Caring for the Alzheimer’s patient

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that poses a most peculiar set of challenges that unavoidably runs across the different aspects of human life. Not only is it a daunting challenge to the one who bears it, but it may even be a greater challenge to loved ones and close family members. 

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It is important to note that Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease. This means that it gets worse over time for the patient. In the same way, it gets incrementally challenging for the family member who takes on the role of caregiver. 

To most caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, the reality is that the job can be overwhelming. Often, the caregiver is forced to make huge mental adjustments to the difficult tasks ahead. This is not to be taken lightly as those afflicted will exhibit changes that may include impaired language, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, and even behavioral issues. 

However, there is one attribute that is especially straining to the caregiving kin, and this is dementia. This causes short-term memory loss, and the natural challenge is for the caregiver to manage what may be a lifetime of frustration. 

Alzheimer’s afflicted families are mostly in dire need of a support system from other such families as well. Caring for people who suffer from this disease could well find themselves in a selfless vocation that requires all the patience that they could muster, and, perhaps, having the support of like-minded individuals can make the undertaking easier to bear, even just a little. 

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Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is a supporter of the Neuroscience Clinics of Florida Foundation Inc. (NSCFF), an institution that is at the forefront of the effort to develop treatments for many neurodegenerative diseases that plague America and the rest of the world. For more information about Alzheimer’s, follow this Twitter account.

The Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans today are living with Alzheimer’s disease. And the number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is projected to grow exponentially in the coming years that by mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

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What’s more disheartening is the fact that 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s. In the U.S., the disease is the sixth leading cause of death. Today, 1 in every 9 people age 65 and above is living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, medical experts project that the number of individuals aged 65 and above with the disease will reach 13.8 million. Such gloomy scenario is prompting organizations such as the Neuroscience Clinics of Florida Foundation Inc. (NSCFF) to advance research on the disease. In addition, educating the public about Alzheimer’s is one of the ways NSCFF and other organizations are spreading awareness about the disease.

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One important step toward understanding the disease is identifying its early signs. There are three stages of Alzheimer’s -- mild, moderate, and severe. But despite the different stages, people who are developing Alzheimer’s will experience one or more of the following symptoms:

i.Forgetfulness and memory loss that disrupt daily life

ii.Problems with words or writing

iii.Difficulty completing usual tasks at home or work

iv.Disorientation or confusion with time and dates

v.Mood and personality changes.

These are just some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to see a doctor immediately if one of these symptoms is observed.

Patrick Dywer, a financial advisor, supports the Neuroscience Clinics of Florida Foundation Inc. (NSCFF) in its quest to develop treatments for various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. For the latest research news and updates about the organization, follow this Twitter account.

Medical Science Exploring Use Of Eft In Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

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Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, is a form of acupuncture that uses human touch to release negative energy buildup. This is done through "tapping" or repetitive hand taps done in specific areas around the body. Similar to acupuncture, the taps are meant to improve the energy flow within the body and help the healing process. This is part of the treatment plans of integrative medicine currently being studied by clinicians for the treatment of neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Numerous research has been conducted on the neurological illness, and health professionals are still determining the best treatment course. Each plan would vary per individual – as no two cases are the same – yet neuroscientists are highly recommending the use of both Western and integrative medicine. EFT, and its claimed benefits have gained the attention of medical experts and is now being studied further. As of this writing, there has yet to be a clear medical conclusion regarding the use of tapping and its subsequent alleviation of certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis. There are many success stories available online that claim its efficacy.

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It is unknown whether the effect is similar to the placebo effect. Doctors are hesitant to reach this conclusion as there are tangible and real results of EFT and symptom alleviation of neurological disorders. The exact mechanics are unknown, yet there is a clear relationship between the two. It is estimated that a few more years of thorough study will shine a light to the connection.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is a staunch supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF). For the latest on the many treatment plans for various neurological conditions, follow this Twitter feed.

Multiple Sclerosis: Exercise As a Doorway To Improvement, According To The Nscff

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. In people with MS, their immune system targets the myelin sheath that covers the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, thereby degrading it. This, in turn, causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the peripheral organs. Over time, however, a severe degree of MS can cause not only damage to the myelin sheath but also to the nerves. 

With irreversible damage to the nerves, the person affected with MS may never be able to utilize his muscles normally ever again. MS does not have a cure as of the moment, but the competent scientists at the Neuroscience Center of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) are now looking into different ways how they can effectively manage or even cure the disease. 

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The team at NSCFF are providing a band exercise program to help patients manage symptoms associated with MS. The program consists of exercise regimens that use resistant elastic bands which are adapted to the different levels of disability. There has been research that band exercising can improve the hip strength of MS patients, helping them boost their motor skills. It directly addresses hip weakness since it is the primary deterrent that negatively affects the patient’s way of life. 

Patients undergoing the band exercise process learn to exercise effectively without incurring any injuries or traumatizing their muscles. Additionally, patients can improve their overall core strength and balance and as well as combat fatigue and weakness. 

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Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is an active supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF), an organization that provides comprehensive and coordinated care to patients with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. More on the organizations he supports here.