Memory and Alzheimer's- Course Concepts

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

In today’s society a common disease that is talked about with older adults aging is Alzheimer’s disease. We have all heard the commercials on television and the new research on the news. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia, which is a term for memory loss that causes problems with thinking and behavior (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011). It is actually not an age related disease that most people think it is. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that the symptoms worsen over time. There are two stages of Alzheimer’s which are early onset and late onset. It all depends on how old someone is. If they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and are younger than 65 than that would be considered early onset, and anything 65 and older is late onset (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). Alzheimer’s disease can even lead to death as it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Alzheimer’s effects memory by how the brain is set up. The brain is set up as a communication network. Brain cells operate like tiny factories. They gather supplies, create energy, construct equipment and get rid of waste. From doing research, scientists are not sure where the trouble starts in the brain with a person who has Alzheimer’s and it prevents the factories in our brains from running well (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). Just like in any factory if one thing breaks down or does not run well can cause problems in other areas too.

Living with Alzheimer’s

            Finding out that you have Alzheimer’s could set off emotions including anger, denial, resentment, fear, isolation, and possibly depression. It is common, but they can be treated. Everybody deals with diagnosis differently. Some may find writing in a journal helpful, while others may find seeking out help from family, friends, doctor, or a counselor. Know that you or a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is not alone. A helpful way to deal with this is to have a good support system and to not wait for help to find you, but for you to go out and seek the help (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014).

Safety Concerns

Having Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can be difficult to live with since it does impair the person’s memory. The older adult may not remember family members’ names which can be frustrating if the family member gets upset at them for not knowing their name (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). A safety concern while living alone with Alzheimer’s could be remembering how to cook which is very important to the family member’s safety. A fire could start very quickly and with memory loss they could forget how to dial 9-1-1 or get out of the house. Another common safety concern with people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is the risk of wandering. Getting confused and agitation can make people with the disease become lost (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). It is very dangerous especially when living alone as there is nobody watching for changes that may increase the risk of wandering. Something helpful could be a MedicAlert jewelry as when they get lost and a citizens find them, they can call the toll free number on the bracelet to get them home safely (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). Balance can also become impaired so a person could fall a lot and then not remember what happened when going to see the doctor when they get it checked out.

References

Alzheimer's Association. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_1973.asp.

Cavanaugh, J. C. & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2010). Adult development and aging. Belmont, CA:Wadsworth.

Attention and Memory at Maple Crest

Maple Crest Manor and Assisted Living is a long term care facility in Fayette, IA, that cares for many different types of people with many different needs. Maple Crest not only offers support and care for its residents, but it also offers support and assistance for the families of the residents. Maple Crest provides care for many types of residents, including those that suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

 Dementia is a term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other skills involving thinking that are severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities (Alzheimer's Association, 2014). These activities can involve paying bills, taking medication, and eating meals. There can be many forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s affects many people ages 65 and up, and it continues to get worse over time. In beginning and mild cases, one may have slight memory loss that causes them to have difficulty remembering newly learned information, and as it advances symptoms become severe including disorientation, mood and behavior changes, and the inability to carry on conversations or respond to their environment (Alzheimer's Association, 2014).

Dementia and Alzheimer’s not only affects the one being diagnosed, but the ones close to that person as well. Many seek out the support of others who understand what they are going through, and through support groups, can learn strategies on coping and even learn possible solutions to help their loved ones (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). One of the support groups that Maple Crest offers is “Pearls of Hope.” “Pearls of Hope” is an Alzheimer's and dementia support group for anyone with loved ones who are suffering from these diseases. This group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Maple Crest. This support group covers many topics related to dementia and Alzheimer’s, and has a guest speaker on each topic each month.

Another program Maple Crest is involved with is Christmas Stories. This is a program that is in collaboration with Upper Iowa University. Upper Iowa students came and interviewed many of the residents at Maple Crest about their most memorable Christmas Stories. This program is a chance to promote memory activities to keep residents healthy.

This program specifically triggers their autobiographical memory, which is a form of long term memory. Autobiographical memory is when one remembers information and events from our lives (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010).  These memories give a person identity and provide personal history. Autobiographical memory involves episodic and semantic memory. Episodic memory is the recollection of information from a specific event or point in time, and semantic memory is knowledge and facts of one’s past (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010). 

Examples of many of the residents’ stories can be found below. Notice how the stories involve many parts of the autobiographical memory.

 

Mildred’s Most Memorable Christmas

Mildred remembers a Christmas in the 1920’s, when she wanted a sled. Her uncle lived with her family at the time and was helping with the farm. Her uncle told her if she wanted a sled she would have to write a letter to Santa. Mildred was at the age she wasn’t sure if there was a Santa, but decided it was worth a try to write a letter. On Christmas Eve, she checked under the tree on her way to church and there wasn’t any sign of a sled. Then, the next morning on Christmas there it was! A Flexible Flyer! A few years later she learned it was her uncle who has purchased the sled. He paid $6.25 for it.

 

Helen’s Most Memorable Christmas

   When asked to tell us her favorite Christmas memories, Helen smiled and sat back to reminisce. One of her fondest memories is from when she was eight years old. She moved to a ranch during her second semester of school to live with her grandparents. She remembers Christmas morning when she tried to wake up the entire family. Once she got everyone roused from their beds, she convinced them it was time to open presents. She received a wrist watch and a doll that year. She loved the gift and knew that having a wrist watch in the third grade was a big accomplishment; it even had a leather strap. This was during the great depression so even the smallest gifts were treasured, and you took great pride in the things you owned.

 

Onalee’s Most Memorable Christmas

At the age of three, Onalee wanted a pony more than anything. Little did she know that she was about to get what she wished for. It was the Christmas before she would turn four in January. On Christmas Day, her father carried in a little Shetland pony and put him under the tree. It didn’t take long for Onalee to fall in love and name the pony Buster. She remembers her friend Jean coming over and wanting to ride Buster. When Onalee said yes, Jean jumped on and Buster took off toward the shed where the kept him, not listening to anyone’s commands. Onalee’s three brothers always had a good laugh because Onalee and Buster were two of a kind; ornery as heck and didn’t listen to anybody.

 

B.J. & Louie’s Most Memorable Christmas

B.J. and Louie’s favorite Christmas memories are of when they lived in Scottsdale, Arizona with their daughter, Melle. They would have a small Christmas with the family. Their most memorable Christmas involved going to yard sales and buying up goodies for little Mexican girls. They would load it up in the van and drive down to Mexico. Once they were there, Louie would dress up as Santa Clause and give each girl a present. The girls loved seeing Louie and B.J., but B.J. and Louie loved seeing them light up just as much.

 

Bob’s Most Memorable Christmas

Bob’s favorite memory about Christmas is the year his dad got a second hand bike and fixed it up. He painted it, and it looked just like new. He had to share with four brothers, but man was it a great bike. They found out it didn’t have breaks, but his dad was able to fix that in a hurry. Bob also remembers the snowball fights with his brothers. It was all fun and games until someone got hurt, then it was dad’s turn to throw and he was a ball player, so look out!

Bob loves all the holidays during the season, everything from Halloween to New Year’s. He remembers going out to the timber on the farm and cutting down a scrappy looking cedar tree, but they worked just as well as evergreens. They never had much money, but they always managed to buy gifts for the kids.

 

Mardell’s Most Memorable Christmas

Mardell’s favorite Christmas memory is when her brothers played Santa. She had a big family and the boys would take turns. They would dress up and come walking from over the hill, towards the farm. She looked forward to seeing Santa each year. It wasn’t until she was older that she found out it was her brothers and not the real Santa.

 

Rhoda’s Most Memorable Christmas

Rhoda remembers always having lots of lovely Christmases! She loved decorating the house, and she always put up the tree. She remembers with all the kids that there were always lots and lots of new toys. She also remembers once the presents were opened the kids couldn’t wait to go outside and play in the snow.

 

Maple Crest Manor and Assisted Living is truly and positively promoting the health of their residents. These programs are only two of the many programs Maple Crest offers its residents, families, and communities. By offering these types of programs they are not only helping the residents by giving them the best possible care and helping them stay healthy, but they are also promoting family and community involvement and support.

 

 

References

Alzheimer's Association. (2014). Overview. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/

alzheimers_disease_1973.asp

Cavanaugh, J. C. & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2010). Adult development and aging. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Longevity, Health, and Functioning

How long will we live is a question in which many older adults face on a daily basis. Longevity helps with answering the questions in which come up along the way when dealing with the health and functioning of older adults. There are two types of longevity. They are average and maximum longevity. Average longevity is the average life expectancy. Maximum longevity is the oldest age to which an individual lives (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).

There are two factors influencing longevity, health, and functioning. The two factors are genetics and the environment. Genetic factors can determine whether an older adult will live along time. Studies show someone has the advantage of living a longer life if they have a family history of long-lived individuals (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).  Environmental factors can be diseases, lifestyles, social class, and environmental toxins. Environmental toxins can be classified as air and water pollution.

Gender differences can have an impact on longevity, health, and functioning. Studies show men live longer than women. Studies also show women have approximately a seven year advantage over men (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011). Some researchers state this is because women have a larger support network, yet others have stated, men are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and have greater stress amounts than women which may ultimately count for gender differences in longevity.

Health is defined as a state of mental, physical, and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease or impairment (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).  Illness can be defined as a physical or mental disease or impairment. Self-rated health can be a more accurate measure of health than other measures. Men usually tend to rate their health worse than women do (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011). In addition, previous research noted self-rated health is with a strong predictor of illness and mortality.

Quality of life is also an important aspect to consider when talking about health and varies between person to person. Some people find it challenging to rely on someone else to help them with their needs. Researchers look at two types of quality of life. They are health-related quality of life and non-health-related quality of life. Health related quality of life is how an individual’s life is impacted due to health. Non-health-related quality of life focuses on experiences, the environment, and activities which have an impact on the quality of life (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011).

 There are many factors which can help with answering the question of how long people will live. Longevity, health, and functioning can have many interrelated causes which may lead to further understanding of approximately how long an individual can live. Studies of genetic and environmental factors can help with answering the questions of longevity, health, and functioning.

 

References

Cavanaugh, J. C. & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2010). Adult development and aging. Belmont, CA:

            Wadsworth.

Rehabs and Therapies at Maple Crest

 

 

        At Maple Crest, there are different types of rehab exercises and therapies which are available for the residents at the facility. Rehab and therapy are a great tool which can help with the quality of life for an individual. Rehab and therapy can improve people’s functioning and well-being (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2011). With individuals being willing and taking the time to be a part of rehab and therapy they are improving their quality of life by becoming stronger and healthier, as well as improving their health, longevity, and overall functioning.

Some of the rehab exercises which are available at Maple Crest are restorative exercises, upper extremity exercises, lower extremity exercises, and restorative programs which can help with swallowing, speech therapy, and voice exercises. Restorative exercises are used to help with strengthening and flexibility of the residents through physical and occupational therapy. Upper extremity exercises include using therabands with different resistance strengths, pulleys, arm pedlars with weights, hand grippers, and playing catch with a ball. Lower extremity exercises include foot pedlars with ankle weights, seated and standing exercises, and ball squeezes.

Therapies that are available at Maple Crest are doll, horticulture, occupational, physical, speech therapies and more. Therapies can help with improving the quality of life for individuals by giving them a sense of accomplishment and increase their well-being. Some of the therapies which are available at Maple Crest help with giving the residents something to do within their day, and can be counted as activities to get them involved socially as well as cognitively. Some of the routines that are available for residents are physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Doll therapy is used mostly with residents who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Doll therapy has been observed to give a calming effect to patients, as well as let them nurture and care for the doll throughout the day (Doll Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease (Baby Doll Therapy), 2006). Horticulture therapy uses garden environments that residents can utilize within their environments. It is known for improving memory and cognition skills, as well as language skills and socialization. Horticulture therapy can also help with balance and coordination (Horticultural Therapy, 2014).

Physical therapy can restore and increase strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Physical therapy can reduce pain in which and individual feels as well (Physical Therapy for the Older Adult, 2014).  Occupational therapy can help with overcoming physical challenges as well as give them the opportunity to go back home. Occupational therapy can help someone who has fallen and broken a bone recover and learn the daily skills which are necessary to live out on their own again (Wilding, 2012). Speech therapy helps with giving older adults the opportunity to speak again after something such as a stroke. Speech therapy can help also help with giving older adults the opportunity of practicing their swallowing, as well as speech, which gives them the opportunity to refrain from restricted diets. Speech therapy allows for older adults to learn how to communicate their emotions (Judy, 2011).

Rehab and therapy programs are very important for older adults to take part in. These exercises can help older adults complete activities of daily living and increase independent living and self-reliance.
 

References

Cavanaugh, J. C. & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2010). Adult development and aging. Belmont, CA:

            Wadsworth.

 

Doll Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease (Baby Doll Therapy). (2006, April 25). Retrieved from Best Alzheimer's Products: http://www.best-alzheimers-products.com/doll-therapy-for-alzheimers-disease.html

Horticultural Therapy. (2014). Retrieved from American Horticulture Theapy Association: http://ahta.org/horticultural-therapy

Judy, D. (2011, April 19). Speech Therapists Can Help the Elderly. Retrieved from Tender Hearts Senior Care: http://tenderheartsseniorcare.com/senior-care/speech-therapists-can-help-the-elderly/

Physical Therapy for the Older Adult. (2014). Retrieved from Performace Physical Therapy: http://www.performanceptpc.com/olderAdult

Wilding, M. (2012, September 6). How Occupational Therapists Help Seniors Get Things Done. Retrieved from HealthWorks Collective: http://healthworkscollective.com/ecaring/48586/how-occupational-therapists-help-seniors-get-things-done

 

 

Adult Development and Aging 2 -- Maple Crest's Activities

Maple Crest Manor is a stylish, modern facility designed for those requiring extra care in their twilight years and beyond.  This facility has been providing exceptional care with a skilled nursing staff since 1976.  Maple Crest Manor provides quality physical care in the form of 24-hour nursing staff and visiting physicians.  This community also places a heavy focus on keeping the residents involved and actively engaged.  By providing a life enrichment program featuring dozens of activities and a wellness program that runs six days a week, residents are kept entertained and cognitively engaged through a variety of activities and events.  Maple Crest Manor's extensive calendar of activities greatly impacts the consumers that reside here.  Maple Crest also helps residents celebrate holidays such as Valentine's Day and Easter by providing unique activities such as Valentine's bingo and royalty and Easter egg coloring.

            While it is easily seen when the body begins to decline on the exterior, we do not always consider how the body is deteriorating on the inside.  It is equally important to train and maintain the mind as it is the body.  Maple Crest provides activities that aid in keeping the brain active.  While it can be difficult to cater activities to the different cognition levels of residents, the facility does an excellent job of providing events for everyone, no matter the level.  All individuals have the opportunity to go for walks, converse with staff and community members and attend sing-a-longs.  Residents can also choose to participate in Wii game shows, wheel of fortune, bingo, crosswords, spelling bees, Yahtze, and card games which all are meant to keep the mind active and entertain at the same time.  Many clients enjoy playing card games because it gives them a chance to interact with others as well as exercise their competitive side.  Bingo also is a popular activity for the same reasons.  On top of the activities on site, staff take residents out to eat and to other events such as Upper Iowa basketball games in order to get them out for awhile and involved with the community.

  The residents often get the chance to play with volunteers from the community including the 4-H council, the West Central 3rd graders, the Upper Iowa basketball and tennis teams, and the EYE sorority girls.  Besides the games, the facility also hosts several social hours, meditation, storytelling and prayer, and reminiscing sessions.  These allow the residents to keep their communication skills intact and exercise both their short and long term memory.

            Compared with other facilities of this nature in northeast Iowa, Maple Crest Manor offers several similar activities including trips to restaurants, space for aerobics, balloon volleyball and games, and a spa that offers nail and hair care to all residents.  Being such a small community, the whole area seems more close knit and residents benefit from students from the university and surrounding areas coming in to participate in activities with them.  Residents even have the opportunity to hand out candy to kids who come in costume during Halloween. 

  Adding to this, there are several guests and reverends that come in to interact with the clients multiple times per week  Maple Crest Manor also utilizes technology by playing games on the Wii, which is unique compared to many similar nursing homes and assisted living communities.  On top of staying cognitively active, residents have access to and the chance to experience this newer technology.

            Overall, Maple Crest Manor is a quality assisted living center and nursing home situated in a small, tight knit community that offers a wide range of activities and events to the clients.  By keeping residents engaged physically and cognitively as well as providing activities that stimulate conversation and exercise the long and short term memory, this facility keeps clients sufficiently entertained while keeping their minds and bodies engaged.

Adult Development and Aging 1 -- Course Concepts

This week in our Psychology of Aging class we have covered two different chapters. In the first chapter, we covered adult and development and aging. One concept that we went over was the four factors of the life span perspective. The first of these is multidirectionality (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010). This is the idea that people will grow and decline throughout development. People can gain in one area but then lose in another; it is not a one way street.  Maple Crest offers a variety of activities for older adults to partake in, giving them the chance to grow a new skill that they never knew and they may learn to enjoy. The second of these concepts is plasticity (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields). Plasticity refers to someone's capacity to learn. People can continue to improve skills and learn new ones throughout their whole life.  Learning and honing skills does not have to end in youth or middle adulthood.  Older adults are just as capable of learning new skills. The third of these is historical context, which is how each person develops in their own time in history and culture and varies by cohort (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields). For example, the majority of people at Maple Crest were born in the 20th century and more than likely have much different historical context than those of us in our 20’s or 30’s. The fourth and last of these is multiple causation, which says that our development is shaped by different factors in our lives: biological, psychological, sociocultural, and life cycle forces (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields).

            Another topic we covered in our class was demographics of the United States. Studies have shown that that the age of the population will consist of more older adults in the future, which will greatly change how our society operates, especially when it comes to economics.  This will increase the number of individuals Maple Crest and other facilities serve in order to cater to that population (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010).  This will affect the cost that families of the elderly have to pay to house aging relatives and may alter what types of activities are in the budget. With the added influx in the future, more activities may also have to be added to help meet the demands as our population as a whole ages. Included in this dynamic is the growth of different minority groups. One group in particular that is predicted to grow is Hispanic Americans, which is predicted to increase 800% by 2050 (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010).   Maple Crest could account for this potential increase in members of a different culture by possibly adding more culturally diverse activities and celebrating other holidays that are important with other cultures.

            The other chapter we have covered recently is neuroscience as a basis for adult development and aging. The main focus of this chapter is neuropsychology; this theory compares healthy brain functioning compared to those with mental illness or cognitive deterioration (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010). This could have implications within Maple Crest and the activities they offer. For example, someone who has Alzheimer's disease might have to partake in different activities than someone who is fully mentally capable. On the other hand, each activity could be altered to make accommodations for every kind of individual, no matter their level of cognitive functioning.  This would all depend on what sort of approach the facility wants to take. Volume shrinkage occurs in the brain as we age which also hinders cognitive functions. Both of these factors need to be taken into heavy consideration by both Maple Crest and other facilities like it.

             The activities offered by Maple Crest help keep the older adults cognitively sharp and help reduce the volume shrinkage that can occur with aging. Residents can partake in cards, bingo, crosswords, and most interestingly they make use of technology by incorporating the Wii game system, which appears to be rather unique to this facility compared to others in the area. Physical activities are also vital to keeping the mind and body fit. Maple Crest offers a variety of ways to stay physically fit, such as aerobics and balloon volleyball, which allows residents to add another way to stay cognitively fit by thinking about the movements they are making and what they must do next, as well as potentially having to cooperate with other residents for these activities Aerobic fitness has been related to improved brain health in older adults (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2010).   All of these physical and mental activities offered make Maple Crest an excellent place if potential clients want to remain physically and cognitively in shape as they age

 

Cavanaugh, J. C. & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2010). Adult development and aging. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.