I’m 14 years old, have home schooling but i dont hardly ever do work, im a pretty bad hypochondriac and i feel like i forget alot of stuff, i don’t think theres and history of alzheimers on my dads side of the family, but i don’t know about my moms side.. Could i have alzheimers?

The field of Alzheimers Disease research is rapidly evolving. Dr. Charles decarli, Director of UC Davis Alzheimers Disease Center, provides an overview of recent scientific developments in Alzheimers Disease research and their relevance for clinicians. Topics covered include: the role of vascular disease in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers Disease, assessment and management of mild cognitive impairment, and use of cognitive enhancers in persons with Alzheimers Disease and related dementias. Series: UC Grand Rounds [2/2009] [Health and Medicine] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 15982]

I have a very dear male neighbor, age 80, who suffers from dementia. He lives with his wife. He got through the spring and summer fairly well as he kept busy outside doing such things as weeding, watering, washing the car, and so on, even though he repeated the same activities several times a day! I am very concerned how he will cope this winter. He can’t play games, do jigsaw puzzles, or even read. He is in excellent physical shape. Do you have any ideas or suggestions on activities he could do that would occupy his time? I would be interested in hearing from others about any personal experiences they have had with friends or family members suffereing from dementia. Such a cruel disease…

Memories in the Making for an art auction.

Older people sometimes develop dementia, a somewhat common condition that results in mental and emotional confusion. Some of these people, often those who are institutionalized, display anger outbursts due to relatively mild provocations, such as an unwanted meal item. At other times the anger is warranted, as when another resident initiates a conflict. For reasons like these and others, anger management therapy for dementia patients is becoming increasingly important.

Symptoms That May Warrant Anger Management Therapy

It may be difficult to determine at first who is eligible for anger management therapy. Residents with dementia who live at home or in nursing facilities often try to express themselves in non-traditional ways. While someone who wants their breakfast oatmeal served hotter can just say so, someone with dementia might be able to just make anxious sounds, pace, or even throw the oatmeal on the floor. If someone in your care exhibits dissatisfaction with some aspect of daily care, try to figure out what is bothering the person, and make any needed adjustments that you can.

Dementia patients may raise their voice, swing their arms, push, shove, or yank at things or people to convey their irritation. Caregivers must learn to decipher true anger from confusion or self-defense against other aggressive residents. Anger management therapy should be considered for those who express real anger inappropriately.

Some dementia residents may withdraw socially, stop talking to others, or gesticulate excitedly when they are upset. Sometimes these actions are in response to legitimate concerns, while at other times they may reflect unsuitable anger that needs to be redirected. If the person is able to understand and respond to caregivers in appropriate ways, he or she may be eligible for anger management therapy.

Anger Management Therapy for Dementia Patients

Any anger management therapy facilitator or coordinator who works with dementia residents will need to understand the way that those with dementia communicate, and the types of triggers that can draw their anger. This may require some training in long-term facility care, gerontology, and dementia behaviours. The therapist may attempt group or individual therapy, depending on the patient’s needs and abilities.

In anger management therapy, the coordinator may try to make the resident understand the consequences of anger outbursts, or attempt to teach the resident how to redirect anger in acceptable ways. At times, the therapist might want to work with the resident’s physician, social worker, and family to achieve the best results. This type of effort could take a long time and may be only partially successful; yet, any progress is undoubtedly helpful.

Family members and caregivers who want to know more can visit websites like anger-management-information.com for more complete information on how to address this key social and interpersonal behavior. They also can get in touch with the doctor, nursing staff, and social worker for help in assisting a dementia patient through anger management therapy that may lead to improved outcomes for the resident and those that provide his or her care and support.

By: Steve Hill

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JeCanGirl asked:

What are other types of dementia?

My father is suffers from dementia. Lately things are getting worse. My mother is dying of COPD and Bronchiectasis and this seems to have made things worse. He has begun imagining things that have not happened. It is really rough taking care of them and I could really use a group of people who I can talk to. Does anyone know of a blog site that I could be part of?

My mother is suffering from Dementia from last 4 yrs now.She is just 50 yr old.Can this dementia be cured by the ceregem massages or ny other alternate theraies?

This is a short video of my Mom who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimers, with my sisters pit mix Lido. I shot the video to show how animals can be such good therapy for people with any illness. This video was shot in Oct. 2006. I’m sad to announce that my Mother passed away on July 6, 2009. Thank you all for the kind comments, private messages, and support. I won’t forget you. Peace.

Alzheimers disease is difficult to diagnose. Still today, the only certain method of Alzheimers diagnosis is through brain biopsies made after the patient’s death. While this is a certain method, it is completely backward-looking, like an autopsy. What is needed are forward-looking tests and markers…

With living patients, the accepted working method for Alzheimers diagnosis by a process of elimination. They systematically test for and eliminate each of the many factors that could possibly be responsible for the visible, behavior-related symptoms. Once all of these possibilities are eliminated, then Alzheimers is the only remaining possibility, and a diagnosis can be made.

Researchers have been hard at work developing methods and markers for early and certain detection of the beginnings of the Alzheimers process of neurological degeneration. The goal was to find “markers”, be they biochemical, genetic or physical, with high correlation to the onset and progression of the disease.

The goal is to be able to “see it coming” and measure its progression, so that various new treatments can be started early. And so their effects on the disease in the patient can be measured to test efficacy, to try different dosages and then measure the results.

There is important progress being made in the area of Alzheimers diagnosis. Genetic indicators have been found, biomarkers are being developed and brain scan technology is constantly improving.

Genetic. A team at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, has found a gene called GAB2. If you have a damaged version of it you are at far higher risk of eventually developing Alzheimer’s. They are now working to develop a quick and simple test to detect the damaged gene.

Identification of the presence of the gene would identify people who are at risk for the disease later in their lives. It may eventually help us to diagnose Alzheimers disease even before it starts.

Biomarkers. Nanogen, Inc., a San Diego, CA-based advanced technology company, works to provide researchers, clinicians and physicians with improved methods and tools to predict, diagnose, and ultimately help treat disease.

In early 2007 they announced having received two patents that relate to the identification of protein biomarkers for Alzheimers disease. To get a patent they would have had to demonstrate something that is new, unique and that works!

Brain scan tests, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan, (the most widely used), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET), along with Single Photon Emission CT (SPECT) are now being used. These non-intrusive methods let physicians have a picture of the living brain itself.

These scanning technologies enable health care professionals to see abnormalities within the brain. While they are of great help in Alzheimers diagnosis, they still struggle to get and present good, clear pictures and information. However these are constantly being improved.

Still, the current level and intensity of the search, and the visible progress that is being made, are encouraging signs. Hopefully we will soon have much better methods for early Alzheimers diagnosis and treatment.

For more details about Alzheimers diagnosis, prevention and treatment, follow the links below…

By: Jorge G. Chavez

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