to surround and protect the area, creating visible redness and swelling. The process works similarly if you have an infection like the flu or pneumonia. So in these settings, inflammation is essentialwithout it, injuries could fester and simple infections could be deadly.The inflammation could come from many different factors. It may start from a leaky gut, chronic sinusitis, a poor oral microbiome with chronic poor oral health. It can be a systemic infection or any number of other undiagnosed chronic infections. Any of these things can contribute to inflammation in your body.Types of InflammationAcute InflammationAcute inflammation is a healthy and necessary function that helps the body attack bacteria and other foreign substances in the body. Once the body has healed, the inflammation resolves. Acute inflammation can cause heat or warmth in the affected area. For example, an injured part of your body might feel warm to the touch. Sometimes, the heat is caused by a fever.A few examples of common conditions that can cause acute inflammation include:Acute bronchitis An infected body partA sore throat related to the flu or another viral infection Dermatitis Physical traumaSinusitis Skin cuts and scratches Chronic InflammationChronic inflammation may continue to attack healthy areas if it doesn't "turn off." It may not be as visible as acute inflammation. A few examples of chronic inflammatory conditions include:Inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis)Asthma Periodontitis (inflammation of gums and other supporting teeth structures)Inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause signs of inflammation in the GI tract)Eczema  Issues with chronic inflammation tend to run in families as it is common in people who carry one or two ApoE4 alleles (ApoE in itself is considered an inflammatory gene). Type 2Type 2s primary characteristic is low levels of nutrients, hormone imbalances, and/or trophic factors. MalnutritionWhy would someone living in a wealthy first-world country experience low levels of nutrition? While most people in the US have plenty to eat. The food they chose does not provide the nutrition they need.  A steady diet of fast food will not provide you and your family with the nutrition you need.  But neither will the processed food we prepare at home.We consider a homemade meal something that is assembled with processed components, at home.  An example is your standard crock pot meal.  Many start with a protein, cans of processed soup, processed cream cheese, a packet or two of freeze-dried soup mix, or spice packets containing MSG.  Sometimes frozen vegetables are added.  This combination is left to cook for 6-8 hours.  About 30 minutes to an hour before mealtime, processed pasta and more processed cheese is added.  It smells great, fills your belly, and is considered a win for the entire family.  However, the original protein and vegetables have very little nutritional value after cooking for 8 hours. A steady diet of food with little to no nutrition will leave an individual hungry all the time.  Encouraging them to eat overly processed food all day and develop obesity.  Obesity leads to insulin resistance (diabetes). Hormone ImbalanceHow do you know that your hormones are imbalanced?Hormonal imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms, including:Metabolism: Unexplained weight gain or loss, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, and irregular body fat distributionSkin: Dry, coarse, or thin skin, skin tags, and darkened skin in the armpits or neckMood: Mood swings, depression, anxiety, or irritabilityMenstrual cycle: Heavy or painful periods, irregular periods, or pain during menstruationFertility: Low libido or infertilitySleep: Insomnia or poor-quality sleepOther: Headaches, muscle weakness, joint pain, and blurred vision Hormonal shifts are normal at certain times of life, such as before and during menstruation, during pregnancy, or during menopause & andropause (male menopause). Also, some medications and health issues can cause hormonal shifts.  Trophic FactorsWhat are trophic factors?The NIH explains: The various neurotrophic factors influence a wide range of cell functions in the developing, mature, and injured nervous system. Recent studies have provided valuable insights on the receptors that mediate these effects and on the intracellular events that follow the binding of the ligand. Although growth factors were known to be expressed by non-neuronal cells in the targets and pathways of neuronal projections, it is now clear that the neurons themselves can also be a source of these molecules. A better understanding of the mechanisms of action of trophic factors on the survival and differentiation of neurons, coupled with advances in methods for the delivery of these molecules to the nervous system have provided an impetus for exploring their use as aids to the protection and regeneration of the injured nervous system.Simply put, trophic factors control the development and survival of specific groups of neurons.Trophic factors are small proteins that play crucial roles in the growth, survival, and function of neurons in the nervous system. They are also known as neurotrophic factors or growth factors.These factors are typically secreted by various cells, including neurons and glial cells (non-neuronal cells), and they act upon specific receptors on the surface of neurons.The main functions of trophic factors include:Promoting Neuronal Survival: They help neurons survive by preventing cell death (apoptosis) triggered by various factors such as lack of nutrients or injury.Supporting Neuronal Growth and Differentiation: Trophic factors can stimulate the growth of axons and dendrites, the long projections of neurons that form connections with other neurons.Modulating Synaptic Plasticity: They can influence the strength and efficacy of synaptic connections between neurons, which is important for learning and memory.Repairing and Regenerating Neurons: Trophic factors are involved in the regeneration of damaged neurons after injury or disease.Examples of trophic factors include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Each of these factors acts through specific receptors on neurons to exert their effects.Overall, trophic factors are essential for the development, maintenance, and repair of the nervous system throughout life.  If your trophic factors have begun to fail, your brain begins to atrophy.Type 2 also occurs more frequently in those who carry one or two copies of the ApoE4 allele, but the symptoms tend to initiate about a decade later than the inflammatory Type 1.  Type 1.5Type 1.5s primary characteristic is insulin resistance (diabetes). Type 1 and Type 2 Alzheimers Disease can occur together often seen with neural inflammation in addition to the reduced support for brain synapses. What is diabetes?Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period. This condition arises either due to insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas or the body's cells becoming resistant to the action of insulin, or both.Here are the key points about diabetes:Types of Diabetes:Type 1 Diabetes: This results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin injections for survival.Type 2 Diabetes: This is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin. Initially, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, but over time, it may not be able to keep up with demand.Causes:Type 1 Diabetes: The exact cause is not fully understood, but it involves genetic predisposition and environmental factors that trigger an autoimmune reaction. Type 1 diabetes develops in children AND adults.Type 2 Diabetes: Risk factors include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and increasing age. Symptoms:Increased thirst and frequent urinationExtreme hungerUnexplained weight lossWeight gainFatigueBlurred visionSlow healing of woundsFrequent infectionsComplications:Long-term uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications affecting various organs:Cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke)Kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy)Nerve damage (neuropathy)Eye damage (diabetic retinopathy)Foot damage (diabetic foot)Skin conditionsHearing impairmentAlzheimer's diseaseManagement:Type 1 Diabetes: Requires daily insulin injections or use of an insulin pump, regular blood sugar monitoring, balanced diet, and exercise.Type 2 Diabetes: Initially managed with lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and may progress to oral medications or insulin therapy if blood sugar levels cannot be controlled sufficiently.Prevention:Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed through maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet.Diabetes requires lifelong management to prevent complications and maintain good quality of life. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, adherence to treatment plans, and lifestyle modifications are essential for effectively managing the condition.If you find that you are experiencing symptoms consistent with diabetes you must see an endocrinologist!  Much has changed in the world of diabetes management in the last 5 years.  Primary Care Providers are amazing doctors.  I believe they do not have the experience and training required to treat diabetes. I confidently say this from my own experience.  I was officially diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic in 2019.  When I was diagnosed my blood sugar was out of control!  I had highs that would startle you!  The truth is, I had those highs for years I just did not know it.  I did not have health insurance and denied the truth to myself.  Once diagnosed I found a very well-respected primary care doctor.  He and his nurses worked with me to teach me the importance of checking my blood sugar twice a day.  I was instructed to begin injecting a long-acting insulin every night about 2 hours after I ate.  My blood sugar came down and I was encouraged to keep my A1C at or about 7.  My doctor and his staff were following the current protocols.  Then Covid hit and the world fell apart.My primary care provider was not accepting appointments, returning calls, or refilling prescriptions.  Two weeks of lockdowns were quickly extended to months of lockdowns.  For me, that was months of lockdowns without the medication I needed.  I left that provider and started working with another.  This time a much more respected doctor and his staff of PAs.  Both providers assumed that since I am an adult in my 50s, I am a type 2 diabetic.  They carefully evaluated me changed my medication and added Ozempic to the mix. Again, following the appropriate protocols they researched and were confident were the best solutions for type 2 diabetes.Over the next 6 months, I experienced unbelievable GI pain and constant issues.  I begged for referrals to a GI doctor but was denied.  I only lost 7 pounds on Ozempic, my blood sugar was steadily inching up, I had COVID-19, and was simply miserable. Until one day after not being able to keep anything down for a few days and unbelievable pain, I went to the ER.  Finally, with the results from the CT scan, I found a new primary care doctor.  This guy was horrible and mismanaged my diabetes worse than ever before.  However, he did not deny the referral to a GI doctor. I waited months to get in and even longer to get the tests I needed to learn what was going on inside of my gut. But he was the one who said I needed an Endocrinologist and demanded that my doctor write the referral to the doctor I work with now.Between the GI doctor and my Endocrinologist, I learned that I am not a Type 2 diabetic.  I am a Type 1.5 diabetic or an adult with Type 1 diabetes.  My GI issues have been resolved with lifestyle and nutritional changes.  I was prescribed an OmniPod 5 insulin pump and a constant glucose monitoring device (gcm).  My blood sugar ranges between 95 and 105 all day except after I eat my 1 meal a day. But the highs after I eat are much lower than my lowest reading before I started receiving the appropriate care. I tell you this to say your Primary Care Provider is not a bad doctor.  They are providing the care they are told to provide.  However, they are not experts in diabetes management.  My research and personal experience say:If you look down and cannot see your toes, you need a very thorough evaluation for insulin resistance. If you have skin tags, you need a very thorough evaluation for insulin resistance. If you are always thirsty, you need a very thorough evaluation for insulin resistance. If you crave sugary food, you need a very thorough evaluation for insulin resistance. If you get up to pee more than once at night, you need a very thorough evaluation for insulin resistance. Fasting glucose tests or a simple A1C test are not enough.  You need to wear a constant glucose monitoring device for at least 10 days.  Your doctor will see your accurate highs and lows and have better information to diagnose you and create a treatment plan.Demand your primary care provider provide you with the referral.  Your brain health depends on it!I still encourage you to purchase Dr. Dale Bredesens books.  Or go to his website and read through everything. If not for yourself, for a friend or family member. 1 in 3 people will die from Alzheimers Disease. We all must do what we can to reduce those numbers. Here are the links to purchase the books on Amazon and the link to Dr. Bredesens website.THE END OF ALZHEIMERS 2 BOOKS COLLECTION SET BY DALE BREDESEN PAPERBACK OCTOBER 26, 2023LINK:https://amzn.to/462LcY3 The End of Alzheimer's Program: The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at AnyAge Paperback September 6, 2022LINK:https://amzn.to/3xNcrctDr. Bredesens WebsiteLINK: https://www.apollohealthco.com/

Dementia and OCD Lead to Compulsive ShoppingTavis SchrieferCEO @ teleCalm, Phone service for Alzheimers & dementia, both at home and in senior livingMarch 1, 2024Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects about 1.2% of U.S. adults. People with OCD experience unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause them anxiety or distress. They also perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to try to reduce or neutralize their anxiety. For example, someone with OCD may have a fear of germs and compulsively wash their hands or even develop a compulsive shopping disorder.OCD can be a chronic and disabling condition that interferes with daily functioning and quality of life. Unfortunately, some people with OCD may also be at a higher risk of developing dementia, a group of brain disorders that affect memory, thinking, and behavior. Dementia is more common in older adults, especially those over 65 years old, and it can cause cognitive decline, confusion, and personality changes.How OCD is linked to dementiaAccording to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry , people with OCD are more likely to develop dementia than people without OCD. The study used data from a large insurance database in Taiwan and followed 1,347 people with OCD and 13,470 matched controls without OCD for an average of 11 years. The researchers found that:People with OCD had a higher risk of developing Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia, and unspecified dementia than people without OCD.People with OCD developed dementia about 6 years earlier than people without OCD (70.5 years versus 76.7 years).People with OCD had a higher rate of early-onset dementia (before age 65) than people without OCD (1.7% versus 0.1%).The exact reasons why OCD is associated with dementia are not clear, but some possible explanations are:OCD may share some genetic or environmental risk factors with dementia, such as the APOE gene or chronic inflammation.OCD may cause chronic stress or damage to the brain over time, which may increase the vulnerability to dementia.OCD may make it harder to detect or treat dementia symptoms, as some cognitive impairments or behavioral changes may be attributed to OCD rather than dementia.How OCD and dementia affect compulsive shoppingOne of the possible consequences of having both OCD and dementia is compulsive shopping, which is the uncontrollable urge to buy things that are not needed or wanted. Compulsive shopping can cause financial problems, family conflicts, and emotional distress for the person and their caregivers.Compulsive shopping can be triggered by different factors in people with OCD and dementia, such as:Obsessions: People with OCD may have obsessive thoughts about buying certain items or completing certain collections, which may drive them to shop compulsively.Compulsions: People with OCD may use shopping as a way to cope with their anxiety or to perform rituals related to their obsessions, such as buying multiples of the same item or checking prices repeatedly.Memory loss: People with dementia may forget what they have already bought or why they bought it, which may lead them to buy the same things again or buy things they dont need.Impulsivity: People with dementia may lose their ability to control their impulses or plan ahead, which may make them more prone to buy things on a whim or fall for marketing tricks.Boredom: People with dementia may feel bored or lonely due to their cognitive decline or social isolation, which may make them seek stimulation or comfort through shopping.Compulsive shopping can be especially problematic when it involves purchasing products from home shopping channels and other ads on TV. These sources of shopping may be more accessible, appealing, or persuasive for people with OCD and dementia, as they may:Provide constant exposure to new products and offers that may trigger obsessions or impulses.Use high-pressure tactics such as limited-time deals, scarcity cues, testimonials, or guarantees that may exploit cognitive biases or vulnerabilities.Offer easy payment methods such as credit cards, phone orders, or online transactions that may bypass rational decision-making or budgeting.Deliver products directly to the home without requiring transportation or social interaction that may deter or limit shopping.How teleCalm service can helpIf you have a loved one who suffers from both OCD and dementia and engages in compulsive shopping from home shopping channels and TV ads, you may feel frustrated, worried, or helpless. Fortunately, there is a service that can help you manage this issue: teleCalm.teleCalm is a phone service that is designed specifically for seniors with dementia and their caregivers. It works with any existing phone and phone number, and it offers several features that can prevent or reduce compulsive shopping, such as:Blocking unwanted outgoing calls to home shopping channels and TV adsBlocking ALL incoming calls from telemarketers, scammers, and any other numbers you choose.Allowing only trusted callers to reach your loved one, such as family, friends, doctors, or emergency services.Viewing your loved ones phone activity and alerting you of any suspicious or unusual calls, such as repeated calls to the same number or calls at odd hours.Providing you with a dashboard on an app where you can control and customize your loved ones phone settings, such as call blocking, call filtering, or call scheduling.By using teleCalm, you can protect your loved one from compulsive shopping and its negative consequences, while also preserving their dignity, independence, and connection. You can also reduce your own stress and worry, knowing that your loved one is safe and supported.If you are interested in learning more about teleCalm, please visit teleCalmProtects.com or call 1-888-701-0411.