The Aging Brain and What the Faith Community Can Do

International Association of Ministers Wives and Ministers Widows, Inc. July 1, 2009

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 Disease

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Risk Factors for Alzheimers

Age
 10% of persons over 65 years of age; 50% of persons over 85 years of age.  Since the number of African Americans over 64 years will double in the next 30 years, its a coming silent epidemic.

Risk Factors for Alzheimers

Family History

 A history of Alzheimers in a first

degree relative is consistently associated with Alzheimers.

 Yet, one can never know for sure.

A Rapidly Changing Demographic Picture

Growth of Multicultural Populations 40 36 35 29.3 24.8 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1990 2000 2015
Source 1: U.S. Census Bureau; Source 2: Multiple Reports

U.S. Trend1: Increasingly, a racially and ethnically diverse nation;

Result: Unless major action is taken to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities: - A less healthy workforce and society, - A further increase in the spiraling cost of health care, for all2.

How Alzheimers Affects the African American Community

A Silent epidemic in the African American community May disproportionately affect African Americans Theres often later diagnosis and treatment, if at all.

What Alzheimers Is (Continued)

Alzheimers is not a normal part of the aging process. Alzheimers is a progressive disease that gets worse over time.

What Alzheimers Disease Is

The most common form of dementia; A progressive, degenerative brain disease with gradual onset; The disease can last from 7 to 20 years.
The average duration is 7 to 12 years.

ey Alzheimers Information:
Causes brain damage as a result of:  Fragments of plaques and tangles causing nerve cell death, and  Decreased levels of chemicals being involved in sending brain messages.

What Happens During Alzheimers

Theres a steady decline in the ability to:  Remember and Learn  Think and Reason  Communicate and Respond  Live independently

Three Key Causes of Dementia

 Alzheimers  Vascular

Disease

Dementia*

Alcohol-Related Dementia*

* Related to lifestyle and health practices

Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia

 Hypertension (High Blood

Pressure)  Diabetes  Smoking  Peripheral vascular disease  Age Cardiac disease

Alcohol-Related Dementia
Alcohol-related dementia results from brain damage. Key causes of damage: - Toxic effects of alcohol on the liver and brain; - Secondary damage to other organs from alcohol abuse, increased vitamin deficiency, risk of stroke.

About the Normal Aging Brain

 A slower  Need

pace of learning.

for new information to be repeated, and possible tendency to repeat past experiences. also have some cognitive decline (have greater risk of dementia.

 Some

Ten Warning Signs of Dementia

Memory loss Difficulty in doing familiar tasks Problems with language Confusion about time and place Poor or decreased judgment

Ten Warning Signs of Dementia

(Continued)

Problems with abstract thinking Misplacing things Changes in mood or behavior Changes in personality Loss of initiative

Importance of Early Diagnosis of Dementia

May help the person with dementia:
 Educate him/herself on the disease to

decrease fear;
 Participate in their own care planning  Make legal and financial arrangements

Importance of Early Diagnosis of Dementia

 Although

there is no cure for Alzheimers, with early treatment some medications can improve symptoms or slow the disease down.

Ways to Help a Loved One with Alzheimers/Dementia



Be flexible about the way the person talks or what he or she says. Make connections through songs or old hymns. Have a quiet room where the caregiver can take the person if he/she becomes anxious during the service.

Ways to Help a Loved One with Alzheimers/Dementia

 Plan

short frequent (home) visits. the person to continue taking part in service and social events (choir, etc).

 Encourage

Ways to Help a Loved One with Alzheimers/Dementia

 Create

a memory box with old family pictures and other special events. an atmosphere of joy, trust and comfort.

 Create

Helping the Caregiver

 Care-giving

with dementia can be very stressful.  Clergy and other faith community presence and support help a lot.  Encourage respite care.  Encourage use of support groups.

Special Care Issues

 Agitation,

often associated with difficulty in carrying out usual personal care tasks. or getting lost.

 Wandering,  Difficulty

getting to sleep at night.

Looks of Advanced Alzheimers/Dementia

How to Decrease Ones Risk of Alzheimers Disease?

Stay informed and active. Maintain healthy lifestyle Partner to support research: Become a volunteer to an individual or organization.

Recent Research Findings on Improving Brain Health

 Stay

physically healthy.

 Control

your hypertension (high blood pressure) in social activities.

 Participate

Tips to Keep the Memory Sharp

- Make, and use Things To Do lists. Planning tasks in advance. It exercises the mind. - Use note pads and calendars. - Exercise regularly. - Limit alcohol intake. Heavy drinking over time can cause permanent memory loss & brain damage.

More Tips to Keep the Memory Sharp

- Develop hobbies and stay involved in them. If they stop, being enjoyable, select new ones. - Do activities that reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. If they dont work, or stop working, talk to your doctor.

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