SIGNS THAT YOUR LOVE ONE MAY NEED A CAREGIVER

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/warning-signs-that-elderly-parent-needs-help-138989.htm

Live in or Stay in Care Service in Malaysia

LIVE-IN SERVICE  :  means the nurse or caregiver will live or stay with the patient in the comfort of the patients’ own home to provide the necessary health services needed by the patient.

PDN Care Malaysia

☎ 016-619-6304 
www.pdncare.com

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Private Duty Nursing Care by Filipino Nurses and Caregivers is proud to introduce to you our group of Registered Nurses and Certified Caregivers from the Philippines working in Malaysia for years. We work with clients based on integrity, reliability, trust and performance.We are committed to deliver a high quality of service to promote wellness and achieve optimum level of health. We maintain our values and principles to strive for Excellence.

PDN Care caters to all individual who needs  private nursing and caregiving assistance for everyday living.  It offers an individualized care to maintain wellness and achieved quality of life.

 Available Direct Private Caregiver Nurse Malaysia , Private Elderly Care , In-home care Services , Live in and Live out Care, Companionship, Post Hospitalization and Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, Short Term or Respite Care, Palliative Care, Disability bedridden stroke, Basic and Skilled Nursing Care

EAT WELL, AGE WELL

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/mobileart.asp?articlekey=208094

Patient A: " Independent but needs companion"

PATIENT A

Patient A is a 72 years old lady. She is single .. not married living with her maid. She got a niece who has a family on her own and lives not so near her area however they come and visit her whenever there is available time..

    Patient A is tall and skinny.. She is osteoporotic but she takes her Calcium and other supplemental vitamins..She is independent, she run her own errands and do some other chores. She also hangs out with her friends..Patient A loves orchids so she do gardening ..

     One day her maid asked to go back for a holiday for atleast a month .. Patient A agreed so the maid go back to spend her holiday with her family back home.. Patient A , since she is independent then continue on her own while the maid is away ..

    One day, not long enough after the maid is gone.. She confidently go outside and do some gardening.. then water the plants. While watering her plants, she stripped her one leg and fall on the drainage . She called for help and fortunately, the other maid from the neighbor heard her calling . The maid from the other house then hurriedly come and patient A asked her to call her niece. The neighbors maid then call her niece... Ambulance came and they intervene.. send her to the Hospital..
      Patient A , sustained fractures from one side of her body. She sustained fracture  of her shoulder, wrist and some dislocation of her pelvis. She stayed in hospital and was discharged for recovery at home since the doctor told her that bones needs time to heal..
      Due to the injuries and pain from the fracture, Patient A  can't stand and sit . At home she was on a complete bed rest ..but due to prolonged lying she developed orthostatic Hypotension
      She has her physiotherapist come thrice a week and they arranged a private nurse for her until she recovered . 

CASE : patient A needs companion ... although she is independent she must have somebody to be with her to prevent accidents and injuries in the future...
      

      
       
     

    

    

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

Private Health Care at  the Comfort of your own home ... Providing Private Nursing Care and Caregiving Service .. Available Filipino Private Nurses and Caregivers working in Malaysia for years..

Private Elderly Companionship Care, In-home care Services , Live in and Live out Care, Companionship, Post Hospitalization and Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, Short Term or Respite Care, Palliative Care, Disability bedridden stroke, Basic and Skilled Nursing Care

☎0166196304  
Dianne, Group Leader
Phil. Registered Nurse
www.filipinopdncare.wordpress.com

 
HEALTH TOPIC
COMMON DISEASES OF ELDERLY
2. ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA BASICS

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.

Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.

SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER'S

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information.

Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age . Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing.

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information because Alzheimer's changes typically begin in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer's advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss and behavior changes; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

People with memory loss or other possible signs of Alzheimer's may find it hard to recognize they have a problem. Signs of dementia may be more obvious to family members or friends. Anyone experiencing dementia-like symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you need assistance finding a doctor with experience evaluating memory problems, your local Alzheimer's Association chapter can help. Early diagnosis and intervention methods are improving dramatically, and treatment options and sources of support can improve quality of life.

ALZHEIMER'S AND THE BRAIN

Microscopic changes in the brain begin long before the first signs of memory loss.

The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell connects with many others to form communication networks. Groups of nerve cells have special jobs. Some are involved in thinking, learning and remembering. Others help us see, hear and smell.

To do their work, brain cells operate like tiny factories. They receive supplies, generate energy, construct equipment and get rid of waste. Cells also process and store information and communicate with other cells. Keeping everything running requires coordination as well as large amounts of fuel and oxygen.

Scientists believe Alzheimer's disease prevents parts of a cell's factory from running well. They are not sure where the trouble starts. But just like a real factory, backups and breakdowns in one system cause problems in other areas. As damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes in the brain.

THE ROLE OF PLAQUES AND TANGLES

Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells.

Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd) that build up in the spaces between nerve cells.

Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau (rhymes with "wow"�) that build up inside cells.

Though most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer's tend to develop far more. They also tend to develop them in a predictable pattern, beginning in areas important for memory before spreading to other regions.

Scientists do not know exactly what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer's disease. Most experts believe they somehow play a critical role in blocking communication among nerve cells and disrupting processes that cells need to survive.

It's the destruction and death of nerve cells that causes memory failure, personality changes, problems carrying out daily activities and other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

RESEARCH AND PROGRESS

Today, Alzheimer's is at the forefront of biomedical research.

Researchers are working to uncover as many aspects of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias as possible. Ninety percent of what we know about Alzheimer's has been discovered in the last 15 years. Some of the most remarkable progress has shed light on how Alzheimer's affects the brain. The hope is this better understanding will lead to new treatments. Many potential approaches are currently under investigation worldwide.

     

DEMENTIA

AVAILABLE NURSES AND CAREGIVERS TO CARE FOR YOUR ELDERLY WITH DEMENTIA... CONNECT WITH US NOW AT 0166196304 visit our page at www.filipinopdncare.wordpress.com

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia.

ABOUT DEMENTIA

Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging.

MEMORY LOSS AND OTHER SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA

While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:

MemoryCommunication and languageAbility to focus and pay attentionReasoning and judgmentVisual perception

People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood.

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.

CAUSES

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells.This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected.

The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment and movement). When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally.

Different types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell damage in particular regions of the brain. For example, in Alzheimer's disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for brain cells to stay healthy and to communicate with each other. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. That's why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's.

While most changes in the brain that cause dementia are permanent and worsen over time, thinking and memory problems caused by the following conditions may improve when the condition is treated or addressed:

DepressionMedication side effectsExcess use of alcoholThyroid problemsVitamin deficiencies

DIAGNOSIS OF DEMENTIA

There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. If this occurs it may be necessary to see a specialist such as a neurologist or gero-psychologist.

DEMENTIA TREATMENT AND CARE

Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In the case of most progressive dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, there is no cure and no treatment that slows or stops its progression. But there are drug treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. The same medications used to treat Alzheimer's are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms of other types of dementias.Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some symptoms of dementia.

Ultimately, the path to effective new treatments for dementia is through increased research funding and increased participation in clinical studies. Right now, at least 50,000 volunteers are urgently needed to participate in more than 100 actively enrolling clinical studies and trialsabout Alzheimer's and related dementias.

DEMENTIA RISK AND PREVENTION

Some risk factors for dementia, such as age and genetics, cannot be changed. But researchers continue to explore the impact of other risk factors on brain health and prevention of dementia. Some of the most active areas of research in risk reduction and prevention include cardiovascular factors, physical fitness, and diet.

Cardiovascular risk factors: Your brain is nourished by one of your body's richest networks of blood vessels. Anything that damages blood vessels anywhere in your body can damage blood vessels in your brain, depriving brain cells of vital food and oxygen. Blood vessel changes in the brain are linked to vascular dementia. They often are present along with changes caused by other types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. These changes may interact to cause faster decline or make impairments more severe. You can help protect your brain with some of the same strategies that protect your heart – don't smoke; take steps to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar within recommended limits; and maintain a healthy weight.

Physical exercise: Regular physical exercise may help lower the risk of some types of dementia. Evidence suggests exercise may directly benefit brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Diet: What you eat may have its greatest impact on brain health through its effect on heart health. The best current evidence suggests that heart-healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, also may help protect the brain. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats.

SOURCE http://m.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp