Alzheimer’s Prevention is Gaining Attention
It was 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s had a patient experiencing memory loss, agitation, and paranoia. Since that very first case, research has been ongoing, but there’s still no cure. The first Alzheimer’s medication (Tacrine) won FDA approval in 1994. It was discontinued in 2013 because too many patients were experiencing liver damage after taking the medication.
Home Care in Ardmore PA: Alzheimer’s Prevention
Currently, there are four medications for Alzheimer’s: Donepezil, Galantamine, Memantine, and Rivastigmine.
Donepezil gained FDA approval in 1996. Rivastigmine gained FDA approval in 2000. While Memantine and Galantamine gained approval a few years later. The fifth and most recent medication earned FDA approval in 2014 and is a combination of Donepezil and Memantine.
It’s been 15 years since a new Alzheimer’s medication passed trials and sought FDA approval. While some still search for a cure, eyes are turning to prevention instead of a cure.
What Are the Recommendations for Alzheimer’s Prevention?
Diet and exercise are the key components in Alzheimer’s prevention. Doctors feel the best way to try to avoid Alzheimer’s is by maintaining a healthy weight and keeping blood pressure and blood cholesterol low. To do that, exercise and a healthy diet are ideal.
For a healthy diet, doctors recommend avoiding processed ingredients, saturated fats, and sugar. Whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins are ideal. Some recommend following the DASH or the Mediterranean Diet if meal plans are needed. You can also talk to your doctor to find out more about losing or maintaining a healthy weight.
Exercise goals should be to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 days a week. More may be better. The exercise must get you moving. A slow amble around the block is not ideal. Try to mix up exercises so that different muscles get a workout.
What if Your Mom or Dad Already Has Alzheimer’s?
The Alzheimer’s Association says 5.7 million men and women in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s. Your mom or dad may be one of the millions diagnosed with this form of dementia. There is no cure. The best plan of action is to slow the rate at which symptoms appear. To do this, you should sit down and discuss Alzheimer’s medications with your mom or dad’s doctor.
Work with your parent on activities that help with memory retention. Go through old photos and ask for details about who is in the picture and what was going on. Record these sessions and get them stored to the computer before the memories get lost.
Be ready for the day when caregivers are needed. You may want to care for your mom or dad, but respite care is just one service you’ll rely on as Alzheimer’s progresses. Caregivers can also help with personal hygiene. Call a home care agency to find out other ways to get help caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Ardmore, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. Call today: (484) 206-4544
Sources:
Alz.org
Poison.org
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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