For caregivers, it’s important to understand what’s normal and what’s not in terms of personality changes, as dramatic, sudden changes can signify a deeper problem. The following are some of the more common personality changes that are typically a normal part of ageing. However, if you are concerned about any personality changes that an elderly loved one is experiencing, it’s worth seeking advice from a medical professional.
The above are common personality traits that may be experienced by people of any age. However, more significant personality changes should be assessed by a health doctor. For example, extreme impulsiveness, paranoia, and social withdrawal can all be signs of a deeper underlying medical problem. Sudden personality changes may be caused by the following:
For more information on this article, or the other services that we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks. If you’re currently caring for an older relative, our courses or workshops may be helpful.
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A person living with dementia is likely to experience difficulties with memory, concentration, vision and judgement, which can impact their ability to drive safely, and they may not be able to continue to drive as their condition progresses. If you are caring for someone with dementia, the following driving considerations may come in handy.
A person living with dementia is likely to experience changes in their behaviour and abilities that can occur slowly over time. The following are the changes that should be considered in relation to driving.
It can be difficult to talk to a person with dementia about the concerns that you have about them driving. The following suggestions may help you approach the subject with your loved one in a sensitive and understanding manner:
When people stop driving, it can become more difficult to get around, and as such, they will sometimes stop venturing out. However, it is extremely important that socialisation such as visiting friends and family, attending events or participating in hobbies is maintained. There are a number of alternatives to driving that your loved one may wish to explore:
Please be aware that there licensing requirements for drivers with dementia that vary across different states and territories. Get in touch with your local licensing authority to find out more about your legal obligations. In addition, it may be useful to talk to your doctor about your options for driving while living with dementia.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia and would like to know more about our Compassionate Touch® or Dementia Live® programs, contact Brain Sparks to find out more.
]]>However, there are a number of risks for an older person staying at home, particularly if they are living at home alone. One of our previous articles provided home safety tips to ensure a home is appropriate for an older adult to reside in. It’s also important to look at each room individually and make any necessary changes.
The following modification tips can provide a good starting point to make the necessary improvements to each room of the home, so that an older adult can stay living in their own home safely for as long as possible.
Remember that care needs are likely to change over time, and home modifications should be updated as the older adult’s abilities change. If you want to find out more about the content of this blog, and how our courses or workshops may be able to help you as a carer, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also find lots of useful articles and advice on our Facebook Page.
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The following are some brain-stimulating activities that may help make a difference in Alzheimer’s care and prevention.
Reading is more demanding on the brain than processing images as it involves a number of brain functions, from vision to language, and associative learning. Writing is also beneficial for the brain as it requires eye and cognitive coordination. The following are some ideas to incorporate reading and writing into our daily lives:
1. Read Daily: Make an effort to ensure you are reading something every day, whether it’s the newspaper in the morning or a book before bed.
2. Join a Book Club: If you are a fan of reading, joining a book club is a great way to encourage you to read more books while having social interaction with others.
3. Write a Journal or Memoir: At the end of the day, try reflecting on what happened that day by writing down anything you observed or learned in a journal. Or look further into the past and write memoirs to share some stories from your younger years with family members.
4. Handwrite Cards & Letters: If you have a loved one with a birthday coming up, take the time to write them a card or letter – they’re certain to appreciate the extra effort that you’ve gone to.
Playing games is a fun way to train and exercise the brain. The following games may improve cognitive ability and can also help to prevent or even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia:
5. Crosswords & Sudoku Puzzles: These word and number games can help improve ‘cognitive reserve’ which the brain can call on as it copes with losses due to age or disease.
6. Scrabble: Scrabble is a great workout for the brain involving words and letters.
7. Chess: A more challenging board game, chess engages the problem-solving areas of the brain.
8. Card Games: Card games are fun and social – and work the brain too! Get some friends or relatives together for a game of bridge, poker, blackjack or hearts.
9. Jigsaws: Putting jigsaw puzzles together is good exercise for the brain – whether it’s a 250 piece or 1000-piece puzzle.
10. Digital Games: There are a number of games available on our phones that engage the brain. Check out this list for some of the most effective ones: https://coolmaterial.com/media/8-mobile-brain-games-that-will-sharpen-your-mind/
Staying active and engaged in life can help the brain stay active. Go to interesting places and do interesting things to stimulate your brain:
11. Libraries: Browsing the shelves at the local library can be an exciting trip out that can also keep your brain sharp. Many libraries are home to clubs and activities such as gardening, mah jong and many more.
12. Museums: Going to museums, art galleries or exhibitions can be thought-provoking and stimulate the brain.
13. Movies or Theatre: Movies and theatre shows stimulate the mind as well as the senses. If you can’t get out to the theatre, a number of movies and other shows are available online.
14. Volunteer: Get involved with a local community organisation not only to benefit your brain but to feel a sense of satisfaction that you’re helping others in need.
15. Foster or Adopt an Animal: Animals bring great joy to their owners. Looking after them also involves a certain amount of thinking, which can help with our brain functions.
16. Stay Social: Catch up with friends and relatives often to engage the social parts of the brain.
Switching up the regular routine and trying something new can challenge the mind and stimulate brain stem growth.
17. Learn a New Word Every Day: Dig out an old dictionary and read it daily to find new words that you don’t know. Try to use the new word during the day or share the new word with someone to help you remember it.
18. Take a Different Walking Route: Try walking in a new place with different scenery and sights to stimulate the brain.
19. Learn New Information: Take the time to listen to a podcast or news show each day. Write down something that you’ve learned from the episode and use it in conversation.
20. Try Out a New Recipe:Cook something different to mix up your normal routine. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, experiment with a new cuisine like Indian or Moroccan food.
We hope that this article has inspired you to try some new brain-stimulating activities. If you’re caring for someone with dementia and would like to know more about how BrainSparks programs such as Compassionate Touch® and Dementia Live®, contact us.
]]>As we age, we may not have as many tasks to juggle day-to-day, but we will likely still have to deal with stressful situations. For example, losing a loved one becomes more likely as we age. In addition, we may start to worry about our own health issues, mobility issues, or declining independence.
It is often easier for younger adults to deal with stressful times, as they simply have to deal with the situation that is causing stress and move on. However, as we age, the way we deal with stress and the way our body manages stressful situations changes, and it is often more difficult for older adults to cope with stress. As such, proper stress management is essential for seniors.
When we are feeling stressed, our brain reacts by releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones give us the energy and focus that we need to cope with the situation that is causing us stress. As we get older, our brain changes and becomes less able to regulate hormone levels, which results in larger amounts of hormones being produced, which in turn makes it harder to get rid of the excess hormones that we don’t need.
Stress hormones can negatively affect our physical health, with studies showing high levels of stress to be linked to conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Older individuals are naturally more susceptible to these health problems, so managing stress levels is even more vital for seniors.
In order to manage stress, it’s first important to recognise the typical signs of stress. Once we know the signs of stress, we can take steps to manage the symptoms and protect our overall health. The following are some of the most common signs of stress:
Typically, having a positive outlook on life will help us better deal with stress as we age. By finding happiness in smaller things, we will not only feel less stressed but also experience a better quality of life in our later years.
The following are some other stress management techniques and tips to try:
Laughter is known as the best medicine, so it’s not surprising that it can also help with stress. Having a laugh at things each day can significantly help reduce our stress levels – try a funny movie or book, or a silly activity with a friend. Play and be silly with Ageless Grace!
Relatives and close friends are there for us during the difficult times, giving us a shoulder to cry on and acting as a sounding board for us to share our feelings. Simply reaching out and connecting with a loved one can be one of the best ways to help ease feelings of stress.
Physical activity has many physical and mental benefits for older adults, including stress reduction. Try to get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes a day, doing a physical activity that you enjoy, such as walking, cycling, gardening, or attending an exercise class.
Break free from the norm and try mixing things up a little. For example, go for an early morning walk before breakfast, cook a new meal for the family to enjoy, or start a new hobby. By simply switching up our daily routine, we can reduce our stress levels.
By identifying what’s causing the stress in our life, we are in the best position to reduce or eliminate it. Once we know what the issue is, we can talk to someone about it and think of how we can get past it.
There are a number of techniques that can help reduce our stress levels. Try meditating, deep breathing exercises, or yoga as methods to release tension and feelings of stress.
We hope this article has helped give some tips on how to reduce your stress levels. For more information on this article, or the other services that we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks. The Ageless Grace® program addresses stress. People who come to classes find they forget their worries as they laugh with their new friends, move their body safely and, importantly, target their brain health.
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Our nutrition needs vary depending on our gender and age. As we get older, the things that we need to eat and drink to maintain a healthy diet may be different to what we’re used to in earlier years. Put simply, there are some things we’ll need more of and some that should be cut back. However, staying healthy doesn’t change too much as we age, particularly if we’re already living a healthy lifestyle with a good diet. It’s more important to know our changing nutrition requirements and adapt food choices to ensure our bodies are getting the nutrients we need as we age.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines are a great place to start in knowing what we should eat for a healthy diet. These guidelines were developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council and are based on science about the types and amounts of foods and dietary patterns that are most effective in promoting health and wellbeing.
For older adults, the Guidelines advise the following:
For more information on this article, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks. If you’re looking for other ways to keep your body young as you age, our Ageless Grace® program can help. The program uses all areas of the brain combined with movement to improve brain and body health. For more information on this article, our Ageless Grace® program, or the other services that we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks.
]]>We all look forward to our later years, hoping to experience a relaxing retirement with the person we love. However, this doesn’t always eventuate, as one spouse may become ill and require constant care. In this instance the promise of ‘death do us part’ can feel like a stressful responsibility rather than a privilege.
Spousal caregivers commonly experience greater levels of stress than other caregivers because they will typically have to care for their spouse 24/7. This responsibility has a significant impact on the caregiver’s life and can make it difficult for them to see family and friends, go to work, attend social events and even look after their own health. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression, as well as impacting the physical health of the caregiver.
The following are some tips that may be useful for spousal caregivers in maintaining their physical and mental health.
Spousal caregivers face unique challenges that are different from those of other caregivers. It can be particularly difficult for spousal caregivers to cope, and it is important to seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed. If you’re currently caring for a spouse, or if you think you will be in the near future, it’s important to find out relevant information on the support available for carers. If you want to find out more about the content of this blog, and how our courses or workshops may be able to help you as a carer, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also find lots of useful articles and advice on our Facebook Page.
]]>The following information and tips may help you both get a better night’s sleep.
While many older adults have difficulty with sleeping, people with dementia often find it even more difficult. In people with mild to moderate dementia, 25% are likely to experience sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbances tend to get worse as dementia progresses, with 50% of people with severe dementia experiencing sleep disturbances.
The most common sleep problems for people living with dementia include:
People living with dementia often also experience what is often referred to as ‘sundowning’ during the evening or at night. Sundowning is the term often used for when a person with dementia becomes more confused, restless or agitated later in the afternoon or in the early evening. They may become more demanding, upset or suspicious and can sometimes even see or hear things that aren’t real, particularly at night.
Sleep apnea is also relatively common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep apnea causes breathing to start and stop repeatedly during sleep, and is one of the more serious sleep disorders.
For a person living with dementia, there are a number of factors that may contribute to sleep disturbances and sundowning:
In order to avoid sleep disturbances taking a toll on both the caregiver and the person living with dementia, the following tips may help:
It’s important that carers also focus on their own sleep, because if you are tired, you will likely have less patience and less energy to care for a person with dementia. The person in your care may also pick up on your stress and become agitated. Try to ask other family members or close friends to take on some nights to care for the person with dementia. Or, if this is not possible, talk to a health professional or social worker to find out what help is available in your area. Just as applying Compassionate Touch techniques can soothe and calm the person with dementia, they can also soothe the carer as they apply them.
We hope that this article has provided some useful insight into common sleep problems with dementia. If you’re caring for someone with dementia and would like to know more about Compassionate Touch®, contact Brain Sparks to see where you can learn them.
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It’s important that caregivers recognise and acknowledge the challenges of their role so that they can take steps to resolve them or, if they cannot be resolved, to cope with them both physically and emotionally. If caregivers can do this, they are less likely to neglect their own needs, which is vital for carrying out the role effectively. After all, a caregiver who looks after themself is in the best position to look after others.
While every caregiving experience is unique, the following are some of the challenges that are most common for caregivers.
The caregiving role can be very time consuming, and as such, caregivers often find that they have less time for themselves. Caregivers will often spend so much time on caregiving tasks that they have to sacrifice time they would normally spend on other things, such as hobbies, holidays, socialising and time with family. If a caregiver is also working, they may find it difficult to balance their employment and caregiving schedules. There are only so many hours in the day, and caregivers have to remember that they can’t do everything. If it’s all becoming too much, it’s important for caregivers to seek help with their caring duties from professional carers or from other family members.
As mentioned above, being a caregiver takes a lot of time out of a person’s day. When a caregiver spends so much of their time taking care of their loved one, they may neglect other friends and family members and start to feel isolated. This is one of the things that, when experienced for long periods of time, can result in caregiver burnout. As such, it’s important that caregivers try to take some time out of their busy schedule to catch up with a friend or spend quality time with their spouse. This will improve the health of the caregiver, which, in turn, improves their ability to provide care.
Family caregivers are generally unpaid. This can cause a certain level of strain, particularly if their caregiving role is at the expense of a paying job. Typically, the longer the caregiver has been providing care, the more financial strain they may feel. In addition, there are many expenses that fall to the responsibility of the caregiver – for example, they may pay for groceries when they go to the shops for the person in their care. This can result in higher financial strain and higher levels of stress for the caregiver.
Often caregivers feel like they are left to carry out the caregiving role on their own. In some cases, other family members may not be willing to help, or they may not realise that the primary carer needs some assistance. A strong support system is important for preventing the primary carer from burning out and also for providing the best care for the older adult. If other family members cannot assist, professional carers can be hired to provide support.
Family caregivers typically have little or no medical knowledge. It can also be difficult for them to access appropriate resources and channels to find this information. This lack of knowledge can make caregiving seem very daunting, particularly if the older adult’s situation is complex and decisions made will impact their health and wellbeing. Many caregivers report that they feel more stressed when they have to make important medical decisions because they do not know enough about the procedures and consequences.
If you’re currently caring for an older relative, or if you think you will be in the near future, you can find out information on the support available for carers from the Better Health Channel: Looking after yourself as a carer. If you want to find out more about the content of this blog, and how our courses or workshops may be able to help you as a carer, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also find lots of useful articles and advice on our Facebook Page.
]]>While some of us see it as a positive rite of passage, many of us consider it a negative experience that has to be endured.
Ageing may be associated with many rewarding experiences. However, it is also a time when significant changes occur to the body and mind. These changes are not always positive. As we age, some people see changes in how they are able to function and carry out day-to-day tasks. Others see their social networks disappearing and bereavement becoming a more common occurrence as they get older. In addition, many older adults are no longer in employment or have to change their employment role significantly to adapt to their new situation. Ageism also has a significant impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of ageing adults.
Ageism is a much-discussed topic that has been reported to be more widespread than sexism or racism. The World Values Survey (WVS), an ongoing research project conducted by social scientists across the world, found that 60% of respondents don’t think older people are respected. Surprisingly, the lowest levels of respect for older adults came from higher-income countries.
These negative thoughts and attitudes toward ageing are particularly damaging for the physical and mental health of older adults. A study from Yale University’s department of epidemiology and public health found that seniors who had more positive views about the ageing process lived 7.5 years longer than people who perceived ageing in a negative light. Older adults who think that they are a burden on friends and family, or who feel that their lives are not valuable are at higher risk of depression and social isolation, which can lead to an increased risk of health complications.
Despite these challenges, maintaining an optimistic attitude toward ageing is important as it allows us to feel good and feel in control of our life as we enter its later stages. This is known as ‘Positive Ageing’.
Simply put, ‘Positive Ageing’ is a term used to describe the process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging fully in life as you age.
As we age and our circumstances change, we will likely move in and out of periods of positive ageing. However, those who age positively typically live healthier, more fulfilled lives, and enjoy a better quality of life as they get older.
While changing middle-aged and older adults’ negative views on ageing is one of the main ways to promote positive ageing, this is something that is unfortunately out of our control. In addition, many aspects of our health as we age are genetic and cannot be prevented. However, there are many parts of our health and the ageing process in general that we can take control of.
As we get older, our ‘health’ is not simply defined by physical performance and ailments, and, through positive ageing, all older adults are capable of staying healthy as we age. The following are some suggestions as to how we can do that.
Having an optimistic outlook and taking affirmative action can help us all experience positive ageing. For more information on this article, or the other services that we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks. Our Ageless Grace® program can help you keep your body young as you age. The program uses all areas of the brain combined with movement to improve brain and body health.
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