New Information About How the Brain Processes Memory

There’s a great article from CNN today on brain processes in regard to memory. The article discusses the different areas of the brain that are activated when asked to recall long term vs. short term memory. It goes on to discuss why this information is important in terms of Alzheimer’s research and understanding.

The article reinforced the idea that those suffering from dementia symptoms can often recall events that occurred a long time past. Our puzzles create an opportunity for those using them to not only feel accomplishment by completing the activity, but also to have their memory sparked about the time that they took at trip to San Francisco and saw the Golden Gate Bridge. We encourage caregivers to ask questions while they are doing a puzzle with their loved one:  Why did you visit the Statue of Liberty?  What Was the Weather Like?  Who Were You With?

Our puzzles are now available at the NogginJoggers website or call 1(888) NOG-JOGR.

Resources for Dementia

You can click on the following to find more resources and blogs discussing dementia and caregiving.

Dementia
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Staving Off Alzheimer’s

CNN posted an interesting article today entitled, “Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer’s Away.”

The article lists suggestions we know are good for us: antioxidants and exercise, among others.

The #5 suggestion, Cross Training Your Brain, underscores one of the philosophies that led us to start NogginJoggers. It’s the idea that by engaging in stimulating activities we can “jog” some of our long term memory. Their suggestion is that participating in a variety of activities such as crossword puzzles, continuing to work, and surrounding yourself with positive relationships will help to keep your brain sharp.

This advice can be used by those already afflicted. It can’t hurt for those suffering from the effects of dementia to continue to exercise their mind. Perhaps, our puzzles are part of this message.

Please visit us at www.nogginjoggers.com.

A Good Resource

by Alice

The 36 Hour Day by Nancy L. Mace, M.A. and Peter V. Rabins, M.D., M.P.H., is a great book for anyone dealing with a person with dementia. It covers a variety of topics, including medical problems, behavior problems, getting help, financial and legal issues, nursing home considerations, etc. It provides a lot of insight into the problems of the person suffering from dementia as well as those of the caretaker(s). I was particularly interested in the explanation of why the patient sometimes acts uncharacteristically and how to deal with their unusual behaviors.

Some elderly caretakers may be a bit overwhelmed by all the information in the book, and some may decline to read the book due to their own denial. In these cases, it may be helpful to read up on the particular issue affecting your loved one and talk to the caretaker about how they may best be able to deal with it. It has worked for me on more than one occasion.

Caring for the Caregiver

by Alice
Lots of dementia patients are primarily cared for by their also elderly spouse.  Not only does the spouse now have to deal with caring for a sick loved one, but they also must face losing the companionship that they once shared and taking on additional household obligations.  They may have never been the one to pay the bills, make long term financial decisions, or do something as simple as put gas in the car.  It can be very overwhelming.  Regular phone calls and visits usually help to alleviate some of that stress, and sometimes just acknowledging that you know they are going through a hard time helps.

Considerations in Helping Seniors Manage Medications

I’ve learned that those of us with elderly loved ones must be mindful of their limitations—even for those who are not experiencing any abnormal cognitive problems. This is especially true regarding medications. Many seniors take many medications and it is difficult for them or their spouses to keep track of differing dosages and times. Some doctors provide a printed copy of the current medications and doses. This is very helpful. Make sure to ask your loved one’s doctor for a copy. However, many seniors also see various doctors—internist, neurologist, psychiatrist, urologist, cardiologist, etc. It is very important that all doctors are aware of all medications being taken in case there are contraindications. It is also helpful if there is one doctor who will take responsibility for coordinating all medications.

The pill organizers that provide compartments for each day of the week are great. But, beware. I learned of a senior who spilled the container and was embarrassed by it, so he attempted to put the pills back into the compartments himself. Not a good idea.

Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walks

NogginJoggers has gotten off to a great start this September. Despite issues with launching our website, we are going forward one day at a time.

Our fall 2008 plans to attend 10-12 Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walks began this past Saturday as I attended the Salt Lake City event. It was great to see the resources that this community offers to those who have Alzheimer’s and their families. It was also encouraging to see so many seniors who participated in the walk. In addition to the actual walk, there was food, vendors, and activities. I had a chance to speak with almost all the vendors (from home health care, fitness programs for seniors, etc.) This walk offered Bingo as an activity for seniors, and I thought….what about puzzles??? So, I spoke with the event organizer who is also in charge of the Ogden event- NogginJoggers is officially providing at least some of the entertainment for the September 20 event in Ogden, UT! We are thrilled with the opportunity!

Our friend, Susy, attended the Memory Walk in Oak Ridge, TN as a NogginJoggers representative. She, too, handed out flyers to attendees and helped us out greatly getting our name out there in Tennessee.

We’re having a great time seeing our business take life.

Come visit our website. It’s not completely functioning, but we’re out there on the world wide web!

NogginJoggers Launch

We are gearing up for our September 2008 official launch. We have the latest prototypes of our puzzles and we think they look great! Our website is almost ready to go live and we have plans for marketing in several cities across the U.S. Our little company was conceived in June 2007, but spent a lot of time after that only in our own noggins. The past six months has been a flurry of activity: becoming a legal entity, reading and researching, designing and manufacturing the puzzles, and deciding on a marketing strategy. We have had lots of help from family and friends and we are excited about bringing our product to the marketplace!

Please visit www.nogginjoggers.com beginning September 2, 2008!

Doctor’s Office Observations & Tips

by Alice

I will not generalize the entire generation of those who grew up during the depression, but I don’t think this is limited to my family members. Although they are not shy or reserved in most situations, they seem to be reluctant to have a two way conversation with doctors.

In the past few years they have had appointments with neurologists, psychiatrists, internists, urologists, and ENTs, just to name a few. Although we’ve advised them to write down questions to ask the doctor, they rarely do. If the doctor talks too fast or says something that they don’t understand, they do not ask him to slow down or repeat what he said.

I don’t know why this seems to be the case, but I can only attribute it to generational differences in the way we view doctors. Back in the day, I guess the Marcus Welby, all-good, all-knowing view of doctors was prevalent. There was no need to question the good doctor. More recent wisdom seems to hold that we, the patients, are responsible for our health. The more we know and the more we understand, the better we are able to care for ourselves. I do not fault the doctors, but if any one of them asked me, I’d advise them that when dealing with elderly patients, to speak very slowly and loudly and to be sure to ask if they need any additional explanation.

I would advise older patients and their caretakers to bring along a notebook to doctors appointments where they can write the date and reason of the appointment as well as the doctors recommendations and any follow up information.

Dementia & Its Effects

By Alice:

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but there are as many as 50 other known causes. Alzheimer’s causes degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the brain. Vascular dementia is caused by changes in the blood vessels. Other causes of dementia include toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, injury and infection. Different types of dementia have different symptoms and can be treated in different ways. Alzheimer’s research can benefit not just Alzheimer’s patients, but patients and families faced with all different types of dementia.

Our beloved family member does not have Alzheimer’s. He has suffered several mini-strokes over the past several years. The first symptom he exhibited was difficulty finding the word he wanted to use. While we all have those problems from time to time, his difficulty soon escalated to the point where he had trouble using simple words like girl, home, or book. An MRI showed evidence of mini-strokes. Although our family member had never experienced anything like a classic stroke, in hindsight, he and other family members recalled episodes when he lost his balance or seemed a bit dazed. The neurologist prescribed medication, which may or may not have helped to some degree, but eventually the symptoms escalated again. He had to stop driving. He could not remember the names of family member, although he usually recognizes their faces. He frequently became obsessed with events and people from long ago, trying to determine why things happened or who was to blame for things that no one else could remember. He was sometimes argumentative and cruel.

One the other hand, at times he was very lucid, although he still could not communicate well. He could bring out his financial information and tax returns for any given year. He constantly worries about the financial security of his wife when he dies. He delights in being driven around the area of the city where he grew up and he enjoys looking at pictures of family events.

The saddest aspect to this type of dementia is that he knows what is happening to him. He has battled depression as his dementia worsens. His days seem endless as his past-times dwindled. He can no longer read, play cards, comprehend TV or movies, or work crossword puzzles. He can play checkers sometimes, and he enjoys simple puzzles.

He is the inspiration for NogginJoggers.

Please visit us at www.nogginjoggers.com beginning September 1, 2008