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We may have found a biomarker for one of the great killers in human history. Researchers from The Children’s Hospital Westmead in Sydney have announced the discovery of a biomarker which indicated a greatly enhanced risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). SIDS is blamed for more than one third of all infant deaths each year, but it’s always been poorly understood.

From Biospace:

“Many in the medical community suspected this phenomenon could be caused by a defect in the part of the brain that controls arousal from sleep and breathing. The theory was that if the infant stopped breathing during sleep, the defect would keep them from startling or waking up.

The Sydney researchers were able to confirm this theory by analyzing dried blood samples taken from newborns who died from SIDS and other unknown causes. Each SIDS sample was then compared with blood taken from healthy babies. They found the activity of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was significantly lower in babies who died of SIDS compared to living infants and other non-SIDS infant deaths. BChE plays a major role in the brain’s arousal pathway, explaining why SIDS typically occurs during sleep.”

For decades the only advice medical professionals had for avoiding SIDS was largely postural or mechanical:  don’t use certain blankets, don’t let them sleep on their bellies or sides, keep toys and plushes out of cribs. But every year thousands of infants still succumbed to it, even in cases where every precaution was made. Finding this biomarker would allow at-risk children to be monitored more closely, and give parents of less at-risk kids some much needed peace of mind. Tests for the biomarkers may be on the market early next year.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Inspired by a similar town in the Netherlands, France opens up their first experimental “Alzheimer’s Village.”

The small village, like most in France, has a cafe-restaurant, a hairdresser, a superette and a library.

Neighbours have a cup of coffee and a chat on the terrace, or meet up in the park or at the gym before heading their separate ways home.

But these are no ordinary villagers. Their average age is 79 and they all share a debilitating disease: Alzheimer’s.

For each resident, medical care-givers and volunteers—240 people in total— are on hand to provide assistance with the daily tasks that for some have become impossible to manage on their own.

But this is no care home. Staff do not wear white coats and residents are given the freedom to pursue their individual lifestyles, in as far as that is possible.

Alzheimer’s is a disease of the spirit as much as of the body. The loss of both memory, freedom and in some cases even identity can be a crushing emotional blow. The purpose of the Alzheimer’s Villages is to soften the blow of the diminishing memory, and give them back a little bit of freedom, all while still keeping them safe and monitored. As the population ages, and instances of Alzheimer’s explode, expect to see more and more of these villages around the world.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

From the Washington Post, a story about the power of music in relation to memory, and how some forward-thinking professionals are using that link to help patients with memory issues.

The upbeat song “Sweet Caroline” often prompts listeners to sing and dance. But when music therapist Alaine Reschke-Hernández played the song for an older person, the song evoked a sad memory and tears. That patient’s surprising reaction highlights how music, and the memories that come with it, can influence emotions, even years later.

Strategically using music can improve well-being, particularly for older people, says Reschke-Hernández of the University of Kentucky in Lexington. “Music is so connected and integrated with so many different elements of our life,” she says. From joyful celebrations to solemn ceremonies, music is part of meaningful events throughout life and becomes strongly associated with memory.”

Reschke-Hernández teamed with neurologists to really measure the effect of music on memory. The results were clear: music has such a deep association with memory that it can even transcend profound memory loss to make a connection.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

“NO!”

It’s the favorite word of toddlers and the favorite word of most seniors who need regular care. And that – as much as anything – is one of the significant flashpoints between caregivers and care recipients. Too many people see superficial similarities between the behavior of a child and an older adult, and instinctively start treating the adult as a child. But there are few things on this earth which will infuriate an adult more than being talked to like a child, mainly when the person talking down to you IS your child. When caring for a senior, it is paramount to take pains not to infantilize, regardless of the situation. Don’t suddenly speak slowly and in small words, or use obvious euphemisms rather than proper terminology. Yes, you will have to make verbal accommodations for people undergoing a cognitive decline, but you must choose your battles in those circumstances. The easiest way is to imagine someone whose diapers you changed talking to you in how you’re about to speak.

There will be anger, and tears.

Another hard truth for caregivers to accept: a person’s emotional states change as they age. Things that were minor annoyances when middle-aged could trigger major emotional outbursts as they get older and begin to suffer from dementia. You, as the caregiver, need to know these outbursts are possibilities and plan for them. As I said: there will be tears and anger, and maybe some hurtful words. You have to learn to let them pass, even when it’s complicated. Those words don’t come from a place of truth, but a place of hurt & confusion. If you prepare yourself, you can let them slide off you, and continue to help them when needed.

Find the fun things in life.

Life as a dementia sufferer is not easy, and sometimes as a caregiver it falls on you to shine some light into their dark room. Find simple things that can help give your loved one some joy: their favorite foods, the music of their youth, hobbies & activities, regular calls from the grandkids. They don’t have to be expensive, grand gestures. Just the act of reaching out may be enough to brighten their day and take some of the pressure off.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

When caring for an elder loved one, some conversations are unpleasant but necessary. One of those conversations is often about alcohol consumption. 

To be clear right off the bat: this isn’t about alcoholism or addiction. Those are distinct conditions, which have to be addressed on their own. 

What we’re talking about here is ‘casual’ or ‘social’ drinking. A beer in the afternoon. A couple of glasses of wine at dinner. A cocktail with their friends. The sorts of activities an older person may have engaged in regularly for most of their lives. But the body of a 70-year-old is not the body of a 25-year-old or a 40-year-old. Metabolisms change, organs and systems don’t heal up as quickly as they used to, and ‘minor’ impairments are more likely to lead to significant injuries. But this doesn’t mean your senior loved one needs to become a teetotaler.  

This is one of the core messages you should convey: no one is taking away all of your drinks. Simply telling an elder loved one “you can’t drink anymore” is a fast way to ensure they drink more often and more irresponsibly, going forward. 

Try to schedule alcohol consumption in advance. Much the same way, dieting goes better when you have regular “cheat days” to look forward to, and a moderated alcohol intake regimen also works better when there are clear and frequent breaks. Bloody Marys at Mother’s Day brunch? A bit of the bubbly at their daughter’s birthday party? Those are great, so long as it’s not an everyday occurrence. 

Family members should also try – whenever possible – to make sure alcohol consumption is done in conjunction with meals and nonalcoholic beverages. Mix in some juice or iced tea in between drinks. One of the biggest dangers of alcohol consumption comes from dehydration, and the elderly are more susceptible than most to that complication. Slowing the absorption of alcohol by eating while you drink, and consuming nonalcoholic drinks will help stave off dehydration. 

Some studies show that moderate, regular alcohol consumption can have medical benefits, including improved bone density and better overall cardiovascular health. But those benefits are obliterated once the drinking moves to “excessive” levels. As a caregiver, part of your role is to find ways to allow your elder loved one to have the occasional drink while preventing overconsumption. It’s not an easy task, but a necessary one.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

Here’s a great story about a young person harnessing the power of social media to help a loved one suffering from Alzhiemers. From ABC7 in California.

“85-year-old Charles Mallet likes to cook, dance and make TikTok videos with his granddaughter Basia.

The former IBM engineer and Navy veteran was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s seven years ago. When Basia saw how much fun her grandfather had making the first TikTok video back in March of 2019, she knew she had to keep it going.

“I see him smiling. I see him dancing. I see him cooking things that he used to do before he got diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” Basia said. “And honestly, I feel like I’ve discovered something new for him to do and just for him to get better.”

With reshares from entertainers like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, the viral videos have not only gathered a following of nearly five million, but they’ve also helped bring some joy.

“Once she saw how engaged he was with that first video, and then they started doing baking videos, he started dancing,” said Dr. Monica Mallet, Charles’ daughter. “He started to ask to make the videos ‘Do you need me for video?'”

Sometimes just reaching out to a suffering loved one and asking if they want to participate can make all of the difference.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

From the San Antonio Express News, some great suggestions to help keep seniors active while living with arthritis.

Before exercising, try putting a heating pad on the painful joint for several minutes to loosen it up. And consider taking an anti-inflammatory like naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil) or a pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) before or after a workout.

[Licenced trainer Warren] Young recommends exercises that build the muscles surrounding the joint, so they can provide more support. For arthritis of the knee, he suggests things like straight leg raises (lie on your back and raise your leg 6 to 12 inches off the ground), step-ups (step up and down a single stair) and calf raises (stand upright and raise yourself up until you’re standing on your toes)

Aging comes with a plethora of conditions that are tough on the body, but the above link has great suggestions for keeping active with many of the more common and debilitating ones.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

We recently blogged about light therapy, but this isn’t quite what we were thinking of.

A team of scientists at the UK’s University of Southampton are using UV light instead to create images of neurons without the need for huge, high-energy emitters.

“Dr. Bill Brocklesby, of the Zepler Institute for Photonics and Nanoelectronics, says: “The ability to take detailed images of delicate biological structures like neurons without causing damage is very exciting”

The UV emitters used by UoS are able to produce high-resolution images on par with those previously only available using much less accessible equipment. This means – potentially – that the sorts of imaging needed to really study Alzheimer’s-afflicted cells will be much more accessible to scientists and doctors around the world. As always, it’s still early, but it’s a promising study.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.

From the San Antonio Express News, some great suggestions to help keep seniors active while living with arthritis.

Before exercising, try putting a heating pad on the painful joint for several minutes to loosen it up. And consider taking an anti-inflammatory like naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil) or a pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) before or after a workout.

[Licenced trainer Warren] Young recommends exercises that build the muscles surrounding the joint, so they can provide more support. For arthritis of the knee, he suggests things like straight leg raises (lie on your back and raise your leg 6 to 12 inches off the ground), step-ups (step up and down a single stair) and calf raises (stand upright and raise yourself up until you’re standing on your toes)

Aging comes with a plethora of conditions that are tough on the body, but the above link has great suggestions for keeping active with many of the more common and debilitating ones.

Brought to you by smpltec.com, Technology for Seniors News.