By Jo Ellen Bleavins of assisted living provider BMA Management, Ltd.
On Tuesday, Rick Banas of BMA Management posted a Blog about a keynote address that those of us attending the recent Life Services Network 2012 Annual Meeting & Exho heard on the topic of “Can We Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?”
The speaker was aging and Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Gary Small of UCLA. There are things that you can do to help you potentially delay Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Small said. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining an appropriate weight were among his suggestions.
Your brain, Dr. Small noted, is 70% fat so it makes sense to eat the types of fat that are good for you.
A few weeks before listening to Dr. Small, a colleague alerted me through an e-mail to a video about Coconut Oil and Alzheimer’s disease that was posted by The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
In the video, Dr. Mary Newport of Tampa, Florida, talks about the positive impact that coconut oil appears to have had on her husband, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, since she started adding it to his diet.
You can view the video below
The coconut has been a staple in the diets of tropical cultures for thousands of years, and coconut oil is made from the meat of the coconut.
Research shows that eating coconut oil will raise your cholesterol level. The beauty is that it does not raise your LDL, or lousy, cholesterol level. Instead, coconut oil is the kind of dietary fat that raises your HDL, or healthy, cholesterol level.
In addition to potentially benefitting those with Alzheimer’s disease, researchers claim that coconut oil also has many other health benefits, as Dr. Beverly Teter of the University of Maryland notes in the video.
With this information, we are going to begin testing adding coconut oil to the diets of residents at the Bridle Brook assisted living, adult daycare and memory care community that we manage in Mahomet, Illinois. We’ll let you know what we learn.
By Rick Banas of assisted living provider BMA Management, Ltd.
Super centenarian Jeanne Louise Calment was in her early thirties when German Psychologist Alois Alzheimer first presented information to the scientific world on the clinical symptoms of what has widely become known as Alzheimer’s disease.
Madame Calment was born the year before Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and she lived to be 122 years of age.
What is so remarkable, said Dr. Gary Small in his keynote address at the Life Services Network (LSN) 2012 Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Chicago, is that Calment had the brain of an 80 year-old when she died in 1997. She was alert and showed no signs of dementia.
Dr. Small is a neuroscientist at the UCLA Longevity Center and an expert on Alzheimer’s disease, memory and aging. He is the author of the book “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program: Keep Your Brain Healthy for the Rest of Your Life.” He was speaking to those of us attending the LSN Conference on the topic “Can We Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?”
Reading stories about Calment, I learned that she rode a bicycle until she was 100. She ate two pounds of chocolate a week until a doctor convinced her to give up sweets – when she was 119. She quit smoking at 117, apparently due to vanity rather than the advice of her doctor.
Researchers attribute her longevity and vitality to her immunity to stress. She professed the belief that you should not worry about things you can’t do anything about. Calment, herself, also cites a diet rich in olive oil and an occasional glass of Port wine.
While scientists have not found a way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, “we don’t have to sit back and be passive,” Dr. Small contends. There are things that you can do to potentially delay the onset of symptoms.
Physical exercise was on the top of Dr. Small’s list for protecting your brain. Why? Because anything that gets more blood pumping oxygen into your brain is what is showing the most compelling scientific benefits. Exercise helps brains become larger and more efficient.
Mental stimulation is another way to build brain function, Dr. Small says. Studies, for instance, show that people who speak two languages have a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease than those who only speak one. Studies also show that doing tasks that are unfamiliar such as an Internet search stimulates the brain more than tasks that are highly familiar such as reading a book. Once you get efficient at a task, there is less brain activity.
Other tips cited by Dr. Small include…
Managing Stress – spend time with friends; talk about your feelings; and take regular breaks to relax. Meditation, yoga and tai chi also were suggested.
Nutrition – Eat a healthy diet and manage your weight. Your brain is 70% fat so it makes sense to eat good types of fat. Fish and nuts that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil were cited.
Brain Protective Drinks – Red wine has antioxidants and anti-aging benefits. Alcohol in moderation. Caffeine, which also can help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Treat Hypertension and High Cholesterol.
Speaking of the health benefits of wine, I love what 90-year-old Betty White, host of NBC’s Off Their Rockers, has to say in the video below -
Life Services Network (LSN) is a statewide association that has represented the leading providers of older adult services in Illinois, including senior living, assisted living and supportive living communities, for more than 75 years.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
“BMA Management is the leading provider of affordable assisted living in Illinois and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
Oh, how the residents of Heritage Woods of Moline enjoyed the “Remember When Fashion Show.” The smiles, the laughs, the applause, the hooting and hollering.
The Move-In Coordinator parading around the Dining Room in a black Flapper Dress trimmed with gold braiding.
The Director of Maintenance coolly playing a Greaser,
The Administrator dressed as June Cleaver, offering up freshly baked cookies.
These are just a few of the highlights of the show, which was part of the community’s celebration of Supportive Living Week 2012.
Sponsored by the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition, Supportive Living Week is designed to bring attention to the Illinois Supportive Living program. The program provides a cost-effective solution to older adults and adults with physical disabilities who can benefit from an affordable residential style of living with the availability of personal assistance and support services.
Residents of Supportive Living communities such as Heritage Woods of Moline also benefit from the opportunity to socialize and enjoy programs such as the “Remember When Fashion Show.”
Staff members did the research and tracked down examples of what was worn. They shared the information and modeled the fashions to the delight of residents.
1910s
When it came to fashion, women were beginning to think more of comfort than fashion, although many quickly fell for the “hobble skirt,” which was so tight around the ankles that moving quickly was impossible.
Fabrics became lighter, colors were brighter and styles were looser. Lowered necklines became popular, and sales of cold cream and lemon extract escalated. The Tea Gown was worn at home, and the sack, sheath oriental costumes, harem trousers and the Hellenic tunic were all introduced. Head gear was worn and was very costumary.
When World War 1 – the first war to end all wars – began, fashion design came to a standstill and “Made in America” was in style.
Also during the decade, new materials and technologies made colors more available. The suffragettes focused on more comfortable fashion, with lots of pockets. And, hemlines began to inch up – to show the ankles.
1920s
The Flapper dress is the most iconic outfit of the Roaring 20s.
Marked by its tight fit and knee-high length, the Flapper Dress was emblematic of the entire Jazz Age. A woman showing the skin of her legs in public would have been a case for scandal in prior decades, but in the 1920s society was changing and fashion changed along with it.
The narrow and straight style of the Flapper Dress gave women an adolescent look. The term Flapper, however, is open to debate. Some folks say that it was used to describe a young woman (bird) just learning to fly while others used the term to describe a woman of the night.
1950s
When it comes to fashion, two distinctly different television characters come to mind.
June Cleaver was a principal character in the sitcom Leave It to Beaver. June was very ladylike and slightly formal in appearance. She was notorious for consistently being dressed as a part hostess, even when doing her housework or relaxing around the house. She wore a pearl necklace in almost every scene, even when gardening.
The sitcom Happy Days featured Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli. The Fonz portrayed the Greaser, an iconic symbol of rebellion and pure coolness.
The Greaser sported a plain white cotton t-shirt and a pair of tight blue jeans. The shirt was never ducked in daddy-o. A leather jacket with the collar flipped up said “your crusin for a brusin” if you mess with this cat.
Having a comb in hand to slick back a heavily greased up head of hair was essential as was a bandanna to mop up any extra grease.
Smooth black shoes accented the rolled up pair of blue jeans, and a pair of black mirrored shades was the final accent to help convey the coolness of the Greaser.
1960s
Both the fashions and music of the 1960s reflected the counter-cultural revolution that was underway.
In the early 1960s, women wore mini-skirts and leather boots and men wore Paisley shirts and velvet trousers.
In 1966, the age of the Hippie was born and Psychedelic clothes featuring bright colors for both men and women were introduced. Men started to wear their hair longer, and women identified with the Hippie look by wearing longer skirts and dresses known as Maxies. Anything and everything had color, including the body.
1970s
In the 1970s, the influence of the Hippies was mainstreamed into fashions. Men sported shoulder-length hair. Bellbottom pants, hip huggers, colorful patches, hot pants, platform shoes, earth shoes, clogs, t-shirts and gypsy dresses were some of the non-traditional clothing that became the rage.
Women were wearing everything from ankle-length dresses to hot pants and micro-miniskirts while men were donning leisure suits.
Fashions also were impacted by Woody Allen’s movie “Annie Hall,” which was released in the spring of 1977. The clothing worn by Diane Keaton in the movie started a fashion trend of women wearing traditional men’s clothing. In particular, derby hats, tweed jackets, neckties, and baggy pants or skirts were the rage.
1980s
The “In Things” in the 1980s included big hair, bright color patterns, mismatched clothing and stone-washed jeans.
Aquanet hairspray helped women keep their ratted up big hair in place for days, and some men joined the big hair trend by sporting a Mullet.
MC Hammer brought us parachute pants, which seemed to come in any color or pattern one could dream up, and Madonna brought us the look of lace, black leather, long pearls and a big hair bow.
To view the Remember When Fashion Show
photo gallery, click here.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
“BMA Management is the leading provider of affordable assisted living in Illinois and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
Whether you are a lung disease patient or relative of one, health care professional or student, here’s a recommendation for how you should spend Friday, May 11.
Attend the 2012 Healthy Lung Expo. at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois
The expo is being hosted by the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago and will feature information about chronic pulmonary lung disease (COPD), lung cancer and asthma.
Motivational speaker Karen Kaiser Clark, who has been a source of inspiration, humor, hope and healing for more than 25 years, will be our keynote speaker. She will be talking on “Life is Change – Growth is Optional.”
For patients, the program is free and includes lunch. Oxygen refills and wheelchairs will be available courtesy of local medical equipment companies.
The cost for health care professionals is $75 and for students it is $50. The course has been approved for six continuing education units for Licensed Respiratory Care Therapists and applications for credit hours have been submitted to the Illinois Nurses Association Approver Unit and the Illinois Pharmacists Association.
A special rate for parking of $5 will be available.
Here is what’s on tap:
For Patients:
In the Morning
“Living with Chronic Lung Disease:
Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Nonpharmaceutical Management”
Mark Yoder, MD, MS
“Sleep in Health and Disease:
Real World Application in Patients with Chronic Lung Disease”
James Herdegen, MD, of the University of Illinois Medical Center
Addressing Issues with Advanced Illness”
Pam Tabler, MS, BSN, RN, CHPN, of Joliet Community Hospice
In the Afternoon: Breakout Sessions:
COPD Management Plan and Recognizing Flare-Ups
Eve Gluck, MD, of Swedish Covenant Hospital
Lung Cancer Alternative Treatments
Patrick Massey, MD, PhD, of the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network
Asthma Action Plan: New Treatments
Molly Martin, MD, MAPP, of Rush University Medical Center
COPD: Oxygen Therapy Update
Christine Binnelli, RRT, RCP, of Fitzsimmons Home Medical
and
Charity Bright of National Government Services-Medicare
Lung Cancer: Minimally Invasive Surgery vs. Radiation Treatment
Andy Su, MD, of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital
Indoor and Outdoor Triggers: When to See a Specialist
Christopher Codispoti, MD, MS, of Rush University Medical Center
For Health Care Professionals:
Treatment of COPD: Newer Medications
Eric Gluck, MD, of Swedish Covenant Hospital
New Treatment for Asthma: Bronchothermoplasty
Jeff Hales, MD, FCCP, of Virginia Hospital Center
Lung Cancer: Minimally Invasive Surgery vs. Radiation Treatment
Andy Su, MD, of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital
Integrating Tobacco Cessation into Practice
Carol Southard, RN, MSN of Quit One-Northwestern Physicians Group
and
Michael Mark, RN, RRT, of the American Lung Association
Lung Cancer Screening: National Lung Screening Trial
Eric Hart, MD, of Northwestern Memorial Hospital
For more information or to register, you can go to www.lungil.org or call 312-781-1100.
To read a Blog on “Exercise, Diet and Laughter – Three Keys to Living Well” that recaps some of the information shared at the 2011 Healthy Lung Expo, go to http://www.bma-mgmt.com/blog/?p=1057
Colleen Wille is a Regional Director of Operations with BMA Management, Ltd.
and a member of the Planning Committee for the 2012 Healthy Lung Expo.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
“BMA Management is the leading provider of affordable assisted living in Illinois and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
Do you have any expired medications or prescription drugs that you no longer use filling up your medicine cabinet or taking up room in a drawer?
Proper disposal of these outdated drugs reduces the danger that you might accidentally take these medications and the risk that others might illegally abuse these drugs.
Proper disposal also helps protect our environment.
This Saturday, April 28, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled its 4th National Drug Take-Back Day.
You can bring in unwanted or expired medications to one any one of the more than 5,000 Take-Back Sites, ensuring safe and proper disposal.
The Take-Back Sites are scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
“BMA Management is the leading provider of affordable assisted living in Illinois and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
The speaker was aging and Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Gary Small of UCLA. There are things that you can do to help you potentially delay Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Small said. Eating a healthy diet and maintaining an appropriate weight were among his suggestions.![Madame Jeanne-Louise Calment [1875 - 1997]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fVf3y-glrHA/T7F4gBq6oTI/AAAAAAAAgzA/4eNtDQCm6Bs/s346/Madame%2520Jeanne-Louise%2520Calment.jpg)
When World War 1 – the first war to end all wars – began, fashion design came to a standstill and “Made in America” was in style. 
The Flapper dress is the most iconic outfit of the Roaring 20s.
The sitcom Happy Days featured Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli. The Fonz portrayed the Greaser, an iconic symbol of rebellion and pure coolness. 
Women were wearing everything from ankle-length dresses to hot pants and micro-miniskirts while men were donning leisure suits.
The “In Things” in the 1980s included big hair, bright color patterns, mismatched clothing and stone-washed jeans.
