As the population ages, more effort is directed into research about one of the most frightening diseases associated with the elder years: Alzheimer’s Disease. A variety of risk factors, including cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, and smoking, have already been identified as risk factors for Alzheimer’s. But now a large study has uncovered a new risk factor: loneliness.
The study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, followed over 12,000 people aged 50 and over for ten years. Researchers, controlling for other known risk factors, found that loneliness was associated with an increased Alzheimer’s risk of 40% over the course of the ten-year period. The increased risk was unrelated to gender, race, ethnic city, or education.
Interestingly, the increased risk provided by loneliness was also independent to whether the study participant was socially isolated. “Social isolation” is an objective measure of how many social contacts a person has on a regular basis. “Loneliness,” however, is a purely subjective experience. The study demonstrated that if a person feels lonely, they have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, regardless of the number of friends they have.
The study reinforces our understanding that risk factors are not simply objective measurements, but also the subjective interpretation a person has of their situation.
The good news, according to Dr. Angelina Sutin, lead author of the study, is that loneliness “is a modifiable risk factor.” How can you modify this risk factor for your loved one? By ensuring that someone is looking out for your loved one, taking note of their emotional state, and taking action to ensure they are healthy, emotionally as well as physically.
At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in the most appropriate and patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence.
Because an active, involved and rewarding lifestyle is vital to our residents’ total well-being, at Regency, our recreation staff is much larger than a typical facility of similar size.
A comprehensive and stimulating array of programs is designed to appeal to a variety of tastes, interests and levels of ability, and is offered seven days a week. With an emphasis on empowering the residents, our recreational programs encourage patients and residents to fulfill their potential and remain engaged and involved. Individually tailored activities and programs include live entertainment, lectures, trips and events that encourage socialization and participation.
Regency offers a full continuum of care, including exceptional short-term rehabilitation, sub-acute care, long-term nursing, a range of specialty programs and complex clinical services, hospice care and temporary respite care. Our compassionate, personalized approach, has established our long-standing and unparalleled reputation for excellence.
We always maintain the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.
Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.
Loneliness is Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
As the population ages, more effort is directed into research about one of the most frightening diseases associated with the elder years: Alzheimer’s Disease. A variety of risk factors, including cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, and smoking, have already been identified as risk factors for Alzheimer’s. But now a large study has uncovered a new risk factor: loneliness.
The study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, followed over 12,000 people aged 50 and over for ten years. Researchers, controlling for other known risk factors, found that loneliness was associated with an increased Alzheimer’s risk of 40% over the course of the ten-year period. The increased risk was unrelated to gender, race, ethnic city, or education.
Interestingly, the increased risk provided by loneliness was also independent to whether the study participant was socially isolated. “Social isolation” is an objective measure of how many social contacts a person has on a regular basis. “Loneliness,” however, is a purely subjective experience. The study demonstrated that if a person feels lonely, they have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, regardless of the number of friends they have.
The study reinforces our understanding that risk factors are not simply objective measurements, but also the subjective interpretation a person has of their situation.
The good news, according to Dr. Angelina Sutin, lead author of the study, is that loneliness “is a modifiable risk factor.” How can you modify this risk factor for your loved one? By ensuring that someone is looking out for your loved one, taking note of their emotional state, and taking action to ensure they are healthy, emotionally as well as physically.
At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in the most appropriate and patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence.
Because an active, involved and rewarding lifestyle is vital to our residents’ total well-being, at Regency, our recreation staff is much larger than a typical facility of similar size.
A comprehensive and stimulating array of programs is designed to appeal to a variety of tastes, interests and levels of ability, and is offered seven days a week. With an emphasis on empowering the residents, our recreational programs encourage patients and residents to fulfill their potential and remain engaged and involved. Individually tailored activities and programs include live entertainment, lectures, trips and events that encourage socialization and participation.
Regency offers a full continuum of care, including exceptional short-term rehabilitation, sub-acute care, long-term nursing, a range of specialty programs and complex clinical services, hospice care and temporary respite care. Our compassionate, personalized approach, has established our long-standing and unparalleled reputation for excellence.
We always maintain the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.
Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.
Every year, you have the opportunity to review and, if you choose, to change Parts A, B and D of your Medicare plan. The time to do this is during the Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make during that time will be effective January 1, 2020.
Because plans change every year — and your medical needs do, as well — it is important to use the Open Enrollment Period to make sure you have the plan that best suits your needs and your budget.
Here are 3 ways to help you decide whether or not you want to keep your plan:
Include all the medications you take in this list. (Don’t have a list of your medications? This is a good time to create one. Having this list, and bringing it to every doctor’s appointment, will help keep you safe from dangerous medicine interactions, as well as multiple medicines for the same condition.)
Once you have your list, consider whether your needs will change in the coming year. As you consider plans, you will want to know how well they fit your needs.
The ANOC notes any changes in your plan starting January 1, 2020. Your plan might change its cost, its member providers, and its coverage, so it is critical to review the changes and decide whether the plan still fits your needs. After all, if the primary care physician you love and have been with for the last thirty years is no longer in-network, you may want to change plans.
Can’t find your ANOC? (After all, it came several months ago.) Don’t worry. Contact your plan, and they’ll send you a new one.
Not sure whether you’re getting the best deal? The Medicare website contains several interactive tools that can help you.
If you’re not sure which type of Medicare coverage is best for you: Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a supplemental “Medigap” policy, Medicare explains your options and helps you choose. Click here for the Medicare Coverage Options tool.
If you want to estimate what your out-of-pocket costs will be under different plans, use Medicare’s Out-Of-Pocket Cost Estimator tool, by clicking here.
Want to start from scratch, and look at all possible plans? Use the Medicare Plan Finder, by clicking here.
Don’t have internet? Don’t fret! A representative from Medicare can help you on the phone. Call 1-800- MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we know all about Medicare. Our staff is happy to help you navigate the Medicare system, and make sure you get the care you need and deserve.
The Regency Centers offer the very best of care in the most appropriate and patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence. And always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.
Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.
According to research published by the Cleveland Clinic, moderate drinking of alcohol can increase an individual's risk of developing atrial fibrillation. And although many studies have suggested that an occasional glass of wine might be good for a person's health, other studies maintain that having even one alcoholic drink every day can increase a person's risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
An interesting study which helped explain the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease was carried out by Dr. Moritz Sinner, of the University Hospital Munich, in Germany, along with a team of colleagues. The team studied more than 3000 people who attended the Munich Oktoberfest, an annual folk festival held in Germany, which includes drinking large quantities of beer.
Using electrocardiography to determine a participant's heart rate, and a specialized device to measure their breath alcohol concentration, the team was able to definitively determine the effect of alcohol on an individual's heart rate. Their findings showed that an individual's heart rate increased in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol they consumed.
Dr. Sinnner and his colleagues pointed out that people who have an underlying heart condition are obviously at greater risk of being adversely affected by alcohol consumption. Furthemore, the effect that alcohol consumption had on an individual's heart rate was apparent even in healthy, young adults. For elderly people the effect was stronger and consequently posed a greater health risk.
At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in a patient-centered environment. This means following our residents’ health carefully, listening to them, and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence — and always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.
Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.
