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Coping With Alzheimer's and Dementia With Lasting Power of Attorney

What would be the implications for your family and other dependents if accident or illness rendered you mentally incapacitated? This is a horrible question to have to ask yourself but sadly an important one nonetheless. People usually associate a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with terminal illness or old age but the unexpected can strike when you least expect it. Yes, all this sounds very depressing. But knowing that your loved ones will be fine, if you were incapacitated, will provide the peace of mind and it will put aside all such negative thoughts and focus on enjoying your life.

Typical issues for mental incapacity will be Alzheimer's and Dementia. The occurrence of dementia in Singapore, those aged 65 years and above in year 2005 was 22,000. By 2020 it is projected the figure will increase to 53,000 and by 2050 the projected figure will further increase to 187,000.

This can be particularly distressing for the families of sufferers. But in such situations, if a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) has been established, a friend or relative can at least act on behalf of the sufferer to ensure that financial affairs are managed.

It makes sense to give consideration to establishing an LPA at the same time as you create your Will as much of the required activity is very similar. Like creating a Will, if left too late, friends and relatives who need to carry out any financial affairs for the sufferer must nominate a Proxy Decision Maker which will be appointed through the court. This can be a long and expensive procedure.

It is a misconception that an LPA is something only the elderly should consider. Mental illness can strike at any age as can other incapacitating events. Having an LPA in place is a small price to pay for peace of mind that your financial affairs will be in order should you be unable to manage them yourself.

So what is a Power of Attorney and how does it work?

A power of attorney is, generally speaking, a document where you give another person (your attorney) the authority to manage your affairs and act on your behalf.

In Singapore, the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is defined as: "A legal document which allows a person who is at least 21 years of age (the 'donor') and who has mental capacity, to voluntarily appoint one or more persons ('donee or donees') he trusts to act and make decisions on his behalf if he should lose mental capacity one day." - The Mental Capacity Act came into effect on 1 March 2010.

To sum it up, the LPA is done to protect the interests of those who have lost mental capacity and have become vulnerable. This Act then enables families to plan ahead and gives them the power to make choices for their future in the event they should lose their mental capacity.

It is crucial therefore to ensure you seek appropriate legal assistance when drawing up a Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure it is written in a way which achieves your wishes and to a greater extent part of your comprehensive Estate Plan.

Reza Kamarudin
Estate Planner / Business Manager,
Estate Planning Singapore,
http://www.estateplanningsingapore.com
reza@estateplanningsingapore.com

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Alzheimer's Test: Confirmation And Treatment Of This Disease

There is not one Alzheimer's test that can be done which can tell you whether you are suffering from Alzheimer's with 100% certainty. Tests which are done can suggest, that Alzheimer's is probable. The only conclusive test which can be done, is an autopsy when you have died.

This simply put means that even though doctors suspect this, and all the evidence suggests it. Alzheimer's is not confirmed until death.

If Alzheimer's is suspected a small written test can be done in around 10 minutes to confirm 99% Alzheimer's. this test will ask simple questions such as, what colors do you mix to create green?

There are obvious problems with this test as correctly answering questions on the day may be possible, if it is a good day for you and your symptoms, if it is a bad day the test could be more accurate.

If Alzheimer's is diagnosed early, your family and friends are able to plan for future troubles. Dealing with Alzheimer's is hard, but with the help of family and health workers it becomes that little bit easier.

In addition to the written test, you may be given a brain scan, this can not give accurate results it can only suggest that Alzheimer's is the problem. Doctors often use many different tests to predict whether or not you have Alzheimer's.

Most doctors and Alzheimer's specialists usually conduct a MMSE exam to try and diagnose Alzheimer's. this will probably be mentioning 3 or 4 objects at the beginning of an appointment and then being asked to recall these objects at the end of the appointment.

This is a quick exam and takes roughly 10 minutes to complete, this then gives the doctor or specialist an idea of how bad the problem is. Then they are able to decide on the right treatment for you.

Treatment may include medications such as;

- MAO-B and COMT inhibitors
- Glutamate antagonist
- Anticholinergics
- Apomorphine
- Dopamine agonists
- Levodopa

Treatments such as;

- Physiotherapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy

Once your doctors have confirmed that this may be Alzheimer's through any of the tests that they have provided. They can give you the medication and other care that you require to deal with your individual needs.

Research is still being conducted in to advancing medications in the hope that they may find a way of drastically improving the symptoms of Alzheimer's. As of yet there is no known cure for this condition, this makes treatment much more important.

If you are worried about the effects of Alzheimer's, on your loved ones there are organizations who can help. Your carer may be able to suggest a good support group that you might benefit from attending.

Alzheimer's test studies have found that of 100 Alzheimer's patients who took the small written exam 90 of them were confirmed as having the condition. For more information on how the Alzheimer's test is done speak with your doctor they will be able to provide you with all the information you need.

For further information on Alzheimer's test then please visit my health ezines site for detailed information not only on this disease but many other health related topics.

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Alzheimer's Prognosis - Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is a degenerative, progressive disease and affects memories, behavior and thinking as it is another type of dementia. It affects the ability of the person to carry out the normal activities. It is a neurogenerative disease which named after Aloi Alzheimer ( the German physician ) who first explained it. There is no treatment for alzheimer's, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in US.

In any dementia type, memory loss is the feature for diagnosis. The advancement rate in each patient differs from each other. The old people are having high alzheimer's developing risks. It is also developed by family history and old age. there are many factors also like:

1- Being women as they live longer than men, so they are prone to develop alzheimer's

2- Head Damage or injury history

3- High homocyteine levels

4- Coronary heart disease, diabetes, very old blood pressure. 

There are two alzheimer's disease types ( early onset and late onset ). The symptoms of early onset alzheimer's are:

1- Mood change

2- Difficulty in doing tasks that take times such as playing complex game and balancing checkbook

3- Loss of interest

4- Personality change such as less spontaneity apathy

5- Forgetting names of people and objects

6- Mislaying items

7- Repeating sentences and statements

Symptoms of late onset alzheimer's are:

1- Can't choose proper clothing

2- Forget their life and their self

3- Fantasy, nervous and dejected

4- Memory loss in current events

5- Difficulty in doing tasks such as driving and preparing meals.

6- Can't perform the basic things like bathing, dressing and eating

7- Can't recognize family members

8- Can't communicate and doesn't understand

Get more information about Alzheimer's prognosis.

Alzheimer's causes and symptoms - Alzheimer's treatment ( ALZHEIMER'S )

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New Information on Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is an irreversible progressive brain disease that slowly destroys brain cells, destroying memory and thinking skills and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest of tasks. The incidence of Alzheimer's is rising, however, beyond treating merely the symptoms, treatment of the underlying causes are beginning to be addressed by researchers. Find out the latest information on, causes, prevalence, current treatments and new treatment strategies that are on the horizon.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Although how the disease starts it is still unknown, we do know that damage to the brain begins as early as 10 to 20 years before problems are evident. This occurs in the formation of abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles). As plaques and tangles form, healthy neurons lose their ability to function, and eventually they die. This damaging process spreads to the hippocampus, a nearby structure that is essential for forming memories. As the death of neurons increases, affected brain regions begin to shrink. By the final stage of Alzheimer's, damage is widespread and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

It is likely that over a long period of time, age-related changes, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors occur and contribute to disease progression.

1. Age-related changes -in the brain include atrophy (shrinking) of certain parts of the brain, inflammation, and the production of unstable molecules called free radicals which harm neurons.

2. Genetics - people who develop Alzheimer's before age 65 usually have a mutation, or permanent change, in one of three inherited genes located on chromosomes 1 (SEN2), 14 (SEN1) and 21 (APP, A4). These gene mutations cause "early-onset" disease, however, not all early-onset cases are caused by these mutations. Most people have "late-onset" disease, which usually develops after age 65, and is linked to the gene APOE. Having the APOE ?4 form of APOE, increases a person's risk of getting Alzheimer's. Forty percent of all people who develop late-onset Alzheimer's carry APOE ?4. However, carrying APOE ?4 does not always mean that a person will develop Alzheimer's, and people carrying no APOE ?4 forms can still develop the disease.

Additional genes may influence the development of late-onset disease. Scientists have identified variants of the SORL1, CLU, PICALM, and CR1 genes that may play a role in risk of late-onset Alzheimer's.

3. Lifestyle factors -new research suggests that a nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating activities can all help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. Scientists are now investigating associations between cognitive decline and vascular and metabolic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity to determine whether reducing risk factors for these diseases may help with Alzheimer's.

New information on Alzheimer's Disease as of 2010

As stated by the Alzheimer's Association report of 2010, new information on several aspects of the disease is evident:

1. Prevelance 

• 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and 5.1 of these are over age 65.That is 1 in 8 people over the age of 65.
• More women have the disease than men, primarily because women live longer than men.
• Less education is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, possibly due to less cognitive reserve, a lower socio-economic status, and poorer medical care.
• African Americans are two times and Hispanics are one and one half times more likely than whites to have dementia. This may be related to incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, low socio economic status and education.

2. Current treatment - the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by disease stage. 

• Donepezil (Aricept) for all stages.
• Galatamine (Razadyne), Rivastigmine (Exelon), and Tacrine (Cognex) for mild to moderate stages.
• Memantine (Namenda) for moderate to severe stages.

3. Future treatments-three separate clinical trails are beginning, to determine future diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. 

• Better diagnosis -using biomarkers to identify disease at a very early stage where symptoms and impairment are milder.
• Immunoglobulin Treatment-Using intravenous immunoglobulin IGIv, to reduce the presence of amyloid plaques.
• Treatment with Ceregene's CERE-110,- a gene therapy product designed to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) to the brain for a general treatment strategy

Audrey Robinson is a research scientist in Cell and Molecular Biology. She is dedicated to the field of cancer research and has striven to support this research through her internet business marketing products for financial education and wealth management. She is also a coach for internet marketers. Visit her website http://www.meetaudreyrobinson.com/?t=ezine that offers help for those seeking financial freedom and independence as well as wealth management education.

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Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

Alzheimer's disease now affects more than 5 million Americans, and research projects that number will triple to more than 15 million by 2050. This dreaded memory-robbing disease is feared more than any other disease by most people, as it hits at the core of our being, stealing treasured experiences and our most basic identity.

While there is a genetic link for a small subset of patients who develop Alzheimer's disease, the vast majority are victims of poor lifestyle choices which are at the root of this condition. As medical science races to find a pharmaceutical cure, experts agree that there are a number of healthy changes which should be adopted to dramatically reduce the risk of falling victim to this insidious affliction.

Controlling the Risk Factors

Four key factors have been identified which directly affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease:

• Chronic stress throughout adult life quadruples incidence in later life.
• Obesity in midlife increases Alzheimer's disease by 3 ½ times.
• Uncontrolled diabetes is related to a twofold increase in disease
• Smoking ups the risk factor by 79%

Each of these factors can and should be controlled to dramatically reduce or virtually eliminate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Many of the top diseases which claim the lives of Americans today are caused by poor diet and lifestyle, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke. Prevention is the key, as all of these diseases are much more difficult to treat once they're diagnosed. Making relatively simple changes earlier in life can have a profound effect on development of Alzheimer's disease and longevity.

Exercise Your Body and Brain

Physical activity is good for both the muscles and the brain. Exercise helps regulate blood sugar uptake to the cells and insulin sensitivity, and both when poorly controlled contribute to diabetes and Alzheimer's risk. Moderate cardio and resistance training on most days of the week helps build muscle mass and improves cognitive health. To exercise the brain, pick up a good book or challenge yourself by learning a new skill. Forcing the brain to build new memory pathways will assist short term memory and improve retention.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

Reduce total calories consumed and eliminate refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks and pastries. Many refer to Alzheimer's disease as "diabetes of the brain", as it is characterized by inflammation and insulin resistance which affects communications between neurons. Diet is the best way to reduce these risks. Eat a rainbow of different raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and unprocessed or cooked oils. Be sure to include Omega-3 fats from fish or fish oil supplements, as these provide the building blocks for brain cell wall construction.

Relax and Reduce Stress Factors

Lifelong, chronic stress appears to have a significant impact on the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Stress increases cortisol, a powerful hormone which can hamper nerve cell growth and connections, leading to cognitive decline. Learn breathing techniques which increase brain oxygen levels and attenuate your response to stress. Take a 30 minute walk, meditate or learn yoga,as all are proven to reduce the stress factors that lead to disease proliferation.

Shield Your Brain

The brain is an amazing organ which is well protected by the skull and the blood-brain barrier. Still, it is vulnerable to physical injury and toxic assault. Always protect your head when competing in injury prone sporting events or when riding a bike or motorcycle. Research shows that a single traumatic brain injury early in life can double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease as you age. Get rid of synthetic toxic chemicals from around the house, including cleaning supplies, detergents and personal care items in favor of natural, organic substitutes. Over the course of decades, these chemicals build up in your tissues and can lead to dementia.

There are important steps which we all should take to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. It's now understood that this form of dementia is largely caused by factors which are well within our control, and we can take charge of our diet and lifestyle to prevent our chances of becoming a grim statistic.

Read More Expert Advice on Diet, Health and Nutrition

John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates.

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The Importance Of Alzheimer's Research and How It Is Helping Millions

It's no secret that Alzheimer's disease is rapidly growing in America. Everyday more people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Most of us probably have a parent, grandparent or other relative that has been diagnosed with this disease. This is an incredibly difficult disease because in many cases it affects the family members as well as the person suffering from the disease. Sadly, there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer's disease.

Doctors and scientists over the last several years have dedicated their time and energy full time to the research of Alzheimer's in hopes of discovering the elusive cure. Alzheimer's research is a top priority for today's medical research community.

To some it may not seem like a big deal. Many people figure that since most of the people diagnosed are older than 60 that it's not as important. They probably fail to realize however that early onset Alzheimer's can affect people in their forties and fifties too. That means that some people are spending half their life dealing with this disease. For the families of these victims it also means that they miss out on twenty years or more with their loved ones.

For those who don't have a family member or friend diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease it is probably pretty hard to imagine how difficult this can be on the family members. Alzheimer's disease is a disease that attacks the brain. People suffering from it often have a difficult time remembering things, or even living in the present.

There have been dramatizations of Alzheimer's disease on several television shows, notably Grey's Anatomy that presented a segment where two of its leading characters fought to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the many difficult cases they aired of Alzheimer's patients, they gave us a clearer glimpse into how much suffering goes into the patient with the disease as well as those who care for the afflicted loved one.

Television shows are able to reveal to us what it might be like to be diagnosed with Alzheimer or be a loved one of someone who has the disease. These shows help those with no direct experience of the subject to understand the extensive damage Alzheimer's disease causes to the sufferers and those who care for them. We cannot fully conceive of what it would be like to basically lose our minds to the extent we do not recognize our own children. Neither can we fully come to grips with the distress of the child whose own parent no longer recognizes him.

There are millions of families across the United States who do know the suffering and know it first hand. They also are aware that it is not just an old person's disease; it can strike younger family members as well, meaning that the caregiver has a very long siege ahead of them as well as the patient they love so much. This is one of the reasons why Alzheimer's disease research has such a high priority.

Possibly with adequate funding, the scientists and doctors so diligently working on finding a cure in various laboratories will come up with a cure for Alzheimer's disease. If some day you find yourself with a few extra bucks in your wallet, don't go in for that Super size caramel latte; donate it to Alzheimer's research instead. It's these little contributions that grow into big discoveries in searching for a cure for this terrible, debilitating disease.

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