Study confirms program improves Alzheimer's symptoms
Calgary, Alberta - January 27, 2006
There is substantial research evidence supporting a connection leading to Alzheimer's disease and a number of "lifestyle factors" which increase the likelihood of eventually getting the disease. It is now known that Alzheimer's is not a part of normal aging, and is more common in people as they age. What you may not know is there is also solid scientific evidence which clearly shows that even after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's we can slow the progression of many symptoms of the disease effectively using something called "cognitive stimulation therapy". This type of therapy can be done in your own home, doesn't require medications or specialized equipment and is facilitated by a certified counselor. Perhaps the best part is that participants really enjoy it!
First, let's take a look at some risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Some are preventable (obesity), and some are not (age).
Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's.
• Age 65 to 70 your risk is 1.5%
• Age 70 to 74 your risk is 3.5%
• Age 75 to 79 your risk is 6.8%
Your risk of Alzheimer's disease almost doubles every 5 years after age 65. This suggests that by the age of 95 nearly one half of seniors will have Alzheimer's disease.
Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's disease, primarily because they live longer, the older we are the greater the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke increase your risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. This means that you can do something now to help prevent vascular problems such as giving up smoking, reducing your stress, lowering cholesterol, and exercising regularly.
A healthy, balanced diet is linked to a healthy heart and reduced vascular disease, which helps prevent Alzheimer's disease. However, there is no conclusive evidence that eating a healthy diet will prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Smoking is known to cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that are Alzheimer's risk factors. High alcohol intake increases your risk of dementia significantly.
A lower level of education or low level stimulation jobs, possibly leading to fewer connections within the brain, has also been suggested in causation of Alzheimer's disease.
Head trauma, as well as vascular damage from such diseases as stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic disease, has been found to have a positive link to the appearance of dementia later in life.
Apart from leading a healthier lifestyle, the single most significant way to maintain your cognitive functioning is to develop stronger "brain functioning". Whether you have a job that requires creative and analytical thought, or you do memory or puzzle games in your spare time - the motto "use it or lose it" was never more important than when it comes to your brain. Once someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease the challenge is to act quickly to get the greatest benefits of cognitive stimulation therapy.
Research has shown the earlier therapy starts the longer and better the person will likely do. John Ashby, CSA and the director of the Cognitive Retention Therapy Program in Calgary, Canada recommends "the sooner the better after diagnosis. By the time someone has seen their doctor and been diagnosed they are likely to have already had the disease for years - the same as we see in many other diseases, the earlier we can detect it the sooner we can start treatment". Therapy is usually twice a week and each session lasts about an hour. CRT can continue for as long as it helps. John Ashby comments "The research studies went for six months and we have clients who are continuing to do well after a year, it's very encouraging".
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Now offering the Cognitive Retention Therapy (CRT) Program™
Designed for persons experiencing the effects of:
• Age related memory challenges
• Early through mid stages Alzheimer’s disease
• Brain injury caused by trauma or stroke
When working with an experienced, trained CRT Counselor, the Cognitive Retention Therapy™ exercises help stimulate the brain contributing to an individual’s ability:
• To perform ADL’s (activities of daily living) more independently
• To remain connected and engaged for a longer period of time
• To refresh confidence and social skills
Similar to a physical fitness program, a regular regimen of short mental exercises is the foundation of Cognitive Retention Therapy™
By structuring activities designed to tap into memory of common subjects and events learned or experienced in a person’s past, we stimulate recall of events and information and in the process improve and maintain cognitive thinking ability.
Dementia Care
A Program for Seniors with Unique Needs.
CRT Counselors recognizes the special needs of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. We begin by first listening to and understanding the stories and details of each person’s life. Each person’s own life story - where they were born, where they grew up, who they are, all become part of the individual’s specific program. Mental exercises and physical activities are designed to appeal to each client’s most familiar personal interests and to reinforce past associations and memories.
The needs of people with Alzheimer disease are no different than those of others their age. What’s different is how those needs are met.
Program Content
Activity modules are made up of both general information and client specific questions which are designed to stimulate and reinforce neural pathways in the brain. Answers to questions are provided to the client in a variety of formats and at different levels of difficulty. The key is not in any specific answer but in always finding the answer. After reviewing a short paragraph which contains the answers to the questions to be asked, the client then works through the possible answer list to a positive conclusion. An example of this might be to ask – “In what city where you born?” Depending on the client’s level of cognitive impairment the answer could be found in - 1) a prepared list of five different possible cities in random order, or 2) a simple map of the area with several cities to choose from 3) a word find puzzle with the city name contained within the puzzle 4) a list of perhaps just three items which are not places at all except for the one which of course is the correct answer (the city where the client was born). The answer is always leads to a positive and enriching experience for the client!
It is in the process of searching for the correct answer, the process of reasoning that is stimulating to the human brain. It is common knowledge that working on simple jigsaw puzzles is a popular activity for those clients with memory and cognitive impairments. These activities are stimulating to the client because they require searching and reasoning to determine if each piece of the puzzle fits. Each and every time the client finds the correct answer (and they always will) there is a positive memory of that person’s life reinforced, perhaps re-establishing a pathway that was failing in the brain. We have known for years that not stimulating the brain results in the loss of cognitive abilities over time including diminished memory function, slowing of reasoning ability and some impairment of most aspects of cognition (including attention and orientation). Each module is designed to take about two hours to complete. Each session with the facilitator allows for sufficient time to work slowly and at an intensity that is comfortable for the client. As the program content is individualized it can continue for as long as the client wishes.
Access
While most clients may already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, program services are available whenever the need is identified and would be of benefit to the client or their family. Often other care needs are pre-existing and a clear diagnosis of dementia may not have been made, in these cases there is no reason to delay access to services. A preliminary assessment is required prior to service provision in order to individualize activities and to ensure that each person’s specific needs and interests are addressed. Assessment will involve if possible, the client, family members, and other persons involved in the client’s daily activities. Often family members will provide much of the client’s life story when the client cannot (due to impaired memory). Additional information including medical history, medications, and other care issues such as incontinence and mobility concerns is helpful.
Multiple Levels of Support
We offer a continuum of care which begins with your first contact with us and then continues as your needs change. Program activities are individualized, no matter where the person is in the progression of the disease we can provide as little or as much care and supports as needed. For some, that could mean companion visits to facilitate participation in specific community activities or regular participation in our structured cognitive retention program while for others it could be 24/7 physical care supports in the home. This continuum of care reduces the need to change residence to obtain different levels of care. Often people mistakenly believe that they need to move to nursing home care when they could have remained in their own home closer to their family, community and friends. Well managed care and supports can be a cost effective alternative to nursing home care and most importantly, allows the individual continued connection to the environment they have built for themselves, their home.
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Prime Time - 2005
Serious loss of mental capacity is a problem that especially afflicts older people and presents particular challenges for their caregivers.
"Dementia is an acquired problem with memory and some other aspects of thinking – for example, with talking or reasoning," says Dr. David Hogan, professor of medicine at the University of Calgary. To qualify as dementia, "these problems have to be severe enough to interfere with the person's ability to work or live independently." Alzheimer's disease is the best-known form of dementia. Among people 65 years of age and older about one in 12 will suffer from some form of dementia. Half to two-thirds of these sufferers will have Alzheimer's, Dr. Hogan says. "With Alzheimer's disease the problems start slowly and progress over time. How rapidly it advances varies from person to person. Memory problems tend to be the first difficulty noted and then the person develops problems with reasoning, communication, doing things for themselves like dressing, and recognizing familiar people, places and things," Dr. Hogan says. As time goes on the person becomes more dependent on help from others in performing daily activities like balancing their checkbook, looking after their medications, dressing and washing. Problems with mood and behavior can arise as well. Managing this condition is a complex task, Dr. Hogan says, and the requirements change as the condition progresses. "Early on it would be important to inform the person (except in rare circumstances) that they have a dementia so they can make plans for the future," including a will and a power of attorney. A physician should determine whether a care-giver is available, how much he or she can do to help, and how well he or she is coping with the strain. "I'd recommend referring the person with the dementia and their care-giver to the local Alzheimer Society for information and support," Dr. Hogan says.
The local branch of the Alzheimer Society is an important resource for family caregivers. It's a good source for accurate, practical information and counseling. Caregivers may experience signs of stress including denial, anger, withdrawing socially, anxiety, sleeplessness, emotional reactions, lack of concentration and health problems. The Alzheimer Society recognizes that caring for a dementia patient can be emotionally difficult. It provides support groups, advice on coping, and respite services such as adult day support programs.
Depending on the individual case, "In-home services like homemakers and personal care attendants might be required. Adult day support programs can be beneficial," Dr. Hogan says. However, a move into supportive housing is often required as the disease progresses. "There are a number of prescribed medications that can be used for conditions like Alzheimer's disease. These medications can be useful, leading to clear benefits in some people. It is important to note, though, that they typically have a modest impact and they don't cure the condition. While they can lead to important improvement in the person's symptoms, the underlying illness persists and over time will progress," Dr. Hogan says. Signature Care, a private home-care provider and leader in dementia care, offers a Cognitive Retention Therapy (CRT)™ program tailored to the client's needs and personal history. This series of memory and reasoning exercises is "basically a use it or lose it type of program, exercising the parts of the brain relatively unaffected by the Alzheimer's disease," says John Ashby, a Signature Care partner.
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