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Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver
Caregiving

Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver

by Silverado
written by Silverado

The day-to-day challenges of being a caregiver are monumental as it is, but in the unfortunate event of a natural disaster they can be multiplied. For a caregiver, being prepared for a natural disaster like a tornado, earthquake or hurricane involves more than just canned food and bottled water – it requires an understanding of the emotional and behavioral needs of their loved one. Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver

While nobody ever wants to be faced with a natural disaster, the following tips are an important resource to what to do should the unexpected happen.

Decrease Anxiety: Limit their exposure to the news, as constant updates can increase anxiety (even if the news update is not relevant to their current situation).
Plan Familiar Activities: Participate in activities that your loved one is accustomed to, like walking, playing games or listening to music.
Physical reassurance: A hug or holding one’s hand goes a long way in providing support to someone who is frightened and having difficulty in understanding what is happening.
Communicate Plainly: Use simple communication. If there is difficulty in understanding, restate in simpler terms. Do not give complex commands and avoid giving too many choices.
Keep to Smaller Groups: Individuals living with dementia often do better among smaller groups of people
Redirection: Change the subject when possible. As an example, if they say “I want to go home,” say, “We have to stay here a little longer. In the meanwhile, let’s go for a walk and see if we can get something to eat.”
Keep Up Routines: Try to maintain daily routines (mealtimes, bathing time, activities) wherever you can.
Show Patience: Try to be as patient and calm as possible. People living with dementia respond to non-verbal cues.
Reduce Exposure: Crowds, noisy conversations, strange or different surroundings and changes in routine and sleep patterns can all provoke behaviors. Try to reduce exposure to where you can.
Inform First Responders: In the event of an evacuation, inform people as appropriate around you that the person has a memory impairment.
Be Observant for Unmet Needs: Pay attention to other potential causes of behaviors, like hunger, thirst, pain or needing to use the bathroom.
Be Flexible: Be ready to improvise in familiar situations.

Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver

Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver Preparing for a Natural Disaster as a Caregiver

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How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?
Conditions & Treatments

How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?

by Silverado
written by Silverado

The research speaks for itself — learning new skills and keeping the brain active are among the tools with the best chance of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Ongoing social connectivity and cognitive exercises are some of the pillars of Nexus at Silverado, a specially designed program that uses clinical findings to help slow the progression of dementia. One of the newest and most recent programs to be put into action is the American Sign Language program at the Silverado Aspen Park memory care community. How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?
The inspiration for the program came from Silverado Administrator John “Alec” Stephenson, who used the skills he learned from raising a son with a hearing impairment. Originally, he was teaching residents to learn important signs to engage during a power outage. This one-off occurrence was so popular that it evolved into a regular part of the community. Now residents meet to learn sign language weekly.
“Some of the residents are retaining what they’ve learned, but the primary goal is to engage their minds, improve motor skills and enhance quality of life, which is a core philosophy of Silverado,” said Stephenson. “This is the only sign language program of its kind in a memory care community in not only Utah, but most likely the entire country.”
As Stephenson said, retaining and fully reiterating motions isn’t the end goal for these classes. Along with improving motor skills, the act of focusing on communication is key. Whether they fully learn to communicate using ASL or not, caregivers are teaching residents to model behavior (like picking up a spoon or express when they’re hurt). This kinetic and tactile approach may improve communication.
This innovative program even caught the attention of local news media in Salt Lake City, who stopped by to film the class in action and speak to some of the participants!
Sources https://www.silveradocare.com/enriched-living/articles/stories/2016/07/residents-learn-sign-language-for-health-and-happiness/

How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?

How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia? How is Sign Language Helping People with Dementia?
 

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7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know
Conditions & Treatments

7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know

by Silverado
written by Silverado

As medical science progresses our understanding of the human brain has increased dramatically, which is also expanding our grasp on the ever-important field of brain injuries. 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know
A brain injury is any alteration of the brain’s normal function caused by an external force. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Injury Prevention, the most common cause of brain injuries (at 40%) is falls. Over 30 years of research has also linked traumatic brain injury to greater risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The effects on the brain vary and can affect physical, cognitive, speech and behavioral functions. It’s important to know the different types of brain injuries and how they may affect you.

Concussion

A concussion is any direct trauma to the head. It is the most common and minor form of traumatic brain injuries. Concussions can be caused by violent shaking or whiplash during a fall, or in more severe cases in assault or head wounds. During concussions, the blood vessels may stretch and cranial nerves may potentially be damaged. Concussions usually lead to short-term loss of consciousness (about 20 minutes), confusion or dizziness. Though they usually heal on their own, proper medical screenings such as a CAT scan are still necessary.

Contusion

A contusion, much like a concussion, is also the result of direct head impact, however the trauma leaves a bruise or bleeding in the brain. In cases where contusions have heavier bleeding or swelling, surgery is the most common form of treatment to prevent dangerous blood clots. Surgeons may also prescribe antibiotics to treat infections to reduce changes or recurring swelling. In most cases, contusions can be fixed with few long-term symptoms or signs of damage.

Hematoma

Major damage to any blood vessel (an artery, vein, or capillary) causes a hematoma, which means bleeding in or around the brain. While a hematoma refers to the bleeding to be more or less clotted, a hemorrhage refers to ongoing bleeding. They can be caused by blunt trauma, but also less forceful impact such as invasive dental procedures, or blood thinners. Most hematomas resolve slowly as the clotted blood is removed, and the blood vessel is repaired. Though surgery is also a common form of treatment.

Penetration Injury

Penetration injuries are caused by objects actually entering (but not exiting) the skull, through the brain, and injuring brain tissue. Treatment is typically assessed by a surgeon based on thorough analysis and brain scans. These types of injuries are typically more serious and can result in relative disabilities.

Anoxia

Absence of oxygen supply to the brain, which kills brain cells, is known as anoxia. Even in a short timespan, cell death happens quickly and can result in damage of different brain systems, and in more serious cases can be fatal. Anoxia can be caused by health complications such as heart failure, stroke, severe allergies, or environmental factors such as high altitude, carbon monoxide, and smoke (each of which are caused by lack of oxygen or chemicals in the air). While milder symptoms of anoxia include bluish coloration of lips or fingernails, poor decision-making or dizziness, more serious symptoms in which you should seek immediate medical care include dilated pupils, seizures and unconsciousness.
Overall, head injuries should never be taken lightly. Some head injuries may not exhibit signs right away. Though it’s helpful to know some of the general and common symptoms. Symptoms of a minor head injury include a spinning sensation, temporary and mild confusions, nausea, and lightheadedness. Signs of a severe head injury usually involves unconsciousness for over 24 hours, and include problems with balance or coordination, serious disorientation, memory loss, or loss of muscle control.
If you believe you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of a head injury, consult or see a doctor immediately. If you or a loved one are currently living with the challenges of a prior brain injury, contact your nearest Silverado location for support and to discuss care options.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/head-injuries-causes-and-treatments#3
http://www.biausa.org/about-brain-injury.htm
http://www.brainline.org/content/2013/05/what-are-the-different-types-of-tbi.html
http://injury.findlaw.com/car-accidents/types-of-brain-injury.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/head-injury#symptoms4
http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp

7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know

7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know 7 Types of Brain Injuries You Should Know
 

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An Alzheimer's Wife Tells Her Story
Aging

An Alzheimer's Wife Tells Her Story

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Love, family, travel and adventure were the stuff of Carole and Jim’s fifty years of marriage. When Alzheimer’s came into their lives and gradually began to affect Jim, many of the things that had defined their life to that point changed. An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story
But not Carole’s love.
This is the story of how a half-century of love provided strength and solace in the face of dementia’s challenges.

An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story

An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her StoryAn Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her StoryAn Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her StoryAn Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story An Alzheimer’s Wife Tells Her Story

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Caregiving

What Hospice Can Do For Your Loved One and You

by Silverado
written by Silverado

November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Month. Although the concept of hospice care has been around for centuries, it is still an area of medical practice that many people today aren’t aware of. Hospice provides comfort and support during the final stages of one’s life. It does more than just meet the physical needs of patients. In many cases, patients require more than just physical comfort. It may be that the patient has spiritual or psychosocial needs that could be fulfilled before their passing. Hospice offers many resources and programs to meet these needs and ensure the patient has dignity and is at peace at the end of their journey.

A Painless Departure

Medication is often used during hospice to relieve any pain that the patient may be going through. Controlling pain is a significant part of allowing a patient to pass away with dignity and gives the patient and their family a chance to share their final moments. Morphine is a common medication used during this process, however, for some individuals, the side effects outweigh the benefits. In these cases, alternative methods of pain relief would be considered.

At Peace with the Mind and Soul

Hospice is accompanied by various programs to meet the needs of not only the patient’s but also their families and friends’ mind and soul. Hospices might provide families opportunities to collect the experiences and memories of their loved one into tangible objects, such as a DVD or a book so that they will always have a piece of them after they move on. At Silverado Hospice, these are known as Memory Catchers. Patients can come from various cultural or religious backgrounds, and they may want that reflected in the way they are cared for and pass away. Hospice can accommodate for any cultural traditions or religious practices they would like incorporated. Grief counseling and bereavement support is also provided to the patient’s family and friends to help deal with their loss.

We Honor Veterans

Those who serve our country in the armed forces are deserving of special honor for their bravery and dedication. Nowhere is this truer than at the end of a veteran’s life, so many hospices, including Silverado Hospice, are proud to partner with We Honor Veterans to help provide care that honors the individual and their service. We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, run in collaboration with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Through this program, hospices are able to accommodate for the specific needs that veterans often have. These include providing care and support specific to traumas and wars they served in and care focused on population, such as homelessness, substance abuse, and PTSD.

Perhaps one of the best things hospice can do is provide these benefits without adding additional financial burden to the family. Hospice is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and also by most individual insurers for individuals who have a six-month or less terminal prognosis. When needing hospice, it’s important to learn about the hospice benefits, available coverage and hospice care providers near you.

 

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Caregiving

Answers to 5 most Frequently Asked Hospice Questions

by Silverado
written by Silverado

While most people have heard of hospice, a surprising number don’t have a complete understanding of the actual details of the method and purpose of it. November has been declared National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), a time to help build awareness of comfort-based care among those it may benefit.

Here are just a few common hospice questions and answers to them:

What is the purpose of hospice?
Hospice is a change of focus from curative treatments to a different set of goals – comfort and quality of life. Comfort care includes physical therapy, spiritual & emotional support, companionship and even the granting of life-long wishes. Hospice gives the patient and their family the opportunity to enjoy life and celebrate the bonds and memories they share.

How does hospice care start?
When a physician makes a prognosis that a patient has six months or less to live they may place an order for hospice care. At this point, a hospice provider can be contacted to start the hospice admission process (please note that “admission” refers to the start of service and does not necessarily reflect the patient being physically admitted to a facility or new location).

Will hospice make my loved one die sooner?
The goal of hospice is to provide comfort as the natural process of dying takes its course. In no way is there any effort or intention to hasten a patient’s death while on hospice, just to provide comfort while the patient’s journey comes to an end.

Does insurance cover hospice costs?
Hospice is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and also by most individual insurers. Hospice coverage is available to anyone that has a six-month or less terminal prognosis. The costs associated with most medications and therapies that relieve pain and provide comfort are covered as a part of hospice. Hospice services can actually remove some financial burden families or responsible parties, who may otherwise need to pay out-of-pocket for medications or equipment like beds or wheelchairs.

Does a patient have to go to a hospice facility in order to receive care?
Hospice services can be provided at any number of locations, including most retirement and assisted living facilities. Because comfort and tranquility are the goals, great effort is taken to keep patients in place and prevent stresses involved with hospital readmissions or relocations to a dedicated hospice facility. Silverado does not operate hospice facilities. Our hospice teams work on-site at patients’ residences, be they a private home, assisted living or other facility.

For more answers to common hospice questions, please visit Silverado.com/hospiceFAQs

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How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain
Exercise & Fitness

How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain

by Silverado
written by Silverado


It has long been known that exercise benefits the brain through improved vascular health, but scientists are beginning to discover that the benefits could be much more far-reaching. Watch Richard London, MD, Silverado Oak Village Medical Director, explain how exercise may be far more beneficial than previously believed. How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain
Recent studies show an association between higher levels of physical activity and a slowing in cognitive decline and dementia onset. In some cases, an increase in the volume of the hippocampus (where Alzheimer’s starts) was observed. Based on this research, Silverado has made physical exercise a pillar of the Nexus program, which is designed to help defend against the onset and progression of many common dementias. How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain
Exercises that can help your brain include, but are not limited to:

  • Walking
  • Hiking
  • Dancing
  • Biking
  • Strength training
  • Chair exercises
  • Zumba
  • Ping pong
  • Golf
  • Swimming

To watch more videos of medical experts discussing ways to keep the brain healthy, visit this page.

How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain

How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain How Exercise Helps your Body and Brain

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20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know
Conditions & TreatmentsHealth

20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know

by Silverado
written by Silverado

When accompanying a loved one on the journey of dementia, new and unfamiliar words are encountered almost daily. Understanding these words and phrases is essential to navigating the road ahead and ensuring that the best care possible is provided. 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know
The following list of 20 common dementia-related terms that caregivers and loved ones may find useful.

  1. Activities of daily living (often called ADLs):Personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing and using the toilet.
  2. Alleles:One of the different forms of a gene that can exist at a single locus (spot on a chromosome) or site.
  3. Amyloid:A waxy translucent substance consisting of protein in combination with polysaccharides that is deposited in some animal organs and tissues under abnormal conditions (such as Alzheimer’s disease).
  4. Amyloid plaque:Buildup of amyloid protein and a primary hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
  5. Aphasia:An acquired inability to use certain aspects of language. It can be either an expressive or a receptive language disorder. “Aphasia” is a very broad term that is made more useful by descriptive qualifiers indicating the type of language impairment involved.
  6. Ataxia:Loss or failure of muscular coordination. Movement, especially gait, is clumsy and appears to be uncertain. Ataxic patients often sway while walking. Ataxia usually results from an inaccurate sense of position in the lower limbs. Difficulty with gait increases greatly when the patient is asked to walk with eyes closed.
  7. Autonomic nervous system:The part of the nervous system concerned with visceral and involuntary functions.
  8. Beta amyloid:An amyloid derived from a larger precursor protein; it is a component of the senile or neuritic plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
  9. Bradykinesia:A motor disorder, frequently seen in Parkinson’s disease, which results from rigidity of muscles and which is manifested by slow finger movements and loss offine motor skills such as writing.
  10. Dopamine:A neurotransmitter that is important in reward-motivated behavior. It is the neurotransmitter deficient in those with Parkinson’s disease.
  11. Dysphagia:Difficulty in swallowing.
  12. Gamma secretase: An enzyme partly responsible for plaque buildup in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer’s.
  13. Hippocampus:An area buried deep in the forebrain that helps regulate emotion and memory.
  14. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): A syndrome of memory impairment that does not significantly affect daily activities and is not accompanied by declines in overall cognitive function.
  15. Neuropsychiatrist:A specialist in the medicine concerned with both neurology and psychiatry.
  16. Neuropsychologist:A psychologist who has completed special training in the neurobiological causes of brain disorders, and who specializes in diagnosing and treating these illnesses using a predominantly medical (as opposed to psychoanalytical) approach.
  17. Positron Emission Tomography (PET):A highly specialized imaging technique using short-lived radioactive substances. This technique produces three-dimensional colored images.
  18. Synapse:The space between the terminal end of an axon and another cell body. Neurotransmitters are released in the synapse and carry signals from one nerve cell to another.
  19. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs):Brief episodes of insufficient blood supply to selected portions of the brain.
  20. Ventricles:The spaces within the brain through which cerebrospinal fluid circulates.

For a comprehensive dementia care glossary, please visit Silverado.

20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know

20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know 20 Dementia-Related Words You Should Know

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Why do people with Alzheimer's remember old memories?
Caregiving

Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Navigating the journey of a loved one’s memory loss to Alzheimer’s can be quite difficult, particularly understanding why some memories fade while older memories may be resurrected. A common question is why–and how–does someone with Alzheimer’s remember old memories while new memories fade? Though the workings of the brain can still be mysterious in a lot of ways, research has suggested a few reasons. Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?
The best explanation is that Alzheimer’s affects recent memories first, debilitating retention of new information. Memories of childhood or from long ago are well encoded since the person has had longer to process and remember specific events. In contrast, when Alzheimer’s symptoms start to show, think of “Last in, first out.” It can be difficult for a person with dementia to remember something from 20 minutes ago. Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?
More technically speaking, new experiences or memories register in the part of the brain called the hippocampus, which sends the memory to the brain’s “storage bank.” When Alzheimer’s develops, the hippocampus is one of the first areas to be affected. Because that area of the brain can’t remember a new memory or person, the hippocampus can’t assist in “retrieving” the memory from the storage bank. These new memories also don’t have as much emotional attachment to them, as other memories stored in a different area of the brain, which suggests why it’s so difficult to retain a new memory.

Alzheimer’s affects the brain in such a way that even those long-term memories will fade over time as well. Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?
Sources:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/memory-loss-in-alzheimers-148992.htm
https://www.caring.com/questions/alzheimers-patients-remember-past

Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?

Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories? Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories? Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories? Why do people with Alzheimer’s remember old memories?

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