In the News

Mediterranean Diet May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Is it possible to eat yourself sick? According to a new study done at the University of Columbia Medical Center, the answer may be yes. For the first time, scientists are taking a look at the effects of diet on neurological illness. In a 14-year study on aging, Dr. Nikoloas Scarmeas found a connection. Those who ate a Mediterranean-style diet (rich in olive oil, fish, vegetables, fruits, and moderate amounts of wine) were up to 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, even after adjusting for other factors such as smoking, body mass index, age, and certain risk genes.

Until now, scientists and doctors have been able to offer very little in the way of Alzheimer's prevention. And Scarmeas is still hesitant to cite the findings as a prescription for preventing dementia, saying that more study is needed. However, some of his colleagues were more enthusiastic. "I am delighted," said Dr. David A. Bennett, director of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. "There are not a lot of things that people can do [to prevent Alzheimer's]. This may be one of them." So, while you may be able to eat yourself sick, the good news for older Americans is, you may also be able to eat yourself healthy! Read More

Doctors Once Again Making House Calls

When one of Dr. Richard Diamond's patients has an appointment, that patient's living room serves as both the waiting room and examining room. That's because Dr. Diamond is one of a growing number of physicians who are returning to the almost-lost tradition of the house call. USA Today recently examined the "small but growing number of patients" across the U.S. who receive regular medical visits from doctors making house calls.

For some elderly and homebound care receivers, a trip to a doctor's office across town might as well be across the country. And, with the U.S. population aging, experts say there are far too few doctors willing to do house calls to meet the demand. Still, the healthcare system is reacting. The number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving medical care at home has been increasing since 1998, when Medicare increased payments for house calls. Last year, Medicare paid for about two million home visits, or about 1 percent of outpatient visits for medical care.

In addition, a federal pilot project is underway in California, Florida, and Texas in which 15,000 chronically ill elderly patients can receive 24/7 in-home care from board-certified MDs. Doctors who make house calls generally have fewer patients and spend more time with each of them—a situation that both doctors and their patients are enthusiastic about. Read More

"Men Only" Support Groups for Caregivers Prove Invaluable

Since Albert Talley's wife, Ellen Faye, developed Alzheimer's five years ago, he's learned to do the cooking, cleaning, and shopping, as well as caring for Ellen Faye. While he admits that it's still hard, one thing has been invaluable to him as a caregiver: support groups.

And, one group that has been particularly helpful is something of a new breed. It is a men-only caregiving support group. The group, which meets in Covington, TN, near Talley's home, has only been meeting since 2004. Ruth Ann Shelton, executive director of the Alzheimer's Day Services in Memphis, emphasized the different needs that men and women have as caregivers, particularly for those in their 70s or 80s. "They had very defined male and female roles. . . Men who become caregivers often don't know how to do the laundry, put on their wife's makeup, dress a woman, or shave a woman's legs. . . Another issue for men who provide care for their mothers is how to help her shower. These are all obstacles they have to learn to surmount."

As the Covington group continues to grow in size, it looks as if many men are turning to their peers for encouragement in overcoming these obstacles. Read More

Keeping Track of Dad: New Technology Assists Aging in Place

New technologies are currently being developed that will allow caregivers to monitor the health and well-being of their loved ones—even from miles away. The basic idea is this: The care receiver picks up an object—a tea kettle, or a bottle of medication—or, s/he turns on the stove, or wanders out the door. All the while, tiny, innocuous sensors detect the activity and report it to the person's caregiver(s). Eventually, technology may be in place to monitor virtually every aspect of a care receiver's life, from diet, to lunchtime companions, to the amount of time spent in front of the TV. Some of the projects are commercial, some academic—but all of them apply to the idea of "aging in place." That is, they will help keep the care receiver at home for as long as possible.

Ironically, most of these technologies are currently being tested in assisted living facilities, simply because they contain large populations of care receivers. But the developers and innovators of these new technologies ultimately plan to deploy them in homes, allowing greater day-to-day autonomy and thus delaying placement.

One concern with this technology is the issue of privacy. Many seniors are worried about who would have access to all of this information and claim that, when they truly want privacy, they will simply disable the technology (which can be as simple as removing a bracelet). However, the researchers involved in these projects are saying that they have found that many care receivers are willing to sacrifice some privacy for the chance to stay connected, and stay at home. Read More

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