related_results_labels({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471983413705881126"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-09T13:52:39.916-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Alzheimer's Reading Room"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"The Alzheimers Reading Room has clear, concise, usable news, research, insight and advice for the entire Alzheimers community. The website focuses on those suffering from Alzheimers disease and Dementia, Alzheimers caregivers, and the art of Alzheimers caregiving. 100 Million people have been touched by Alzheimer's disease, and 35 million are worried about Alzheimer's."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/feeds/posts/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/-/dementia?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d5"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/search/label/dementia"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/-/dementia/-/dementia?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d6\u0026max-results\u003d5"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bob DeMarco"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/14861703129474871916"},"email":{"$t":"rtdemarco@gmail.com"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"534"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"5"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471983413705881126.post-1009283604788236875"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-09T13:47:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-09T13:52:39.927-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"alzheimer's"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"alzhiemer's disease"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"alzheimers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"news"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"search"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dementia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"google"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Use Google Search to Fight off Dementia"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe results suggest that searching online may be a simple form of brain exercise that might be employed to enhance cognition in older adults -- Teena D. Moody, the study's first author and a senior research associate at the Semel Institute at UCLA.\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003eBy Bob DeMarco\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003e Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://system2.ipressroom.com/portal/ut/artwork/6/8/8/6/5/68865/robotic-brain_web.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"200\" src\u003d\"http://system2.ipressroom.com/portal/ut/artwork/6/8/8/6/5/68865/robotic-brain_web.jpg\" width\u003d\"150\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003ePreviously I wrote -- \u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/10/worried-about-alzheimers-using-google.html\"\u003eWorried About Alzheimer's? Using Google Search Promotes Memory and a Healthy Brain.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e In that article we discussed the benefits of searching the Internet to keep the memory sharp.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis study differs in that the brain activity of people who actively used the Internet were compared to people who did not use the Internet -- Newbies. Those tested were between the ages of 55 and 78.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is what caught my attention. The middle frontal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus — areas of the brain known to be important in working memory and decision-making --were triggered in Newbies after a week of searching \u003ca href\u003d\"http://google.com\"\u003eGoogle.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGranted, it is not yet known if this brain activity will continue over a long period of time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt seems to me that much like traditional exercise and healthy eating are recognized as ways to fight off Alzheimer's, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high LDL cholesterol; exercising the brain makes the brain stronger. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI really don't think many people are giving this the kind of serious consideration that they should be.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI am not suggesting that this is some kind of magic bullet to ward off Alzheimer's or dementia.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI do believe that exercising the brain could delay the onset of Alzheimer's. If this proved to be true, then that delay could be long enough until better treatments or therapies beyond the combination of Aricept and Namenda are discovered to treat Alzheimer's.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt seems to me that it makes sense to exercise the brain in a real and meaningful way. It certainly can't hurt and in the long run it could make an important difference.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA description of this new research which was presented at the 2009 meeting of the Society for Neuroscience is presented below.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cform action\u003d\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify\" method\u003d\"post\" onsubmit\u003d\"window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri\u003dTheAlzheimersReadingRoom', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars\u003dyes,width\u003d495,height\u003d468');return true\" style\u003d\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 2 px; text-align: center;\" target\u003d\"popupwindow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnter Your Email Address\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"email\" style\u003d\"width: 200px;\" type\u003d\"text\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"uri\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"TheAlzheimersReadingRoom\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"loc\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"en_US\" /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"submit\" value\u003d\"Subscribe\" /\u003e\u003c/form\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/first-time-internet-users-find-111275.aspx\"\u003eFirst-time Internet users find boost in brain function after just one week\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou can teach an old dog new tricks, say UCLA scientists who found that middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience were able to trigger key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning after just one week of surfing the Web.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe findings, presented Oct. 19 at the 2009 meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, suggest that Internet training can stimulate neural activation patterns and could potentially enhance brain function and cognition in older adults.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs the brain ages, a number of structural and functional changes occur, including atrophy, reductions in cell activity and increases in deposits of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which can impact cognitive function.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eResearch has shown that mental stimulation similar to that which occurs in individuals who frequently use the Internet may affect the efficiency of cognitive processing and alter the way the brain encodes new information.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"We found that for older people with minimal experience, performing Internet searches for even a relatively short period of time can change brain activity patterns and enhance function,\" said study author Dr. Gary Small, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and the author of \"iBrain,\" a book that describes the impact of new technology on the brain and behavior.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe UCLA team worked with 24 neurologically normal volunteers between the ages of 55 and 78. Prior to the study, half the participants used the Internet daily, while the other half had very little experience. Age, educational level and gender were similar between the two groups.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStudy participants performed Web searches while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, which recorded the subtle brain-circuitry changes experienced during this activity. This type of scan tracks brain activity by measuring the level of cerebral blood flow during cognitive tasks.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter the initial brain scan, participants went home and conducted Internet searches for one hour a day for a total of seven days over a two-week period. These practice searches involved using the Internet to answer questions about various topics by exploring different websites and reading information. Participants then received a second brain scan using the same Internet simulation task but with different topics.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe first scan of participants with little Internet experience demonstrated brain activity in regions controlling language, reading, memory and visual abilities, which are located in the frontal, temporal, parietal, visual and posterior cingulate regions, researchers said. The second brain scan of these participants, conducted after the practice Internet searches at home, demonstrated activation of these same regions, as well as triggering of the middle frontal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus — areas of the brain known to be important in working memory and decision-making. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThus, after Internet training at home, participants with minimal online experience displayed brain activation patterns very similar to those seen in the group of savvy Internet users — after just a brief period of time. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"The results suggest that searching online may be a simple form of brain exercise that might be employed to enhance cognition in older adults,\" said Teena D. Moody, the study's first author and a senior research associate at the Semel Institute at UCLA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen performing an Internet search, the ability to hold important information in working memory and to extract the important points from competing graphics and words is essential, Moody noted.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePrevious research by the UCLA team found that searching online resulted in a more than twofold increase in brain activation in older adults with prior experience, compared with those with little Internet experience. According to Small, the new findings suggest that it may take only days for those with minimal experience to match the activity levels of those with years of experience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAdditional studies may address the impact of the Internet on younger individuals and help identify aspects of online searching that generate the greatest levels of brain activation.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe study was funded by the Parvin Foundation.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSusan Y. Bookheimer, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the Semel Institute at UCLA, was also an author of this study. Himaja Gaddipati, a UCLA neuroscience student, and Jennifer Brace, a UCLA doctoral student in neuroscience, contributed to the work.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003ePopular articles on the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://alzheimersreadingroom.com/\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/10/worried-about-alzheimers-holy-grail-of.html\"\u003eWorried About Alzheimer's? The Holy Grail of Exercise\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/09/metamorphosis-of-this-alzheimers.html\"\u003eThe Metamorphosis of This Alzheimer's Caregiver (Part One)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/06/test-your-memory-tym-for-alzheimers-or.html\"\u003eTest Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/does-combination-of-aricept-and-namenda.html\"\u003eDoes the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2008/11/five-ways-to-keep-alzheimers-away.html\"\u003eFive Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/03/is-it-really-alzheimers-or-something.html\"\u003eIs it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/alzheimers-wandering-why-it-happens-and.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Wandering Why it Happens and What to Do\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/alzheimers-reading-room-testimonials.html\"\u003e50 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room Now\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/healthcare-spending-relative-ranking-by.html\"\u003eWorld Health Care Spending and Performance Ranking by Country (Table)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/03/what-is-dementia.html\"\u003eWhat is Dementia?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/09/dementia-and-eight-types-of-dementia.html\"\u003eDementia and the Eight Types of Dementia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/07/walmart-and-this-alzheimers-caregiver.html\"\u003eWalmart and this Alzheimer's Caregiver\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/06/dimebon-connection-study-complete.html\"\u003eDimebon Connection Study\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/04/are-alzheimers-caregivers-forgotten.html\"\u003eAre Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2008/11/simple-three-minute-test-can-detect.html\"\u003eA Simple Three Minute Test Can Detect the Earliest Stage of Alzheimer's Disease\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/04/wii-useful-tool-for-alzheimers.html\"\u003eWii a Useful Tool for Alzheimer's Caregivers\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/03/2009-alzheimers-disease-facts-and.html\"\u003e2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/03/mini-cog-test-for-alzheimers-and.html\"\u003eThe Mini-Cog Test for Alzheimer's and Dementia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"85\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/SPDjt6cT4-I/AAAAAAAABMQ/MXL3uRljPQU/s200/Head+shot+5.JPG\"  style\u003d\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width\u003d\"85\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/09/bob-demarco-editorcontributor.html\"\u003eBob DeMarco\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e is the editor of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,810 articles with more than 92,100 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.\u003c/b\u003e  \u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctd align\u003dcenter\u003e \u003cimg src\u003d\"http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace\u003dUS\u0026amp;ServiceVersion\u003d20070822\u0026amp;ID\u003dAsinImage\u0026amp;WS\u003d1\u0026amp;Format\u003d_SL150_\u0026amp;ASIN\u003dB002KHMZQ8\u0026amp;tag\u003dalzside-20\" /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Action-Plan-Diagnosis-Treatment/dp/B002KHMZQ8?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026tag\u003dalzside-20\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Alzheimer's Action Plan\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ctd width\u003d32\u003e \u0026nbsp; \u003ctd align\u003dcenter\u003e \u003cimg src\u003d\"http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace\u003dUS\u0026amp;ServiceVersion\u003d20070822\u0026amp;ID\u003dAsinImage\u0026amp;WS\u003d1\u0026amp;Format\u003d_SL150_\u0026amp;ASIN\u003d1932603166\u0026amp;tag\u003dalzside-20\" /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Guide-Alzheimers-Disease-Making/dp/1932603166?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026tag\u003dalzside-20\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e300 Tips for Making Life Easier\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003c/center\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: large;\"\u003eOriginal content Bob DeMarco, the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/10/use-google-search-to-fight-off-dementia.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471983413705881126-1009283604788236875?l\u003dwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/10/use-google-search-to-fight-off-dementia.html","title":"Use Google Search to Fight off Dementia"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/feeds/1009283604788236875/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/10/use-google-search-to-fight-off-dementia.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/1009283604788236875"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/1009283604788236875"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/10/use-google-search-to-fight-off-dementia.html","title":"Use Google Search to Fight off Dementia"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bob DeMarco"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/14861703129474871916"},"email":{"$t":"rtdemarco@gmail.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"02937219926706406775"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/SPDjt6cT4-I/AAAAAAAABMQ/MXL3uRljPQU/s72-c/Head+shot+5.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471983413705881126.post-677212741732237111"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-07T10:42:00.011-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-08T15:10:07.462-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dementia care"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"alzheimer's"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lakeview ranch"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"judy berry"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"healthcare"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"life news"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dementia Care Foundation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dementia"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Judy Berry Wins Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders Award"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I thought, You can sit and complain about something not being right, or you can do something about it.” -- Judy Berry\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI suggest you take the time to read this carefully. When you get the feeling that nobody cares, no one understands, you can think of Judy Berry.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJudy didn't go to med school. She wasn't trained in geriatric care. More or less, she started just like you and me. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne thing that does makes Judy different is she decided to change the way things -- Are. She would not accept the way things -- Were.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eUnlike others, Judy does have one unique ability -- she somehow understands how people suffering from dementia think and feel. I never asked her but my guess is that Judy sees something very different when she sees and talks to a person suffering from dementia. She sees another human being.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter dealing with a nightmare while trying to find care for her mother who had dementia, Judy Berry founded a model of care that provides an environment where residents maintain their \u003cb\u003edignity,\u003c/b\u003e choice and the best possible quality of life. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA recent study found that Berry’s approach \u003cb\u003ereduces the hospitalization of these individuals by 93 percent.\u003c/b\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor her tireless efforts and courage to create this new model of care for those suffering from dementia – and for \u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: large;\"\u003enever\u003c/span\u003e turning someone away for the inability to pay – Berry has been named one of 10 recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders Award. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe award  honors exceptional men and women who have overcome significant obstacles to tackle some of the most challenging health and health care problems facing their communities.\u003cb\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/b\u003e   \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003eMinnesota Resident Honored for Creating a New Model of Care for Dementia Sufferers\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eRobert Wood Johnson Foundation Recognizes Judy Berry With a 2010 Community Health Leaders Award\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJudy Berry was starting the day at her new job when she got a phone call that changed her life. Her mother, Evelyn, had been hospitalized after accidentally overdosing on her medications. Berry was told her mother could no longer live alone. Berry, who was recently divorced with very little money, knew that meant she would have to break a lifelong promise to her mother. She had to put Evelyn in a nursing home.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDuring the first week, Evelyn took a walk outside. When the nursing home staff was unable to find her, they called her walk an “escape,” and Evelyn was thereafter considered to have a “behavior problem,” according to Berry. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eShe was placed in a small, locked dementia unit. For Berry, that began a “seven-year horror story” that involved dozens of different nursing homes, hospitalizations, drug-induced rages, battles with nursing home staff members and lots of tears. Throughout the ordeal, Berry fought for a more humane approach to her mother’s care, but, she said,\u003c/b\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e“The system wouldn’t allow it. The system had made up its mind that she was no longer there, and that the solution was to ‘medicate her into oblivion’ to make her compliant in her environment.”\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter her mother died, Berry’s \u003cb\u003eanger and frustration\u003c/b\u003e turned to motivation to provide a different approach to caring for people with dementia. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJudy decided that with her own funds, she would provide an alternative to those who needed dementia care in her home town of Darwin, Minn. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I thought, You can sit and complain about something not being right, or you can do something about it.”\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eBerry, however, did not have a background in health care.\u003c/b\u003e Encouraged by her employer to follow her dream, she started visiting nursing homes around the country. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I didn’t bother talking to the administrators. I knew they would just think I was crazy. I talked to the frontline staff and asked them what worked and what didn’t. I found they often agreed with my gut feeling that my mother’s behavior was the result of unmet emotional needs,” said Berry, whose facility in Darwin is called \u003ca href\u003d\"http://lakeviewranch.com/\"\u003eLakeview Ranch.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://lakeviewranch.com/index.php\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"240\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/TIZWXb4ds6I/AAAAAAAACcE/5pXfRF8sBJg/s320/Lakeview+Ranch.jpg\" width\u003d\"320\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor her courage to create a new model of care for those suffering from dementia―and for never turning someone away because of an inability to pay―Berry has been named one of 10 recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders Award, which honors exceptional men and women who have overcome significant obstacles to tackle some of the most challenging health and health care problems facing their communities. Berry received the award during a ceremony at the Foundation in Princeton, N.J., on August 12.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBerry’s road to Lakeview Ranch was fraught with obstacles. Having no assets, she struggled to get a loan, until she met a banker whose mother had had the same experience as Berry’s. \u003cb\u003eEven after securing the loan, she was sued by her neighbors, who feared that the presence of an elder care facility on their street would lower their property values. \u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCommunity Health Leaders National Program Director Janice Ford Griffin said that \u003cb\u003eBerry has demonstrated courage and commitment to persevere in the development of new techniques that reflect sensitivity, compassion and a willingness to address the complex nature of dementia as it affects each patient.  \u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBerry said her model of care works because “we treat dementia sufferers like human beings.”\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAddressing the residents’ \u003cb\u003espiritual and emotional needs\u003c/b\u003e is a key component of the care delivered at the facility. Staffers are trained to monitor and respond to the residents’ emotional issues such as \u003cb\u003eanxiety, fear and depression.\u003c/b\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis model of care creates an environment that allows all its residents to maintain their dignity, choice and the best possible quality of life, Berry said.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBerry notes, though, that this care requires a high staff-to-resident ratio and for registered nurses to address any other concurrent medical conditions a resident might have. In this way, staff has the support necessary to proactively manage residents’ dementia and other medical conditions and avoid the trauma and expense of hospital emergency room visits. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor this kind of staffing, \u003cb\u003e“Medicaid only pays one third of what is needed,” Berry said. So she set up a foundation to help cover the rest. With the economic downturn, however, donations to the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.dementiacarefoundation.org/\"\u003eDementia Care Foundation\u003c/a\u003e are down 60 percent.\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I invite people to come and see our model of care,” said Berry. In a recent study of the Lakeview Ranch Model of Specialized Dementia Care, Berry’s approach was found to reduce hospitalizations by 93 percent, she said. “Our residents all had had multiple hospitalizations before they came to us. We reduce that by really getting to know our residents and by meeting the underlying needs causing the behavior. Our staff is incredible,” Berry said.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDementia Care Foundation\u003c/h3\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cform action\u003d\"https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr\" method\u003d\"post\"\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"hidden\" name\u003d\"cmd\" value\u003d\"_s-xclick\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"hidden\" name\u003d\"hosted_button_id\" value\u003d\"8886403\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"image\" src\u003d\"https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif\" border\u003d\"0\" name\u003d\"submit\" alt\u003d\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"\" border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif\" width\u003d\"1\" height\u003d\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/form\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStacy L. Nichols, M.D., a board-certified adult and geriatric psychiatrist at Hutchinson Area Health Care in Hutchinson, Minn., said that Berry’s facility provides its residents with a caring, home-like environment. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Judy has provided a home environment that any one of us would want our family members to be in if they had the need. I have had the opportunity to speak at her facility and assist in educating her staff. I told them my hope was that I could be on the waiting list for a room when that time comes. It is the highest compliment I can pay her and her staff,” Nichols said.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e__________________________\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Robert Wood Johnson Foundation established the Community Health Leaders Award to recognize individuals who overcome daunting obstacles to improve health and health care in their communities. Today, there are 183 outstanding Community Health Leaders from nearly all states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.communityhealthleaders.org.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years, the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ciframe allowtransparency\u003d\"true\" frameborder\u003d\"0\" scrolling\u003d\"no\" src\u003d\"http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href\u003dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com\u0026amp;layout\u003dstandard\u0026amp;show_faces\u003dtrue\u0026amp;width\u003d450\u0026amp;action\u003drecommend\u0026amp;colorscheme\u003dlight\u0026amp;height\u003d80\" style\u003d\"border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;\"\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cform action\u003d\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify\" method\u003d\"post\" onsubmit\u003d\"window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri\u003dTheAlzheimersReadingRoom', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars\u003dyes,width\u003d495,height\u003d468');return true\" style\u003d\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 2 px; text-align: center;\" target\u003d\"popupwindow\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"color: teal;\"\u003eSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnter Your Email Address\u003c/b\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"email\" style\u003d\"width: 200px;\" type\u003d\"text\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"uri\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"TheAlzheimersReadingRoom\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"loc\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"en_US\" /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"submit\" value\u003d\"Subscribe\" /\u003e\u003c/form\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore About the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"85\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/SPDjt6cT4-I/AAAAAAAABMQ/MXL3uRljPQU/s200/Head+shot+5.JPG\" style\u003d\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width\u003d\"85\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/09/bob-demarco-editorcontributor.html\"\u003eBob DeMarco\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e is the editor of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,810 articles with more than 92,100 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.\u003c/b\u003e  \u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: large;\"\u003eOriginal content Bob DeMarco, the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/judy-berry-wins-robert-wood-johnson.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471983413705881126-677212741732237111?l\u003dwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/feeds/677212741732237111/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/judy-berry-wins-robert-wood-johnson.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/677212741732237111"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/677212741732237111"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/judy-berry-wins-robert-wood-johnson.html","title":"Judy Berry Wins Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders Award"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bob DeMarco"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/14861703129474871916"},"email":{"$t":"rtdemarco@gmail.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"02937219926706406775"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/TIZWXb4ds6I/AAAAAAAACcE/5pXfRF8sBJg/s72-c/Lakeview+Ranch.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471983413705881126.post-2233900808744103603"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-06T08:39:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-06T08:40:19.559-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mental"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blog"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"patient"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"tips"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alzheimer's disease"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dementia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"list"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alzheimer’s"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"advice"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"caregiver"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Communicating"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo not argue with them. It gets you nowhere......\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003eBy Carole Larkin\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEver feel like your loved one is ignoring you or that you just weren’t getting through to your loved one? Try some of these tips to see if they help.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTips for communicating with a mid-stage (or later) Alzheimer’s patient.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"213\" src\u003d\"http://static.flickr.com/2322/2098283991_e34bb34852.jpg\" width\u003d\"320\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eMake eye contact.\u003c/b\u003e  Always approach them face-to-face and make eye contact. Use their name if you need to. It is vital that they actually see you and that their attention is focused on you. Read their eyes. Always approach from the front as approaching and speaking from the side or from behind can startle them.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eBe at their level.\u003c/b\u003e  Move your head to be at the same level as their head. Bend your knees or sit down to reach their level. Do not stand or hover over them – it is intimidating and scary. They can’t focus on you and what you are saying if they are focused on their fear.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eTell them what you are going to do before you do it.\u003c/b\u003e Particularly if you are going to touch them. They need to know what is coming first so that they don’t think that you are grabbing them.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpeak calmly.\u003c/b\u003e  Always speak in a calm manner with an upbeat tone of voice, even if you don’t feel that way. If you sound angry or agitated, they will often mirror that feeling back to you and then some.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpeak slowly. \u003c/b\u003e Speak at one half of your normal speed when talking to them. Take a breath between each sentence. They can not process words as fast as non-diseased people can. Give them a chance to catch up to your words.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpeak in short sentences.\u003c/b\u003e  Speak in short direct sentences with only one idea to a sentence. Usually they can only focus on only one idea at a time.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eOnly ask one question at a time.\u003c/b\u003e Let them answer it before you ask another question. You can ask who, what, where and when, but NOT why. Why is too complicated. They will try to answer, fail and get frustrated.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eDon’t say “remember”.\u003c/b\u003e Many times they will not be able to do so, and you are just pointing out to them their shortcomings. That is insulting, and can cause anger and/or embarrassment.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eTurn negatives into positives.\u003c/b\u003e For example say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go there”. Be inclusive and don’t talking down to them as if they were a child. Respect the fact that they are an adult, and treat them as such.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo not argue with them.\u003c/b\u003e It gets you nowhere. Instead, validate their feelings, by saying” I see that you are angry (sad, upset, etc…). It lets them know that they are not alone and then redirect them into another thought. For example “It sounds like you miss your mother (husband, father, etc…). You love them very much, don’t you?  Tell me about the time…” Then ask for one of their favorite stories about that person).\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cform action\u003d\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify\" method\u003d\"post\" onsubmit\u003d\"window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri\u003dTheAlzheimersReadingRoom', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars\u003dyes,width\u003d495,height\u003d468');return true\" style\u003d\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 2 px; text-align: center;\" target\u003d\"popupwindow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnter Your Email Address\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"email\" style\u003d\"width: 200px;\" type\u003d\"text\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"uri\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"TheAlzheimersReadingRoom\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"loc\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"en_US\" /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"submit\" value\u003d\"Subscribe\" /\u003e\u003c/form\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore About the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/advice-and-insight-alzheimers.html\"\u003eAdvice and Insight -- Alzheimer's Caregiving\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/01/what-is-alzheimers-disease.html\"\u003eWhat is Alzheimer's Disease ?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/conquering-urinary-incontinence-first.html\"\u003eConquering Urinary Incontinence\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/alzheimers-and-dreaded-bowel-movement.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's and the Dreaded Bowel Movement\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/09/dementia-and-eight-types-of-dementia.html\"\u003eDementia and the Eight Types of Dementia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/does-combination-of-aricept-and-namenda.html\"\u003eDoes the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/12/communicating-in-alzheimers-world.html\"\u003eCommunicating in  Alzheimer's World\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/06/test-your-memory-tym-for-alzheimers-or.html\"\u003eTest Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/01/dr-oz-memory-quiz-test.html\"\u003eDr Oz Alzheimer's Memory Quiz (Test)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/12/alzheimers-clock-draw-test-detect-signs.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Clock Draw Test -- Detect the Signs of Alzheimer's Early\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/03/is-it-really-alzheimers-or-something.html\"\u003eIs it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/alzheimers-reading-room-testimonials.html\"\u003e60 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312355394?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026amp;tag\u003dactionplan-20\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"\" border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZIhAkDKZL._SL500_AA250_.jpg\" style\u003d\"margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/center\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312355394?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026amp;tag\u003dactionplan-20\" style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThe Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"75\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" src\u003d\"http://thirdageservices.com/images/Larkin122008.jpg\" style\u003d\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width\u003d\"75\" /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://thirdageservices.com/about/about.htm\"\u003eCarole Larkin  MAG, CMC, DCP, EICS  \u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/span\u003eis a geriatric care manager who specializes in helping families with Alzheimer’s and related dementias issues. She also trains caregivers in home care companies, assisted livings, memory care communities, and nursing homes in dementia specific techniques for best care of dementia sufferers. Her company, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thirdageservices.com/\"\u003eThirdAge Services LLC\u003c/a\u003e, is located in Dallas, TX.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal content Carole Larkin, the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/ten-tips-for-communicating-with.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471983413705881126-2233900808744103603?l\u003dwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/ten-tips-for-communicating-with.html","title":"Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/feeds/2233900808744103603/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/ten-tips-for-communicating-with.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/2233900808744103603"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/2233900808744103603"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/ten-tips-for-communicating-with.html","title":"Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bob DeMarco"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/14861703129474871916"},"email":{"$t":"rtdemarco@gmail.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"02937219926706406775"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471983413705881126.post-6561808387800309424"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-05T09:13:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-05T09:13:49.681-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"alzheimer's"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"life news"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dementia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"alzheimer's caregiving"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"caregiver"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Keeping The Love Alive: Opening The Caregiver's Heart"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003eBy Sheryl Lynn\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/i\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/i\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNo matter the experience, there is always a gift.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is my mantra.  I repeat it to myself each day.  It helps me stay the course as a caregiver for my mother and my aunt, both of whom have dementia.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003eSeveral months ago, I asked three people to help me who are no longer in my life but live on in my heart.  I'll call them Alex, Scott and Lennie.  I was going through a difficult time mentally, emotionally, physically and financially.  My ego put up a good fight before I sent the emails and made the phone call.  I wouldn't have contacted them if I'd had other alternatives available.  I didn't.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne was the only person to give me clarity on something important that would help my heart heal, which was important because the stronger I am emotionally, the better I can hold myself together and be fully present and loving with my mother and my aunt.  The other two had professional expertise that would help me publicize and grow my work, which was important because I'm paying out a lot of money each month to care for my mother.  I'd contacted others who do the same work to help.  They didn't return my calls.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo I reached out to these three people.  I spoke from my heart.  I was as loving as I could be, and I was as clear as I could be that I was in need of help and I needed it now.  I practiced what I would say and how my voice would sound before I made the phone call and before I sent the emails.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTwo of the three never responded.  The third sent an email that asked why I didn't contact one of the thousands of others who have similar professional expertise or who have useful contacts to help me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEven though we were out of contact, I never expected that all three of them would do the same thing.  I felt rejected, saddened, and angry.  I wondered how it was I'd thought these people ever cared about me.  I couldn't believe that none of them would come through for me during a time when I was more in need of assistance than I'd ever been before.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd then I snapped out of it.  I returned to Dementia World.  Dementia World is a place where hearts break in order to more fully open.  Dementia World is a place where the past and future do not exist.  All we have is this moment, and the more loving we are with each other, the more we can live authentic lives.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDementia World is a place where we all learn the meaning of love.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'd needed Alex to explain something to me for my heart to heal.  I filled my heart with love for Alex.  I felt sorry for him.  His birth mother had given him up for adoption, and his adoptive mother was cruel to him and later cut off all contact with him.  He'd never have the intensely loving experiences I still have with my mother.  He couldn't understand how my heart was broken because he'd never learned how to fully open his own heart.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'd needed Scott to help me grow my work.  When I knew him, he had a job he hated.  This highly creative man was trapped in a job that bored and tired him but allowed him to stay in this country.  I found his website and saw that he'd reinvented himself as a creative professional.  I cried when I viewed some of his videos.  They were hauntingly beautiful.  I felt the positive effects that marriage and family life had brought to his life.  My heart opened up to him.  I was so happy he'd found himself.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'd needed Lennie to help me grow my work.  When I knew him, he'd had a close relationship with only the youngest of his children.  I somehow found a blog set up by his son and his wife.  I saw photos that showed the difference that five years had made in their lives.  They all seemed so happy!  They were young, focused on doing the things that young people do.  I cried when I saw the photo of Lennie balancing his toddler grandson on his lap while he was typing on his computer.  He'd endured a horrific childhood and adolescence.  As he entered his seventh decade, he'd found new family love with his children's children.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe old Sheryl, pre-caregiving, would have allowed her ego to stay in control, cultivating feelings of rejection far into the future.  The new Sheryl, caregiving Sheryl, only wants to see love.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat else really matters?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlex, Scott and Lennie will never experience the heartbreak that comes with caring for a loved one with dementia.  I'm truly happy about that.  I wouldn't wish that on anyone.  On the other hand, Alex, Scott and Lennie will never experience the exquisite joy, the deep love, the indescribable connection that comes when the clouds part so that we can once more be with the person we've known all our lives.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI wish them all love, and I wish them all happiness.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNo matter the experience, there is always a gift.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ciframe src\u003d\"http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href\u003dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com\u0026amp;layout\u003dstandard\u0026amp;show_faces\u003dtrue\u0026amp;width\u003d450\u0026amp;action\u003drecommend\u0026amp;colorscheme\u003dlight\u0026amp;height\u003d80\" scrolling\u003d\"no\" frameborder\u003d\"0\" style\u003d\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;\" allowTransparency\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e  \u003cform action\u003d\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify\" method\u003d\"post\" onsubmit\u003d\"window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri\u003dTheAlzheimersReadingRoom', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars\u003dyes,width\u003d495,height\u003d468');return true\" style\u003d\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 2 px; text-align: center;\" target\u003d\"popupwindow\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"font-size:large;\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#008080;\"\u003eSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnter Your Email Address\u003c/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"email\" style\u003d\"width: 200px;\" type\u003d\"text\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"uri\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"TheAlzheimersReadingRoom\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"loc\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"en_US\" /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"submit\" value\u003d\"Subscribe\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/form\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore About the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/alzheimers-reading-room-testimonials.html\"\u003e60 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room \u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/advice-and-insight-alzheimers.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's CareGiving -- Insight and Advice\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/topic-test-your-memory-for-alzheimers.html\"\u003eTest Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/12/communicating-in-alzheimers-world.html\"\u003eCommunicating in  Alzheimer's World\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/11/worried-about-alzheimers-disease.html\"\u003eWorried About Alzheimer's Disease -- You Should Be\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/what-is-alzheimers-what-are-eight-types.html\"\u003eWhat is Alzheimer's? What are the Eight Types of Dementia?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/08/does-combination-of-aricept-and-namenda.html\"\u003eDoes the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/alzheimers-statistics.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Disease Statistics\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/03/is-it-really-alzheimers-or-something.html\"\u003eIs it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/05/ten-symptoms-of-early-stage-alzheimers.html\"\u003eTen Symptoms of Early Stage Alzheimer's\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/ten-tips-for-communicating-with.html\"\u003eTen Tips for Communicating with an Alzheimer’s Patient\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/b\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/S9rN8oHcyWI/AAAAAAAACK8/ODV_Lw2mdv4/s1600/Sheryl+Lynn.jpg\" style\u003d\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width\u003d\"96\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cb\u003eSheryl Lynn\u003c/b\u003e is the author of the upcoming book \"The Light Is A Thank You,\" which chronicles the spiritual journey through dementia she has taken with her mother, Eleanor.  She is the host of  \"Glow With The Flow Radio Show,\" currently on hiatus.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctd align\u003dcenter\u003e \u003cimg src\u003d\"http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace\u003dUS\u0026amp;ServiceVersion\u003d20070822\u0026amp;ID\u003dAsinImage\u0026amp;WS\u003d1\u0026amp;Format\u003d_SL150_\u0026amp;ASIN\u003dB002KHMZQ8\u0026amp;tag\u003dalzside-20\" /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Action-Plan-Diagnosis-Treatment/dp/B002KHMZQ8?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026tag\u003dalzside-20\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Alzheimer's Action Plan\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e \u003ctd width\u003d32\u003e \u0026nbsp; \u003ctd align\u003dcenter\u003e \u003cimg src\u003d\"http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace\u003dUS\u0026amp;ServiceVersion\u003d20070822\u0026amp;ID\u003dAsinImage\u0026amp;WS\u003d1\u0026amp;Format\u003d_SL150_\u0026amp;ASIN\u003d1932603166\u0026amp;tag\u003dalzside-20\" /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Guide-Alzheimers-Disease-Making/dp/1932603166?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026tag\u003dalzside-20\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e300 Tips for Making Life Easier\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003c/center\u003e  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: large;\"\u003eOriginal content the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471983413705881126-6561808387800309424?l\u003dwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/feeds/6561808387800309424/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/keeping-love-alive-opening-caregivers.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/6561808387800309424"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/6561808387800309424"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/keeping-love-alive-opening-caregivers.html","title":"Keeping The Love Alive: Opening The Caregiver's Heart"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bob DeMarco"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/14861703129474871916"},"email":{"$t":"rtdemarco@gmail.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"02937219926706406775"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/S9rN8oHcyWI/AAAAAAAACK8/ODV_Lw2mdv4/s72-c/Sheryl+Lynn.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471983413705881126.post-4561742115283607377"},"published":{"$t":"2010-09-03T13:07:00.006-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2010-09-03T22:30:38.011-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"art"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"puzzles"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lifestyle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alzheimer's disease"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"life news"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"exercise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dementia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"painting"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"brain exercises"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Brain Exercises May Slow Cognitive Decline Initially, But Speed Up Dementia Later"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e...at the end of the day, you're spending a lesser proportion of your lifespan in a cognitively dependent, demented state, which I think is what we're all after...\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003eBy Bob DeMarco\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/i\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe media jumped all over a newly released research study that was conducted by Robert S. Wilson, PhD, neuropsychologist, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSomehow, reporters concluded that brain exercise is a bad thing because while brain exercises can slow decline in thinking skills, they might speed up dementia later in life. In other words, if you are predisposed to Alzheimer's disease.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePlease pay close attention to this quote from Dr. Wilson.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"We think what a cognitively active lifestyle does is help delay the initial appearance of cognitive impairment in old age and allows a person to have a longer period of cognitive vitality and cognitive independence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Then, if the person lives long enough and the underlying disease is progressing nonetheless, when dementia does become clinically manifest, we think that this sort of lifestyle is associated with a slightly less protracted course of the disease,\" he added. \"So that at the end of the day, you're spending a lesser proportion of your lifespan in a cognitively dependent, demented state, which I think is what we're all after.\" \u003c/b\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003ca name\u003d'more'\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKey --  a cognitively active lifestyle helps delay the initial appearance of cognitive impairment in old age and allows a person to have a longer period of cognitive vitality and cognitive independence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNote -- you spend a smaller proportion of you life in a demented state.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlso note, the studies researchers evaluated the mental activities of 1,157 people age 65 or older who did not have dementia at the start of the nearly 12-year study.\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBottom line, it appears that mental activities like crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, painting, and searching the Internet are beneficial to your brain. And, they might delay the onset of Alzheimer's dementia.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt seems to me based on experience with my mother as an Alzheimer's caregiver, and conversations with Alzheimer's caregivers all over the world that this is good, not bad news.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is the information released by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrain Exercises May Slow Cognitive Decline Initially, But Speed Up Dementia Later\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNew research shows that mentally stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles, reading and listening to the radio may, at first, slow the decline of thinking skills but speed up dementia later in old age. The research is published in the September 1, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e“Our results suggest that the benefit of delaying the initial signs of cognitive decline may come at the cost of more rapid dementia progression later on, but the question is why does this happen?” said study author Robert S. Wilson, PhD, neuropsychologist, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAccording to Wilson, mentally stimulating activities may somehow enhance the brain’s ability to function relatively normally despite the buildup of lesions in the brain associated with dementia. However, once they are diagnosed with dementia, people who have a more mentally active lifestyle are likely to have more brain changes related to dementia compared to those without a lot of mental activity. As a result, those with more mentally active lifestyles may experience a faster rate of decline once dementia begins.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWilson noted that mental activities compress the time period that a person spends with dementia, delaying its start and then speeding up its progress. “This reduces the overall amount of time that a person may suffer from dementia,” he said.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor the study, researchers evaluated the mental activities of 1,157 people age 65 or older who did not have dementia at the start of the nearly 12-year study.  People answered questions about how often they participated in mental activities such as listening to the radio, watching television, reading, playing games and going to a museum; for this five-point cognitive activity scale, the more points scored, the more often people participated in mentally stimulating exercises.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDuring the next six years, the study found that the rate of cognitive decline in people without cognitive impairment was reduced by 52 percent for each point on the cognitive activity scale. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, the average rate of decline per year increased by 42 percent for each point on the cognitive activity scale.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe study was supported by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ehttp://www.rush.edu/webapps/MEDREL/servlet/NewsRelease?id\u003d1413\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ciframe src\u003d\"http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href\u003dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com\u0026amp;layout\u003dstandard\u0026amp;show_faces\u003dtrue\u0026amp;width\u003d450\u0026amp;action\u003drecommend\u0026amp;colorscheme\u003dlight\u0026amp;height\u003d80\" scrolling\u003d\"no\" frameborder\u003d\"0\" style\u003d\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;\" allowTransparency\u003d\"true\"\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e  \u003cform action\u003d\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify\" method\u003d\"post\" onsubmit\u003d\"window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri\u003dTheAlzheimersReadingRoom', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars\u003dyes,width\u003d495,height\u003d468');return true\" style\u003d\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 2 px; text-align: center;\" target\u003d\"popupwindow\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"font-size:large;\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#008080;\"\u003eSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnter Your Email Address\u003c/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"email\" style\u003d\"width: 200px;\" type\u003d\"text\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"uri\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"TheAlzheimersReadingRoom\" /\u003e\u003cinput name\u003d\"loc\" type\u003d\"hidden\" value\u003d\"en_US\" /\u003e\u003cinput type\u003d\"submit\" value\u003d\"Subscribe\" /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/form\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore About the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/03/advice-and-insight-alzheimers.html\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#058B7B;\"\u003eAlzheimer's Caregivers Advice and Insight (20 articles)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/topic-test-your-memory-for-alzheimers.html\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#058B7B;\"\u003eTest Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/alzheimers-statistics.html\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#058B7B;\"\u003eAlzheimer's Disease Statistics\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/what-is-alzheimers-what-are-eight-types.html\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#058B7B;\"\u003eWhat is Alzheimer's? What are the Eight Types of Dementia?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/p/alzheimers-and-driving.html\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#058B7B;\"\u003eAlzheimer's and Driving\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/07/alzheimers-caregiving-dealing-with.html\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\"  style\u003d\"color:#058B7B;\"\u003eAlzheimer's Caregiving Dealing with Behavior\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003ca imageanchor\u003d\"1\" target\u003d\"_blank\"  href\u003d\"http://www.amazon.com/Remember-Better-When-Paint-Alzheimers/dp/B002UZE8S8?ie\u003dUTF8\u0026tag\u003dalzreadingroom-20\u0026link_code\u003dbil\u0026camp\u003d213689\u0026creative\u003d392969\"\u003e\u003cimg alt\u003d\"I Remember Better When I Paint: Treating Alzheimer\u0026#39;s through the Creative Arts\" src\u003d\"http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace\u003dUS\u0026ServiceVersion\u003d20070822\u0026ID\u003dAsinImage\u0026WS\u003d1\u0026Format\u003d_SL200_\u0026ASIN\u003dB002UZE8S8\u0026tag\u003dalzreadingroom-20\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d\"http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t\u003dalzreadingroom-20\u0026l\u003dbil\u0026camp\u003d213689\u0026creative\u003d392969\u0026o\u003d1\u0026a\u003dB002UZE8S8\" width\u003d\"1\" height\u003d\"1\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"\" style\u003d\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important\" /\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"85\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/SPDjt6cT4-I/AAAAAAAABMQ/MXL3uRljPQU/s200/Head+shot+5.JPG\"  style\u003d\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width\u003d\"85\" /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/09/bob-demarco-editorcontributor.html\"\u003eBob DeMarco\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e is the editor of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/02/about-alzheimers-reading-room.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,810 articles with more than 89,500 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.\u003c/b\u003e  \u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"Apple-style-span\" style\u003d\"font-size: large;\"\u003eOriginal content Bob DeMarco, the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/brain-exercises-may-slow-cognitive.html\"\u003eAlzheimer's Reading Room\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6471983413705881126-4561742115283607377?l\u003dwww.alzheimersreadingroom.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/brain-exercises-may-slow-cognitive.html","title":"Brain Exercises May Slow Cognitive Decline Initially, But Speed Up Dementia Later"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/feeds/4561742115283607377/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/brain-exercises-may-slow-cognitive.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/4561742115283607377"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6471983413705881126/posts/default/4561742115283607377"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/09/brain-exercises-may-slow-cognitive.html","title":"Brain Exercises May Slow Cognitive Decline Initially, But Speed Up Dementia Later"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Bob DeMarco"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/14861703129474871916"},"email":{"$t":"rtdemarco@gmail.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"02937219926706406775"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UUEwElMfh90/SPDjt6cT4-I/AAAAAAAABMQ/MXL3uRljPQU/s72-c/Head+shot+5.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}}]}});