"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts," Thoreau.
Choosing isolation, as Thoreau is reported to have done, is different from the isolation that seems inherent with dementia. There is a collapsing inward that happens to the person with dementia; a narrowing of their interests, their awareness, that restricts everything down to their own needs, their own world. Then there is the isolation from the world. I have been surprised both by those people who make the effort to include and support us, and by those who don't. People one would think would be kind and supportive to either the care receiver or care giver aren't; and conversely there are those one might least expect to be kind and inclusive who are. One of those persons is someone in the extended family who is planning a hunting trip that not only includes Dwane but seems to be a gesture of helping Dwane complete his bucket list. How extraordinary! He is looking forward to it, and I get a few days reprieve. I am so grateful for the kindness of this person.
Aug 30, 2010
Aug 29, 2010
Apples? The new cure all?
"Apples, and especially apple juice, turn out to be brain food," Hara Estroff Marano.
In Psychology Today, June 2010, there is interesting information on research of the effectiveness of apples with dementia. According to the article in a study of people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease who consumed 8 ounces of apple juice a day, the behavioral and psychotic symptoms of the disease fell by 27%. That means less anxiety, agitation and delusional symptoms. Apples juice fed to mice also reduces generation of the neurotoxin betamyloid thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. It also increased levels of neurotransmitters which help movement, sensory perception and attention; decreased some negative components that can be activated during aging; and reduced free radicals of oxygen in the central nervous system.
It sounds worthwhile to add one to two cups of apple juice to our daily diet.
In Psychology Today, June 2010, there is interesting information on research of the effectiveness of apples with dementia. According to the article in a study of people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease who consumed 8 ounces of apple juice a day, the behavioral and psychotic symptoms of the disease fell by 27%. That means less anxiety, agitation and delusional symptoms. Apples juice fed to mice also reduces generation of the neurotoxin betamyloid thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. It also increased levels of neurotransmitters which help movement, sensory perception and attention; decreased some negative components that can be activated during aging; and reduced free radicals of oxygen in the central nervous system.
It sounds worthwhile to add one to two cups of apple juice to our daily diet.
Weight
"Yikes! Belly fat equals smaller brains, and a higher risk of Alzheimer's." Remedy magazine Fall 2010.
The quest for overall health, even in the face of a terminal illness, needs to include weight management, physical activity, good nutrition, and peace of mind. Because my mother exposed me to a good knowledge of nutrition, our weight is fine. Exercise is a dilemma. He cannot walk much because of pain in legs. Bike riding is iffy with balance issues, so perhaps we can join a place with a pool for him to swim. There is significant research stating the benefits of exercise to one's physical, mental and cognitive states. In fact, research for some time has stated that to stay at the weight we are we need at least 30 minutes of exercise. To lose weight we need 60-90 minutes. So, what can we implement today to support exercise, weight and well being?
The quest for overall health, even in the face of a terminal illness, needs to include weight management, physical activity, good nutrition, and peace of mind. Because my mother exposed me to a good knowledge of nutrition, our weight is fine. Exercise is a dilemma. He cannot walk much because of pain in legs. Bike riding is iffy with balance issues, so perhaps we can join a place with a pool for him to swim. There is significant research stating the benefits of exercise to one's physical, mental and cognitive states. In fact, research for some time has stated that to stay at the weight we are we need at least 30 minutes of exercise. To lose weight we need 60-90 minutes. So, what can we implement today to support exercise, weight and well being?
Aug 27, 2010
Awake
"Only that day dawns to which we are awake," Henry David Thoreau.
I am re-reading a book a friend gave me in 1995, Wherever you Go There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It concerns daily mindfulness, and the author contends (and I have observed) that many people spend their entire lives in a dream-like state. Mindfulness is something we can practice as we provide care for our loved one with a terminal illness.
"Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally," Jon Kabat-Zinn. What a good intention for us and for those around us.
I am re-reading a book a friend gave me in 1995, Wherever you Go There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It concerns daily mindfulness, and the author contends (and I have observed) that many people spend their entire lives in a dream-like state. Mindfulness is something we can practice as we provide care for our loved one with a terminal illness.
"Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally," Jon Kabat-Zinn. What a good intention for us and for those around us.
Aug 26, 2010
Creativity and dementia
"Even though our brains age, it doesn't diminish our ability to create," Dr. Bruce Miller.
The following is copied from The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Newsletter: "Dr. Bruce Miller of the University of California at San Francisco has been a key person in drawing attention to the creative abilities in some individuals with frontotemporal dementia. He has pioneered research recognizing that degeneration in the left side of the brain may limit language but may actually enhance and release musical or artistic abilities. His work moved him to realize just how much creativity exists in dementia patients.
Over the past decade, more and more research has demonstrated the benefits of the arts for older persons especially those with cognitive decline such as memory loss due to Alzheimer's, as well as other causes of dementia. At a forum held at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in November 2006, leading researchers acknowledged that although more research was needed in the area of creativity, the benefits of creativity for those impacted by dementia were undeniable."
Suggestions for creativity in the article include yoga and doing art forms such as painting, drawing, dancing. The benefits can be significant.
The following is copied from The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Newsletter: "Dr. Bruce Miller of the University of California at San Francisco has been a key person in drawing attention to the creative abilities in some individuals with frontotemporal dementia. He has pioneered research recognizing that degeneration in the left side of the brain may limit language but may actually enhance and release musical or artistic abilities. His work moved him to realize just how much creativity exists in dementia patients.
Over the past decade, more and more research has demonstrated the benefits of the arts for older persons especially those with cognitive decline such as memory loss due to Alzheimer's, as well as other causes of dementia. At a forum held at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in November 2006, leading researchers acknowledged that although more research was needed in the area of creativity, the benefits of creativity for those impacted by dementia were undeniable."
Suggestions for creativity in the article include yoga and doing art forms such as painting, drawing, dancing. The benefits can be significant.
Living out of gratitude
"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving," Kahlil Gibran.
What great advice. There is considerable evidence that our lives are better when we have an attitude of gratitude. That expression is one the Twelve Step Programs use to achieve serenity - "have an attitude of gratitude". It is a good practice for us who are providing care. Some days we may have to look carefully to find things about which to be grateful, but they are there. Today I am grateful for the cool morning, the more spacious (less committed) day I have before me. An opportunity to fertilize my garden and do a longer run than usual. Perhaps a Netflix movie tonight after a great meal. Perhaps start a new oil painting. Many, many reasons for thankfulness.
What great advice. There is considerable evidence that our lives are better when we have an attitude of gratitude. That expression is one the Twelve Step Programs use to achieve serenity - "have an attitude of gratitude". It is a good practice for us who are providing care. Some days we may have to look carefully to find things about which to be grateful, but they are there. Today I am grateful for the cool morning, the more spacious (less committed) day I have before me. An opportunity to fertilize my garden and do a longer run than usual. Perhaps a Netflix movie tonight after a great meal. Perhaps start a new oil painting. Many, many reasons for thankfulness.
Aug 25, 2010
Governing one's surroundings
"You govern your surroundings by the nature of what is taking place in your consciousness," Joel S. Goldsmith.
Very true. I learned this in my first few weeks of teaching many years ago. A large part of the atmosphere in a classroom is created by the conscious intention of the instructor. Order, respectful interactions all occur based upon the conscious intention of the instructor. Conversely, so do disorder, ridicule occur because nothing better was intended.
That is also true in the home and/or in relationships. It is important to be conscious of what we are thinking, intending, feeling - because that is what sets the tone of the area. That is why I consciously choose to think, feel and intend the best for all. It makes a difference. And it is easy to know what we are thinking and intending by catching ourselves off and on during the day. Check in with what we are thinking and feeling: that is our intention. It may not be what you thought it was. And that is one way to develop self honesty. Am I showing up as I intend to show up? My thoughts and feelings reveal the trueness of this for me. Let's be conscious of what environment we want to create in our surroundings while we are providing care.
Very true. I learned this in my first few weeks of teaching many years ago. A large part of the atmosphere in a classroom is created by the conscious intention of the instructor. Order, respectful interactions all occur based upon the conscious intention of the instructor. Conversely, so do disorder, ridicule occur because nothing better was intended.
That is also true in the home and/or in relationships. It is important to be conscious of what we are thinking, intending, feeling - because that is what sets the tone of the area. That is why I consciously choose to think, feel and intend the best for all. It makes a difference. And it is easy to know what we are thinking and intending by catching ourselves off and on during the day. Check in with what we are thinking and feeling: that is our intention. It may not be what you thought it was. And that is one way to develop self honesty. Am I showing up as I intend to show up? My thoughts and feelings reveal the trueness of this for me. Let's be conscious of what environment we want to create in our surroundings while we are providing care.
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