NEW STUDIES RELEASED REGARDING EXERCISE AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

’Senior moments,’ ’old age’ dementia and Alzheimer’s are common, if distressing, issues of an aging population. While the symptoms of each of these conditions may initially appear to be similar – forgetfulness, short term memory loss and some confusion – according to the Alzheimer’s Association, the long-range prognosis and care requirements can be very different. Young and old alike may be disconcerted when you occasionally forget what you ate for lunch or the name of someone you had just been speaking with, that is a far cry from not recognizing your family members or yourself.

Fortunately, some good news was recently reported during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Vancouver, Canada. According to the July 18, 2012 press release, Newly Reported Research Advances from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2012, “four studies “begin to clarify exactly which types of physical activity are most effective, how much needs to be done, and for how long” to improve mental functions and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults who are currently cognitively healthy or who have mild cognitive impairment.
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DANCING IN THE RAIN

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
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