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New Gadget May be Able to Diagnose Alzheimer’s

Date: February 18, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips

There is so much effort going into the detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s, now there’s a new device that may be able to help. Sophomores at the University of Maryland, won first prize in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) competition for their prototype of portable EEG device. This new gadget may be able to diagnose Alzheimer’s.

New Gadget may be able to Diagnose Alzheimer's

New Gadget may be able to Diagnose Alzheimer’s

 

What started as a focus on detecting concussions turned into Alzheimer’s detection because members of the team had relatives who had died of Alzheimer’s. The students were thinking of using an electroencephalogram (EEG), a test that records the electrical activity of the brain.

An EEG used in a doctor’s office or a research lab has as many as 256 electrodes and is the size of a desk. The team wanted to shrink that down to 8  or 16 electrodes.

This new design is easier to use and more affordable. The new EEG, called the Ultracortex, is a open source headset that you can connect to a laptop. The headset costs less than $2,000, while most EEG machines cost hundreds of thousands.

The machine is able to diagnose Alzheimer’s with an 83% accuracy. It’s not perfect but it’s a start. The students plan on doing more research and getting the device to the point of a 98 or 99% accuracy.

Read more here.

New Dental Technology for Seniors

Date: February 11, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
New Dental Technology for Seniors

There are few things more valuable than our teeth, but as we get older we may need dentures. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but losing dentures is a rampant problem among seniors. They may be misplaced or accidentally thrown away. Stephen Shuman is collaborating with actual aerospace engineers to make new dental technology for seniors.

New Dental Technology for Seniors

New Dental Technology for Seniors

 

Shuman and the aerospace research company, ASTER Labs, are working together to create a denture location system and automated tooth brushing system. Shuman noticed that dentures seemed to disappear often in assisted living or long term care communities, especially among those who have cognitive impairments.

This can be so frustrating to lose something as essential as dentures because on average, a set of dentures can cost $3,000 or more. The team at ASTER is working on a small GPS antenna to place within dentures that wouldn’t disturb the wearer.

The GPS system can be used through a phone app and family, caregivers, or nurses can use it to locate the missing dentures. They are hoping to work more on this project to get it small enough to place on hearing aids, which is another common, expensive essential for many seniors.

The automated tooth brushing system would help assist those who struggle with dental hygiene whether through physical limitations or cognitive limitations. The system would consist of an insertable mouthpiece with automated bristles for cleaning the teeth. It’s still in development, but a prototype is in the works.

Read more here.

6 Ways For Seniors to Stay Safe in Winter

Date: February 11, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
6 Ways For Seniors to Stay Safe in Winter

Winter can seem like it lasts forever. It’s cold, icy, and all we want to do is curl up in a blanket and hibernate until spring. It can be especially treacherous for seniors, who may be alone for these cold couple of months. But we have tips to stay safe, here are six ways for seniors to stay safe in winter.

6 Ways For Seniors to Stay Safe in Winter

6 Ways For Seniors to Stay Safe in Winter

 

1. Avoid slipping on ice.

It can cause serious damage to seniors like fractures and cuts. It could even cause death if the fall is bad enough. Wearing shoes with good traction and non-skid soles is the best way to prevent falls. To avoid falling in your home, take off your shoes as soon as you return home because the snow and ice on to the soles will melt, causing slips.

2. Dress for warmth.

Cold temps can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. According to the CDC, more than half of hypothermia-related deaths are of people over the age of 65. Seniors should dress in layers, wear thick socks, a heavy coat, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Use your scarf to cover your mouth and protect your lungs from the frigid air.

3. Be aware of winter depression.

Winter can be tough on the emotions, it’s cold and the days are short. There’s not a lot of sunshine. Seniors have even less contact with others during the cold months, and this can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation. Loved ones should try to check in as often as possible. Even a phone call can make seniors less lonely.

4. Car Safety.

Driving the winter is intimidating for anyone, but especially seniors. Their reflexes may not be as quick as they were before. If possible, seniors should get their car serviced before winter comes. Checking things like oil, tires, battery, and wipers will make the vehicle safer, and the senior feel better.

5. Prepare for power outages.

Storms lead to power outages, and with the storms we’ve had lately, it feels more likely to happen. Seniors should make sure they have easy access to flashlights spread throughout the house. They also should have lots of warm blankets to fend off the cold. Non-perishable foods will come in handy if your food in the fridge spoils.

6. Preventing Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

If you use a fireplace or a gas heater, it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure all the batteries in your detectors are fresh.

Read more here.

The Bond Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

Date: February 11, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
The Bond Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is precious. Not only do grandparents spoil and play with their grandchildren, but they may also be influencing them in ways no one thought of. A study shows that kids who spend time with their grandparents are less likely to have ageist views towards the elderly.

The Bond Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

 

The Bond Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

 

The study, done in Belgium, asked 1,151 young people ranging in age from 7 to 16-years-old about their time with their grandparents. Then the researchers asked about the kids’ views on aging and the elderly. The researchers found that kids who visited with their grandparents weekly, described their time with their grandparents as pleasant and had less ageist views.

Previous research showed that it was quality, not quantity, of visits was what affected the participants’ views. Though that test was done with university students instead of children.

The children were very open about their relationship with their grandparents and were surprised about the ageism that appeared in the questionaries. The study found that the amount of prejudice changed with the kids’ ages. 7-9-year-olds had the most negative view, while 10-12-year-olds were the most tolerant.

Teenagers also had prejudices, but still not as much as the youngest children. Of course, the grandparent’s health might have influenced the children’s views. Kids who were exposed to their grandparents having poor health, had more stereotypes of the elderly, than kids who had healthy grandparents.

Overall, the study found that both quality and quantity of the visits influence kids and their views on aging. Being exposed to other older people make the idea of aging less strange. Plus, kids can bring positive energy to the grandparents and get them up and moving.

Read more about the study here.

Artist Turned Elders into Beautiful Works of Art

Date: February 4, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Artist Turned Elders into Beautiful Works of Art

What do you get when you cross an artist, seniors, and folklore? An amazing collection of photos, that’s what! Finnish artist Riitta Ikonen was working on an idea relating to Nordic Folktales. While pondering this idea, she realized that the people who would be closest to this tradition would be the elders around her. So starting a long journey, this artist turned elders into beautiful works of art.

Artist Turned Elders into Beautiful Works of Art

Artist Turned Elders into Beautiful Works of Art

 

Ikonen started to do research and came across Karoline Hjorth, a photographer whose book of portraits, Mormormonologene, is a celebration of Norwegian grandmothers. Together, they collaborated on the project called “Eyes as Big as Plates” for seven years.

Photos spanning the world include both men and women becoming one with nature. Whether they are mythical gods or creatures of the earth, these models are stunning against the backdrop of nature. There are 60 photos total, and each photo has a small paragraph describing the model.

They find their models by interacting with people who have “moxie.” Ikonen says:

“We might be in Paris, and you might be at an opera soiree evening and there might be an old lady dancing, the last person on the dance floor, and you just think: Who is this fascinating person I have to meet? You approach them and ask them, ‘Who are you and what are you doing tomorrow?’”

For example, one model named Agnes (pictured above) is personifying the North Wind. She is chosen for this figure because she is the oldest Norwegian woman to have ever completed a parachute jump. Actually, she did this twice, at the age of 85 and then again, at 90. She is pictured standing on a stark black rock face at the edge of the sea; she wears an armature on her head made of twisted, tendril-like twigs, dramatically swept to one side.

Read more here.

6 Ways to Prevent Falling

Date: February 4, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
6 Ways to Prevent Falling

It’s winter in New Hampshire and that can only mean two things, lots of ice and snow, and a lot of chances of falling. While we all know the danger of falling, for most people it’s bruised muscles at best, and a broken bone at worst. It’s much different for seniors. One wrong fall can lead to broken bones, having to leave their home, and possibly even death. Falls are the number one cause of injury for seniors. Here are 6 ways to prevent falling.

6 Ways to Prevent Falling

6 Ways to Prevent Falling

 

1. Footwear

Shoes should have anti-slip material like rubber and neoprene instead of leather or plastic. They should also have good tread to keep you upright. If your shoes don’t have either, you can also order external traction cleats.

2. How You Walk

Try taking smaller steps when you are on snowy or icy terrain. Keeping your feet closer to you gives you a bit more control and forces you to slow down. Also try to keep an eye out six feet ahead of you so you can know what’s coming. Carrying anything that blocks your vision is just asking for something to trip you.

3. Your Home

You spend a lot of time at home and your home is filled with tripping hazards: small boxes, newspapers on the ground, extension cords, etc. Try to organize everything so that you have clear paths and that way, you can get to where you need to be without getting hurt. Also try to wear footwear with no skid bottoms, like slippers, it can make it easier to navigate on hardwood surfaces.

4. Use Handrails

This might seem obvious, but try to use handrails when going up and down stairs. It gives extra support and balance. You can also use them in the bathroom and make it easier to get in and out of the shower.

5. Staying Fit

One of the best ways to prevent falling is to maintain your strength and agility. As we get older we lose muscles faster than when we were younger. Try to do small exercises to stay active.

6. Do Not Stick Out Your Hands When Falling

It’s instinct but it can lead to broken wrists. Instead, when falling forward, try to move your body so you land on your side. When falling backwards, tuck your chin towards your chest to prevent hitting your head.

Read more about prevent falls here.

A Wing Walking Daredevil at 88

Date: February 4, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
A Wing Walking Daredevil at 88

We’d all like to think that we’ll age well, but can we dream of aging as well as Betty Bromage? Bromage is a wing walking daredevil at 88, she has broken the record of oldest woman to wing walk at 87, then again at 88. This woman’s outlook on life is incredible and something we all should strive for.

A Wing Walking Daredevil at 88

A Wing Walking Daredevil at 88

 

When Bromage moved into an assisted-living community she was trying to think of something to do. Bromage is not one to slow down or get stuck in her ways. She had first considered skydiving, but there was something about wing walking that was calling her name. To her, the idea of being strapped to the wing of a bright-yellow 1944 Boeing–Stearman captured her imagination. Boy, did it make her daring. After her first time doing it, she requested for more excitement, so the pilot did a loop-de-loop!

Of course, being a daredevil doesn’t mean she is unsafe. Not only does the pilot make sure that everything is secure but Bromage is strapped in with a harness. She even got the okay from her doctor, who now has a portrait of her on a wing to show other patients. Plus according to her:

“You’re warned at the beginning that it’s a potentially dangerous activity and things could go wrong, but I said: ‘Well, at 88 what does it matter? You’ve got to go sometime; you might as well go in a blaze of glory.'”

Read more about this amazing lady here.

A New Way to Make Vaccines More Effective

Date: January 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Creating a Coronavirus Vaccine that Works for Everyone

Seniors’ immune systems weaken as they get older, causing some illnesses that they were immune from when they were younger to now pose a threat. The University of College London wanted to know why this happens, so they did a study to find out. The study shows a new way to make vaccines more effective.

A New Way to Make Vaccines More Effective

A New Way to Make Vaccines More Effective

 

The study found that inflammation is the root cause of why vaccines are not as helpful in older people. Doing a test with 175 participants (78 were over 65 years old and the rest were under 40), they injected a fake version of varicella zoster virus (VZV), which causes chicken pox.

Once you have the chicken pox, you are immune to it, but sometimes it surfaces in older adults as shingles. This means that the T cell immune responses weren’t strong enough to fight the virus as they got older. All the participants had the chicken pox, so in theory they should be immune.

Researchers noticed the older subjects showed a weaker response, meaning there was less T cell activation, and less reddening and swelling of the injection site. As a control, they also injected a harmless saline solution in the other arm of each participant. With that injection, many of the people who had the weakest response to the VZV, had a strong inflammation response to the saline. This suggests that too much inflammation was stopping the VZV’s immunity.

Doing a Followup Test

 

Researchers did a follow up test with 18 of the over 65-year-old participants. They took a drug called Losmapimod, which reduces inflammation responses. The drug was designed for long term use, but with this test, participants only took it for 4 days before being injected with the VZV again. Losmapimod successfully increased the immune responses to the VZV.

“A short-term blockade of the inflammation response opened up a window of opportunity for the immune system to respond effectively,” explained the study’s first author, Dr Milica Vukmanovic-Stejic (UCL Infection & Immunity).

What’s Next

 

The researchers are currently planning a follow-up study which will test whether a flu vaccine is more effective for the elderly when combined with brief use of Losmapimod. The researchers know that vaccine effectiveness declines as we age, so they are hoping this new way of giving vaccines can make them more helpful.

Read more about the study here.

10 Tips to Help Your Dog Age Gracefully

Date: January 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
9 Ways to Volunteer and Feel Good While Doing It

With all our talk about caring for human seniors, it’s easy to forget our furry friends. Pets can enrich our lives so much, we want to make sure we do the same for them. For this article we will focus on dogs, because they age quickly, so here are 10 tips to help your dog age gracefully.

10 Tips to Help Your Dog Age Gracefully

10 Tips to Help Your Dog Age Gracefully

 

Like humans, dogs are living longer than ever, and this can bring about a whole new set of problems due to age. So here are 10 tips to help take preemptive measures to ease their aging.

1. Watch your dog’s weight.

Weight on the muscles can contribute to arthritis and can make it harder for them to get up. It can also help avoid heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity induced diseases. The proper weight is when you can feel your dog’s ribs with your fingers but not seeing them.

2. Keep your dog active.

Just like humans, dogs need to stay active to stay strong. Practice “sit” and “come” throughout the day. This will prevent your dog from just plopping down from a standing position.

3. Try elevating their food and water bowls.

This prevents them from laying down all the time and losing muscle strength.

4. Try joint supplements.

It helps humans and it can help dogs.

5. Try a harness, having handles can help you help them with standing up.

 

6. Acupuncture and cold laser therapy are also options.

Cold laser therapy uses light, not heat, to stimulate wounds and heal injuries.

7. Try giving your dog a massage.

Just like when you get one, it not only feels good but it helps with their muscles and keeps them from getting stiff. Plus it gives you some intimate time with your dog and lets them know you are still there with them.

8. Practice range-of-motion exercises.

Moving your dog’s limbs can help keep joint fluid from becoming sticky and can make their movements easier. Gently extend (don’t pull) each leg five times while your dog lies on its side. Then turn them over and work the other side. You’ll can find instructional videos about this on YouTube.

9. Keep an eye on your dog’s vision.

Signs of declining vision can be if they hesitate to go down stairs or going out at night.

10. Finally, give your dog all the love and attention it deserves.

Make adjustments if your older dog is not as active. You can still bring them to the park, even if you just sit together.

Read more here.

Exposing Yourself to Stress Can Help You Deal With Stress

Date: January 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Exposing Yourself to Stress Can Help You Deal With Stress

It’s a funny idea, right? That exposing yourself to stress can help you deal with stress? But, think of it this way, it’s like getting a flu shot. Exposing yourself to the flu, helps make sure you don’t get it or can fight it easier. The same idea applies to stress, here are some ways that you can bulk up against stress.

Exposing Yourself to Stress Can Help You Deal With Stress

Exposing Yourself to Stress

 

One way to healthily expose yourself to stress is through knowledge. If you are experiencing a divorce, a death in the family, or any other significant stressful event, talk to someone who has been through that event. See what you can learn from them. They may offer advice or maybe just let you know what’s to come. This way you have an idea of what may happen.

Rehearsing is another great way to handle stress. If you know that you have to give a presentation or maybe meet with someone that stresses you out, you can practice. Read your presentation over and over again, read it in front of people you trust see what worked and what didn’t. Practice with a friend and have them be the person you have to meet.

Create a bunch of different scenarios, so you can be ready. Then when that stressful event happens, you know you are ready and can handle it. Plus, exposing yourself to many stressful situations can actually change your body’s biological response to stress, allowing you to handle it better.

Read more here.