The Link Between Cigarettes and Alzheimer’s

In case you missed it, the Wall Street Journal published a very intriguing study last week, which was also talked about at Elderly Care Services. Some seniors believe that they are “in the clear” as far as lifestyle decision are concerned. If they have been drinking for 40 years, if they have had poor eating habits, if they have smoked for decades, and made it to their senior years, they sometimes feel they have beat the odds and they are safe and sound.

However, this recent report suggests that people in their 50′s and 60′s who smoke more than 2 packs per day are drastically more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. How much more likely? 157% more likely for Alzheimer’s, and 172% for Dementia.

The study was done over a twenty year period, and the results may come as a surprise to many who have thought that smoking can cause problems in lungs but not many other places. The link here seems to be the vascular system. Alzheimer’s is very linked to the vascular system, and smoking can affect that as well.

The report also suggests there might be a link between smoking and Parkinson’s disease.

Whether or not this report proves to be accurate over the long haul is anyone’s guess. There has been such a massive backlash against smoking in recent years–including in the elderly care world– that it sometimes seems that scientists are stretching further than is reasonable to prove their point. But is it really worth it to take that type or risk? Alzheimer’s disease can be catastrophic to seniors and their families. Not only is it physically ruinous, but it can be emotionally devastating. For my part, I think we would all be wise to avoid smoking, especially if we are in our 50′s or 60′s. And if we care for elders in our life, we should encourage them against it as well.

Choosing a Nursing Home

Our friend just went throught the ordeal of moving her grandmother to a nursing home. Grandma’s Alzheimers was getting worse. Getting her to eat was a battle at every meal, medication time was a fight. She needed more care than they could give at home. After years of in home care, it was time to turn to a nursing home for help.

Placing Mom or Dad in a nursing home can be such an emotionally charged experience. But for many people who need more intensive medical care, making the move to a nursing home is absolutely necessary. The process of selecting which home will be best suited to your loved one, can be complicated and overwhelming. But this process can be simplified by some quick prioritizing and simple checklists before you begin your research. Consider what are the most important things to you when choosing where to place your loved one?

Location

Keeping Mom or Dad in close proximity to family and friends is perhaps the most important consideration since frequent visits with familiar faces often make the biggest impact on a resident’s quality of life and positive mental health. Keeping close ties with family is more important than the asthetics of the grounds and buildings.

Nursing Home Quality Assurance Report

That said, doing a little online research before heading out to personally check each site can save you a lot of leg work. Top priority here would be to check the safety and quality assurance reports of each nursing home you are considering. Many items on your checklist will be addressed in those reports.

Quality assurance reports are usually done by a neutral, third party company, and are random checks on everything from occurrence of bedsores and neglect to having adequate, qualified staff. These safety reports can be obtained directly from the nursing home or may be found here. These reports identify Oregon Nursing Homes which have safety violations. These reports may give you an idea of which nursing homes you need to avoid.

Cost of Nursing Care

No one wants finances to be a deciding factor, but because of the high cost of nursing home care, unfortunately costs must be taken into consideration. Some nursing homes will accept Medicare. For a list of Oregon Nursing Homes covered by Medicare, click here. Other nursing homes are willing to work out a payment plan or have some kind of financial assistance. Check with the individual homes for more information on this.

Finally, with checklist and questions in hand, visit each nursing home to get a first hand look. Is this a place going to work for Mom or Dad? Request an appointment to go over any questions you might have. Making repeated visits on different days and at different times is recommended to get a more complete picture of what the nursing home is really like.

While not a particularly enjoyable decision to make, choosing a nursing home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little preparation, you can make the decision with more confidence and find the place that suits you and your loved one the best.

Alzheimer’s Support Groups in Oregon

The demands of caregivers are well known, if not well appreciated. Giving elder care at home is physically unable to care for themselves is difficult enough, and introduces a host of stresses and complications that the average person never even thinks about. When you combine those problems with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, the issue becomes even more difficult.

For these dear caregivers, support groups can be priceless.

There are many people who balk at the idea of support groups because of what they see on television. They see superficial gatherings of people who smile alot and continually say things like, “we’re here for you.” These people are often battling serious addictions or emotional brokenness.

This is an incomplete picture. Support groups are, simply about supporting people in a difficult situation. If you are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s, you know that it isn’t easy, and only those in similar situations can really relate to the frustration, the sadness, and the burdens you carry. Many people don’t share those things wiht friends and family for fear of being judged. But this is not a great concern at a support group because you are dealing with total strangers who have gone through similar things. At these groups you can find resources, tips, advice, and answers. Best of all, you can forge new, lasting relationships with people who can continue to walk with you and your loved one during a difficult season where you need people more than anybody else.

To find Alzheimer’s support groups in the state of Oregon, click here.

If you are looking for memory care, you can find Alzheimer’s focused Assisted Living in Oregon, use the “Find Senior Housing” box at the top of the sidebar.