Indoor Pollutants Can Affect Lung Health

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.

Improving Communication With A Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease

When someone you love has Alzheimer's Disease, every day communication can be a challenge. Decreased communication abilities does not mean that the person is unaware of their surroundings. Most people with Alzheimer's disease are very aware of the difficulty they are having, especially early on in the disease process.

Here are some general tips to help decrease the frustration surrounding communication:

• Reality orientation or trying to encourage a person to remember simply do not work. Instead, use memory aids such as labeling objects (i.e. closet, bathroom).
• Be aware that as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, an individual’s ability to name objects and use words decreases.
• When you need their attention, it pays to simplify the environment for the person with Alzheimer’s. Eliminate distracting noises such as the radio or TV, or loud conversation so that he or she can concentrate more effectively.
• If you have an intercom system at home, do not use it to communicate with the person with Alzheimer's disease. The person may be frightened or confused by hearing a voice on the intercom.
• Always begin by identifying yourself and calling the person's name. Always approach the person from the front. Maintain good eye contact.
• Use short, simple sentences. Speak slowly. Be specific. Use the name of the person or object instead of “this” or “they”.
• Keep tone of voice low and pleasant and facial expression warm and friendly.
• Use non-verbal cues: a reassuring touch, a smile, a demonstration stating the emotion.
• Give the person plenty of time to respond to your question (20 seconds). If you need to repeat what you've said, repeat your question exactly the same way.
• Use concrete language. Avoid abstract terms.
• Talk in positive terms. Constant use of “no” or commands increases resistance.
• Don’t test his or her memory. Erase the words, “Don’t you remember?” from your vocabulary.
• Give directions simply and one at a time.
• When helping with personal care, tell the person what you are doing each step of the way.
• Add occasional social or reassuring comments to avoid “task-focused talk” only.
• Do not appear rushed or tense. The person will become tense and agitated.
• Listen. Try to find the key thought and take note of the feeling or emotion being expressed along with the spoken word.
• Reassure through words. Remind him who you are and that you will take care of him.
• Sometimes asking a “Why” question can get to the reason behind a repetitive question and decrease its occurrence. (i.e. “Why are you concerned about what time it is?”)