Reflecting on Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

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This month, MNRAAA has been highlighting and raising awareness around Alzheimer’s and Brain Health. To assist in this effort, we had two individuals studying this topic provide updates and resources. Robyn Birkeland provided a great summary of Alzheimer’s disease and how it impacts the brain. Katie Louwagie followed the week after with an article about brain health. This included physical and mental activities to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other brain-related diseases.

Thank you to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health for participating in this endeavor. There is an ongoing association between the Area Agencies on Aging and the University of Minnesota to participate in events, fairs, and events to provide education, resources, and training. If you or your organization want someone to speak about Alzheimer’s or Brain Health, please get in touch with us at www.mnraaa.org.

As June (when we highlighted Alzheimer’s Disease) winds down, the disease will continue. Our awareness and our ability to learn and be proactive must continue. I encourage you to share the information in these articles with your family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who will listen!

For additional information from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, visit the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation’s (CHAI) website at https://www.sph.umn.edu/research/centers/chai/. You can find a wealth of information from education and research to community engagement. The Alzheimer’s Association also features information about the disease and supports for caregivers. You can also search to see if there is a local chapter near you. Finally, you can search for services at www.mnhelp.org.

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Brain Health Activities

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Brain health encompasses cognitive, emotional, tactile, and motor functioning. While age-related changes and other illnesses may impact brain health, there are things we can do to reduce this risk.1

  • Physical Activity: Aim for 150 minutes of exercise each week.1 In addition to reducing the risk for cognitive decline,2 exercise can improve your mood and impact your risk for other health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.1 Tips: You may consider starting with shorter exercise intervals (such as 10 minutes!) and increasing over time. You also may consider combining socialization with your physical activity, such as asking a friend to join you for a w3 In addition to formal exercise, you can strive for an active lifestyle by choosing to park a little further from a building entrance or taking the stairs instead of an elevator.3
  • Education: Seek activities that keep your mind engaged.2 Involvement in the arts, such as music, theater, or writing, appears promising for impacting cognitive health, in addition to supporting quality of life and well-being.4 Is there anything that you have always wanted to learn more about? You might consider signing up for a class at a local community center2 or library.
  • Stop smoking: Quitting smoking can reduce the associated risks of cognitive decline to that of non-smokers.2 To receive support, education, and referrals for smoking cessation, contact 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-786-8669).5
  • Protect your brain from injury: Ensuring safety through the use of seatbelts, helmets, and fall prevention can reduce the risk for brain injuries that impact cognitive functioning.2 Falls are the number one cause of injury to older adults in the U.S. You may reduce your risk for falls by managing medication side effects (like dizziness), maintaining strength and balance, wearing proper footwear, keeping up to date on eye exams, and ensuring home safety (removing throw rugs, installing grab bars, etc.).6
  • Healthy eating: A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may reduce the risk of physical as well as cognitive decline.1,2 In general, it is helpful to be mindful of portion size, get enough fluids, and reduce consumption of fat, sugar, and salt.1
  • Sleep hygiene: Lack of sleep can impact memory and cognition.2 Maintaining a consistent bed- and wake-time, as well as being mindful of the use of screens (computers or television), alcohol, and caffeine around bedtime can help to promote sleep hygiene.7
  • Manage stress: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions may influence cognitive functioning.2 Exercise, journaling, and relaxation techniques may help to combat stress.1 Seeking a therapist may offer additional support.
  • Socialization: Loneliness can increase the risk of cognitive impairment.1 Getting out with friends or family (meeting for coffee, visiting the local senior center, volunteering, etc.) can give you the opportunity to connect with others!

 

References

  1. Cognitive health and older adults. National Institute on Aging. October 1, 2020. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults.
  2. 10 ways to love your brain. Alzheimer’s Association. 2023. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain.
  3. Staying motivated to exercise: Tips for older adults. National Institute on Aging. April 3, 2020. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/staying-motivated-exercise-tips-older-adults.
  4. Participating in the arts creates paths to healthy aging. National Institute on Aging. February 15, 2019. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/participating-arts-creates-paths-healthy-aging.
  5. Quit smoking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 6, 2023. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm.
  6. Take a stand on falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 22, 2017. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/features/older-adult-falls/index.html.
  7. Tips for better sleep. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 13, 2022. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html.
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How Alzheimer’s Disease Affects People

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There are over 100 types of dementia, even juvenile dementias. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia,1 accounting for about 60-70% of cases.2

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that causes problems with thinking and planning, memory loss, and behavior.3 At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.3 But, companies and researchers are working hard to discover effective treatment and prevention methods.

Experts are not entirely sure what causes Alzheimer’s4 which likely is one of the reasons developing treatments and prevention strategies is difficult. We do know that essentially every brain that has Alzheimer’s has beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles.5 However, these plaques have been found in healthy brains too, so we know that it is not the definitive cause, but definitely a piece of the puzzle.

Alzheimer’s Disease impacts brain cells (called neurons). Plaque grows between brain cells, blocking them from communicating with each other. Tangles prevent the cells from obtaining necessary nutrients. Ultimately, brain tissue is lost and the brain shrinks.6

These changes to the brain affect various abilities and functions.

  • Usually Alzheimer’s attacks the hippocampus (responsible for short-term memory) first. This is why memory loss is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s.3 Memory loss, and possibly disorientation, are typically the first behavioral changes we notice.
  • The hypothalamus (responsible for hormone production) is often affected next. You may see changes in appetite, thirst, sex drive, and internal body temperature (for example, needing a sweater when you always used to run hot). Changes to sleep patterns are also common (e.g., waking up for the day at 2am).7
  • Alzheimer’s also attacks the emotion house of the brain, the amygdala. You may see mood swings or emotional reactions that are not usual for the person or not in proportion with what has occurred. You may see more anxiety, sadness, anger, and agitation. Paranoia is not uncommon (if I put my keys on the coffee table and move them, but don’t remember I moved them, then someone obviously stole them).7,8
  • The frontal lobe, responsible for higher-order thinking like planning, scheduling, decision-making, and judgment, is affected as well. This is also where our filter is stored, so we may say and do things we would never do if our brain was not under attack.7
  • The cerebellum, in charge of balance and coordination, is also impacted. It is common for people with Alzheimer’s to bump into things or fall.
  • If the occipital lobe is attacked, a person with Alzheimer’s may have trouble making sense of what they are seeing.7 Hallucinations (seeing something that is not actually there) or misperceptions (e.g., interpreting a spot on the rug as a hole in the ground) are examples.
  • After impacting these other areas of the brain, Alzheimer’s initiates more damage to the temporal lobe (where it started with the hippocampus). Long-term memory (memories of personal history, how to do things) and language are then affected (e.g., understanding what you are saying, expressing what they want to say, remembering what they were saying in the middle of their sentence).7,8

There are some abilities and areas of the brain that are not affected by Alzheimer’s (for example, the area of the brain responsible for derogatory language)! Coupled with the lack of a working filter, you may hear some language you never heard from the person with Alzheimer’s as this language is easily accessible.9 Enjoyment of music, rhythm, and non-verbal communication are also preserved and offer great opportunities for engaging and communicating with people with Alzheimer’s. Hugs, holding hands, eye contact, tone of voice, and body posture are all understood and continue to be ways to meaningfully connect. Incorporating non-verbal communication and music into your activities to optimize your engagement with the person with Alzheimer’s is useful, but also know that you don’t have to be a entertainer.10 Your presence alone is enjoyable and beneficial for your person with Alzheimer’s.11

 

This article is part of MNRAAA’s partnership with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, discussing Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Health, and accessing resources for prevention, education, and caregiver support. Guest authors Robyn Birkeland, PHD and Katie Louwagie, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C* are part of the Families and Long-Term Care Projects team at the University of Minnesota.

 

References

  1. Statistics about dementia. Dementia Statistics Hub. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://dementiastatistics.org/about-dementia/
  2. Subtypes of dementia. Dementia Statistics Hub. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://dementiastatistics.org/about-dementia/subtypes/
  3. What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
  4. What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease? National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-causes-alzheimers-disease
  5. What Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease? National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-happens-brain-alzheimers-disease
  6. Video: How Alzheimer’s Changes the Brain. National Institute on Aging. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/video-how-alzheimers-changes-brain
  7. Understanding parts of the brain | Alzheimer’s Society. Published March 18, 2021. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/how-dementia-progresses/parts-brain
  8. Alzheimer’s stages: How the disease progresses. Mayo Clinic. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-stages/art-20048448
  9. Dementia, Swearing & Foul Language. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/video/swearing/
  10. Art and Music. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music
  11. Communication and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Accessed June 6, 2023. https://alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications
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June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

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As we age, we commonly experience times when we forget why we entered a room or where we put our keys. Those experiences are often ratified by recalling the reason for going into the kitchen or remembering the keys on the nightstand. Many would say, “Oh, it must be me losing my mind,” or another quip relating to Alzheimer’s Disease. But in fact, this is quite normal. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. A recent report from the Alzheimer’s Association indicates that over 100,000 Minnesotans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s. We expect this number to increase over the next few years.

MNRAAA will partner with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health this month. We will be discussing Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Health, and accessing resources for prevention, education, and caregiver support.

Robyn Birkeland, PHD, will enlighten us on the effects of Alzheimer’s. Robyn earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota. Robyn is an interventionist with the Families and Long-Term Care Projects team with over 20 years of coaching experience with adults and families.

Katie Louwagie, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C*, will discuss brain health. Katie is a project specialist on the Families and Long-Term Care Projects team at the University of Minnesota. She earned her doctorate in nursing practice, with a focus on adult-gerontological health, at the University of Minnesota. Katie has practiced as a nurse practitioner providing on-site primary care in the long-term care setting.

Finally, we will conclude June with resources and training opportunities. MNRAAA has been fortunate to partner with Robyn and Katie’s colleague Dr. Joe Gaugler. Dr. Gaugler has been traveling to each county in Minnesota, providing education and training to caregivers about Alzheimer’s.

June also features the longest day, or the day which has the most sunlight. The summer solstice falls on June 21st this year.  The Alzheimer’s Association hosts numerous events to bring to light this disease.

We hope that you find these articles educational. I encourage you to help us spread this information to your friends, family, neighbors, and community. Through regular communication, we can continue to bring to light this disease. If you are interested in doing more within your community, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at mnraaa.org for additional information.

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