Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Alzheimer’s Planning: “More Dignity, Better Quality of Life”

5.3 million Patients and 10 million Caregivers fight on the front-lines in the battle against Alzheimer’s each day.   

The heartbreaking illness affects both men and women (though women have a slightly higher risk for developing the disease; more on gender differences later).  Regardless of gender, and despite the challenges, expenses, and worries associated with the disease, there is something families can do to instill a degree of order and confidence amidst the turmoil.  Alzheimer’s is the 7th leading cause of death; to ease the burdens and simplify the unique challenges patients face, some Elder Law Attorneys offer a service called, “Alzheimer’s Planning.”

Alzheimer’s Planning is a sub-specialty of Elder Law. It involves a unique and complex combination of estate planning, long-term care planning, asset protection, Medicaid planning, and nursing home planning, and requires a specialized knowledge of the legal and financial problems and issues that are unique to families dealing with this devastating illness.


One of the primary goals of Alzheimer’s Planning is to ensure the highest possible level of personal dignity and quality care for the remaining lifetime of the Alzheimer’s patient. To achieve this goal, it is often necessary to protect assets as quickly as possible, so that if the Alzheimer’s patient must enter a nursing home, Medicaid can be obtained as soon as possible.  Money that is protected through Alzheimer’s Planning can be used to provide the Alzheimer’s patient with an enhanced level of care and a better quality of life while in the nursing home and receiving Medicaid benefits.

Sixty-five percent of Alzheimer patients are women and researchers estimate that one in six women are at risk for developing the disease during their lifetime.  Why does this disease affect more women than men? Researchers have only recently begun to identify the connection between estrogen and the risk of the disease in women – a theory that might explain the disproportionate number of women with Alzheimer’s.
It is theorized that the hippocampus is one of the first areas of the brain that succumbs to the disease.  When healthy, this vital section of the brain organizes and consolidates both short and long-term memory and can be thought of as our natural compass (i.e., for spatial navigation)

 The hippocampus is one of the main "receptor sites" in the brain for estrogen, and when it is stimulated by receipt of estrogen, positive brain processes are activated. Estrogen levels are also thought to be positively correlated to certain key neurotransmitters associated with positive mood.  When a woman enters menopause and her estrogen levels drop, the hippocampus (and all of its important memory functions) is thereby activated less often.

What role, if any, can hormone replacement play in preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease?  Do the risks outweigh the benefits? Luckily, these are questions that neuroscientists are hoping to have answers to within the next 5 years, thanks to the recent explosion of estrogen-related research currently underway.

Where should families turn for Alzheimer’s Planning Services? Persons with Alzheimer’s disease and their families face special legal and financial needs. Controlling the high costs of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, and navigating the emotionally and physically demanding requirements of caregiving, require the assistance of a highly skilled and specialized expert in the field of Alzheimer’s Planning. Scheduling a consultation with a trusted Certified Elder Law Attorney* is an excellent place to start!  

Disclaimer: *Virginia has no procedure for approving certifying organizations
Sources:
ScienceDaily.com, available at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318114824.htm);
CBCNews.ca, available at http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/04/06/aging-women-brain-estrogen.html); Alzheimer’s Reading Room, available at http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/07/estrogen-dilemma-and-alzheimers-disease.html).
Images: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Alzheimer's Effect on Women

Sometimes, the worst disease a loved one can face does not manifest itself with tell-tale physical signs and symptoms.  Some diseases, like many forms of dementia, start slowly and quietly within the deep recesses of the brain where they can develop unnoticed and untreated.

Im speaking of course of Alzheimers disease (AD), a heartbreaking illness that is estimated to affect 5.3 million Americans today. Sixty five percent of those patients are women, and sixty percent of caregivers to those patients are women, too. The Boston University School of Medicine recently estimated that one in six women are at risk for developing AD during their lifetime. These are sobering odds;  most individuals who have cared for an aging parent or loved one with Alzheimers know the far-reaching effects of the disease.

Why does Alzheimers affect more women than men? This is part of a larger question . . . a question science is only beginning to unravel: How does the female brain differ from its male counterpart? Unfortunately, most laboratory research today is performed on male rats because female rats have been deemed "too complex", says an article from CBC News. Anyone whos ever  been in a serious relationship knows this to be true! But sadly, such apprehension has led to fewer studies which focus specifically on the effect of Alzheimers disease on women. Researchers have only recently begun to identify the connection between estrogen and the risk of AD in womena theory that might explain the disproportionate number of women with Alzheimers.

It is theorized that the hippocampus is one of the first areas of the brain that succumbs to Alzheimers.  When healthy, this vital section of the brain organizes and consolidates both short and long-term memory and can be thought of as the bodys compass (it plays a central role with spatial navigation. . The question many scientists are faced with: How does estrogen affect the hippocampus?

The hippocampus is one of the main "receptor sites" in the brain for estrogen, and when it is stimulated by receipt of estrogen, positive brain processes are activated. In addition, estrogen may, in effect, raise levels of certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters). These include the neurotransmitters acetylcholine (implicated in memory), serotonin (implicated in mood), noradrenaline (implicated in mood and other autonomic functions), and dopamine (implicated in motor coordination)" according to Alzheimers Reading Room. Therefore, when a woman enters menopause and her estrogen levels drop, the hippocampus (and all of its important memory functions) is thereby activated less often.

Here is where research and conclusions become murky. What role, if any, can hormone replacement play in preventing the onset of Alzheimers disease? Do the risks outweigh the benefits? Luckily, these are questions that neuroscientists are hoping to have answers to within the next 5 years, thanks to the recent explosion of estrogen-related research currently underway.

Though the future might look bright with new developments and theories, all with the common goal to better understanding this disease, the fact remains that millions of Americans deal with the ramifications of this illness each and every day. The emotional burden for caring for a loved one with Alzheimers is huge, but without the proper legal and financial preparation, the logistical burdens can be disastrous. Proper Alzheimers planning includes the preparation of all necessary legal documents such as Powers of Attorney and Advanced Medical Directives, as well as long-term care and nursing home planning.

If you find yourself caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimers or any form of dementia dont hesitate to call us at 1-800-399-FARR to see how we can help.


Other Sources:
MedicineNet.com
Photo By: Renjith Krishnan