specifically dementia care. First to start, well go over a brief overview of dementia. 60-80% of dementia cases are Alzheimers Disease. This is when plaques (beta-amyloid deposits) and tangles (twisted tau fibers) build up in and between the nerve cells, attacking those necessary for memory. Fluid builds up and the hippocampus shrinks which affects the memory. 90% of what we know has been discovered in the last 15 years. (Plaques disrupt cell to cell signaling & tangles affect transport chains) Vascular dementia is 10% of dementia cases. This impairs judgment and is caused by blood vessel blockage. This is commonly a post- stroke problem but can vary between cases due to location, number, and size of brain injury. Parkinsons disease is when alpha-synuclein clumps are found in the substantia nigra which is instrumental in motor skills and degrade dopamine producing cells which regulate movement and emotion. Huntingtons disease is caused by a single defective gene on chromosome 4 that produces the protein huntingtin. It can cause involuntary movement, mood changes and a decline in reasoning. Typically, patients with dementia are treated with psychotropic drugs to decrease irritability and other mood changes. Psychotropic drugs are any drugs that are capable of altering the mind. These include anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-psychotic medications. Over 50% of community dwelling seniors receive medication within two weeks of admission and those over 70 are 3.5x more likely to be admitted to a hospital due to side effects. These side effects include hypotension (low blood pressure), akinesia (motor impairment), dystonia (involuntary cramping and twisting of muscles), sedation, and psychomotor impairment (that affects gait and speech). Due to these side effects, senior care facilities are beginning to find healthier solutions. One approach is technology. Technology isnt necessarily the newest thing in senior care. For motor aid, there are wheelchairs and even spoons to counteract the dyskinesia of Parkinsons. For sensory aid, there are glasses and hearing aids. With monitor and response devices, medical professionals can monitor heart rates, gait, and sleep patterns. Something that a few of you have is a fitbit which does these things. Theres also devices like Life Alert that are more under the response category, allowing for an easy call to medical services. There are also video cameras that give a live feed to worried family members to guarantee that they know whats going on. Social communication is also an important of senior care, believe it or not. A lot of those in senior care facilities typically have family members that are distant and therefore are unable to have the desired contact that they may want. Thats why software like instant messaging, email, and online forums contribute to their mental health. A newer technology has been developed by a company in Denver and its called Its Never 2 Late, the inspiration for my project title. At the senior care facility that Im mentoring at, they use this program to help care for the residents. With over 300 applications, theres a possibility for customization that everyone will enjoy. At Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, theyve used videos of laughing babies to help calm down the residents in the morning to aid in the nurses morning duties. And when you get to be around 80 years old, a fall can be detrimental. Now, she has her own iN2L monitor to play puzzles and since they engage her, she no longer feels the need to stand up and in turn helps her health. These consoles have other forms of entertainment that help the dementia patients feel more at home since many of them believe that they are 20 years and believe that they are in the 1950s. These include old time shows and an older era of music. Even more ground-breaking, social robots are beginning to make the scene. Even though most are designed for those with autism, they can still be applied for the elderly, making them feel more at a home and in a better mood. Two examples of humanoid robots are NAO and Buddy. Many are still in development and only able to bought as a beta with limited supply. These typically cost under a grand which could allow each resident to have a robot of their own if needed because currently the iN2L system can cost about 3 grand which is a pricey option for these care facilities. But I didnt come here to simply talk about the base of my senior project. There is a great opportunity for you to help improve your community called Cyber Seniors. At Westminster-Canterbury, theyre working on teaching dementia patients how to use computers. This is a low commitment opportunity since they will work on your schedule even if you can only give an hour every two weeks or youre willing to give 7 hours a week. If you would like to volunteer, I can pass on your email to the one in charge and theyll contact you in a few days, letting you know how you can help. Thank you. Any questions?