Holiday Blues

Older adults can have an especially hard time with the holidays. There are many causes. The loss of an important person in the last year, or the anniversary of a loss or traumatic event can make memories come back that can dampen spirits. Family misunderstandings and conflicts can intensify — especially if it's all thrust together for several days. Conflicts are bound to arise with so many different personalities, needs and interests. On the other hand, if he or she is facing the holidays without a loved one, he may be especially lonely or sad.

Not being able to do what they used to do in years past can be difficult to handle as an elder may be "stuck" on looking at what they used to do during the holiday season. It can be hard to cope with the reality that a six course dinner for twelve isn't feasible anymore.

For some people, holidays are a source of stress. Falling into the trap of becoming isolated by limitations or leaning on fantasies of how holidays should be can lead to depression and can be avoided.

Elders can anticipate the stressful periods of the holiday by preparing ahead for the people and situations that create stress. Keep in mind that taking care of oneself is a gift to everyone else because everyone ends up having a happier and healthier holiday. Encourage your loved one to take some time this holiday to do a little pampering, give a gift to themself. Treat him or her to a foot bath and massage with nicely scented soap.

Develop new traditions. Space events throughout the holiday season. Take your loved one for a ride to enjoy Christmas lights. Have your parent help wrap presents. Write out Christmas cards together while listening to Christmas music. Watch a favorite Christmas movie together.

While the feeling of the blues may vanish once the holidays are over, it is possible that your loved one is experiencing true depression. Click on the key word "Depression" to go to other posts about depression.

High Blood Pressure is Linked to Dementia

According to a recent study, older adults with high blood pressure may be more likely to develop a type of mild cognitive impairment that can lead to vascular dementia. People with high blood pressure had a 40% greater risk of mild cognitive impairment, and a 70% higher risk of cognitive impairment that does not involve memory difficulties.

People with high blood pressure are at risk for vascular disease which can cause changes in the blood flow to the brain and a higher possibility of stroke. Small, frequent changes to the blood flow to the brain may cause small silent strokes. These small areas of stroke over time cause cumulative changes in the cognitive abilities of the brain.

Vascular dementia is different from Alzheimer's dementia. There are differences in the pattern of cognitive changes. Older adults with Alzheimers disease generally hsve a gradual progressive decline in all areas of brain function, whereas an older adult with vascular changes may have step-wise changes associated with the occurrence of each stroke. There are no hard and fast rules as to the type or severity of cognitive changes in vascular dementia because different areas of the brain are responsible for different cognitive functions.

Although not all strokes result in vascular dementia, as many as a third of the people who have a stroke will experience dementia within six months. Vascular dementia also can occur without a complete blockage of an artery. Portions of the brain can be starved for oxygen and food by reduced blood flow from arteries narrowed by vascular disease. Vascular dementia can also be caused by low blood pressure, brain damage caused by brain hemorrhage, blood vessel damage from such disorders as lupus erythematosus or temporal arteritis.

Other risk factors for vascular dementia include high blood pressure and diabetes. There is no treatment to cure vascular dementia. The best medicine is preventive use of blood pressure medicine and medications to reduce blood sugar if a person has known high blood pressure or diabetes. Healthy lifestyle factors are ultimately the best way to prevent vascular dementia, including daily exercise, maintaining a diet low in saturated fat, high in complex carbohydrates and portion control.

Source: Archives of Neurology

Lung Disease: Reducing the Effects of the Environment on Lung Function

Environmental hygiene, which is reducing air pollution has a strong effect on lung function. Any person with lung disease or at risk for the flu needs to be protected against environmental pollution such as tobacco smoke. Other environmental exposures are also important to control including house dust and pet dander. Indoor environmental exposure increases during the winter months compounding any respiratory illness including the flu.

An approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating systems, do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, when the weather permits, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants directly from the room where the fan is located and also increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.

Furnace filters come in many different designs and efficiencies and can be easily installed in your heating system.

Humidifiers can be installed in your heating system to maintain desirable humidity levels, or you can purchase stand-alone units that will serve your needs.

Dehumidifiers also serve a useful purpose. If your basement or other areas of your home have high humidity problems, a dehumidifier can correct these problems and maintain levels between 30 and 50 percent.

Seal off mattress and pillow encasings with zippered casings. Wash bedding frequently in hot water. Remove feather bedding (pillows, down comforters and mattress pads) and replace with products filled with synthetic fibers instead. Use 100% cotton blankets and pillow cases. Wash plush toys in hot water or bag and freeze for 24 hours every couple of days.

Bathe your pet with specialty shampoos at least weekly. Make beds and sofas off limits for animals. Remove carpeting and curtains to prevent dander build up that’s difficult or impossible to remove.