Monday, March 31, 2014

Diet and Nutrition in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's is a chronic degenerative neurological disease caused by loss of dopamine in the brain. When the dopamine producing cells die, Parkinson's symptoms appear.

Good nutrition can help you maintain a better level of well-being when you have Parkinson's. The quality of your diet will have an impact on reaching a healthy weight, maintaining optimal energy and providing adequate muscle strength.



There are three main areas of concern for people with Parkinson's: weight loss or gain and constipation.

Weight Loss
Weight loss may occur in up to 70% of people living with Parkinson's. A number of factors may contribute to the problem: difficulty preparing food, including fatigue; problems chewing or swallowing; constipation, reduced appetite perhaps due to loss of sense of smell, depression or changes in cognitive ability.

Weight Gain/Overweight
Some people with Parkinson's may be overweight and this may lead to other health problems. Stringent diets may decrease your energy. Compulsive (binge eating) may be a side effect of Parkinson medications. If you are experiencing this behaviour, tell your neurologist and/or doctor.

Constipation
Your diet can have a significant impact on constipation. Two key dietary recommendations for managing constipation are: eat high fiber foods and drink more fluid. Being constipated can slow the absorption of your Parkinson medication, thereby minimizing its effectiveness. Constipation can be treated. More information is available in the brochure on Constipation (PDF).

Other Helpful Resources
Visit Parkinson Society Canada's website for more information and resources on diet and nutrition related to Parkinson's disease. Contact Parkinson Society Canada to request a free Manual for People Living with Parkinson's Disease and find out about the Progression of Parkinson's Disease (PDF) and other resources for individuals and health professionals.

By: Grace Ferrari, Parkinson Expert at Agecomfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

Photo Credit: Michael Fludkov

Monday, March 24, 2014

When the Parenting Roles Reverse: Parenting your Parents with Respect and Dignity

It's inevitable, we age, and there comes a time for all of us lucky enough to have our parents with us into their later years, when the parenting roles reverse.

The parents who have taken care of you and watched over your shoulder as you grew and matured are now relying on you to help them meet their needs.


For your parents, depending on you is a lesson in humility and can bring a range of emotions they may not have expected such as guilt, frustration or even depression or embarrassment.

Transitioning into the role of primary caregiver for your parents in need of parenting is no less difficult for you. Having to make decisions that affect their life, independence and care makes many a son and daughter feel uncomfortable and doubtful as to whether or not they've made the right choices.

Help yourself help your elderly loved ones:

Base Decisions on Respect and Dignity

Respect who your parents are and their wishes of how they would like to live out their life as best you can. They may have a living will or have spoken with you before. Use this to guide you when and if they are unable to express their preferences themselves, as seen in those with Alzheimer's disease.

Don't Leave Difficult Decisions Too Late 

Communication is they key to understanding your parent's situation, feelings, needs and wants. Don't leave difficult but necessary conversations too late, such as 'what would you want to happen when you can no longer bathe by yourself?'
Learn about the preferences your parents have and take note.

Clarify Expectations

Being the primary caregiver in a family can often be a willing burden. You want to help, you feel expected to help, but it takes more than one. If your siblings or involved relatives expect you to care for Mom or Dad, clarify how they expect to contribute. They can help with finances, do the shopping, organize the home care schedules or give you respite breaks when needed.

Don't Neglect Yourself 

How many times have they told you the story about what happened to them at the grocery store? Often people with dementia will repeat stories, sometimes word for word, without remembering they've already told you. They may ask you the same questions over and over again, too.

Share in Their Life 

Spend quality time with your parents and don't dwell on their mortality. Make memories together that will last and fuel you during the more difficult times.

Educate Yourself 

Medical treatment, surgery and rehabilitation options are changing and you need to be the moderator of you and your parent's healthcare. Be informed about any health concerns, join support groups and meet with professionals.  

Plan Ahead for Homecare 

Speak to a professional Care Coordinator at Premier Homecare Services to learn how your parent's independence can be supported with respect and dignity through the compassionate care of our caregivers.

By: Cindy Stead, Private Home Care Expert at AgeComfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

Photo Credit: Raul Lieberwirth

Monday, March 17, 2014

Why a Good Night’s Sleep Should be A Priority

In today's hectic and competitive world, many people have relegated little priority to getting a good night's sleep -believing that using every waking moment to work or learn is far more productive and important. The problem with that philosophy is that you are not giving your body enough time to rest, reset and heal because, shorter hours of sleep mean, a lesser quality of sleep.


It is important not only to fall asleep easily, but to maintain sleep long enough (7-8 hours) so that you can reach that all important part of sleep known as REM. So make sure that you set aside this amount of time for sleeping every night. During the night, we cycle through 5 stages of sleep -with each cycle lasting about 90 minutes. We need to sleep long enough to go through these cycles 4-6 times a night because, with each cycle the REM portion gets longer and, it is during that portion of sleep, that we have our deepest and most restful sleep and when our body is able to repair and heal itself, which is so important to maintaining a strong immune system.

REM sleep is also associated with dreaming because it is marked by intense brain activity. That's how you can tell if you achieve REM sleep and have therefore slept sufficient hours. During REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep breathing is more rapid, irregular and shallow, eyes move in different directions and muscles become temporarily paralyzed.

It is believed that during this final stage, the regions of the brain used for thinking, learning, memory consolidation and organizing information are stimulated (like when a computer is re-booted). If you cannot sleep without constantly waking, then you are not getting good sleep and you feel it in the morning and all during your day. It's more important to sleep than to stay up late studying or preparing for a business meeting. Everything should be given its proper time so that you can function at your peak but also maintain a balance in your life.  

By: Tova Greenberg, Sleep Expert at AgeComfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

Monday, March 10, 2014

Putting Lipstick on Grandma at 97

My grandma recently turned 97...in the hospital. She fell and broke her hip, the good one. She will not be going home again.

When I was preparing to visit grandma, I thought to myself what can I do for her that will make her feel wonderful? What does she love in her personal care? Food? Leisure? What are her favourite things in the world?!

Instantly I thought about how important her hair and nails have always been to her so I went to the store and bought a nail file, buffer, nail polish remover and grandma's favourite shade of pink. I also bought hand cream to give her a gentle hand massage. I knew that the family had organized someone to do her hair regularly so I would simply fluff it! I also bought some prewashed mixed berries. Another favourite of grandma's.

As I walked into her hospital room yesterday, she was sitting in a chair wrapped in a blanket. Grandma looked so small and fragile, it was everything I could do to hold back my tears, to smile and pour energy into her room. To make her look and feel beautiful like the grandma I had always known.

Grandma woke as I was setting the bags down, she smiled and said, "Is that you, Kim?", and I hugged her and said, "Yes."

I pulled out the hand cream and pink nail polish and gave her a manicure. She was so excited. Her skin was so thin and cold. I fluffed her hair and then I said, "Grandma, would you like lipstick?".
She says, "Do you think I need it?"
I said, "Absolutely! Shouldn't we always look as good as we can?"
Grandma smiled and said, "Yes, we should."

See, grandma always wore lipstick, so why not now? The only reason  she is not wearing it is because it is hard for her to do it herself. So I searched her drawers...I found several boxes of "Pot of Gold" -the typical hospital present. And then I see her lipstick. I put it on her and then I mix hand cream and lipstick on my hand to make like a cream blush and dab her cheeks Grandma looks like grandma again. She is so beautiful and now she's glowing. My sadness has lifted.       


Just before I leave, grandma says, "I'll have to put my hands on top of the blanket so everyone can see my beautiful nails."

In my 44 years of knowing my grandmother, I have never felt so close to her. I have never touched her like I touched her, cared for her like I cared for her. This gift to my grandmother was a much greater gift to me. I will learn from this experience, share it and cherish this memory forever.

By: Kimbery Irwin, Beauty and Hair Expert at AgeComfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

Photo Credit: Haircuts on Wheels

Monday, March 3, 2014

Music Care For Well Being

Music enhances everything. It has a capacity to reach into every domain and improve our quality of life through stimulation, social integration, communication, expression and daily routine.

Music can be used to evoke wide ranges of either calming or stimulating physical responses. Research has shown that music can affect blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, pupil dilation, discomfort and tolerance to pain. Music can affect our mood, our stress levels, match our emotional responses.


Music may identify and help manage our feelings. Music can unlock and help bring feelings to the surface. Music may be able to wash up to shore deeply buried, hidden, repressed or painful feelings and with support, these feelings may be processed.

Music is commonly used as a mood enhancer. In their research, Levitin and Menon found that listening to music caused a cascade of brain regions to become activated. The limbic system involved in arousal, pleasure and the transmission of opioids (natural pain killing substance, i.e. endorphins) and the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter needed for healthy function of the central nervous system, was one of the areas activated [1] .
Researchers believe that positive mood and affect are increased with dopamine.

Music can appease stress and anxiety. When the brain attends music and the auditory input is "safe", dopamine and other sedating chemicals that calm and minimize systemic excitability are discharged. Sound vibrations that permeate in the music environment blanket a person and provide a soothing message that the whole brain accepts as calming. The brain attends the music and momentarily forgets its fear and anxiety.

Music has a tremendous capacity to connect people, through shared events, feelings or ideas. It may be a key in motivating participation and developing camaraderie. Music enhances appropriate social interactions and catalyzes recreation and enjoyment where there may otherwise be isolation and loneliness. Music may facilitate intimacy. Music can be a lifelong form of recreation and leisure and enhance fitness training.

 Furthermore, music can bring balance into charged situations. It may serve to neutralize differences and celebrate commonalities. Music may catalyze and develop tolerance between diverse cultures. Listening with open ears and open hearts may expand the borders of respect and working together.

Here are some ways you can stay musically active and enhance your well-being:

  1. Join a choir
  2. Take a dance class
  3. Make a playlist of 10 songs that stimulate you. Play these when you need to be active. 
  4. Make a playlist of 10 songs that calm you. Play these in stressful situations i.e. driving in rush hour traffic.
  5. Go to a live concert.
  6. Find gentle soothing music and take a music bath before bedtime. 
  7. Listen to a new piece of music. 
  8. Learn to appreciate a new style of music. 
  9. Pick up an instrument. This may include taking lessons or rejuvenating old skills.
  10. Join a drumming circle.
  11. Choose a life song, a song that expresses who you are, the values you believe in, that would in fact be a musical epitaph. 
  12. Join a songwriting circle. 
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[1] Levitin, D., (2006). This is Your Brain on Music. New York: Dutton p.187

By: Bev Foster, Music Care Expert at AgeComfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

Photo Credit: Alejandro Matos