Stories & Tips

7 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Can Researchers Figure Out How Your Brain Ages?

While Alzheimer’s is a slowly progressive disease, it seems like it comes out of nowhere for the loved ones. What went from simple forgetting, suddenly turns into not knowing how to get home, not recognizing faces, and other symptoms. But there are small signs that can happen before the major ones. Here are seven early signs of Alzheimer’s.

7 Early Signs of Alzheimer's

7 Signs of Alzheimer’s

 

1. Stealing or Other Law Breaking Behavior

While behavioral changes are to be expected, this specific change can be a sign of Frontotemporal dementia that strikes people between the ages of 45 to 65. People’s executive functions, like knowing right from wrong, can be affected by this disease.

2. Falling a Lot

While falling does become more of a risk as we age; if you notice a loved one consistently falling, it can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.

3. Forgetting How Objects Work

Not remembering where you put your keys is fine, but forgetting what they are for is a problem.

4. Eating Inappropriate Things

Even though people with Alzheimer’s tend to eat more than their other aging counterparts, they still lose weight. Doctors are not sure why this is happening or why people with Alzheimer’s tend to eat inedible objects. There have been reports of paper being eaten as one of the most common.

5. Not Being Able to Recognize Sarcasm

As we have already written about before, not being able to sense sarcasm is a sign of possible Alzheimer’s.

6. Depression

Also written about previously, depression can be a factor in Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that if you’ve been severely depressed that it may make you more susceptible to Alzheimer’s.

7. Unfocused Staring

An unfocused stare could mean an unfocused mind. This can be an early sign of the “tangles” in your brain that cause Alzheimer’s.

Read more here.

Senior Tutors Are Taking the Education Field by Storm

Senior Tutors are Taking the Education Field by Storm

A new wave of tutors has entered the teaching arena. Tutors that are 50-years-old and up are becoming more common. It’s a great way for those who have retired to use their skills to help others and to have interactions with younger generations. Wyzant, an online tutoring service, says that about a third of their tutors are over 50. Senior tutors are taking the education field by storm.

Senior Tutors are Taking the Education Field by Storm

Senior Tutors Taking the Eduction Field by Storm

 

There are many reasons that tutoring is a great gig for seniors, some people do it for money, others like that they can control their rates and times.

Most though like the ability to share their life knowledge with younger people.

It seems that K-12 is the preferred age group that seniors like to tutor; the least liked is their own peers, if you can believe it.

Many of Wyzant tutors like the younger age range because it also forces them to learn. They can communicate in a way the kids understand. It allows them to widen their own fields.

Many tutors say they want to tutor until they cannot physically do so anymore. The average age of Wyzant’s tutors is 62, and the oldest was 90. So this is definitely not something to just pass the time. Tutors also can make decent money, they can earn up to 100,000 dollars a year.

Though money is not the driving factor, many tutors love the feeling of helping kids learn and improve.

Read more here.

New Baby is Named After 108-Year-Old and They Meet!

New Baby Named After 108-Year-Old and They Meet!

Esmond Allcock is the oldest man in Canada at 108-years old. He’s a husband to one, a father to six, a grandfather to 17, a great-grandfather to 36 and a great-great-grandfather to 12. His great-granddaughter, Jenna Lehne, got pregnant and decided to name her son after the man she admired. So, the new baby is named after 108-year-old and they meet!

Why the New Baby is Named After 108-Year-Old

 

Lehne has fond memories with her great-grandfather:

“One of the stories he always used to tell me was from when I was the same age as my own son. While I was learning to walk, I’d make him hold my hands and parade me around the room. All I had to do was crawl up to him and say, ‘Walk Walk,’ and away we’d go.”

Baby Esmond was born on January 11, 2017, nearly 107 years after his great-great grandfather. When the snow melted, Lehne and Baby Esmond when off to meet Allcock.

At first Allcock didn’t recognize her, but was already in love with baby Esmond. While playing with him, he suddenly remember her as the “Walk, Walk Girl” and told her how much this meant to him. This resulted in the sweetest video ever.

Read the whole story here.

7 Tips for a Different Kind of Grieving

"Rational" Suicide is on the Rise Among Seniors

Grieving is a part of the circle of life. Grief can be a painful emotion. It can feel like it swallows you whole at some points. There are several different types of grieving. Here are seven tips for a different kind of grieving.

7 Tips for a Different Kind of Grieving

7 Tips for a Different Kind of Grieving

 

When a loved one has passed, the absence is obvious. But, what about when someone you love is slowly fading away? What if they are there, but not there really? How do you grieve for someone who is still here and at the same time, not let your life come to a complete stop? There are different names for these types of grief, anticipatory grief, frozen grief, and ambiguous grief.

1. Never Pressure Yourself or Others

Many people might think that you should just move on, but there is no closure for this type of grieving. It’s something that you have to learn to cope with differently than the “standard” grief.

2. Be Kind to Yourself

These feelings are normal. What’s not normal is if these feelings overwhelm you to the point of no longer functioning, or if you’re trying to escape these feelings through harmful behaviors. In these situations, you should seek the help of a professional.

3. Look for Support

Around you, you have friends and family who will love you and create a safe space for you to express yourself.

4. Boundaries

It can be tough to set boundaries, especially if those around you are well-intentioned, but when someone comes in and tells you what to do with your grief, that’s when you need to put your foot down.

5. Self Care

Loss and heartache can take their toll, so it’s important to take a few minutes for yourself. Exercise, meditation, journaling, and more can help. Schedule some time in your daily life to allow yourself to take a break.

6. Ask and Accept Help

It can be hard when you are trying to be strong to allow a helping hand, but it will ultimately be good for you. It can be small things like friends help with laundry or make you a dinner you can microwave throughout the week. Let them take some of these small tasks off your hands.

7. Allow Grief to Have Space, But Don’t Let It Take Over

It’s important that you allow your grief to breathe, but don’t let it take over your entire life.

Read more here.

A New Way to Look at Our Bones

Breaking Bones is One the Rise

A new study out by the University of Utah is discussing the ties between bone fragility and bone breakage. This study is different than most though, it’s not done by doctors, but instead an engineer. Claire Acevedo, mechanical engineering assistant, is leading the study and believes that maybe falls are not the cause of broken bones. There’s a new way to look at our bones now.

A New Way to Look at Our Bones

A New Way to Look at Our Bones

 

Acevedo believes that older people’s bones are more likely to fracture from repeated stresses. These activities can be as simple as walking, and that the accumulation is what makes the bones break so easily. This is called microdamage and it affects the quality of bone.

This goes against the common idea that an elderly person’s bones break from one hard impact, like a fall. This may mean that instead of the bone breaking because of the fall, that the weak bones are the reason for the fall in the first place.

Acevedo is calling this theory “cyclic loading” (repeated and fluctuating loads) and it might be similar to the study of structures and engineered materials. This same type of stress in machines caused tragic accidents in the early 20th century and lead to the development of “fracture mechanics.”

Acevedo says that stress fatigue is the most common type of failure in machines and can be deadly. It can cause collapses of metal bridges, failure of ships, and even the cracking of aircraft airframes and engines.

This means that bone quality could be more important than previously thought. It’s not just the mineral density, but how well collagen can provide stretchability to the bone under stress and to resist fractures.

“Bone quality is much more important than what we have been thinking,” Acevedo says. “Old bones gradually lose their mechanical properties, their ability to self-repair and to recover bone quality to prevent the formation of a fracture.”

Read more here.

Combining Volunteering and Traveling

Why You Should Never Retire According to a Neuroscientist

As you get more time on your hands, you may not be sure what to do with it. Maybe you want to see the world and are planning some trips. Maybe you feel the need to give back and want to help the less fortunate. Since time is precious it can feel like you have to pick and choose. But a new trend is happening that’s combining volunteering and traveling, it’s called “voluntourism.”

Combining Volunteering and Traveling

Volunteering and Traveling

 

The idea is that while traveling you can contact local charities and offer to help. There are plenty of ways to do this: you can volunteer at shelters, teach English in non-English speaking countries, rebuild homes or schools, maybe even participating in an archaeological dig.

Visit sites like Charity WatchGuide Star or Charity Navigator to find places and get ideas. Some hotel chains like The Ritz Carlton offer volunteer opportunities for guests and Booking.com has a list of top safaris and activities for those who want to help wildlife. Just make sure that you pick the right opportunity for you.

For example, if you are not physically able to help build homes than maybe you shouldn’t do that. Think about what skills you have that would be the most useful, where you want to travel, and how much time you want to commit.

Read more here.

Could Stem Cells Rejuvenate the Blood Stream?

Could Stem Cells Rejuvenate the Blood Stream?

With the population of 65 and older gaining in numbers steadily, researchers are looking into how to keep seniors healthy and happy. One thing that has been a struggle has to do with blood. For example, anyone who is battling cancer will have to deal with the side effects. How can science make that easier? New research from Weill Cornell Medical College is asking, could stem cells rejuvenate the blood stream?

Could Stem Cells Rejuvenate the Blood Stream?

Could Stem Cells Rejuvenate the Blood Stream?

 

The blood system is responsible for producing blood cells throughout a person’s life. With age, its function declines. Blood cells provide all sorts of different cells that we need, including different immune cells.

As we age the cells’ functions also decline, leaving seniors more vulnerable to diseases. It’s been shown that there’s an increase in blood cancer among those over 65.

This is even more difficult because older patients are frequently not good candidates for bone marrow transplants, the cure for many blood disorders. This is due of a higher degree of complications after the transplant.

The research shows that transplanting younger blood within mice rejuvenated the aging stem cells. This could potentially mean that this process could assist in recovering from cancer treatment side effects.

This study shows that it’s possible to not only help sustain aging blood cells but also help heal as well. This could mean protection of organs like gut, skin, spleen and liver, that are affected by radiation. This also means a shorter recovery time, less susceptibility to infections, and a lower number of blood stem cells needed to achieve a successful transplant.

Read more here.

8 Regrets You Don’t Want as You Age

8 Regrets You Don't Want as You Age

As we get older we realize that time is precious and want to make the most of it. While a lot of articles focus on the grand adventures you can have, there are also small steps you can take to make your life fulfilling. From personal growth to your relationships, there are plenty of things you can do to make the remainder of your life the best it can be. Here are 8 regrets you don’t want as you age.

8 Regrets You Don't Want as You Age

8 Regrets You Don’t Want as You Age

 

1. Don’t hold onto grudges.

It can be easy when someone upsets you to stew in your anger, but it can be detrimental to your health. Researchers at Hope College discovered when participants thought of their enemies, stress signs like sweating and rapid heartbeat increased. So it’s best to let go of that resentment.

2. Postponing your estate plan.

It’s not the most fun thing in the world to do, but it’s the most selfless. Without a plan, heirs will have to figure out what your wishes are, which could lead to fights. It will give everyone peace of mind.

3. Thinking it’s too late to make friends.

You are never too old to make friends! Cutting yourself off from the opportunity will leave you lonely. Try talking to people with the same interests as you, such as someone in your bookclub  tennis lessons, etc., and offer a coffee date.

4. Ignoring medical tests.

This should be obvious, but make sure to keep up with screenings and tests that are needed as you age. Talk to your doctor about what should be done and how often. Take control and make sure you are healthy for a long time.

5. Being afraid to do what you want.

This is pretty self explanatory, but don’t let fear control your life. It can be easy to do so, but push through and do the things you want to do.

6. Not telling people they matter.

Maybe you are not an emotional person, and you feel awkward voicing your affections for others. Not only would it make others feel good, but it will make you feel closer to your loved ones.

7. Not taking the possibility of falls seriously.

We talk a lot about falls, but that’s because it’s so important to discuss. Falls are one of the top injuries of seniors and cause a lot of damage. Check to make sure none of your medications make you less stable, make your home safer with grab bars and railings, and add balancing to your exercise regimen.

8. Let yourself be open to this new chapter of your life.

We live with the same beliefs from growing up, the same fears, insecurities, and other negative thoughts. Throw those thoughts away and start thinking happier thoughts about yourself. You can be kinder to others, think about what makes you great, and live by what makes you feel good.

Read more here.

Robot Caregivers in Japan

How Robotics Are Helping Chinese Seniors with Rehab

Like the US, Japan is facing a dilemma of making sure there is enough care for all of its seniors. With Japan’s aging society facing a predicted shortfall of 370,000 caregivers by 2025, the Japanese government is getting creative. They are laying groundwork for seniors to be taken care of by robots. Yes, that’s right, robot caregivers in Japan is going to be a thing.

Robot Caregivers in Japan

Robot Caregivers in Japan

 

The robots are simple in the sense that they are focused on lifting frail seniors to help them out of their bed and into a wheelchair. They can also help ease seniors into bathtubs to reduce falls.

Developers are hoping to create robots that can predict when someone needs to use the bathroom, so they can assist them with that as well.

The goal for these robots is to assist nursing staff and be able to keep people home longer. The lifting robots have been deployed in around 8% percent of nursing homes in Japan. The small percentage is partly due to the cost and partly to how people react to the robots.

Many feel that only other humans can care for humans in such a vulnerable state. For the sake of cost, these robots do not look like humans or talk yet.

The next research ideas include wearable mobility aid devices that can help go up and down hills using smart technology. According to Japan’s robot strategy, the government hopes that four in five care recipients accept having some support provided by robots by 2020.

Read more here.

10 Ways to Make Exercise a Part of Your Everyday Life

Stretching Improves Muscles in Seniors

It’s hard to get the motivation to exercise. There seems to be so many reasons not to. You’re tired, your body hurts, you have no time, or maybe you just plain don’t want to. We understand, so here are ten ways to make exercise a part of your everyday life.

10 Ways to Make Exercise a Part of Your Everyday Life

10 Ways to Make Exercise a Part of Your Everyday Life

 

1. Choose the Right Activity for You

Like everything else in life, you need to find a way to exercise that works for you. This means it doesn’t have to be heavy weight lifting or long-distance running. Try different workouts and see what works best with your body.

2. Pick a Time That Works for You.

If you’re a morning person, it doesn’t make sense to try to drag yourself to the gym at night, right?

3. Goals

Make goals for yourself of all different sizes. This can help motivate you because you want to hit them.

4. Pick the Right Speed of Workout.

Similar to finding the right exercise activity, you need to find a pace that you feel comfortable with. Don’t do slow walking if you find that boring, for example.

5. The Right Shoes

Comfort will make or break a session of exercise. Making sure you have proper shoes will ensure that your feet won’t hurt, allowing you to go full speed.

6. Make It Fun

The more you enjoy something, the more you want to do it, right? The same applies to exercise. Something that might make it more enjoyable for you is having a friend come too.

7. Make It Easy

Doing small things to make exercising easier can significantly impact how often you do it. Try leaving comfy shoes and clothes in your car. Also, exercise does not equate to going to the gym. Walking counts, just move around.

8. Routine is Key

Once we get into a routine, it’s easier to stick with. A new habit takes at least three weeks to establish.

9. Keep a Record

Research shows that keeping track of yourself is key to a healthy weight. You can use a pedometer or the time of the activity to keep you on track.

10. Reward Yourself

Nothing helps to keep you going like a reward. Use them to celebrate every milestone you hit.