Alzheimer's Expert Christine Kennard shares Alzheimer's management news and commentary at OurAlzheimers.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548 http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548 http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/95222/antipsychotic Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:58:00 -0500 Christine Kennard Antipsychotic medications are used to control psychoses such as schizophrenia, but they can also be used to treat behavioral disturbances such as suspicion and paranoia associated with Alzheimer's disease.   Antipsychotic drugs, although not approved by the FDA for treatment of patients with dementia, are still prescribed and their use has increased substantially in the past 20 years or so. According to the Center for Medicare and... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/95222/antipsychotic http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/93140/incontinence Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:08:00 -0500 Christine Kennard Fecal incontinence affects many people who have Alzheimer's disease. It can occur at any stage of Alzheimer's disease, but is more common in middle stage and very common in late stage Alzheimer's. There are caregiving stratagies to improve and, in some cases, eliminate bowel incontinence. Here's How!   Exclude Diseases That Cause of Fecal Incontinence Remember, people with Alzheimer's can get sick too. Fecal incontinence may just be a... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/93140/incontinence http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/91652/tips-disruptive Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:15:00 -0400 Christine Kennard If you give care to someone with Alzheimer's who also has a disruptive sleep pattern, their lack of sleep quickly becomes your lack of sleep! It is exhausting for everyone. Sleep problems are common in people with dementia and can occur at any stage of Alzheimer's disease. Here are a few issues you need to think about and a few caregiver tips you can try that may well resolve the problem of... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/91652/tips-disruptive http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/90039/alzheimer Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:12:00 -0400 Christine Kennard How widespread is the use of deception with people suffering with Alzheimer's? A recent survey targeted at 650 nurses and 450 nurse managers by the Alzheimer's Society found nearly a fifth stated antipsychotic medication was being used inappropriately. It highlights what is likely to be a common dilemma, namely, whether we always think through the implications of deceptions and actions that avoid conflict or difficulties?   One of the... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/90039/alzheimer http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/88841/depressed-life Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:25:00 -0400 Christine Kennard A question from Annie on OurAlzheimer's posed a very interesting and disturbing question; "What can be suggested for anyone who no longer wants to live?"   Annie wrote, "My grandma isn't suicidal, she's just tired of living. Anti-depression pills for it and for her mild Alzheimer's don't seem to have any effect, anymore. She's 85 and I remember when she was 79 she said she didn't want to live to see 80, that she never thought she would... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/88841/depressed-life http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/86938/rethinking Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:53:00 -0400 Christine Kennard For the past 20 years both the focus of attention and hopes for treating Alzheimer's disease have centered on destroying or preventing fatty amyloid plaques in the brain. People with Alzheimer's tend to accumulate plaques in the brain, so it has always been assumed these were a major cause of dementia. As a result, a number of clinical trials were designed to target plaques. Results however have been universally disappointing. This, coupled with... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/86938/rethinking http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/86356/stage-alzheimer Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:13:00 -0400 Christine Kennard Remembering to carry out a few important basic nursing care procedures to people with Alzheimer's can make all the difference to their health, welfare and comfort. In  late stages 6 and 7 of Alzheimer's your loved one now relies on you to initiate or carry out most of their basic hygiene requirements. Doing them regularly helps prevent sores, scratches, infection, and prevents and/or lessens pain. Promoting cleanliness can also have a major... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/86356/stage-alzheimer http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/85163/senescence Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:24:00 -0400 Christine Kennard "My dad is only 68 but he's always forgetting where he puts things. He sometimes can't remember the right words when he talks and he can't seem to keep up to speed with a conversation. Last week I found his pen in the fridge. Is this normal for his age or is this the start of Alzheimer's?"   When I first started nursing we used to talk about the differences between senescence, senility and dementia. Senescence was considered a natural and... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/85163/senescence http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/84239/stage-alzheimer Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:54:00 -0400 Christine Kennard The different stages of Alzheimer's bring with them different problems. In late severe stage Alzheimer's, the caregiver is now relied on to take the lead in directing and carrying out everyday tasks and looking out for all aspects of their care. You must pay special attention to non-verbal forms of communication, learn to read their body language and try to interpret the meaning of minimal words they express. Moods can be labile but they will... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/84239/stage-alzheimer http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/83280/caregiver-tips Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:39:00 -0400 Christine Kennard It was only comparatively recently that people with Down's syndrome were found to be at more at risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. People with Down's syndrome (DS) can begin to show signs of Alzheimer's as young as 40 years of age.   Are the symptoms of Alzheimer's the same for people with Down's Syndrome? The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are the same, but they are often missed or misinterpreted. Symptoms include memory loss, weight... http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/83280/caregiver-tips