According to a survey conducted by Harvard University School of Public Health and the Alzheimer Europe consortium, more than 45% of respondents believe there is an effective treatment or cure for Alzheimer's - when in reality, cold hard facts show that the opposite is true. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's. However, what researchers are finding is that the majority of Alzheimer's cases are linked to obesity. This leaves us with the choice to either protect against Alzheimer's and delay its arrival by being selective with what we put in our bodies, or to throw caution to the wind and dare Alzheimer's to knock on our door.

In a recent issue of Psychology Today, Gary Wenk (professor of psychology, neuroscience, molecular virology, immunology, and medical genetics at Ohio State University and author of Your Brain on Food) insists that preventing dementia starts with what we eat. Why? Because everything we consume is made up of chemicals that cause a reaction in our brain. In other words, being mindful of the food we eat can preserve our mind as we age.

Unfortunately, the vital molecule we need to survive is also the molecule that causes us to age: oxygen. By choosing foods abundant with antioxidants, we can protect ourselves from oxidative stress. The other unfortunate issue is our culture of eating three big simple carbohydrate-heavy meals a day; this pattern essentially destabilizes our insulin system over time. Wenk says we should focus on one big meal a day - breakfast - with smaller bits to follow throughout the day.

What Your Brain Wants...

Morning

The brain is low on glucose after hours of sleeping. Providing it with a breakfast full of nutrients, which will be digested slowly, will not only supply us with more energy - it will also offer less wear and tear on the body. A breakfast with a complex carbohydrate such as oatmeal, a whole grain bagel, grapefruit, or low-fat yogurt, a splash of antioxidants from orange juice, blueberries or strawberries, and protein in the form of eggs or turkey sausage is sure to do the trick.

With the neurotransmitter acetylcholine rendered nonfunctional by morning, our brain is craving caffeine to free up acetylcholine neurons - making us more functional and able to pay attention. Drinking some coffee or tea, while reaping the benefit of their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds called flavonoids, is a good thing in the morning. Try nibbling on fruit or nuts every hour or half-hour as needed; their fiber and fat content are metabolized slowly, meaning chemicals aren't running up to the brain too quickly.

Lunch

Focus on low-fat and colorful foods like chicken salad or fish with steamed veggies. The remainder of the afternoon should contain more nibbles on fruit or nuts.

Dinner

Think small. The only reason to eat dinner is to provide the brain with enough nutrients to get us through the night without waking up. Wenk suggests loading up on compounds not yet consumed; this can include foods high in omega-3 fats like salmon, walnuts, and kiwi, as these foods help neurons maintain their structural integrity.

According to Wenk, the earlier we start this brain-saving lifestyle, the better off we'll be at preserving a healthy mind.

Information taken from Psychology Today article "How to Save Your Brain"

Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education

Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior Living

Nearly 30 percent of Medicare funds are spent on a tiny fraction of the elderly in the last months of their lives - often only slowing the dying process, not preventing it. This effort to keep patients alive at all costs is resulting in exorbitant health care debt and is raising many questions regarding quality of life. In a recent article in The Sacramento Bee, Anita Creamer reports how, between Americans' fear of death and the hospitals' fear of accountability, many believe the line between life and death is being stretched too far.

It is difficult to make the decision between life and death for oneself - or worse - for a loved one. Because of these insecurities, a third of seniors are dying in intensive care, though the Office for National Statistics shows that nearly three-quarters of patients would prefer to die at home.  As a result of this data and other studies, many questions are being raised: Should we be giving more weight to the perspective of the suffering patient, or the grieving family? Does society mandate that we keep a person alive against all costs? What is the humane choice?

Doctor's Orders

In an article entitled " How Doctors Die," author Ken Murray, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Southern California, states that when doctor's have to make their own end of life wishes, the majority choose to go gently without any additional measures  - even though they have all the medical care in the world at their fingertips. Murray writes:

"Almost all medical professionals have seen what we call "futile care" being performed on people. That's when doctors bring the cutting edge of technology to bear on a grievously ill person near the end of life. The patient will get cut open, perforated with tubes, hooked up to machines, and assaulted with drugs. All of this occurs in the Intensive Care Unit at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars a day. I cannot count the number of times fellow physicians have told me, in words that vary only slightly, 'Promise me if you find me like this that you'll kill me.'"

Tools of the Trade

Many of the issues surrounding over-extended life support are due to patients not having a plan in place before crisis strikes. The law provides various tools to allow people to plan ahead for end-of-life decisions and take the burden of choice away from the family. Advanced directives such as living wills and powers of attorney for health care lay out a person's wishes in advance regarding organ donation, life support, and who should make medical decisions on their behalf when they are unable to. The popular "Five Wishes" document has taken the living will to the next level by allowing for specifications regarding religious preferences, unique end-of-life wishes (such as the type of music playing), and how the community/family around the person should respond when they become incapacitated. Documents like do not resuscitate orders let the hospital know not to revive the patient should they stop breathing.  The Journal of the American Medical Association provides a great outline of the various end-of-life tools to consider, including the ones listed above.

Despite all the paperwork, the key is to make sure that death is not a taboo topic in your home. As relatives, friends, health care professionals, and the like, we need to have an open and honest discussion about our end-of-life wishes to ensure that our choices are heard. An open discussion will put the family at ease knowing that this is YOUR choice.  Life doesn't always work out how we plan, and if there is no plan in place, everyone in the family can suffer.

Kate Konieczny
Peck Bloom, LLC

If you find yourself in the single category and love your independence too much to give it up, here are some tips to get you in shape for retirement:

Saving Tips for Singles

• Make sure you are living within your means and saving for your future. Minimize your debt as much as you possibly can, and maintain a low debt ratio. Most people save 10% of their income, but it is recommended to save 15% if you are single. This will provide a better nest egg and cushion if you need it later in life.

• Don't delay. The sooner you start saving, the more you can accumulate thanks to compound interest. Remember the rule of 72 to help you figure out how many years it will take to double your money at any given interest rate (interest rate/72 = # of years to double money). Talk to a financial advisor regarding the best savings options for you. Keeping all of your money in a low interest savings account won't do you much good.

• Opt for disability and long-term-care insurance coverage. The statistics show that unmarried adults are more likely to develop a major medical condition or become severely disabled as they approach retirement. A good insurance policy can help you hang on to your savings if something unexpected should happen.

• Focus on good benefits for more financial security. A job with a 401k match is similar to being handed free money. Use it to the fullest extent possible and resist the temptation to cash out.

Don't let these statistics or the stigma of being single get you down. Instead, use them as a wake-up call to secure your future. And just think - at least you don't have to argue with anyone about their bad investments or how much you should be saving.

Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education

Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior Living

According to the American Psychological Association, some people are angered more easily than others: some don't react dramatically but are continually grumpy, and others withdraw and sulk. There is evidence that some children are born irritable and have a low tolerance for frustration. These kids have a hard time rolling with the punches. Other sociocultural factors - such as families lacking emotional communication or chaotic familial backgrounds - can cause people to have a low tolerance for frustration.

Our instincts tell us to respond aggressively to protect ourselves, but letting our frustration run wild leads to more rage and aggression. It does not help resolve the situation. In reality, we can't physically lash out at everything that irritates us, but we can discover what triggers our anger and develop strategies to keep us from exploding. There are three common approaches to deal with anger: expressing, suppressing and calming.

Expressing

It is possible to express your feelings in an assertive but non-aggressive way. You don't have to be pushy or demanding; remember to be respectful and speak and treat others the way you would want to be treated. This is actually the healthiest way to express anger. It simply means articulating your needs and how they can be met without hurting others. Don't jump to conclusions and say the first thing that comes into your head; instead slow down and listen carefully to what others are saying - and think through your responses before answering. Maintaining your cool can keep a conversation from spinning out of control.

Suppressing

Suppressing anger? That doesn't sound like a good approach to dealing with anger.... Unexpressed anger can lead to hostile behavior where one is constantly putting others down, criticizing everything, and making cynical comments. Suppressing can also lead to passive-aggressive behavior where one avoids confronting someone head-on and instead chooses to 'get back' at them indirectly without telling them why.

So why is suppressing listed as a good approach for dealing with anger? If you hold anger in without ever converting it to something positive, it can be dangerous and lead to high blood pressure, depression and stress disorders. However, if you hold anger in and focus on something positive, then the anger can be converted to more constructive behavior. This requires changing the way you think. For example: instead of cursing and telling yourself how horrible the situation is, tell yourself it's frustrating and that it's okay to be upset, but that it's not the end of the world. Becoming angry will not fix the situation. Keep in mind that logic trumps anger every time because it provides you with a more balanced perspective.

According to the American Psychological Association, angry people tend to demand fairness or a willingness to do things their way. They feel they are morally right. When their demands aren't met or their plans are changed, they feel it is unjust and their disappointment becomes anger. By becoming aware of your demanding nature and converting your expectations into desires rather than demands, you'll experience the normal frustration and disappointment of not getting what you want, but without the anger. Humor can be a great tool for converting anger into a more constructive behavior - not by laughing off your problems or becoming sarcastic, but by finding humor in the situation or by visualizing a funny scene. Humor can provide the realization of how unreasonable you are being or how unimportant the things you are angry about really are.

Calming

Calming is a technique to control your external behavior and internal responses which involves taking steps to lower your heart rate and letting the fury subside. Examples of calming are deep breathing and visualizing a positive outcome or image. Calming can also mean going for a walk to remove yourself from the environment that is irritating or providing space and time to clear your mind and come back with a fresh perspective.

Obviously we can't rid our lives of the things that enrage us, but we can learn to control how we react. If we know what angers us, like traffic or a messy room, we can react by taking a less congested route or closing the door so we don't have to see it. If there's not a solution, we can focus less on how we are going to fix the problem and more on how we are going to face it and handle it. We can stop taking ourselves so seriously, and instead use humor, love, and compassion to diffuse the anger.

Information taken from http://www.apa.org/topics/anger/control.aspx#
Title Quote by Charles Swindoll

Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education

Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior Living

So how can you stay pain-free around the grandkids? Here are a few things to keep in mind next time the they come for a visit:

Exercise

We already know regular exercise is good for us, but now there's even more incentive. Staying active when the grandchildren aren't around will keep your joints lubricated and your muscles strong, making it easier to get on and off the floor and decreasing the soreness factor after the visit. Remember - you've got to use it or you'll lose it!

Take Breaks

When you're doing things you don't normally do - like playing catch or shooting hoops - you typically aren't thinking about how many times you've thrown the ball or the number of lay ups you've shot. The repetitive motion is what can cause torn rotator cuffs or Achilles tendinitis. It can be hard to say no when those puppy dog eyes beg to keep playing, but it's important to listen to your body and stop or take a break when you are tired.

Utilize Carriers

Whether it's lifting the grandchildren on and off the potty, or carrying their squirmy little bodies out of a store when they're in meltdown mode - lifting the extra weight in compromising positions can wreak havoc on the back. Make sure you get a full demo from your kids regarding the strollers and carriers so you know how to use them properly and then do just that - USE THEM instead of your back! Remember to employ good lifting techniques when you must lift or carry the grandchildren - feet shoulder width apart or more, bend at the knees (not waist) and keep the child close to your body so there is less strain on your back. Encourage them to be as independent as possible by having them walk on their own and utilize a step stool to get into the car seat or high chair.

For all of those moments in which your body is saying "enough!" - take a break by engaging in a creative activity that focuses on stimulating the mind. Here are a few interesting ideas to get you started:

Snow Flakes

Every snowflake is unique and you can prove it to your grandchildren by growing your own ice crystals together. You don't even need snow, just some Borax, scissors, string and a pencil. Click here for instructions.

Chocolate

Melting and cooling chocolate is not really an art form - it's actually science. Create treats for everyone as you uncover the science of the "tempering" process. Click here for instructions.

Batteries

Energy and how it's derived is a great conversation, but an even better conversation is the story of how you created your own battery power using a lemon, a dime and a penny. Click here for instructions.

Fog

Fog is always pretty mystifying even if it is just a cloud closer to the ground. Have fun generating your own fog with hot water, rubbing alcohol, an ice cube and a bottle. Click here for instructions.

Activities found at www.aarp.org

Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education

Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior Living

First things first: just how do you go about telling your kids that a loved one has dementia?

Don't delay in an effort to protect the kids. By the time a diagnosis has been made, they have more than likely noticed some strange behavior. The kids will probably feel relieved to know the underlying cause of that strange behavior. Having an open conversation that allows them to express their emotions and feelings is best. Explain the basics and give them the chance to ask questions. They will guide you in terms of how much they want to know and how much they can handle. Reassure the kids that you have support systems in place and that, while this is an unfortunate set of circumstances that will be difficult to navigate, you will manage just fine. You may feel the need to ensure that they spend as much time together as possible, but be aware that this could lead to additional stress and frustration. Instead, encourage them to engage in activities that might relieve the tension of communicating, such as watching movies, taking walks, playing chess, or watching family home videos that refresh memories.

What do your kids need from you?

The kids need to know that you are going to be okay. If you wear stress on your sleeve, they are going to see it and feel more insecure about the situation. This will cause them to drift away. Not wanting to create additional stress, they will more than likely refrain from approaching you. Take care of yourself so that you can remain balanced and patient. Don't feel guilty about taking some time for yourself; instead, realize the value of alone time. It will set a good example for your kids, and demonstrate how important it is to have an outlet or hobby that soothes you. You are no good to others unless you are good to yourself.

It is acceptable for your kids to occasionally witness your pain and grief. It sends the message that they can do the same. However, try to limit break-down incidents as much as possible as it can frighten kids who look to you for guidance.

Check-in on your kids once a week.

It could be a weekly family dinner or a simple conversation before you hit the hay at night. Ask them how they are doing, if they have any questions or need anything from you. Establish open communication and support by telling the kids that you are available at any time to talk or listen. Actions speak louder than words, so follow through on the promise if and when they need to be heard. Confirm your support by taking time out to attend their school events. Hug them - they may shy away, but a simple hug can actually help them feel comforted and loved. Asking them to help you with something technical can often be a good opportunity to spark a conversation if you find the process difficult or if they are acting distant.

Reinforce specific messages.

Everyone feels the same emotions of sadness, guilt, anger, shame, resentment, confusion, fear and frustration - they are not alone. It is normal and completely acceptable. There is no right or wrong way to react to the complex situation. The kids need to hear these messages frequently.

Empower friends and family.

Don't try to be the hero; let others, including your kids, lend a helping hand. This will ease your stress as well as empower friends and family to be an active participant of the team. If friends offer to assist, accept it; tell them what you need and ask if they are willing to do it. Don't demand that your kids do specific household chores or take on care giving roles; instead, ask them to devise a plan that will work for everyone. Believe it or not, taking out the trash, filling a weekly pill box, preparing dinner, or grabbing some groceries can improve a familial experience on an emotional and logistical level.

Don't limit their activities.

Make sure the kids stay involved in extracurricular activities - even if it means arranging for alternate transportation. It is important for them to have a healthy escape from the challenges they face at home - as well as activities that promote and build their identity. Forcing them to give up an activity they love will only cause resentment and additional stress.

Find a psychologist or family therapist who is available to help if necessary. Talk to your kids about therapy and its benefits. Make sure they know therapy is an option on the table if they want or need to express their feelings and emotions to someone other than you. Providing them with a strong support system of family, friends, and possibly therapy will facilitate a healthy disposition for them and you through the ups and downs of your challenging situation.

Information taken from http://www.lifeandminds.ca/whendementiaisinthehouse/

Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education

Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior Living

So when I stumbled upon the blog, The Legacy Project, I knew it was something special. Dr. Karl Pillemer, a professor of human development in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, and Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College, has developed the project from a simple question: "What are the most important lessons you have learned over the course of your life?" He has compiled responses from people around the country, all of which are available to read on his blog and in his new book, 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans.

Dr. Pillemer's project is not only an easy and accessible way to get (free!) practical advice on all of life's obstacles, but it is also a wonderful way to honor our elders. I encourage you to check out the blog and discover ways to enhance your life. Not only that, but I encourage you to ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles about their lives - I bet they'll be thrilled to pass on their wisdom!

You can visit the blog here: http://legacyproject.human.cornell.edu/

Kalyn Chomko, Community Relations Coordinator

Chicago Senior Living
Assisted Living in Chicago

With Earth Day quickly approaching on April 22^nd, multiple towns across the country dealing with water shortages, and the forecast that nearly two-thirds of the world's population will experience water shortages by 2025, it's only appropriate to discuss some easy ways we can conserve water and be more conscious about our water consumption.

Toilets

Tweak Place a plastic beverage bottle filled with sand in your tank. You'll use less per flush.

Fix If it's running, you are wasting 40 flushes a day, so get it fixed now.

Leak A leak can waste 1,000 gallons a month. Put food coloring in the tank and check the bowl after 15 minutes; if there is color in the bowl without flushing, you need a new flapper or valve seal.

New Purchase only models that have the Water-Sense label. These use 20% less water.

Mellow Make a rule not to flush every time. If it is yellow let it mellow, if it is brown flush it down. This could save 45 gallons a day for a family of four.

Showers

New An EPA Water-Sense labeled shower head can save 90 gallons a day.

Bucket Collect the warming-up initial stream in a bucket to water your flowers or fill your humidifier.

Shorter Taking one minute off your current shower time will save 2.5 gallons a day.

Kitchen

Reuse Use the same glass all day to avoid more items to wash.

Save Pasta water can be used as a soup or sauce base.

Boycott It takes 3 liters of water to make 1 liter of bottled water. Drink filtered tap water instead.

Faucet Putting an aerator on your faucet can save 500 gallons a year.

Dunk Don't rinse fruits and veggies under running water, dunk them in a bowl of water to control the amount used and then water your plants with that water.

Skip It takes 1,857 gallons to produce 1 pound of beef. Start a new tradition - Meatless Mondays or Tofu Tuesdays.

Do it for your household and then spread the word to your children, your parents, your aunts, uncles and cousins, your friends, your work colleagues and anyone else that crosses your mind. Encourage your church, your neighborhood and your place of employment to do the same.

"If you want happiness for a lifetime, help the next generation." Whole Living Magazine

Statistics taken from Whole Living Magazine

Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education

Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior Living

It's been ten years since that diagnosis, and it's difficult to think about how much the disease has changed her. Her life had always been so rich - a real love-story with her husband, an accomplished career, four children, eight grandchildren, life-long friends. She was about to embark on the good years her and my grandfather so deserved together. And then she got sick and their lives had to adjust.

Alzheimer's is not something that you can prepare yourself for, which is one of the terrible realities of the disease; it's extremely unpredictable. Once the diagnosis has been made, you can't know exactly how it will affect the person and what the timeline will be. Their behavior, their memory, their worlds are slowly taken from them. It's incredibly cruel. As a loved one of someone suffering with Alzheimer's, it's hard to tell if you are saying the right thing, doing what is best or loving in the way they need. Altogether, it is a very lonely disease for everyone.

I had been living in California up until this year - and because my Grandmother lived here in Chicago, I would only see her once or twice a year for very short periods of time. When I spent time with her, I felt like she couldn't relate to or connect with the relationship we had. I think I saw her only for what the disease had taken away. I saw everything she had lost and it would make me very sad.

But now that I live in Chicago, I have the privilege of seeing her all the time and it is such a gift! I see her now as everything she is in this present moment. Although she is a different person, she is a beautiful person to me. She is warm, sweet, charming and has one of the quickest wits! She feels like Grandma, again.  When we spend time together, it's usually just the two of us, and I treasure every second.

Discovering that I can still have a relationship with my grandmother, despite the Alzheimer's, has meant so much to me. I think people have a tendency to feel uncomfortable or afraid around the disease - I know that I did. But despite the fact that this isn't the life or state of mind I would ever want for her, I have learned to embrace it, and it's been an extremely valuable life lesson for me.

Kalyn Chomko, Community Relations Coordinator

Chicago Senior Living
Assisted Living in Chicago

What has become commonly referred to as "Obamacare" by those who oppose the health care reform law, is formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It was passed by Congress in 2010 and has received a great deal of pushback and media attention ever since.

There were several issues being addressed each day, and while the American population as a whole will be affected no matter what the outcome, in some cases, our senior citizens could see their benefits change first. As someone who works with seniors in a long term care facility, I am encouraging those I work with and those I serve to become more educated on this health care legislation.

The debates on the first two days centered on the individual mandate requirement that most Americans have health insurance. The opposing side, consisting of 26 states and led by Florida, argued that it is unconstitutional for the federal government to have the power to compel individuals "not engaged in commerce to buy a product from private companies." [1] Those individuals that do not purchase health insurance will be subject to a fine. The government counters this argument by stating that the majority of Americans end up participating in the health care system at some point anyway; therefore, this mandate is a way to better regulate how those services are paid for. [2]

On the third day, the debate shifted to Medicaid. The PPACA includes a dramatic expansion of Medicaid to include all low-income Americans, and the 26 states led by a Republican majority argue that the law's expansion of Medicaid to cover more low-income individuals and families is unconstitutional. Essentially, states would be given the option to expand their coverage or not receive Medicaid funding at all. While states are not forced to participate in the Medicaid program, currently all of them do. The result of this particular decision will have a huge impact on each individual state. If the law is not overturned, the states will incur at least $20 billion more in the next decade to cover Medicaid costs, which will be crushing to the annual budget. [3] Otherwise, they will lose all of their Medicaid funding. As the Director of a Supportive Living facility that accepts residents on both private pay and Medicaid, this issue hits close to home.

So what do you think? Is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act constitutional? Do you think it will be upheld or overturned? The audio or the transcripts of the hearings are available online - so I encourage you to familiarize yourself with both sides and the points they both bring to the table. We can expect a decision to be announced at the end of the current session of the Supreme Court, most likely in late June.

Katie Hilburn
Director of Covenant Home of Chicago

^[1] http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/28/news/la-pn-what-to-know-for-wednesdays-supreme-court-healthcare-deliberations-20120327

[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/us/supreme-court-hears-arguments-to-health-care-law.html

[3] http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/28/news/la-pn-what-to-know-for-wednesdays-supreme-court-healthcare-deliberations-20120327