Main Line: 305-644-2100
Fax: 305-644-2910
Email: info@mdthomehealth.com

Studies

MDT Home Health Care Agency > Blog > Studies
Studies

Gadgets for Parkinson’s

0 Comments

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can make daily living challenging. PD symptoms such as shakiness, slow movements, and rigid muscles can affect daily life. As the disease progresses, it can turn ordinary tasks such as eating, dressing and writing into daunting chores. Gadgets – better known as assistive devices – can help make these tasks easier for daily living.

Assistive technology has come a long way over the past few years. Devices to assist with walking, getting dressed, and eating have been created to help balance problems experienced by those with the disease. Here are a few tools that may help make life a little less challenging.

Dressing aids such as button hooks, magnetic button covers, and zipper pulls can make getting ready in the morning easier for individuals who lack dexterity, have tremors, and difficulty with coordination and balance. Lightweight, supportive shoes with Velcro tabs are easier to slip on.

Bathroom aids such as a shower chair, grab bar, and a nonskid bath mat are essential to help make the room safer and more accessible. Electric toothbrush, electric razor, or hands-free hair dryer mounted on a vanity can help with personal grooming.

Eating tools such as weighted utensils, plate guards, rubber mats to prevent dishes from slipping, and cups with an attachable lid can provide a sense of independence. Also, using insulated bowls, mugs, and plates can help keep food warm during the meal.

Mobile phones offer a peace of mind in staying connected with family and friends. Voice activation is available on most smartphones and can help assist to make calls by just saying the name of the intended person, search the internet, and check emails. Smartphones offer many apps such as medication management and data gathering apps. These can be used to inform the person who adjusts medications or treatments of Parkinson’s.

While assistive technology or equipment does not cure or stop the tremors, it can improve independence in daily life.

Important Information, Studies

UTIs and Dementia in Seniors

0 Comments

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in seniors can become a complex issue. It is important for family caregivers to know the signs of UTI in the elderly. UTIs can cause serious side effects like delirium and possibly lead to kidney infections and sepsis.

The elderly experience different symptoms of UTI compared to middle aged adults or even younger people, and the symptoms can be much worse. Older adults, particularly those with dementia, may not realize they have an issue and often are unable to communicate their symptoms to their caregivers.

When seniors contract a UTI, they sometimes experience a sudden and unexplained change in behavior, such as confusion, agitation, or withdrawal.

Certain UTI symptoms are easier to recognize in seniors than others. Following are a few indicators that can accompany UTI in the elderly:
• Behavioral changes
• Confused or delirium-like state
• Falling
• Hallucinations

Some UTI symptoms may be present but are ignored by elderly individuals.
• Fever
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Pain with urination
• Strong-smelling urine

There are a few simple steps to help avoid contracting a UTI, such as drinking plenty of water, emptying the bladder frequently, and encouraging urinary hygiene. 

Studies

Sleeping Well May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

0 Comments

Getting a good night’s sleep can be rejuvenating. Sound slumber may boost the brain by protecting you against Alzheimer’s disease. A new study released by psychologists at the University of California, Berkeley, reports people with declining quality of sleep from ages 50 to 60 have more protein tangles in their brain, putting them at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. 

Studies show while we sleep, the slow-wave activity of nerve cells appears to make room for cerebral spinal fluid to move in and out of the brain – a process believed to rinse out metabolic waste products. In other words, the brain has a system for taking out the garbage while you are in dreamland.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), new findings center on a protein called tau, which accumulates in abnormal tangles in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Lack of sleep or sleep deprivation upsets the balance allowing tau to be released and spread within the brain areas for memory. A reduction in slow-waves wash cycles would limit the brain’s ability to clear out the toxins associated with Alzheimer’s.

These new findings suggest that good sleep habits might play an important role in slowing and/or preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Sources:

University of California – Berkeley. “Disrupted sleep in one’s 50s, 60s raises risk of Alzheimer’s disease: Protein tangles in the aging brain throw sleep rhythms out of sync, likely leading to memory loss.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 June 2019. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190627114105.htm

Makin, Simon. Deep Sleep Gives Your Brain a Deep Clean. Scientific American. Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/deep-sleep-gives-your-brain-a-deep-clean1/

Winer JR, Mander BA. Waking Up to the Importance of Sleep in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer Disease. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(6):654–656. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.0005

Daily Health Tips, Studies

Benefits of Green Tea

0 Comments

There’s something comforting about enjoying a warm cup of tea. What’s even better is choosing green tea and reaping the health benefits that come with it. 

Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and is widely used for a beverage, which has a stimulant effect due to caffeine. Green tea is made from leaves steamed and dried, while black tea leaves are withered, rolled, fermented and dried. It is often combined with flavor additives such as jasmine flowers, orange peels and tropical fruits.

Green tea boasts of a variety of health benefits in addition to being a delicious and popular drink. Here are just a few of benefits from drinking green tea.

Heart Health – According to a study published in “Current Medicinal Chemistry”, Pon Velayutham and colleagues found flavonoids in green tea can help prevent oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce blood clotting as well as help lower blood pressure.

Weight Loss – Green tea is thought to aid weight loss by boosting the body’s metabolism to be more efficient. Regularly exercising and eating a healthy diet are highly effective weight loss strategies. Replacing sodas and sugary drinks with a cup of green tea may help increase positive results.

Blood Sugar – Keeping blood sugar at a reasonable level can be difficult. Green tea may help manage glycemic loads and manage blood sugar levels. In a study performed in Japan, people consumed six or more cups a day saw a stunning 33% percent risk reduction of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Pro Tip: Ideal temperature for steeping green tea is between 160-180 F. Boiling the water to hot can damage the tea leaves, causing it to taste bitter. 

Sources:

Duke, James A. “Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze” Handbook of Energy Crops, 1983, https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Camellia_sinensis.html

Pon Velayutham, Anandh Babu, and Dongmin Liu. “Green tea catechins and cardiovascular health: an update.” Current Medicinal Chemistry vol. 15,18 (2008): 1840-50. doi:10.2174/092986708785132979

Kim, Hyun Min, and Jaetaek Kim. “The effects of green tea on obesity and type 2 diabetes.” Diabetes & metabolism journal vol. 37,3 (2013): 173-5. doi:10.4093/dmj.2013.37.3.173 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689013/

Daily Health Tips, Studies

Seasonal Affective Disorder

0 Comments

Season Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that cycles with seasonal changes. For most people with this disorder, symptoms begin in late autumn or early winter and subside during the spring and summer.

Short dark days and cold temperatures can make anyone wish for warm sunny days, but seasonal affective disorder is more than just experiencing the winter blues. According to the Mayo Clinic, decline in the amount of daylight during fall and winter months is to blame for SAD.

Symptoms of SAD can include:
• Tiredness and loss of energy
• An increased need to sleep
• Cravings for carbohydrate
• Weight gain
• Social withdrawal
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movements

In addition to seeking help from a healthcare professional, there are a few lifestyle changes that can improve symptoms and lift your mood.
• Maximize exposure to daylight – make the home brighter, keep blinds and curtains open during the day.
• Engage in activities – spend time with friends and family, go to the mall and other activities you enjoy.
• Practice healthy habits – exercise, get enough sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, spend time outdoors if possible.
• Get plenty of sleep.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can make it hard to feel motivated, but there are plenty of steps to take to help yourself feel better. By adopting healthy habits and scheduling fun and relaxation into the day, you can help lift the SAD cloud for a sunnier day.

Studies

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

0 Comments

Age-Related changes in memory such as forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. But It can also be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms, and every individual may experience one or more of these signs in a different degree. Therefore if you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

Read more

Daily Health Tips, Studies

Help Your Senior Prepare For Winter

0 Comments

Winter is approaching and as the temperature drops, it’s important for older adults to prepare for the potential risks that cold weather can bring.

For the thousands of seniors living in the Northwest, winter may pose a number of risks. Reports have shown much higher incidences of injury and illness due to icy sidewalks, cold and dry air, flu viruses and in many cases, hypothermia.

According to the Healthy Aging Partnership, a coalition of more than 40 Puget Sound not-for-profit and public organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of older adults, older adults should keep these tips in mind to help ensure safety and optimum health this winter.

  • Older adults are more susceptible to hypothermia, which occurs when too much heat escapes from the body. It is important to dress warmly and keep dry, but equally important to remember good nutrition. Food provides the fuel we need to keep warm. Hot food and warm drinks are best to warm the body.
  • When going outdoors, remember to dress warmly. Wear layered, loose-fitting clothing and mittens. When possible, wear a hat to protect against heat loss since close to half of all body heat is lost through the head.
  • You can prevent many winter hazards simply by planning ahead. Before winter arrives, check all the windows and doors in your home for cracked or worn sealants. A new application of caulking may be needed; in a pinch, staple a sheet of plastic tarp over really old windows.
  • Talk to your electric or gas companies to see if you can be put on a level billing system that averages your energy payments equally over 12 months. This doesn’t save money, but it does help to budget during the heating season and prevent your heat from being shut off.
  • To avoid slips and falls, wear non-skid boots or other shoes with plenty of traction.
  • Cold weather can put extra strain on the heart. When doing winter chores such as shoveling snow, do some warm-up exercises first and take many breaks.
  • To conserve energy, heat only those rooms that you use. Close off the attic, garage, basement, spare bedrooms or storage areas. But don’t overdo your money-saving efforts: keep your thermostat set to at least 65 degrees to prevent hypothermia.
  • Shift energy use from peak to off-peak times. For example, do small things like running your dishwasher after 9 p.m.
  • When using a portable heater, plug the heater directly into an outlet, not to an extension cord. Make sure the outlet and wiring are in good condition. Keep the area around the heater clear of furniture, newspaper or other flammable materials and take special care to avoid tripping over cords.

Article from www.4elders.org