Chinese courier takes elderly Alzheimer's mother on rounds with him because she cannot be left alone

A courier in southwest China has been taking his elderly mother along with him on his rounds for the past seven years to ensure she is looked after at all times.

Cai Yujun, 52, has modified his electric bike to ensure that his 92-year-old mother Yang Suxiu has a more comfortable seat on the back.  

He also uses a couple of ropes to secure her to the frame as he makes deliveries to computer shops in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

Yang was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s seven years ago and can longer take care of herself, according to the news website report.

“Mother has laboured her whole life for our family. So, no matter how hard life is, I cannot shirk my responsibility for taking care of her,” Cai told the website.

The pair have traveled to every corner of the city together, and the report said Cai always holds his mother’s hand when delivering products to prevent her from getting lost.

Cai’s colleagues and friends have also helped out by keeping an eye on her when she cannot follow her son into some of the buildings he visits.

“Many friends like to chat and joke with her,” Cai added.

(Source:  South China Morning Post, 18 April 2018)

STUDY FINDS TREATING DEPRESSION LOWERS ALZHEIMER’S RISK

There is no one reason why some people get Alzheimer’s and others do not. Most scientists point to genetics and lifestyle as the main factors, but there are many subcategories within those factors that all play a part in overall risk: education level, sex, obesity, whether or not someone is a smoker or has high blood pressure, and age itself, among others. Some of these, like smoking, can be controlled; others, like genetics, are just the luck of the draw.

And then there’s depression, which a large body of research points to as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Older adults with depression have been identified as twice as likely to develop dementia, and 65 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. People cannot control whether or not they’ll get depression, but they can treat it, which a new study says can help prevent how it affects Alzheimer’s risk.

According to a new study from Boston University School of Medicine, getting evaluated and treated for depression can improve or maintain cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment (M.C.I.), which is considered to be the first stage of Alzheimer’s by most researchers. People with M.C.I. can still function in their day-to-day life, but tasks like paying bills or grocery shopping are noticeably harder.

Researchers looked at data from over 6,700 people with an average age of 72. The participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study for cognitive ability, then followed for two to 12 years.

While results showed that people who started as normal were more likely to progress to M.C.I. if they had depression, anxiety or other mood symptoms, one-third of those who had M.C.I. were able to go back to normal cognition, and those who reverted back had a reduction in depressive symptoms.

Researchers highlighted that successfully identifying and providing effective treatment for these neuropsychiatric symptoms, including depression, may potentially improve or maintain cognitive functioning in many older adults.

Researchers still don’t know if late-life depression causes dementia or contributes to it, or if it’s the other way around—those who are pre-symptomatic may experience depression as a result of changes in the brain that will lead to dementia.

It is highlighted that there are many possible explanations for these findings and further research is needed to address this important issue.

(Source:  Being Patient, 11 April 2018  – This study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.)

SAT / 21APR18 ADFM Monthly Caregivers Sharing Session on Coping with Behaviour Challenges and Yoga Exercise Session

To: Caregivers for persons with Alzheimer and dementia 

Below is the programme for the monthly caregivers sharing session to be held on 21 April 2018 at the ADFM Day-Care Centre at No. 6, Lorong 11/8E, Seksyen 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya.

SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 2018
12.30pm - 1.30pm	“Rejuvenating Chair Yoga” Monthly Yoga Exercise by Certified International Yoga Instructor, Ms Ashlynn Williams who has been practicing Yoga for more than 8 years. Chair Yoga is a great routine for loosening and strengthening the legs, the back, shoulders and neck, especially for seniors.  It is very gentle and perfect for those with limited mobility.  You will have fun with physical exercises and breathing techniques both the body and the mind.
1.30pm - 2.00pm	Refreshments
2.00pm – 4.00pm	Caregivers Sharing Session on Coping with Behaviour Challenges which will be Facilitated by ADFM Dementia Care Trainer, Ms Satiapoorany Subramaniam who is a retired nursing educator with extensive clinical experience.

FREE Admission - Prior registration is required for our logistic purposes.  Please Email to: jenny@adfm.org.my and copy: jennyho8@gmail.com or whatsapp 016 608 2513, providing:

(1)    Full Name/s

(2)    Mobile contact/s

(3)    Email address

(4)    Indicate to whom you are caring for if you are a caregiver, or your position for our attendance record.

Kind regards,

Jenny

016 608 2513

ADFM National Caregivers Support Network

www.adfm.org.my

https://www.facebook.com/adfmpj/

ADFM National Caregivers Support Network is an online community platform for caregivers to seek support, information, advice, and share their caregiving challenges and experiences with other caregivers.

To join, Sign Up at:  http://admalaysia.ning.com