What Memory Care Coordination can do for you
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
- 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 dies 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
- 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
Outcomes
| Persons with Cognitive Disorders 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/
