June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. To spread awareness we wanted to talk about a program through Johns Hopkins University called “MIND at Home”, which works to help people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of Dementia get the care they deserve.
The Facts
Alzheimer’s is a complicated disease that happens to the brain and many do not know very much about it. Below we wanted to provide some facts, statistics, and also tips that can help prevent types of dementia like Alzheimer’s below.
- 50 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a form of dementia worldwide and around 6 million in the United States.
- 10 – 15% of people with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) develop dementia each year
- 1 in 3 seniors die from Alzheimer’s
- Women are more likely than men to develop a form of Dementia
- More than half of all people with Alzheimer’s do not know they have it
- Education may help prevent cognitive decline in the future
- Alzheimer’s affects the physical structure of the brain
Signs of Alzheimer’s/ Cognitive Disease
Do you or a loved one relate to any of these symptoms?
- Confusion with time and location
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Misplacing items
- Memory loss
- Difficulty solving problems
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Trouble with images and spaces
- Poor judgment
- Unfounded emotions
- Difficulty with words
Some Foods to Prevent Cognitive Decline
| Dark Chocolate | Will protect the brain from stress and inflammation |
| Turmeric | Improves mood and memory especially in older adults |
| Good Fats (Olive oil, Avocado) | Fights against cognitive decline |
| Kale/ Leafy Greens | The high vitamins help to protect the brain |
| Berries | Protects and aids in brain function |
| Potatoes | High carbohydrates aid in balancing glucose levels which improve brain function |
| Nuts | Enhances cognition, memory, recall and rest time |
| Beans | Aids in concentration and memory |
| Whole Grains | Reduces inflammation in the brain, preserving memory due to rich B-vitamins |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids (fish: Mackerel, Trout, Hearing, and wild Salmon) | Sharpening memory and improving mood |
| Red Wine (1 glass a day) | Limits stress and damage to DNA in the brain |
| Green Tea | Strengthens memory, attention and aids anxiety |
| Other veggies | Aids slowing cognitive decline |
What MIND at Home program does
MIND at Home helps individuals with Alzheimer’s or a form of dementia connect with a care-giver who can help them in their own homes. Here they can help the patient with their daily tasks to keep them on track. They will also work with clinicians to customize a plan that meets all of their patients needs that will change throughout time as their illness changes.
Outcomes
| Persons with Cognitive Disorder receiving the MIND program had: | Caregivers receiving the MIND program had: |
| A delay in time to transition from home or death | Time savings (i.e. fewer average hours per week with PT) |
| Reduced risk of transition | Reduced perceived caregiver burden |
| Improved quality of life | |
| Reduced unmet patient care needs |
To see more about MIND at Home visit: http://www.mindathome.org/