"Aging & Nutrition" on Saturday/23 August 2008 at 2:30pm, ADFM Care Centre by Dr James Lai of Biolife Synergy Sdn Bhd

Dear Members

 

KL-PJ Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group Committee/National AD Caregivers Online Network (NACON) is organizing a Talk on "Aging & Nutrition" by Dr James Lai, MD of Biolife Synergy Sdn Bhd on:

 

Date:      Saturday / 23 August 2008

Time:      2:30pm – 4:30pm

Venue:   ADFM Alzheimer's Care Centre

              9A, Lorong Bukit Raja

              Taman Seputeh

              58000 Kuala Lumpur

 

Registration:  Please register early with ADFM (Katherine Leong / Janet Low) at:  03-2260 3158 / 03-2274 9060 or Email: adfmsec@streamyx.com.  Or To Register Online with NACON at: adfmcaregivers@gmail.com           

 

Synopsis of Aging & Nutrition :

 

 As we aged, the body goes through many physiological changes.

 

To adapt to these changes, we need to understand the desirable and proper macro and micro nutrients required to keep the body healthy and agile.

 

Poor nutritional intakes will result in poor organ functions and possible degenerative diseases.

 

Know the core nutrition and their benefits for better health and vitality. Learn about anti-aging lifestyle for living longer and better!

 

Profile of Speaker:

  

Dr James Lai, a registered practising member of the Malaysian Association for Complementary Therapies ( MSCT ) has gained doctoral professional qualifications in the field of Complementary Medicine and has for many years embarked on a living journey in health and wellness.

 

Dr James Lai is a firm believer in "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease"

 

Members can visit his web at:  http://www.vivalifeoasis.com

 

********

The KL-PJ AD Caregivers Support Group Committee/

National AD Caregivers Online Network (NACON)  

29 July 2008

 

Scientists Identify New Alzheimer's Gene

Researchers have identified a gene that may raise the risk of getting late-onset Alzheimer's, the most common form of the disease that typically strikes after age 65. Researchers hope that continued research into the gene and its effects on the brain and memory could one day lead to new drugs that help to modulate the course of Alzheimer's.

 

Dozens of genes are under investigation as possible contributing factors to Alzheimer's disease. Only one, called the APO-E4 gene, has been confirmed as a strong risk factor for late-onset disease, though not everyone who inherits this gene ends up with Alzheimer's. About 40 percent of those who develop late-onset Alzheimer's carry the APO-E4 gene.

 

The new gene, called CALHM1, does not appear to play nearly as an important role in Alzheimer's onset as the APO-E4 gene, experts say. However, it is more common, appearing in about a quarter of the population. The gene appears to increase the risk of getting Alzheimer's by about 45 percent, according to scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Having two copies of the gene may raise the risk by some 77 percent.

 

Several other genes have been linked to early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which can occur in a person's 40s or even younger but that accounts for only about 5 to 10 percent of Alzheimer's cases.

 

Calcium and the Brain

 

CALHM1 appears to interrupt the ability of brain cells to take in calcium. The mineral calcium is critical for nerve function, including brain cells critical for memory. The gene appears active in an area of the brain called the hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped area critical for memory and learning that is affected early in the course of Alzheimer's disease.

 

Different variants of the CLAHM1 gene also appear to influence levels of beta-amyloid, a protein that in its toxic form builds up in the brains of those with Alzheimer's. Beta-amyloid also makes up the plaques that form in the brains of those with the disease.

 

"We are very excited about the idea that CALHM1 could be an important target for anti-amyloid therapy in Alzheimer's disease," said researcher Philippe Marambaud of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

 

The researchers hope that continued study of the gene and the role of calcium in memory loss may lead to better understanding of Alzheimer's. It may also allow for the development of new drugs that may be able to halt or reverse the memory and behaviour problems of the disease.

 

The findings may help to explain some of the hereditary aspects of Alzheimer's disease. A study in March, for example, found that people whose parents both had Alzheimer's disease were more than twice as likely to develop the disease themselves. [See the www.ALZinfo.org story, "Risk of Alzheimer's Increases When Both Parents Have the Disease," at http://www.alzinfo.org/newsarticle/templates/newstemplate.asp?articleid=276&zoneid=5.

 

But Alzheimer's is a complex disease that researchers are only now beginning to understand. In addition to genetic factors, lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, mental and social stimulation, advancing age, and other environmental components may all play a role in its onset.

 

It will likely take years of continued research to understand the roles of CALHM1 and other genes in memory and Alzheimer's. The new work appeared in the scientific journal Cell.

 

(Source:  http://www.alzinfo.org/newsarticle/templates/newstemplate.asp?articleid=300&zoneid=10)

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Aging today isn't viewed the same as it was 50 years ago. Back then, increased forgetfulness in older people was seen as a symptom of senility, which was thought to be an inevitable part of aging. Decades of research into brain function, however, have improved our understanding of age and memory loss. The type of memory loss once considered normal now may be seen as an early sign of disease, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

 

The line between ordinary forgetfulness in an older person and MCI is vague. MCI is usually defined as a loss of cognitive function in people over age 65 that exceeds an occasional wrong name or misplaced pair of glasses. MCI can be thought of as a precursor to dementia, which is a catch-all word used to describe serious brain dysfunction such as memory loss in older people. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, although MCI does not always result in the development of Alzheimer's.

 

Increased Risk of Dementia

 

A person with MCI might have difficulty following a conversation, a fairly consistent inability to recall the names of new acquaintances or might frequently lose things. But a person with MCI can also retain the ability to function independently and maintain day-to-day activities such as preparing food, handling finances and maintaining personal hygiene. He or she may use notes, lists and calendars to compensate, and may maintain an independent lifestyle for many years. A person with full dementia would not be able to function independently.

 

Although there is no exact count of the number of Americans with MCI, a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that approximately 10% of people over 70 have the disorder. A person who has MCI has a high risk of developing Alzheimer's compared to someone who doesn't have MCI. As the population ages, the societal burden of dementia grows. As many as 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that by the year 2030, that number may hit 16 million.

 

About 9% of people with MCI may experience mild improvement in memory over time. This is why it's so important to get medical attention as soon as symptoms are noted. A variety of medical problems -- such as vitamin deficiency, thyroid dysfunction and irregularities in blood pressure -- can cause or worsen dementia. Identifying and treating underlying conditions can help delay further decline. Some medications that are approved for Alzheimer's are prescribed off-label for MCI and appear to slow its progress, though their effectiveness has yet to be scientifically proven.

 

Diagnosing MCI

 

Since there's no single, clear-cut test for MCI, an important part of arriving at a diagnosis is excluding other diseases, such as depression, that can have similar symptoms. It can be a big help to bring someone else along, such as a spouse or grown child, to discuss memory problems and offer a more objective view of the symptoms.

 

Doctors can give a variety of neuropsychological tests to gauge a person's ability to remember. These tests are aimed at figuring out what kind of information the person can or can't hold on to, establishing how long the problem has existed and determining whether forgetfulness is accompanied by a decreased ability to plan or communicate.

 

Usually, the person is aware of the decline, and may be experiencing fear or even anger about it. But once the extent of the problem is laid out and a support plan is developed, the person with memory problems may find that he or she is not as sick as imagined. Understanding that slightly more than half of people who have MCI do not progress to full dementia may ease anxiety.

 

When a diagnosis is made, it is a good time to review what services are available and appropriate for the individual. People with MCI should also consider long-term plans for finances, housing and medical care in the event that their condition worsens.

Right now, there is no specific treatment for MCI. But studies of antioxidants suggest that these may help prevent cognitive decline. Staying active mentally by maintaining social contacts and doing things such as learning a new language may also play a role in prevention.

 

(Source:http://alzheimers.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/What-Is-Mild-Cognitive-Impairment-.htm?nl=1)

Dementia Patients' Memory Probed

People with dementia may remember more than it first appears, according to researchers in Dundee and Fife.

 

They believe knowledge may not be destroyed in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease until later than previously thought.

 

The academics concluded that often patients would be able to recall facts, but became confused by the way the questions were asked.

 

The research was carried out by Dundee, Abertay and St Andrews universities.

 

The researchers asked patients to define simple words, such as "monkey", "salmon" or "tractor".

 

Professor Trevor Harley, from Dundee University, explained: "People with dementia are notoriously bad at this sort of task: at first sight it looks like they've lost most of the detailed knowledge of the word. For example, the only thing they appear to know about a monkey might just be that it's an animal.

 

"The assumption has been that Alzheimer's disease causes this knowledge to be destroyed.

 

"However, we found that if you probe the patient in the right way with appropriate questions that support them to search their stored knowledge, they can often generate more detailed information.

 

"That is, the knowledge isn't always lost at all. Of course eventually the information might be completely lost, but this might happen much later than people have previously thought."

 

Clive Evers from the Alzheimer's Society welcomed the findings.

 

He said: "As dementia progresses communication often becomes more difficult but this does not necessarily mean that a person's understanding has diminished.

 

"It's important to communicate with people with dementia in ways that make it easy for people with dementia to respond. This includes using short sentences, clear language and providing people with the opportunity to respond non-verbally as well.

 

"This research is also a timely reminder of the importance of presuming people with dementia have mental capacity unless it can be proven otherwise."

 

(Source:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7521264.stm - 23July2008)

Stress And Spousal Caregiving

In sickness and in health…that was the vow you took with your spouse on your wedding day. So, you wouldn't think twice about caring for your partner now that they are in a situation where there's a growing need for your assistance. Whether it is a chronic health problem, issues with mobility or decreased cognitive function (e.g., dementia/Alzheimer's disease), your support will likely be necessary.

 

While this is a natural reaction in a loving situation, it is important to note that spousal care-giving often leads to significant changes in your marital relationship and it can sometimes leave the family caregiver feeling overwhelmed and stressed. This can be compounded if the caregiver is also taking over responsibilities that were once handled solely by their ailing spouse, from cooking and doing laundry, to balancing the cheque book and heading up the financial decisions.

 

There can also be a sense of loss, especially if your spouse suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Or, if activities that once provided pleasure and deepened a sense of connection may no longer be possible. As a care-giving spouse, you may begin to feel very isolated from friends and feel tremendous guilt about your own unmet needs. Subsequently, you take on this "labor of love" and let your own positive health habits drop off to the side, putting your own health at risk.

In fact, the Journal of American Medical Association reports that if you are a spousal caregiver between the ages of 66 and 96, and are experiencing ongoing mental or emotional strain as a result of your care-giving duties, there's a 63% increased risk of dying over those people in the same age group who are not caring for a spouse. The combination of loss and prolonged stress, the physical demands of care-giving and the health vulnerabilities that simply come with age place an older spousal caregiver in a danger zone.

 

Signs that Spousal Care-giving May Be Becoming Too Risky for You:

 

·                Missing or delaying your own doctor appointments

·                Ignoring your own health problems or symptoms

·                Not eating a healthy diet for lack of time

·                Overusing tobacco and alcohol when you feel stressed

·                Giving up exercise habits for lack of time

·                Losing sleep

·                Losing connections with friends for lack of time to socialize

·                Bottling up feelings of anger and frustration and then being surprised by angry, even violent, outbursts directed at your spouse, other family members, co-workers - even strangers

·                Feeling sad, down, depressed or hopeless

·                Loss of energy

·                Lacking interest in things that used to give you (and your spouse) pleasure

·                Feeling resentful toward your spouse

·                Blaming your spouse for the situation

·                Feeling that people ask more of you than they should

·                Feeling like caregiving has affected family relationships in a negative way

·                Feeling annoyed by other family members who don't help out or who criticize your care

 

All caregivers who experience elevated levels of stress are at an increased risk for physical and emotional issues, so it important to get support. Sometimes even the most resourceful person needs to ask for help from other family members or outside professionals or sources, such as a friend, physician, priest, etc.

 

The hardest part for many is know when to ask, since, to some, asking for help is a sign they aren't handling the situation well. The truth…your spouse/partner will be in better hands if you, yourself, are healthy. It is important to take care of yourself, while taking care of someone else.

 

(Source: http:www.caregiverstress.com)

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Many family caregivers presently care for a parent or spouse who is suffering from some form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 4.5 million Americans are presently living with Alzheimer's Disease. Caring for someone with dementia often requires a great deal of time and patience, and it can cause great stress to the caregiver, particularly as memory loss progresses.

While we will all have memory lapses as we age, the term dementia describes a group of symptoms that are caused by changes in brain function, leading to serious changes in memory, personality and behaviour. Those with dementia tend to repeat questions, become disoriented in familiar places, neglect personal hygiene or nutrition, or get confused about people or time. It can be caused by many things, some of which are reversible - from vitamin deficiencies and poor nutrition, to reactions to medications or problems with the thyroid. However, some forms of dementia are irreversible, such as that caused by mini strokes or Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's disease occurs when the nerve cells deteriorate in the brain due to a build up of plaques and tangles, which actually results in the death of a large number of brain cells. Doctors are not sure why this occurs, but research is underway to determine causes and cures.

Alzheimer 's disease is progressive, so it often ends up with the afflicted needing total care, 24 hours per day. This can be physically demanding for a family caregiver, a grown child taking care of her/his parent, or a spouse caring for his/her lifelong partner, etc. It is also highly emotional as your loving relative may eventually look at you like a total stranger - despite all of the time and effort you are devoting to their care and well-being. Often, a senior with this disease can become abusive, verbally and physically, which further compounds the incredible stress for the caregiver.

In order to better understand and care for a relative suffering from severe dementia or Alzheimer's disease, the Home Instead Senior Care Advisory Board recommends the following tips:

§   Understand the disease. Read about the disease, its affects, etc., so you are prepared as it progresses. With this understanding also comes additional patience, as you realize that the person is not doing this on purpose or to make you angry. It is a medical condition.

 

§   Enter their world. Instead of trying to correct a person with Alzheimer's disease, ask them simple questions about their statements, even if they seem strange or are about a person who is no longer living, etc. This will make you and your relative less frustrated.

 

§   Strike a balance. Encourage as much independence as possible. Help the person by prompting or cueing them to do things for themselves, when possible, but realize you'll need to step in if your relative's safety or well-being will be compromised in any way.

 

§   Get support. Enlist the help of family and friends to spend some time with your relative, if possible, to give you respite. Join a local support group for people who care for those with dementia/Alzheimer's disease to hear their stories and know you aren't alone.

 

§   Tap into resources. Find professionals in your area to assist with practical, yet emotional tasks, such as making senior care decisions, elder law issues/Power of Attorney, asset management or creating a will.

 

§   Decide on assistance. Family caregivers often find they are spending quantity time vs. quality time - doing the shopping, taking the relative to appointments, cleaning, vs. spending time with their relative. Enlist the help of a professional caregiver for the everyday tasks, so you can spend time with your loved one and appreciate them.

 

§   Environmental distractions, such as street noise, a loud television or radio, can lead to agitation or anxiety. It is important to make a positive and comfortable environment.

 

§   Use effective communication when speaking to someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Be aware of your rate of speech, your pitch and tone.

 

§   Use positive body language. Greet the individual with relaxed facial expressions and shoulders. If you are tense the person with dementia or Alzheimer's disease may pick up on it.

 

(Source:  www.caregiverstress.com

Defending Against Disease With Vitamin D - New Studies Suggest It Isn't Just Bones That Might Benefit

Sunlight, as a source of Vitamin D, is free and abundant, at least in most of the world. Supplements are almost as cheap. Yet a growing number of experts think that many people aren't getting enough Vitamin D -- particularly those who work and play indoors and slather on sunscreen. And the more experts learn about what D does, the more worrisome a deficiency seems.

 

It's long been known that D is crucial for strong bones. But new research suggests that it also protects against a wide variety of diseases. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine last month found that men with low D had a higher risk for heart attacks. Other studies have linked low D with cancer of the breast, ovary, prostate, stomach, bladder, esophagus, kidney and lung. Low levels of D also have been associated with high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, mental illness and chronic pain.

 

"It sounds crazy -- until you realize that Vitamin D turns into a steroid hormone that's involved in the maintenance of over 200 human genes," says John J. Cannell, founder of the non-profit Vitamin D Council in Atascadero, Calif.

 

The strongest source, by far, is ultraviolet B rays from the sun, which convert a form of cholesterol into Vitamin D in the skin. A person sitting outside in a bathing suit in New York City gets more Vitamin D in 20 minutes than from drinking 200 glasses of milk. But UVB rays vary greatly depending on latitude, cloud cover, time of year and time of day. Above 42 degrees north latitude (a line from the northern California border to Boston), the sun's rays don't provide sufficient D from November through February. Researchers looking at latitude and disease rates have found some intriguing patterns. Type 1 diabetes, for example, is much rarer in countries like Cuba than in either New Zealand and Sweden.

 

Dark-skinned and elderly people don't process Vitamin D from the sun as efficiently as younger, fair-skinned people. UVB rays also don't penetrate glass or sunscreen with a factor of 8 or more.

 

It's difficult to get much D through diet. Few foods contain it naturally -- mainly fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna, as well as liver and egg yolks. Since the 1930s, most milk in the U.S. has been fortified with D to prevent rickets, a bone-softening disease.

 

It's widely accepted that most people need some supplemental D -- the question is, how much? Current U.S. guidelines, issued in 1997, call for 200 international units from birth through age 50; 400 IUs from 51 through age 70 and 600 IUs from 71 on. But many experts and the American Medical Association are urging the government to revisit those numbers in light of the latest research, and the Institute of Medicine is in discussions to do so.

 

Some groups aren't waiting. The American Academy of Pediatrics says breast-fed infants should get 400 IUs of supplemental D daily. The National Osteoporosis Foundation urges adults over age 50 to get at least 800 to 1,000 IUs to prevent fractures. Look for D3, which is more potent than D2.

 

You can learn your Vitamin D level with a blood test. It should measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D, not 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. A concentration of less than 20 nanograms per milliliter is considered deficient. Many cancer-prevention benefits have been seen at levels of 30 ng/ml or more. Alan Pocinki, an internist in Washington, D.C., has been testing his patients -- mostly white-collar workers with indoor jobs -- and found about half are below 20 ng/ml.

 

It's not possible to overdose on Vitamin D from the sun; it degrades in the skin at high levels. For supplements, the Institute of Medicine set an upper limit of 2,000 IUs per day, but some Experts think that's too low. Vitamin D toxicity can involve kidney stones and heart arrhythmias, but cases are very rare.

 

Does all this Discussion leave you Dizzy? "Many people are confused by the conflicting messages," says Len Lichtenfeld, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the American Cancer Society, which suggests getting D from supplements, not the sun. "We need to know more about what the health benefits are, and what the right level is. We're a country of different ethnicities and locations and sensitivities. We probably can't make a one-size-fits-all recommendation."

 

(Source:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121607103504852163.html)

Stress & Your Health

The first step in dealing with caregiver stress is to recognize the signs. Then, you can find ways to deal with it and enlist support or medical help when needed.

Common signs that stress may be affecting your health include:

Physical Signs of Caregiver Stress:

• Disturbed Sleep
• Back, shoulder or neck pain, muscle tension
• Headaches
• Stomach/digestive problems (upset or acid stomach, cramps, heartburn, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea)
• Weight fluctuation (gain or loss)
• Loss of hair
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure, irregular heart beat, palpitations
• Chest pain
• Perspiration
• Skin disorders (hives, eczema, psoriasis, tics, itching)
• Periodontal disease, jaw pain
• Reproductive problems/infertility
• Weakened immune system suppression: more colds, flu, infections
• Sexual dysfunction/lack of libido

Emotional Signs of Caregiver Stress:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Moodiness/mood swings
• Butterflies
• Irritability, easily frustrated, road rage
• Memory problems and lack of concentration
• Feeling out of control
• Increased substance abuse
• Phobias
• Argumentative
• Feeling of isolation
• Job dissatisfaction

If you are experiencing some of the signs listed above, consider talking with a healthcare professional who can help you to evaluate your situation. It is important that a family caregiver realize that she or he is not alone. Getting support will help reduce caregiver stress, as well as reduce the associated physical and emotional risks of ongoing stress.

Remember, it is not selfish to focus on your own needs and desires when you are a family caregiver. In fact, it is a necessity to take initiative with your own physical and emotional care, or else it could make you less useful to the person for whom you are caring.

(Source:  caregiverstress.com)

 

Public Seminar On "Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia" on 8 August 2008 from 2pm to 4:30pm at Hospital KL

Public Seminar on Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia

on 8 AUGUST 2008

 

A Community Service Jointly Organized By

Ministry of Health & Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM)

 

 

Date:           Friday / 8 August 2008

Time:          2pm - 4:30pm

Venue:        Avicenna Room (Next to Auditorium Utama), Hospital KL

Program:

1:30pm - 2:00pm          Registration & Arrival of Guests.

2:00pm - 2:05pm          Welcome Address by Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee, ADFM Chairman.

2:35pm - 3:15pm          "Introduction to Alzheimer's Disease" by Dr Lee Fatt Soon, HKL

3:15pm - 3:45pm          "Care-Givers Burden & Stress" by Dr Bharati, Lecturer, UPM

3:45pm - 4:00pm          "The National Alzheimer's Caregivers Online Network" by Mr Ong                                     Eng Joo, ADFM Vice Chairman

4:00pm - 4:30pm          Q & A, followed by Tea & adjourn.

 

 

For Registration and details, please call ADFM at 03-2260 3158 / 03-2274 9060