Engaging in activities that involve socializing and simply walking at least 30 minutes, three times a week are proven ways to improve your well-being.

People who regularly interact socially tend to be healthier, physically and mentally, than those who become socially isolated. Artistic activities such as arts and crafts help people relax, keep an alert mind, improve fine motor skills, and improve memory.

Activities prevent loneliness, and promote choice and independence. They improve motor skills, social skills, thinking ability, behavior, and communication ability.

I always go to www.alz.org for tips on any kind of help I need for caring for dementia patients. I encourage you to subscribe to their seasonal newsletters. They are filled with GREAT info.

Here are 4 tips from page 6 of the Spring 2010 issue:
1. Plan more active days. Take a walk in the afternoon instead of letting her nap. Someone who naps throughout the day isn’t going to be able to sleep through the night. Slow the pace towards bedtime. Establish calm in the household if possible. Dim the lights.

2. Monitor diet. Restrict sweets and caffeine to the morning hours. Serve dinner early, and offer only a light snack or meal before bedtime.

3. Seek medical advice. Don’t suffer in silence. Describe your loved one’s behaviors and ask the doctor for help. He or she might be able to prescribe a sleep aide to help her relax for sleeping.

4. Change sleeping arrangements. Try a different bedroom or a favorite sofa or recliner. Partially light the room to reduce agitation that occurs when it is dark or feels unfamiliar.

Remember, that nighttime restlessness usually doesn’t last forever. In the meantime, be sure your home is safe if your mother gets up and wanders at night. Restrict access to certain rooms, use tall safety gates between rooms and consider door monitors on outside doors to alert you to her wandering.

When she is alert and upset, approach her in a calm manner. Find out if there is something she needs or if she thinks she is looking for someone. Gently remind her of the time of day. Avoid arguing or asking for explanations. Offer reassurance that everything is all right and everyone is safe. Distract to another activity or walk with her to another room in the home that she might prefer. Call the Alzheimer’s HelpLIne 800-273-2555 for more assistance. From Sheryl O’Neal, Care For Life, Elder Consultant

Mom is 85 years old. She likes living in her own home, the same home she has lived in for 50 years.  You live miles away or work full time and can’t visit as often as you would like.  And,  when you do visit, you wonder how she is really doing on her own.  She loves living at home, and you want her to be able to stay there.  She has told you of her wish to live there as long as possible, but you have doubts because you see signs of decline. What should you do when you notice changes related to nutrition?
There are five things that can cause elderly people to fail.  These are nutrition, medicine, hygiene, unaddressed medical problems, and safety issues. Our caregivers help the elderly remain at home by offering solutions to these 5 problems. This month we will talk about the need for proper Nutrition.

• Nearly half of older Americans do not get enough sound nutrition or enough fluids in their daily diet.

• Reasons may include physical disabilities, isolation, poverty, mental impairment or not having good nutritional habits.

• Meal Preparation and grocery shopping might now be impossible or they have no interest in doing either activity.

• Health problems caused by poor nutrition are anemia, constipation or other intestinal issues, dehydration, weakness, lethargy or loss of mental sharpness.

• Many who live alone miss the socialization of dining with others and would just rather not eat at all.

What should you do when you notice changes related to nutrition?
Care For Life caregivers will help with grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking & socialization in the Charleston SC and surrounding areas.

F—is face drooping—ask person to smile at you.

A- Tell person to wave both arms at you

S- Ask person to repeat a simple sentence back to you.

T- Time is Brain. Call 9-1-1 without delay.

STROKE IS THIRD LEADING KILLER IN U.S. Don’t call your family, your doctor’s office, dial 9-1-1. EMS will evaluate and take necessary actions to protect life.

A great program in support of World Alzheimer’s Day.

When: Fall 2009 in support of World Alzheimer’s Day (Sept. 21). Registration opens Aug. 3.

What: Tailgate to support your team and collect donations for the Alzheimer’s Association
Where: Stadium parking lots, bleachers and living rooms across the country or In front of your TV or at a favorite local hot spot

Here is a segment where people live longer and healthier than any other place on earth: Okinawa, Japan. And recently scientists have been studying this group of seniors to see if we could learn to live a longer and more productive life. check out this amazing video.

I had a wonderful morning learning about stroke awareness in the community. MUSC sponsored the event for persons in the community who are already involved in educating on health matters through civic and/or faith-based initiatives. There new mantra is “Stroke Strikes Fast—and so must you! Call 911″. Children are taught to call 911 in emergencies and an EMS captain said children come home from school and see a problem with a parent or grandparent and they don’t hesitate to call 911. More often than not, adults reason away the need to call for help. Have you ever called for help for someone having a stroke? Tell us about it.