NEW STUDY: ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS MAY PROMOTE DIABETES

When it comes to artificial sweeteners, there has been a long running debate as to whether they are helpful or might cause harm. Many dieters and those with diabetes purchase these zero calorie beverages and snacks to avoid weight gain and spikes in blood sugar levels, but could they be promoting the opposite? A new […]

FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE – EMOTIONAL LIFE OF ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS

To quote the late Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Truer words were never spoken. In fact, a new study from the University of Iowa shows that caregivers have a profound influence on those who often cannot remember […]

MISDIAGNOSED: CONDITIONS THAT MIMIC CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Clinical depression is a serious disease, marked by some classic symptoms, such as guilt, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, sadness, and often thoughts of suicide. While many doctors are apt to prescribe medications like Zoloft right off the bat when a patient presents with these symptoms, the person could […]

THE REAL KEY TO IMPROVING BRAIN FUNCTION

Have you been working hard on crosswords and other brain-bending puzzles or listening to lots of classical music as a way to improve your brain? Neuroscientists at the University of California say simply, “Stop it right now.” Their research shows that, while puzzles and classical music may improve a person’s concentration briefly, they play no […]

WARNING ABOUT NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENIORS

Nutritional supplements are often seen as good sources of vitamins and minerals for older adults who have issues with eating, such as problems chewing, or who do not otherwise get enough calories in their diets. Recently, however, the American Geriatrics Society put out a warning about many of the supplemental drinks such as Boost, Ensure, […]

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH A PERSON WITH ALZHEIMER’S

Having Alzheimer’s shouldn’t mean that a person must miss out on vacations and travel. However, for Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers, travel presents many challenges that must be prepared for in advance. First, it is important to decide whether or not travel is feasible. For those who are unsure if their loved one can handle long […]

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA?

The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is confusing for many people. Often, it is assumed that they are just two different words for the same condition. However, that’s not quite the case. In short, Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. But does making a distinction between the two […]

GREAT ADVICE FOR EVERY FAMILY CAREGIVER

Caring for a loved one as he or she ages can be a very rewarding experience, but it isn’t without challenges. Millions of Americans have taken on the role of caregiver for an elderly parent in recent years, and while your relationship with your parent may have always been great, constant caregiving and feeling like […]

THE PROBLEM WITH MEDICATION REGIMENS

Be honest. Do you always take the medication your doctor prescribes? New research reveals some very surprising statistics. Approximately 30 percent of new prescriptions are never even filled, meaning that many patients are not following their doctors’ orders. This new study also shows that the majority of patients who are prescribed medications for chronic diseases either […]

PROTEIN NEEDS PAST AGE 65 MAY SURPRISE YOU

Protein is one of the building blocks in a healthy diet, but are you getting enough for your age? According to the scientific journal Cell Metabolism, people under age 65 benefit from a lower-protein, higher-carbohydrate diet. However, for people over age 65, the opposite is true. Because our muscle mass decreases as we age, dietician […]