Hello Everyone,
**Charity begins at home. We have wired a birthday gift to my brother in Germany. To help him out as his retail business went bankrupt.
**Dementia: Do you know that one out of every five cases of Coronavirus diagnosed is Dementia. Even my own pastor at our church, left, and went home to be a caregiver to his mother who is diagnosed with Dementia. It is heartbreaking. There are so many cases, for so long, growing faster than ever before, and there is no cure yet. The government and the private sectors all are working hard to find a cure, and find it soon.
According to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org, 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900):
“Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.
Causes
“Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected.
The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment and movement). When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally…
Treatments
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or a way to stop or slow its progression, there are drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms. Understanding available options can help individuals living with the disease and their caregivers to cope with symptoms and improve quality of life…
Stages of Alzheimer’s
- Overview of disease progression
- Early-stage Alzheimer’s (mild)
- Middle-stage Alzheimer’s (moderate)
- Late-stage Alzheimer’s (severe)
Overview of disease progression
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease worsen over time, although the rate at which the disease progresses varies. On average, a person with Alzheimer’s lives four to eight years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors. Changes in the brain related to Alzheimer’s begin years before any signs of the disease. This time period, which can last for years, is referred to as preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
The stages below provide an overall idea of how abilities change once symptoms appear and should only be used as a general guide. (Dementia is a general term to describe the symptoms of mental decline that accompany Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.)
Early-stage Alzheimer’s (mild)
In the early stage of Alzheimer’s, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work and be part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
Symptoms may not be widely apparent at this stage, but family and close friends may take notice and a doctor would be able to identify symptoms using certain diagnostic tools. Common difficulties include:
- Coming up with the right word or name.
- Remembering names when introduced to new people.
- Having difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings.
- Forgetting material that was just read.
- Losing or misplacing a valuable object.
- Experiencing increased trouble with planning or organizing.
Middle-stage Alzheimer’s (moderate)
Middle-stage Alzheimer’s is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer’s will require a greater level of care.
During the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, the dementia symptoms are more pronounced. the person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, and act in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for the person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance. Symptoms, which vary from person to person, may include:
- Being forgetful of events or personal history.
- Feeling moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.
- Being unable to recall information about themselves like their address or telephone number, and the high school or college they attended.
- Experiencing confusion about where they are or what day it is.
- Requiring help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion.
- Having trouble controlling their bladder and bowels.
- Experiencing changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night.
- Showing an increased tendency to wander and become lost.
- Demonstrating personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and delusions or compulsive, repetitive behavior like hand-wringing or tissue shredding.
· Late-stage Alzheimer’s (severe)
- In the final stage of the disease, dementia symptoms are severe. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive care. At this stage, individuals may:
- Require around-the-clock assistance with daily personal care.
- Lose awareness of recent experiences as well as of their surroundings.
- Experience changes in physical abilities, including walking, sitting and, eventually, swallowing
- Have difficulty communicating.
- Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia.”
- Source: Alzheimer’s Association.
Do you know that even gum disease can cause Dementia, and alcohol can stop the blood flow to the brain. Exercise, balance diet, and a healthy life style can help slow down the symptoms of Dementia.
I think I am in a good health. I haven’t gone to a doctor for any physical problems, for over four years . As a matter of fact my medical insurance payments have gone down a lot. In order to stay healthy follow these guidelines, and check with your doctor first:
- For the brain health: Eat some leafy green vegetable on a daily basis, such as kale, spinach, collard green etc. and mushrooms a must, salad, onion, garlic, ginger, parsley/cilantro etc. I eat salad daily at lunch time with a few drops of lemon juice and E.V. Olive oil, together with other food. Do not use vinegar on the salad, it takes away the vitamins from the salad. Also add a lot of vegetable to the salad, avoid cucumber seeds and hard skin (lectin) Try to buy thin Kirby cucumber or Hot house (Canadian) Mini cucumbers. Leafy greens are good for your brain and good for your eyes. Eat fruits and vegetable that have more water, such as cucumber, lettuce, tomato, apple, orange, pineapple, kiwi, papaya, pomegranate, berries etc. They keep your body hydrated, and good for the guts, heart, brain, eyes, and immune system. My father used to walk over 4-5 miles to get the fresh pomegranates and papaya every week. Also, anyone in the family had fever, the first thing was given to that person was pomegranate (good for the immune system).
Use some protein with each meal. I eat 1 egg for breakfast together with cold or hot (oatmeal) cereal. For lunch beans, quinoa, cottage cheese with multigrain bread – sprinkled with E.V. Olive Oil (not butter). For dinner I eat lean beef, turkey, chicken and seafood, vegetables, fiber and starch. Twice a week I do not eat any meat. Once a week I go on a religious fast and eat only roasted/raw vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt, nuts without any salt.
Try to eat more plant based food, and cut down on the meat. Eat lean beef twice a week and in moderation. Beef has protein, iron, vitamin B, and zinc. Also, turkey is very light and high in protein. Seafood in general are good for you. Eat seafood for omega-3 fatty acid, such as deep water fish: salmon (has less mercury), maceral and sardine. Use plant based fat such as raw Extra-virgin Olive oil (polyphenol) for serving, and safflower, canola oil (light and has high smoke point) & olive oil for cooking.
- For the gut health: About 5 yrs. ago I had read an article that the Gut is your 2nd Keeping your guts healthy is the key of your overall health.
Eat right, eat a balanced diet, and eat in moderation. Do not overeat, don’t eat too much meat. Meat can stay in your guts for 2-3 days. Eat fermented some food such as Kimchi and sauerkraut – but do not cook it, eat raw so you get full benefits of the fermentation. Also use Turmeric in cooking all day long. It is an anti-oxidant and takes away inflammation, aches and pain. We made sure we ate ripe papaya 1-2 times a week for the gut health. Use probiotic, prebiotic: tuber – good for longevity, broccoli, okra, artichoke etc. Drink 1 cup milk after the dinner, and eat ½ cup yogurt during the day with lunch and/or breakfast. Milk can give bloating and yogurt takes care of the bloating. Drink green tea in moderation. Also, eat nuts almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, dark raisins, prunes, and dark chocolate etc.
Eat fresh green herbs, ginger, onion, garlic, parsley etc. on a daily basis (we make chutney/sauce) to keep your immune system and guts strong and healthy. If you have problems with your guts: leaky guts, or have stomach pain etc. avoid eating gluten (wheat, barley & rye), lectins (cucumber skin & seeds, potato skin, almond skin etc.), too much sugar, avoid taking too many pills, saturated fat, fried and spicy food. Eat more plant based.
We are told to take care of our guts before you have any problem:
- If you have stomach pain drink ½ cup warm water heated with 1 pinch of celery seeds and 2 pinches fennel seeds.
- Do not eat processed, smoked, and burnt food, to avoid cancer and infection.
- Eat mostly plain food, avoid too many spices and sauces.
- Drink some water before the meal and avoid drinking with the meal.
- Go to pee before (empty out bladder), and after the meal (food will move down). This way your stomach will not be heavy.
- Stop eating 2 hrs. before going to bed.
- Exercise is also “cure for all diseases.” A study shows that exercise can reduce cognitive decline by 90%. Do at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Walking in the sun (between 11:00a.m to 2:00p.m) and fresh air is very important. Meditation is also important to calm down your brain and body. Going to church and temple keeps you calm and gives you strength when you are close to God. Keep body moving: don’t sit too long, and don’t stand too long. Get up during the commercial on TV and walk around. The key is to keep your body moving.
- Learn something new to improve your brain, and keep it healthy. I started painting again to keep my mind and fingers occupied.
Eight hours good night sleep is a must. One of the doctors compared the sleep to the dishwasher. It cleans out your body toxins and gives you energy to function. One thing I make sure I do is the Random Act of Kindness every day, I find one reason to make someone happy. Making others happy makes me happy first, and gives me instant gratification. That boosts the feel good hormone – dopamine in the body. Avid the negative and concentrate on positives to avoid depression.
Make sure you keep up with medical check-ups and appointments. Stay socially active. Find a friend/partner to motivate you in exercise etc., and appropriate touching can boost the feel good hormone – dopamine. It can also reduce the stress hormone – cortisol.
For more details to learn about the Alzheimer’s, and see the charts how disease progresses in the brain read our book, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Guide.”
Also, for the free screening call The Cognitive and Research Center of N.J, LLC, an innovative Center for Memory & Brain Health: 973-850-4622. Dr. Michelle Papka, Ph.D (my friend) is the director of the Center.
** I can listen, I am here.
I am invisible but I can hear.
I am at the Temple praying with you.
I am at the Church attending Mass with you.
I am with you in your thoughts, and prayers.
I am the God, I bring peace, and I am everywhere. Sushil
Prayers for all around the world,
Sushil (Sue) Hennessy, April, 2021
Random Acts of Kindness
You don’t need money, just a little time to give mental support and be kind to all. Check on the elderly, bring their Newspaper to their door in bad weather, say hello to your neighbors when you see them, wish them happy holidays and birthdays etc. Call your parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles; talk to them to make sure they are not lonely. Thank the soldiers when you see them for keeping us safe; thank priests, police officers, teachers, health care workers, food suppliers, postal workers, newspaper persons, trash collectors for their services. Write notes to a lonely and unknown person and make his or her day. Give thanks to all those heroes who are sacrificing their lives to help others during this Pandemic. You all are Angels.
PS.: My last monthly message on “Grief and Grieving” made me very happy. When I went to pick up my lunch three men came to me and said they liked my article. One day I was getting in the elevator and a lady told me “This is what I am going through.” Then last week one Home Health Aid knocked on my door, she had my article (published in the Sr. Living newspaper) in her hand, she raised the article right in front of my face and said, “This is my story you have written. My husband passed away, and this is what I am going through.” She started crying and I cried with her. We spoke for a while, and I gave her my book to read on Kindness. I told her “Kindness” keeps me going, and keeps me alive. I felt so good that I am helping someone.
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