You May Take Steps Against Alzheimer's Today

          As an Elder Lawyer, I frequently witness the effects of Alzheimer’s. I’ve had an opportunity to attend educational sessions sponsored by the Delaware Valley Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association, by local universities and hospice agencies. I completed a six week online course sponsored by Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, and I am currently taking another six week course offered by University of Tasmania in Australia. I accompany my spouse, a gerontological nurse practitioner, at the annual meeting of her professional association, where I have an opportunity to audit some of the sessions and learn about new drugs and research projects associated with Alzheimer’s.  

          I’ve come to learn about the functions of the five lobes of a healthy brain, how they, and the hippocampus, are affected by Alzheimer’s. I learned all about nerve cells including their dendrites, axons, synapses, myelin sheaths. I’ve learned about amyloid plaques, Tau proteins, neurofibrillary tangles, and other components associated with the disease. I know about the Pittsburgh Project and how they finally found a chemical solution that will help safely locate amyloid deposits in the human brain, but still are a few years away from product development. I know about the drugs in use, the cost of those drugs, and their effectiveness.

 I would love to share some of what I have learned:

          1. Studies have demonstrated that stimulating mental activity, seems to provide some protection from the disease.The mental activity must be challenging, however, so cooking your favorite pot roast for the 100^th time will not count. Learning to speak a new language, to play a new musical instrument, new skills, card games, mentally challenging games, attending school or holding a job, do help. 

          2. Physical activity also provides some protection from the disease. When you consider the fact that our brain activity consumes up to 20% of our caloric intake, you can understand why it is important to get a good supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain through the blood vessels. Exercise helps promote good circulation.

          3. It is true that memory gets slower with age. Part of that is because you must process more experiences when confronted with a task. Some call that “wisdom.” Hence, a twenty year old may arrive at a quicker solution to a problem, but because they have less accumulated information during their lifetime, the solution is more apt to be incorrect. That does not mean that you go brain dead as you age, it just means that it takes a second or two longer to process information. That may be important if you are driving, but will not affect your performance at most office jobs or other activities.

          4. It’s okay to forget. “Senior Moments” are perfectly normal. So you may forget where you left your keys, or forget where you parked your car, or where you left your cell phone, and that’s okay. Only if you completely forget how to start your car, or how to use your cell phone, should you have serious concerns. 

So, keep learning and stay active. It is not a 100% guarantee but it moves the odds in your favor. Another thing you might consider doing is help fund research. I expect to attend the 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer's next November 9, 2014, in Philadelphia, and you can sign on as one of my supporters any time before the walk. 

Bob Gasparro

Free 5 Session Course On Dementia

Symphony Square in Bala Cynwyd recently hosted a seminar about Alzheimer's Disease. The room was filled to capacity with caregivers and professionals, including nurses, educators, elder law attorneys, and family  caregivers. Since Alzheimer's affects approximately 13% of the population over age 65, and 40% of those over age 85, most were familiar with the disease. Despite the familiarity, nearly everyone learned at least one new fact during the seminar. Statistics about the disease, and it's devastating effects on seniors,  may be found here.   

The week following the presentation at Symphony Square I accompanied my spouse to attend the national convention of the Gerontological Advance Practice Nurse's Association in Chicago. Eavesdropping on some of the presentations, I learned about some of the new drugs and treatments for Alzheimer's, as well as more research conducted by nurse practitioners, hospitals, and others. 

One could easily spend weeks learning about the condition that affects so many seniors. Now, for those who have the time and/or incentive to devote that time, Coursera is offering a five session course on the topic so you can learn to be a more effective caregiver or professional.

Dr. Laura Gitlin, a professor at Johns Hopkins University (and formally from Jefferson University in Philadelphia), and Nancy Hodgson, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins, are offering a massive open online course (M.O.O.C.) on dementia management through Coursera.  The 5-session course is free and begins October 14.  Click here for more information and to register. If you are a caregiver I encourage you to join me in taking the course. 

Stay well until the next post.

Bob Gasparro

Bob Gasparro is an Elder Attorney.  He can be reached at Robert.Gasparro@lifespanlegal.com or (484) 297-2050. Comments to this post, and ideas for future posts are welcome.