What Memory Care Coordination Can Do For You
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. To spread awareness we wanted to talk about a program through Johns Hopkins University called "MIND at Home", which works to help people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of Dementia get the care they deserve.
The Facts
Alzheimer's is a complicated disease that happens to the brain and many do not know very much about it. Below we wanted to provide some facts, statistics, and also tips that can help prevent types of dementia like Alzheimer's below.
50 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a form of dementia worldwide and around 6 million in the United States.
10 - 15% of people with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) develop dementia each year
1 in 3 seniors die from Alzheimer's
Women are more likely than men to develop a form of Dementia
More than half of all people with Alzheimer's do not know they have it
Education may help prevent cognitive decline in the future
Alzheimer's affects the physical structure of the brain

Source: Keep Memory Alive
Signs of Alzheimer's/Cognitive Disease
Do you or a loved one relate to any of these symptoms?
Confusion with time and location
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Misplacing Items
Memory loss
Difficulty solving problems
Withdrawal from social activities
Trouble with images and spaces
Poor judgment
Unfounded emotions
Difficulty with words
Some Foods to Prevent Cognitive Decline
Dark Chocolate - Will protect the brain from stress and inflammation
Tumeric - Improves mood and memory, especially in older adults
Good Fats (Olive Oil, Avocado) - Fights against Cognitive Decline
Kale / Leafy Greens - The high vitamins help to protect the brain
Berries - Protects and aids in brain function
Potatoes - High carbohydrates aid in balancing glucose levels which improves brain function
Nuts - Enhances cognition, memory, recall, and rest time
Beans - Aids in concentration and memory
Whole Grains - Reduces inflammation in the brain, preserving memory due to rich B-vitamins
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish: Macherel, Trout, Hearing, Wild Salmon) - Sharpening memory and improving mood
Red Wine (1 Glass a Day for Adults 21+) - Limits stress and damage to DNA in the brain
Green Tea - Strengthens memory, attention, and aids anxiety
Other veggies - Aids slowing cognitive decline
What MIND at Home Program Does
MIND at Home helps individuals with Alzheimer's or a form of dementia connect with a caregiver who can help them in their own homes. Here they can help the patient with their daily tasks to keep them on track. They will also work with clinicians to customize a plan that meets all of their patient's needs that will change throughout time as their illness changes.
Outcomes
A delay in time to transition from home or death, Reduced risk of transition, Improved quality of life, and Reduced unmet patient care needs.
Caregivers receiving the MIND at Home program had:
Time savings (i.e. fewer average hours per week with PT) and Reduced perceived caregiver burden.