What Causes Alzheimer’s? The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet fully understood, but probably include a combination of: Age-related changes in the brain, like shrinking, inflammation, blood vessel damage, and breakdown of energy within cells, which may harm neurons and affect other brain cells. Changes or differences in genes, which may be passed down…
Aging Life Care Professionals™ Help You Avoid the Pitfalls of Caregiving by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC — Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy Caregiving for an aging loved one can be both rewarding and challenging. Unpaid family members who provide substantial caregiving support by managing medical appointments, medications, and daily…
Does your aging parent need help? As an Aging Life Care™ advisor, I know how fiercely older adults want to maintain their independence. Many feel that their adult children don’t understand them or are making something out of nothing — a fall, a burnt pot, a call from the police station. They make promises to…
Turkey with a Side of Sibling Conflict November 18, 2024 Aging Parents, Debbie Feldman, Family Members, Guest Writer, Sibling Relationshipcaring for mom and dad, holidays, sibling conflict, Thanksgiving Laura Sanchez The fight over the last piece of pumpkin pie may not be the only struggle this Thanksgiving. As families gather around the table, many will have the difficult conversations of how to care for…
Many factors can influence healthy aging. While some of these factors, such as genetics, are not within our control, research shows there are steps you can take to help manage your health as you age. Even making small changes in your daily life can help you live longer and better.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Two critical pieces of legislation in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease were signed into law this week. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) cosponsored both pieces of legislation, the National Alzheimer’s Project (NAPA) Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act. These bills are meaningful advancements in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Accountability…
Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two distinct phases, based on new research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) using sophisticated brain mapping tools. According to researchers who discovered this new view, the first, early phase happens slowly and silently — before people experience memory problems — harming just a few vulnerable…
Each year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, which is often called the flu. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Flu is a mild illness for some people. But for others, including older adults and those with chronic (long-lasting) health conditions, the flu…
The likelihood of hospitalization for, treatment of, and death by heart attack is not the same for men and women in a large-scale study of six countries, including the United States. Men were more likely to be hospitalized with a heart attack, while hospitalized women were less likely to receive treatment and more likely to…
Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone including older adults. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity — working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat — each week. You don’t have to accomplish this all at once, rather, you can break up your activity over the…