Carmel, CA Alzheimer’s Disease Can Be Kept At Bay By Having An Active Lifestyle

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


At Family inHome Caregiving we believe it’s important for our senior clients to have a healthy diet, social interaction and the proper amount of exercise.  That can be a challenge with COVID-19, particularly social interaction.  Teach your loved ones how to use zoom or skype.  A telephone call now and again is fine, but it’s not enough.  Seniors need face-to-face interaction with their family.  The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about this issue, and pointed to a study where researchers compared the cognitive performance of mice who lived alone in empty cages with those who lived in large houses equipped with colorful Lego blocks for mental stimulation, running wheels for exercise and other mice for social engagement.  When mice lived in rich environments, their brains underwent physical changes: More neurons were generated in the brain’s memory center, the hippocampus, and strong synaptic activity supported learning.  Even mice that had their genomes altered to develop the equivalent of Alzheimer’s disease experienced enhanced brain activity and performed better in maze tests that they had previously flunked.  Other studies in humans have showed similar results.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-an-active-lifestyle-help-ward-off-alzheimers-11614264941

 

Monterey, CA Alzheimer’s Sufferers Get New Hope

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According to a study which was published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Eli Lilly and Company’s experimental drug could slow the cognitive decline of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  The downside, however, is that the drug is intravenous, not in a pill form.  An early clinical trial studied 257 with early signs of Alzheimer’s.  Of those, 131 received the drug and 126 received a placebo.  Researchers found that those who got the drug showed a slowing of cognitive decline and the ability to perform daily functions by 32% after 76 weeks, compared to those who received a placebo.   The study also looked at the build up of amyloid beta plaque and tau proteins, both of which are signs of Alzheimer’s disease.  At the 52-week mark in the Phase 2 Clinical Trial, almost 60% of participants who received the drug were amyloid-negative.  At week 76, amyloid plaque levels decreased by 85% in those taking the drug versus those who received the placebo.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are great people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were only 24 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,575 cases, with three new deaths reported.  Nationally, the numbers are not looking that good.  There were 64,177 new cases, the fourth day that new cases rose.  That brings the grand total to 29.341 million and deaths rose by 960 to 532,466. In California, there were 1,248 new cases for a total of 3.617 million, while deaths rose by 95 to 55,336.  The number of cases are still significant so please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were just 28 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,551 cases, with no new deaths reported.  Governor Newsome has lowered the restrictions for reopening, and Monterey County is expected to move to the “red level†by Wednesday.  That means restaurants will be open to indoor dining at 25% capacity, gyms and fitness centers at 10%, and retail at 50%.  Movie theaters, museums, zoos and the aquarium can reopen at 25% capacity.  Nationally, the number of cases were up by 62,689 for a total of 29.3 million and deaths rose by 1,844 to 531,506. In California, there were 3,557 new cases for a total of 3.616 million, while deaths rose by 247 to 55,241.  The number of cases are still significant so please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Monterey, CA Alzheimer’s Association Has Touching Blog

An older woman holding a pink string in her hand.


The Alzheimer’s Association has a touching blog where family members can share cherished items and moments spent with loved ones suffering from dementia.  The blogs share touching moments via video, and it is really heart breaking to watch some of them, although clearly there are lessons to be learned.   Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are great people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.alz.org/blog/alz/march-2021-(1)/these-things-people-affected-by-alzheimers-share-c?WT.mc_id=enews2021_03_12&utm_source=enews-aff-20&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2021-03-12&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story2

Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Preying On Those Unable To Get COVID-19 Vaccination

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been able to get vaccinated yet.  They are touting that they can get you vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine for just $30.  It’s not true.   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has arrested three people and charged them with conspiracy to commit fraud.  But it’s not over.  These scams are very common so stay on the alert.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-vaccine-scams-grow-leveraging-confusion-about-how-to-get-the-shot-11614076200?tpl=cybersecurity

 

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were only 15 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,523 cases, with no new deaths reported. Nationally, the number of cases were up by 58,530 for a total of 29.2 million and deaths rose by 1,665 to 529,662. In California, there were 3,910 new cases for a total of 3.612 million, while deaths rose by 331 to 54,994.  The number of cases are still significant so please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of many viruses on a red background


There were just 27 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,508 cases, with no new deaths reported. Nationally, the number of cases were up by 55,832 for a total of 29.2 million and deaths rose by 1,275 to 528K. The number of cases are still significant so please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.

Eye Drops That Work Like Reading Glasses

A woman and an old lady sitting in a chair


A new eye drop called AGN-190584 is expected to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year and could eliminate the need for reading glasses.  Made by Allergen Eye Care, a division of AbbVie, the pilocarpine solution which is meant to treat the symptoms of presbyopia—an age-related condition that causes gradual loss of the eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects.  Participants in a study of the drug found they gained three more lines on the reading chart in low light compared to those who received a placebo.  The drops begin working as soon as just 15 minutes after they were applied and reached their peak effectiveness after about an hour.  For glaucoma, pilocarpine improves the outflow of fluid from the eye that lowers the intraocular pressure.  With presbyopia patients, it’s being used to constrict the pupil.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/03/02/fda-approval-eye-drops-submitted-help-presbyopia-patients-read/6834903002/

Monterey, CA Coronavirus Update From A Carmel Caregiver

A close up of the word coronavirus with an image of a virus


There were 77 new coronavirus cases reported in Monterey County today, bringing the total to 42,841 cases, with two new deaths reported. Nationally, the number of cases were up by 98,513 for a total of 29.1 million and deaths rose by 815 to 527K. The number of cases are on the rise again so please stay home and stay safe as much as possible.