Will California Keep Adult Day Health Care?

Today's Capital Desk column in California Healthline gives a glimmer of hope that once again adult day health care services throughout The Golden State will survive to fight another day. Now slated by Gov. Jerry Brown for elimination as part of his proposed budget, ADHC is gaining support from an influential committee. Those members understand that the alternative for families receiving adult day care will be to either quit their jobs or place their parent or spouse in a nursing home, both of which will cost the state far more.

"It's important to note that, compared to other states, we have a lower number of people in nursing homes in California," committee member Nancy Skinner (D-East Bay) said, adding that it's the ADHC program that helps keep people out of nursing homes, which benefits the state, she said.

"Because nursing home care costs more. A lot of the reason that we moved toward these programs is that they save that cost," Skinner said. "So I have to ask: What good are we doing here?"

You can read the entire column here.

You're Coming to Our Gala, Aren't You?!

You can learn more about our "star-studded" annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 2 by visiting our Special Events page. We've received a great response for sponsorships and donations and cannot wait to roll out the red carpet.

Is It Really Alzheimer's?

News yesterday that Alzheimer's may be misdiagnosed in sizeable numbers, based on a limited study of brain autopsies, should make us wonder if Alzheimer's is as prevalent as advertised. Increasingly, the general public does not distinguish between Alzheimer's and other form of dementia. That's probably because Alzheimer's is the most common and widely known forms of dementia. But medical professionals certainly do know the differences, because the treatment for one form can be radically different for another, and misdiagnosing can cause other health complications.

From an article in U.S. News & World Reports:

The researchers autopsied the brains of 426 Japanese American residents of Hawaii who had been, on average, 87 years old when they died. About half had been diagnosed with some form of dementia, typically Alzheimer's.

Among those whose brain lesion profile did not confirm an Alzheimer's diagnosis, the investigators did uncover evidence of other forms of dementia, including Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, generalized brain atrophy and a range of non-specific forms.

The chances of a misdiagnosis, the researchers found, appeared to rise with the patient's age.

Here's a great primer on dementia from the National Instistute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Dementia Information Page

More Moving Pictures

Cara from the Museum of Photographic Arts explains an image.

Cara from the Museum of Photographic Arts returned to our Hillcrest Center today to discuss 13 photographs from the Balboa Park museum's permanent collection. This time she showed various black and white portraits, which pleased our participants. Many were animated and eager to discuss the emotions and insights gleaned from each image.

Interestingly some of the most pleasing were also the "busiest" portraits, with a lot of different elements to capture the eye -- and imagination.

The MoPA visit is part of a project the museum is conducting to see how different groups respond to various art.

The Economic Toll of Alzheimer's

There's a great piece in today's Huffington Post by a neurologist on the toll of Alzheimer's in our communities and our country and our world. Consider this early passage:

According to a recent Medscape report, the costs associated with Alzheimer's disease globally are staggering at an estimated $604 billion, or a full one percent of the world's gross domestic product.

He uses scientific data to support the need for exercise and a healthy diet to help reduce the risk of acquiring the disease.  And he urges everyone to do their small part to prevent Alzheimer's in ourselves and those we love.

The bottom line is that this author, a practicing neurologist dealing with Alzheimer's disease on a daily basis, believes we need to expand the public awareness that modifiable lifestyle factors have a profound role to play in determining who will or won't get this disease. For now, we are being told to pretty much live our lives, come what may and hope for a pharmaceutical magic bullet. But the science tells us otherwise, and gives us hope that we can indeed take action today to reduce our risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Article: Alzheimer's Prevention: Reducing Your Risk

Learn About Important Medi-Cal Changes

People with disabilities and seniors who have Medi-Cal only (not Medicare) are encouraged to come to a free presentation to learn about Medi-Cal changes.

Wednesday, April 27
10 to 11 a.m.
Embassy Suites
601 Pacific Highway, San Diego

RSVP: 1-800-946-4719 or Medi-CalPresentations@berkeley.edu
Please notify Health Care Options by April 22 if you need physical accommodations, ASL interpreters or other assistance.

In 2011 or 2012, you will likely need to enroll in a Medi-Cal Health Plan. Very few people can stay in Regular Medi-Cal. Learn about the various plans and when and how to enroll in one. This program is presented by the California Department of Health Care Services.

Rockin' 'n' Rollin' at Kearny Mesa

The staff and residents of Kearny Mesa Convalescent Hospital and Nursing Home today held a "Rock 'n' Roll Jamboree" to help raise funds for The George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers. And what a great time we all had!

There were several ways for the group to reach their $1,000 goal, from selling singing telegrams and grabbing hearts to going the distance in their rockers and wheelchairs (thus, rock 'n' roll). In fact, they were lined up all the way down the hall when we arrived this morning. The halls and gathering places were festooned with Valentine's Day decorations to make the event extra special.

We want to thank the good folks at Kearny Mesa for helping support our programs through this unique benefit. We'll keep you posted on whether they meet their goal. Last year they raised $1,000 too!

When Medications Don't Sit Well

According to a health alert from Johns Hopkins University, about half of all Americans older than 65 take five or more medications daily. A fourth of them take 10 to 12 pills per day.

Caregivers must be alert to any adverse effects that can result from "drug-drug interactions," when one medication affects the way another medication works or compounds its effects. This is particularly an issue for older adults (both Baby Boomer caregivers and their loved ones) who process medications less efficiently as they age and are at greater risk of adverse side effects.

Some indications that your drugs aren’t mixing well include:

• rash
  
• fever
  
• diarrhea
  
• mild difficulty breathing
  
• rapid or slow heartbeat
  
• dizziness
  
• unusual drowsiness
  

"The best way to protect yourself is to establish a relationship with a primary care physician who can regularly review all your medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. This is especially important if you take four or more drugs, have three or more medical conditions, or receive prescriptions from more than one doctor," according to the health alert.

Caregivers Needed for UCSD Study

The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine is conducting a study of caregivers struggling with stress related to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease.

The study focuses on helping caregivers manage their stresses and hopefully improve their overall health.

Who Qualifies?
--You must be at least 55 years old.
--You must be caring for a loved with with Alzheimer's Disease.
--That loved one must need significant help to do everyday tasks.

What Happens?
Participation takes about six weeks, at which time a research team will come to your home for interviews and questionnaires. You'll receive visits from a nurse, who will take your blood pressure and check blood levels for different chemicals. During four home visits, you'll receive information and skills designed to improve your overall health and well being.

Participants will receive $80 as compensation for their time.

How Do I Sign Up?
For more information, contact Jennifer Ceglowski at 858-822-2534 or Dr. Brent Mausbach at 858-822-5925.

To Prevent Falls: Declutter Your House

Nothing affects someone's care more than a serious fall, whether it involves the caregiver or the loved one they are responsible for. Such a fall can land someone in the hospital and require weeks or months of convalescence.

There are things you can do to minimize the chances of a fall, at least within your home.

Modify Your Environment
First and foremost, declutter. Remove ottomans that someone can trip over. Take away tables with sharp edges that someone's cane or clothing can catch on. Make sure dining chairs are tucked in when not in use. Also, remove loose rugs and, if you must, replace them with coverings that have a stronger floor grip. Make sure there are no cables, furniture, plants or other obstacles in hallways and high-traffic areas.

Worried about stairs? Put up "toddler gates" to keep someone from wandering up or down them.

Watch the Medications
"Family and caregivers need to understand every medication has side effects," internist Neil Levine told caregivers during last week's Town Hall Forum in San Marcos. Some medications could impact a person's balance. This includes anti-depressants. Others, such as sleep aids, may induce sleepwalking. Ambien, for instance, has been known to cause psychomotor cognition problems that can make someone fall. Dr. Levine recommends if a person cannot sleep with up to 10 mgs, get rid of the medication. Blood pressure medication also can cause dizzy spells with changes in dosages. Talk to your physician to see if there's a way to reduce side effects.

Get Some Sun
Lack of vitamin D has been linked to falls due to weak muscles and bones. We each should get 1000 units daily, preferably from different sources and not just supplements. In addition to milk and dairy products -- particularly eggs -- exposure to sunlight is a great way to soak up this important nutrient.

Eat a Balanced Diet
Along the same lines, make sure an elderly person's diet includes protein. Most people have no problem eating enough carbohydrates, but protein is another story. Some continue to bypass daily products because of cholesterol concerns. One way to make sure 40% to 50% of their diet is from protein is to introduce protein shakes, such as Muscle Milk, into their meal plan. The chocolate-flavored Viactiv chews and even peanut-filled Reese's Pieces will work too. And who doesn't like chocolate, right?!