#dentalhygiene #gumdisease #tmjdisorder #oralcare #alzheimer #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #nutritionandlifestyle #nutritionist #healthyaging #hearthealthydiet #seniorcare #familycaregivers
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Yes you CAN keep your teeth as you age? But why are Older Persons at risk for poor oral health?? WHY do Persons neglect dental Care? What is the danger of having fewer teeth?
A few risk factors:
🪥😁🦷Pain - fewer teeth mean chewing is painful, affecting nutrition; gum disease is also a factor
🪥😁🦷Depression and apathy - no desire ; poor socialisation for fear and embarrassment
🪥😁🦷Arthritis in the jaw (TMJ disorder for example - eating is just uncomfortable
🪥😁🦷Socioeconomic challenges - access to nutritious food AND Health Care
🪥😁🦷Some medication and NCds can cause gum disease, dry mouth and
🪥😁🦷Memory Impairment-- they simply forget ; in addition, many with poor oral hygiene are at risk for Dementia
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
🪥😁🦷 Brush (soft bristles) and clean TWICE A DAY - no toothpaste? - use Bicarbonate of soda and salt . REMEMBER your TONGUE!
🪥😁🦷Blend or puree or boil vegs and fruit hard to chew; remember protein
🪥😁🦷TALK to SOMEONE! A friend, hygienist, nutritionist (or a dentist!)
🪥😁🦷Pain relief -if chewing is painful
🪥😁🦷Be mindful of TMJ disorder and the ability to chew
🪥😁🦷Ask questions from the doctor if medication may cause oral side effects
SMILE!! (WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT OUR TEETH ?!)
One day, one hour, one TOOTH at a time!😁
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
Why Do Persons with Dementia and Alzheimers STOP Eating or Drinking? What to DO? 🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖
#alzheimer #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #nutritionandlifestyle #nutritionist #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #thelonggoodbye
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Dementia and its most common subset, Alzheimer’s disease are neurological brain disorders that cause impairment with memory, thinking skills, and behaviour.
Daunting? Yes!
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖As these diseases progress, they often affect taste, smell and mood, as well making mealtimes and hydration a "battle of wills"😖
Dangers: Dehydration, constipation, infection, frailty, poorer immune system, falls, fractures, death.
Reasons:
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Pain
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Depression and apathy - no desire
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖arthritis in the jaw- eating is just uncomfortable
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Infection especially lungs and bladder - let's not forget anosmia from COVID-19
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Some medication alter taste
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Memory Impairment-- they simply forget to eat
What can you do?
🍽️🥤😊 Vary the colours and textures of food and the utensils; use "watery fruit" such as watermelob
🍽️Lightweight cups and mugs are easier to hold
🍽️🥤Be alert to signs of dehydration and when you may need the doctor
🍽️🥤 Seek the advice of the nutritionist
🍽️🥤When nothing works- walk away , cool heads and come back in a few minutes
🍽️🥤Eating is a SOCIAL event-, so eat WITH them- selfcare, comraderie, familiarity.
Let us embrace these "new normals" in an atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, empathy and love
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
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Overwhelmed? Let's connect: 📧lana@lanaannemd.com
For more insights and connect for a FREE face-to-Face 15 minute Zoom call, and a place where we can connect as Family Caregivers and fellow Physicians on my website: lanaslittlethings.com.
LLT# 209 - "Sundowning" : Why Do Persons with Dementia "Change" When the Sun Sets?👵🏽👴🏽🌇😕
#sundowning #dementia #dementiasupport #dementiacaretipsandtricks #delirium #moodchange #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #mindfulness #habits
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"SUNDOWNING" : a term that can cause confusion as much as it causes distress in both the person with dementia and the entire family!
This term "sundowning" refers to a state of increasing confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night.
Some symptoms can be more distressing than others: as it seems that your loved one goes from baseline Dementia or Alzheimer's disease to plain bizarre behaviour - almost everyday at sunset!
🌇😕Is THIS your reality?
🌇😕Why does it happen?
🌇😕What can you do?
The good news, if you can call it such, is that - SUNDOWNING is NOT a disease, and although it has no known cause/source, there ARE ways to recognise signs and mitigate the daily disruption.
Some causes:
🌇😕Suddenly changing environments, such as the doctor's office or visiting relatives , or transitioning to another care facility
🌇😕Low lighting in the day, can increase shadows, which may cause the person to become confused by what they see and what time of day it actually is. This can be harsh enough to cause hallucinations and increased agitation
🌇😕Trouble separating reality from dreams
🌇😕infection, such as a urinary tract infection , pneumonia
A mixed-up "internal body clock." Often the person living with Alzheimer's may feel tired during the day and awake at night.
🌇😕Pain or boredom
Common SYMPTOMS:
🌇😕Confusion aggression
🌇😕Anxiety
🌇😕Aggression or
🌇😕Ignoring directions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
😊🌇✅Keep a predictable routine for bedtime, waking, meals and activities --HABITS
😊🌇✅Limit daytime napping
😊🌇✅When /if possible, spend time outside in the sunlight during the day, or open the curtains to let sunlight in : reduces day/night confusion
😊🌇✅Listening to calming music and looking at older photographs (TV is generally a distraction)
😊🌇✅Talk to the person's doctor about the best times of day for taking medication.; some calming teas or natural herbs or traditional medication may help - (THIS CHANNEL DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC MEDIACL THERAPY)
Observe, Seek help, Ask questions!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours always💗
Dr. Lana
