Consumer Fact Sheet on Antipsychotic Medications Available

General Posted by anthony Date October 11, 2013

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living Center (AHCA/NCAL) released a consumer fact sheet on the use of antipsychotic medications for residents living with dementia in skilled nursing and assisted living.

ÛÏThe long term care profession has made significant progress in safely reducing the off-label use of antipsychotics, but providers cannot solve this issue in a vacuum,Û said AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson. ÛÏWe must educate our residentsÛª family members and involve them in the decision-making process.Û

ÛÜThe consumer fact sheet provides background on the issue of antipsychotic medications in persons living with dementia and answers commonly asked questions among family members. It also encourages consumers to get involved with their loved oneÛªs care by asking specific questions to caregivers. AHCA/NCAL also created a Spanish version of the consumer fact sheet.

ÛÏMost individuals receiving an antipsychotic in a long term care facility were already prescribed the drug before they were even admitted. Sometimes, the most difficult thing is convincing a family member that their loved one no longer needs this medication,Û said Dr. David Gifford, AHCA Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs and a geriatrician. ÛÏWith a better understanding of the disease process and personal knowledge of their loved one, consumers will help us provide person-centered care without turning to antipsychotic medications.Û

The AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative has a goal to safely reduce the off-label use of antipsychotics by 15 percent by the end of 2013. Skilled nursing care centers have already reduced these medications by 10.5 percent, as of the end of the first quarter of 2013.åÊ

More information on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative.
åÊ
Also visit AHCA/NCALÛªs webpage on antipsychotics.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent more than 12,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.

Eat Dirt – Researchers Come "CLEAN" About Alzheimer’s – Better Hygiene, Higher Risk (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date October 10, 2013

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Eat Dirt – Researchers Come "CLEAN" About Alzheimer’s – Better Hygiene, Higher Risk

General Posted by anthony Date October 9, 2013

Hmm. Hmm. Good Microbes.

With all the emphasis on hand hygiene to prevent infection and the whole hullababllo over hospital acquired infections comes this story.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Department of Anthropology, University of
Utah have suggested that better hygiene leads to more risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The ÛÏhygiene hypothesisÛ suggests that certain aspects of modern life (e.g. antibiotics, sanitation, clean drinking-water, paved roads) are associated with lower rates of exposure to microorganisms such as than would have been present during the majority of human history. Yet, exposure to microorganisms is critical for the regulation of the immune system.åÊ

Individuals whose early life circumstances were characterized by less exposure to infectious agents exhibit higher rates of autoimmune disorders.åÊ

So in other words our bodies need to be exposed to be able to build up immunity. If not, the inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s is allowed to spread. And when you live in a “sanitary” society, well, you are less exposed to microbes.

Researchers hope this research can be used to predict Alzheimer’s Disesase burden in developing countries where microbial diversity is rapidly diminishing. Forecasting is important for preparing for future healthcare needs and research prioritization.

What did your parents always say? Something about having to eat a pound of dirt before we die.

Early Onset Dementia Traced to Mostly Preventable Adolescent Risk Factors (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date October 7, 2013

Early Onset Dementia Traced to Mostly Preventable Adolescent Risk Factors

General Posted by anthony Date October 4, 2013

Hard to think that at 65 you can have dementia. Something
in the wiring going haywire. Some attribute it to genes.
This study suggests otherwise.

From my about.com blog…

I have been running into more and more people who have early onset dementia. It is a sad reality. A new JAMA reports adds perspective.

A study of Swedish men suggests nine risk factors, most of which can be traced to adolescence, account for most cases of young-onset dementia (YOD) diagnosed before the age of 65 years, according to a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

Dementia is a major public health concern that affects an estimated 35.6 million people worldwide. The cost and disability associated with dementia are expected to increase in the next 40 years, affecting more than 115 million people by 2050, Peter Nordstrî¤m, Ph.D, of UmeÌ´ University, Sweden, and colleagues write in the study background.

The study included 488,484 Swedish men conscripted for mandatory military service from September 1969 through December 1979 with an average age of 18 years.
“Young-onset dementia (YOD), that is, dementia diagnosed before 65 years of age, has been related to genetic mutations in affected families. The identification of other risk factors could improve the understanding of this heterogeneous group of syndromes,” the study notes.

During a median follow-up of 37 years, 487 men were diagnosed as having YOD at a median age of 54 years. Significant risk factors for YOD included: