In the initial stages of this disease it is necessary for a patient to be engaged in a variety of physical, social and mental activities to exercise and stimulate the brain. New experiences for the patient –plays an important role; the trick is in providing stimuli to the brain and preventing it from getting bored. However one should ensure that the patient is not over-stimulated and stressed.

There are various methods that can be used to keep the mind stimulated and active. The patient should be encouraged to take part in various activities to provide a novel experience. Activities that kindle the interest of the patient like art, cooking, walking, swimming and gardening can be focused on; the main objective being able to provide enjoyment and the emphasis on achievement should take a backseat.

It is also to be recognized that a healthy mind requires a healthy body. So, the patient should be encouraged to do daily exercises; the exercise that appeals to the patient most must be encouraged. It has been found that going for a walk of four miles in a week cuts the chances of developing dementia by fifty percent. Going outdoors for a nature walk or a drive has great therapeutic value.

In addition, brain activity and coordination can be improved by encouraging the patient to do activities by the hand like knitting, model making or playing a musical instrument. Also playing video games can help to improve eye and hand coordination, spatial visualization skills, and can increase the number of things an Alzheimer’s patient can visually attend to simultaneously.

Besides certain brain games and puzzles like doing crosswords and number puzzles, memory games and board games can be encouraged as activities to a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. However this cannot be done if the patient is not lucid. They also help exercise the parietal lobes of the brain. Spending time with pets can also provide the peace, calm and entertainment.

Laughter and humor can also help. Even if an Alzheimer’s patient is no longer able to appreciate your jokes, he is sure to know that it is a joke and will smile or laugh which can provide some relief to them. Using humor like clowning, or teasing can be fun for them.

Besides it is also necessary to help such people to strengthen their memory. Helping an Alzheimer’s patient to learn new words can play a great part in enhancing his brain language centers, which would be of a great help. In addition, spelling exercises can help to improve his power to see a word before using it by mouth or in writing. This can help in activating various language related brain areas. In addition paying more attention to sensory exercises like practicing sharpening your brain by recollecting names of herbs, essences that you encounter in your day-to-day life can also help.

All these activities are sure to keep Alzheimer disease at bay and help a person to lead to improve the quality of life.

Links:
Alzheimers
The Brilliant Human Brain – Animation

The entire world a stage, and we are mere actors, echoed The Bard, eons ago. As the curtains go down slowly for those in the grips of this crippling disease, today on World Alzheimera day, the stage is set for deep reckoning; it is time to take the bull by its horns and evolve better strategies for effective management of the disease.Alzheimer is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system marked by stark and untimely backslide in the patient mental capabilities. It is estimated that nearly 2 to 4 million persons suffer age related dementia, out of which nearly two-thirds have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most notorious of dementias, which sets in gradually leading to an irreversible memory loss, abnormal behavioral and personality changes, combined with a steep fall in intellectual /thinking abilities.

The risks of Alzheimer’s disease go up with age, pronounced after the age of 65. Two main risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease include a strong family history of dementia and Down syndrome. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease encounter grave problems with memory, judgment, and structured thought process that make it extremely difficult to lead a normal life. Additionally there may be fluctuations in mood and changes in behavior. The rate of progression of the disease varies with each person; therefore it is important to diagnose early to realize better treatment outcomes.

Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer, research shows that the quality of care can have a far-reaching impact on the patients. Adopting a person-centered approach that promotes independence, taking adequate care not to crush the individuality of the person with dementia, is the corner stone of treatment measures. The caregivers should be suitably trained to handle patients suffering this disease. Perpetuation of care by the staff, which fosters trust and builds a relationship between the caregivers and the patient, is extremely crucial. As the patient advances into the disease, it is only the caregivers who can provide the security that a patient needs.

Care for a person with dementia can be extremely daunting, all the same, enhancing the role of the family members and caregivers for the person’s physical needs. In Alzheimer’s disease, the person could become completely dependant on the caregiver, and it is here that the role of education, support and training, helps the family cope with events that follow.

Presently there is no magic pill that can reverse the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. The best bet so far combines the expertise of psychotherapy, environmental changes and medication. The pitfalls of drug therapy for patients who are already suffering memory impairment can get worse because of the inability to remember to take a drug, and more so if the drug is to be taken many times in the course of a day. Behavioral approaches are beneficial to calm down the intensity of certain difficult behaviors, often portrayed as aggressive and even unbecoming manifestations in conduct. It is here that the caregiver can play a proactive role in comprehending underlying triggers, and assist in keeping them at bay. Evolving methods to simplify complex tasks- such as dressing or feeding - into easy convenient activities, reducing clutter and confusion goes a long way in reducing the challenge of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s. Activities that induce pleasure such as games and music, is known to have a positive effect on the mood, allaying potential fears and depression.

Modifying the environment is extremely imperative for patients suffering from this disease. Potentially dangerous instruments, chemicals, and tools should be put away to ensure safe living environment of the patients. Finally, family members or care givers of patients are often at the receiving end, and may harbor feelings of resentment, guilt, frustration, and anger, also engulfed by an overwhelming sense of sadness at what has befallen a dear one. Not surprising that many of the caregivers end up depressed themselves. It is here that the support groups can rise to the occasion to uplift those who have selflessly cared for patients who are on the brink of sinking into oblivion.