Scientific Advances to Improve Memory
For the first time ever, scientists have been able to improve memory, through electrical stimulation of the brain. This research is a long way from having practical implications, but it was still a major milestone in brain research.
Researchers found that delivering electrical stimulation through electrodes implanted in epilepsy patient brains resulted in improved results in cognitive tests. But they also point out that the study size was only six patients, and the possible side effects of the treatment are still unstudied. This news coincided with the first reports that Alzheimer's brain damage spreads through the brain, starting in the area the epilepsy study stimulated. Scientists are just beginning to speculate about possible links - could Alzheimer's decline be slowed or even reversed? The research focused on an area of the brain called the entorhinal cortex, which is where the first signs of Alzheimer's disease normally appear. Thousands of people with Parkinson's and other disorders already benefit from implants that stimulate the brain, so electrical stimulation is a proven treatment for some brain conditions. Scientists believe this could be a major breakthrough in Alzheimer's research. You can read more about this here. Meanwhile, for those who suffer from age-related memory decline or Alzheimer's disease, most home care agencies provide expert assistance to enable people to remain living at home, and to provide respite for family caregivers. |
Dear Katy |
| Dear Katy - Do agency caregivers report suspicious behavior by visitors to Mom and Dad's house? K.G., Hurricane, UT Dear K.G. - This is a great question to ask while you are researching agencies. Most agencies have some sort of policy about visitors to the client. For example, our agency requires that if any worker comes unannounced to the house, the caregiver should call the agency to verify this person should be allowed access prior to allowing them in the residence. If there are any other specific people that you don't want to come visit your parents, it is important that the agency is notified and I also recommend that you post it in a open area in the home. Dear Katy - Can we give gifts to the caregivers? K.B., Sebastopol, CA Dear K.B. - A simple thank you card is the best gift that you can give a caregiver. I always discourage families from giving any kind of gifts. My concern is that a client with cognitive difficulties gives a caregiver a gift of appreciation and then forgets that it was given to the caregiver. This can cause an awkward situation both for your mother and the caregiver. If you absolutely feel that you need to give the caregiver a gift, contact the agency to find out what their protocol with gifts is. (Submit your questions to kuriz@professionalhc.com. Follow her (@dearkaty) on twitter. |
10 Alzheimer's Early Warning Signs
|
Calendar of Events
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment