Higher Levels of Purpose Lead to Better Cognitive Function in Alzheimer’s Sufferers (VIDEO)
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The Granny Pod – Good Idea of Bad
This is reprinted from my Friday about.com blog.
MEDCottage also known as a Granny Pod is a mini mobile home that you park in the backyard, hook it up to your water and electricity, and it becomes a free-standing spare room for mom and dad. While introduced a couple of years ago, it is only this year that a family is actually taking delivery of one in the U.S.
The 12 foot by 24 foot portable, modular ÛÏmedical home,Û can be purchased or leased and are equipped with health monitoring equipment and lifts to assist people who have problems with mobility.
Also included are security cameras that sweep up to 12 inches off the floor (foot sweep) in order to observe falls. A computer or mobile device can monitor the cameras. The cottage also has safety lighting along the floors.åÊ
The AARP calls it an ÛÏinnovative idea,Û but critics describe the portable homes as ÛÏstorage containers.Û
In Virginia, the state government has eased zoning restrictions so no municipality can block them from being installed.
This from their web site. Our signature product, the MEDCottage, supports this idea of family-managed healthcare. The MEDCottage is a mobile, modular medical home designed to be temporarily placed on a caregiverÛªs property for rehabilitation and extended care. Simply stated, itÛªs a state-of-the-art hospital room with remote monitoring available so caregivers and family members have peace of mind knowing they are providing the best possible care.
They boldly state that this is an alternative to nursing home care.
The Washington Post asked readers: ÛÏWould you purchase a ÛÏgranny podÛ for your aging relatives?Û Seventy-six percent responded in the affirmative.
On the site, Care2makeadifference, a dubious writer posed a question to readers about whether they would live in one of these pods. I was survey number 440 and answered with a resounding NO. Interestingly the numbers were split. Thirty-six percent answered Û÷noÛª; 14% were leaning Û÷noÛª; 29% answered Û÷ yesÛª; 21% were leaning Û÷yes.Ûª
A lot of the comments that followed tracked for the positive. After all, wouldnÛªt this be a great getaway for the grand kids too one offered.
I think I rather have a traditional in-law suite attached to the house than a pod on the property. Yet it contains all the innovative things we keep harping about especially in the arena of telehealth. It could never be a nursing home because there is the human element of skilled medical professionals that would be needed.
Perhaps perceptions comes with the dubious nickname of being a ÛÏpod.Û The term cottage does sound more appealing. And being a marketer I know people will get hung up on this. So call it a pod and people might want to eject themselves from such a place!
So let me hear from you professionals in the industry, caregivers and people who just may be of the age to use these. What do you think?
Higher Levels of Purpose Lead to Better Cognitive Function
The Archives of General Psychology published an article in their May issue entitled ÛÏEffect of Purpose in Life on the Relation Between Alzheimer Disease (AD) Pathologic Changes on Cognitive Function in Advanced Age.Û
OK. Long title. But the short of it ÛÒ research study participants who reported higher levels of purpose in life exhibited better cognitive function despite the burden of having AlzheimerÛªs Disease.
Interesting. I do a keynote I presumptuously call ÛÏThe Meaning of LifeÛ and I cover eight points about living a quality of life that I have learned from our elders. Particularly elders in nursing homes, which most of society associates with a place to die, exhibit this characteristic.åÊ
PURPOSE.
Researchers essentially wanted to see ifpurpose in life reduces the harmful effects of pathologic changes in cognition in advanced age.
Two hundred forty-six community-based older persons from the Rush Memory and Aging Project participated. Purpose in life was assessed via structured interview, and cognitive function was evaluated annually and close to death. Post-mortem examinations were also performed on the brain.
Purpose in life reduced the association of tangles with cognition. The tangles and plaques associated with the disease, in other words, did not impact cognition as much as it did for those who did not have purpose.
In fact researchers said that purpose had a protective effect and higher levels of purpose in life reduced the effect of pathologic changes on cognitive decline.
Got purpose?
Vitamin D Deficiency Could Lead to Mobility Limitations
Elderly adults who are deficient in vitamin D are at a higher risk for developing mobility limitations and becoming disabled.
Looking at the link between vitamin D and the onset of mobility and disability, researchers followed 2,100 men and women aged 70 to 79 over six years. Mobility was determined by subjects’ ability to walk several blocks, climb stairs and perform other activities of daily living.åÊ
Investigators from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center observed a 30% increased risk of mobility limitations for older adults with low levels of vitamin D, and almost a twofold higher risk of mobility disability.
“It’s difficult to get enough vitamin D through diet alone and older adults, who may not spend much time outdoors, may need to take a vitamin D supplement,Û Denise Houston, Ph.D., R.D., said.
The research was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
Source: McKnight’s LTC
TSA Help for Those with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a new toll-free helpline number, 855-787-2227, to provide information for passengers with disabilities and medical conditions and their families before they fly.åÊ
They recommend calling 72 hours in advance to learn what to expect at security checkpoints.åÊ
They will also be able to coordinate your security screening ahead of time when they know about your disability.
