Losing Teeth Can Effect Cognitive Health
Losing Teeth Makes You Less Functional
Maintaining good oral health may help older adults prevent a variety of health problems and disabilities. However, the effect of tooth loss on physical or cognitive health and well-being is unknown. In a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers explored this connection. The researchers learned older adults who have significant tooth loss are less functional when compared with people who lose fewer teeth.
The participants were given questionnaires to complete. They answered a number of questions, including providing information about:
- How many teeth they had
- Their medical and mental health history
- How many falls they had over the last year
- Whether they smoked or drank alcohol
- Their body weight
- How well they were able to perform common activities of daily life
The research team suggested that it is essential that older adults receive the support they need to maintain good oral health self-care practices, and that they receive adequate dental care to avoid losing teeth.
Laughter Yoga + Exercise Improves Mental Health, Aerobic Endurance
Incorporating laughter yoga into a physical activity program could improve older adults’ mental health, aerobic endurance and confidence in their ability to exercise.
In this Georgia State University study, older adults residing in four assisted-living facilities participated in a moderate-intensity group exercise program called LaughActive that incorporates playful simulated laughter into a strength, balance and flexibility workout. In simulated laughter exercises, like laughter yoga, participants initially choose to laugh and go through the motions of laughing. The exercises facilitate eye contact and playful behaviors with other participants, which generally transition the laughter from simulated to genuine. It is kind of like Laughter Yoga.
For six weeks, study participants attended two 45-minute physical activity sessions per week that included eight to 10 laughter exercises lasting 30 to 60 seconds each.
When surveyed about their satisfaction with the program, 96.2 percent found laughter to be an enjoyable addition to a traditional exercise program, 88.9 percent said laughter helped make exercise more accessible and 88.9 percent reported the program enhanced their motivation to participate in other exercise classes or activities.
Despite the health benefits of physical activity and the risks of physical inactivity, many adults (1 in 4) don’t engage in sufficient physical activity to achieve health benefits.
The pleasant associations with laughter may add enjoyment to an exercise program and keep older adults motivated to work out.
Our Friday Song of the Week – I Saw Her Standing There
Our Friday Song of the Week – I Saw Her Standing There
Most People With Vascular Dementia Not Yet Diagnosed (Video)
Dementia, including vascular dementia, affects 47 million people worldwide and this number will treble by 2050. Currently, only around half of those in high income countries, and one in ten or less in low and middle income countries have received a diagnosis. Expanding coverage of services for increasing numbers of people with dementia can only be achieved – and a crisis averted – by boosting capacity, and the efficiency with which care is delivered.
The report highlights that dementia care being provided mainly by specialist doctors is a key barrier to progress. Greater involvement of non-specialist primary care staff in treating vascular dementia can unlock capacity to meet increasing demand for dementia care, and could make the cost of care per person up to 40% cheaper. Primary care services will need to be strengthened and supported to take on this role, through specialists providing guidance and support. Affordability of new treatments is critical to ensuring equity and social justice for the two-thirds of people with dementia living in low-resourced countries.
Clear ‘care pathways’ would define roles and responsibilities within the care system, and establish standards to be monitored and met. Care pathways, a structured and organised approach to the coordination, resourcing and delivery of continuing care, are now a common component of chronic disease care for other conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer care. Case management of vascular dementia supports coordination and integration of care, and can help ensure that services are both person-centred and efficient.
Managing Caregiver Burnout – Caregiving from Burden to Opportunity
5 Tips for Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
Are you a family caregiver to a loved one? Many are. In fact, nearly 40 million Americans are caregivers. Six in 10 are employed while juggling caregiving. And a surprising 25% of family caregivers are Millennials. Many suffer caregiver burnout.
The Eliza Foundation has identified three major life stressors. If looked at closely, they impact our over-all health. The first one is caregiving followed by financial stress and relationship Issues. You can make the connection that caregiving can lead to both financial duress and relationship issues. So for many, it is easy to see why caregiving can be viewed in a negative light.
Just ask me. I’m a former caregiver and I suffered caregiver burnout. My mom passed away June 2. My sister was her first caregiver. She predeceased mom, dying at age 66 from lung cancer. Caregivers preceding the ones they care for in death is not uncommon. Forty-five percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers have worsened health than other caregivers.
Like my sister, 60% of caregivers die before the one they are taking care of. For her, caregiving was a burden, which started with her attitude toward it. When I took over mom’s caregiving in 2014, I was determined to make the best of it and not let it impact my health. Even as a health and aging professional who knew the issues, that was still hard. Here is how I approached it.
