By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesLewy Body Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia, also called cortical or diffused Lewy body disease, is the third most common type of dementia accounting for between 5 - 10% of all cases. Lewy Bodies are spherical masses of protein that are found abnormally developing inside nerve cells, often displacing other components within the cell. They are also often found within the patients of other brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.
Many people with this type of dementia also have bodily symptoms such as hunched postured, rigid muscles, as well as trouble walking or otherwise moving. Due to the presence of the Lewy Bodies as well as the various overlapping symptoms, it's believed that Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease Dementia may all be caused by abnormalities in how the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein.
1 Comment
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of festivals, parties, and various other gatherings and events within the Maryland region that are focused on celebrating the upcoming Halloween holiday. Both family friendly (including the family pet) and more adult oriented (murder mystery dinner parties & other venues that serve alcohol) events have been covered with a particular focus on festivities that aren't too frightful or physically taxing.
Those with more limited mobility or severe health issues should check for accessibility and appropriateness ahead of time, particularly when it comes to the availability of walking tours. Otherwise, senior (and children) discounts are also available at a variety of the events.
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the Series
Part 2 - Lewy Body, Frontotemporal Dementia, and General & Maryland Specific Resources
What is Dementia
Dementia is not one specific disease, but instead is a general term used to describe severe physical changes within the brain that cause memory loss, degradation in language, mental acuity, decision making, as well as changes in behavior and personality that end up impacting the ability to perform normal everyday actions.
All types of dementia are progressive over time which means that the functioning of the brain will continue to degenerate throughout the patient's life.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
As opposed to more multifunctional rooms such as the kitchen or living room, the dining room tends to be devoted entirely to meal serving (especially for larger groups) as well as functioning as a place for storage and decorative display.
While this room tends to go more and more unused as people age (to the point that many dining rooms are converted into more essential and accessible rooms such as a first floor bedroom or become open extensions to the kitchen or living room), many seniors still like to have a space within their home dedicated to sit down meals.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of festivals, markets, and other events & activities taking place within the Maryland region during this fall season. The focus is on senior and family friendly gatherings and outings that have easy accessibility and are suitable for those with more limited mobility or other health concerns.
While most events have an autumnal theme based around harvests, in-season foods, leaf viewing, fall flora and fauna, and other seasonal happenings, events with a more general or different focus (such as the yearly Renaissance Festival or Baltimore Light City exhibits) that take place during this time of year have also been included. Please remember to check beforehand for accessibility and availability of seating, shade, suitable drinks & food, and other potential requirements in all locations for those seniors who may have more severely limited mobility or those with special health conditions and requirements.
By Krista Harper
The older you are, the less likely you are to enjoy quality sleep. Sleeping problems are very common among older adults, and people over the age of 70 often experience frequent sleep disturbances due to medications, chronic pain, a need to urinate, and more. There are several things seniors and the elderly can try to achieve better sleep naturally. Here are a few tips that can help you fall asleep and get more quality rest during the night.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
To finish up the section on aging in place & universal design for the kitchen, here are a selection of small items, aids, and ableware that will make using the kitchen more easy & accessible. The focus here is on items that will be particularly useful when it comes to using the kitchen for eating, meal preparation, and clean-up while having a variety of health conditions that are common with aging (such as arthritis, hand tremors, limb weakness etc).
As these kitchen ware are generally smaller & less expensive to obtain than appliances or other modifications done in advance, they can more easily be bought as needed from a variety of stores that specialize in daily living & adaptive aids (as well as certain styles & brands being more widely available).
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Smaller appliances such as microwaves, blenders, and food processors within the kitchen can be just as integral to properly aging in place as their larger counterparts. As these do not involve as much of a time or money investment as other kitchen features, they can be replaced at any point while preparing the household for better accessibility.
Since these types of gadgets are generally easier to use during food preparation, they will tend to become more and more important over the years as the user ages and thus should definitely not be left out when creating a more senior friendly kitchen environment.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Besides refrigeration, one of the main functions of the kitchen revolves around the use of standard ovens, ranges, stovetops, and cooktops when it comes to cooking. As this area is also one of the main locations for kitchen accidents (in particular burns and fires), particular attention should be paid to it and various safety options available when it comes to accessibility and aging-in-place.
Since the most optimal choices regarding universal design for ovens & cooktops are not ones that are commonly installed in standard kitchens, this is a prime area for remodeling when the time comes to make adjustments for an older or more health handicapped user.
By Mollie Wilson
While it’s not something many people like to think or talk about, it’s also one of the sad facts of life-- as you age and begin to take on the exciting new adventures of life, your parents are aging as well. And while we all hope it will be later rather than sooner, eventually most children end up having to care for an aging parent.
Be it in their own home or in their parent's home, it’s one of the more stressful and trying times in a person’s life. The person you looked up to, who cared for you, who was your superman or superwoman, is struggling, in pain, or just generally needs help and support as they age, and that’s not easy to come to terms with. Couple that with the fact that many of the tasks an elder needs can be exhausting and constant, and any sane person, no matter how much they love their parent, would become stressed and over worked. One of the most important factors to successfully caring for an elderly parent is also caring for yourself. This can sometimes be a difficult task for some people, as they feel selfish for thinking of themselves when their loved one is struggling and going through such a difficult time. However, the reality is that you’re going to be a better caregiver and a better child to your parent if you make sure to care of yourself and keep your own mental health in a positive and stress-free place. If this is the point that your life is at right now, or you’re concerned it might be soon, be sure to follow these top tips for caring for yourself while also caring for your ‘experienced’ parent. |
AboutNews updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care. |