Facts and Info:

Our Journey Affects Everyone In The World!

Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, does not discriminate who it affects.

This disease continues to grow in numbers that are expected to swell beyond most current diseases existing.

A Journey of Hearts is committed to improving care and quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients.

 

 

 

Information on Alzheimer’s:

Every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease. By mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.

Nutrition & Diet:
Multiple studies have shown a strong link between Alzheimer’s disease and nutrition. Alzheimer’s Weekly reports:

  • There may not be a specific diet for sufferers with Alzheimer’s disease, but there is considerable evidence that certain foods are more helpful than others in slowing its progression.
  • Gingko biloba has long been identified as a substance that can enhance focus and memory.
  • Omega-3 fatty acid has been found effective in reducing symptoms of many brain-related conditions.
  • Vitamin E has also been found to be a promising means of either preventing the disease or at least slowing it down in the beginning stages.
  • High risk factors to be avoided, according to several studies, include high fat and high calorie diets, alcohol, salt and refined carbohydrates.

A study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that:

  • People who drank fruit and vegetable juices more than three times a week had a 76 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, as opposed to those who drank juice less than once a week.

A study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reports that:

  • Drinking coffee in midlife may reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Stress:

  • Your body produces cortisol in response to stress, and high levels of cortisol can be lethal to your brain neurons.
  • Some examples of stress-management techniques include:
    • Prayer
    • Meditation
    • Guided Imagery and Visualization
    • Hypnosis
    • Deep Breathing
    • Massage

Caregiver Stress, especially stress related to their loved one’s behavioral symptoms, is associated with nursing home placement.

Music Therapy:

  • A study led by Dr. Concetta Tomaino and funded by the New York State Department of Health concluded that patients with mid- to late-stage dementia who had one hour of music therapy three times a week for 10 months improved their scores on a cognitive-function test by 50% on average.
    • One patient in the study recognized his wife for the first time in months.
  • New research reported in the Wall Street Journal indicates that the medial prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain just behind the forehead) may serve as a hub where music, memory and emotions meet. It is also one of the last brain regions to atrophy in Alzheimer’s patients.
  • As stated by the University of Maryland Medical Center, music therapy cannot reverse dementia, but it can improved quality of life. It may reduce wandering and restlessness, as well as increase chemicals in the brain that enhance sleep and ease restlessness.

“I regard music therapy as a tool of great power in many neurological disorders--Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s—because of its unique capacity to organize or reorganize cerebral function when it has been damaged.”  --Oliver Sacks, M.D.

Exercise and Prevention:
A recent Finnish study shows that middle-age people exercising at least twice a week can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent.

Management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and overweight, may help avoid or delay cognitive decline.

A study published in the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation concludes that people with higher levels of physical fitness have larger brains. Larger brains in Alzheimer’s patients are associated with better memory.

Nintendo Wii is becoming increasingly popular among patients and caregivers:

  • Studies suggest the typical person in a care home suffering with dementia could spend as little as two minutes a day interacting with other residents.
  • Nintendo Wii games allow patients to participate in mental and physical exercise while interacting with others.
  • Christina Gammon, a web designer and Alzheimer’s caregiver, has experienced the Wii first hand and writes about it on her blog. She strongly recommends the Wii for anyone who caring for a patient or loved with Alzheimer’s. Visit http://alzheimershelpfromhere2help.blogspot.com to read about Christina’s experiences.

"An active lifestyle, both physical, mental and social, is preventive. It's never too early to start to prevent Alzheimer's disease."  -- Dr. Miia Kivipelto, neurologist and Alzheimer's disease specialist at Stockholm's Gerontology Research Center

“Use it or lose it”—Mental Exercise:

  • A study at James Madison University concluded that adults with hobbies that exercise their brains—such as reading, jigsaw puzzles or chess are 2.5 times less likely to have Alzheimer’s disease.

 

For more information and to learn how you can help change the way we care for patients with this disease, please CONTACT US and sign up to receive notifications of upcoming events and updates on our progress. We are always looking for volunteers to help us reach our goals and succeed in our mission. Please join us in our journey!

 

Sources:
Alzheimer’s Weekly
The American Journal of Medicine
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation (ARPF)
Alzheimer Association: 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
U.K. Alzheimer’s Society
www.wsj.com (Wall Street Journal)
www.here2helpservices.com
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
University of Maryland Medical Center
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease