Alzheimer’s-Proofing Site Map: What Can You Find Here?

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease – or some other sort of cognitive impairment – can be devastating, even if it’s not altogether surprising. In my family’s case, my dad, Jim, was actually diagnosed in “middle stage.” was so obviously debilitated by the time his Alzheimer’s was confirmed that getting the diagnosis was comforting in a way – since it explained his peculiar behavior.

As I just stated, we knew something was wrong. Even so, to hear the word “Alzheimer’s” was disturbing, to say the least. (For my overview of the various stages of Alzheimer’s, see HERE. For Jim’s Story, see HERE first and then HERE.)

At that point, there are all sorts of questions that come flooding in. What does Alzheimer’s dementia do to a person? What treatments are available? Are there herbals or other natural supplements that can help?

As your loved one’s cognitive decline becomes more pronounced, other concerns press themselves on your family. In our case, some of these were: How can I keep dad from accessing power tools in the garage? How can we ensure that the household cleansers are secure and out of reach? And, eventually, how can I prevent dad from wandering out of the house?

This Website

I call my project alzheimersproof.com. But what do I mean by “Alzheimer’s proofing?” There are actually two (somewhat separate, but related) things.

Firstly, I am thinking of Alzheimer’s proofing as a dementia-related analog to childproofing. Just as expectant moms and dads have to prepare their homes for their new arrivals, so too does the caretaker of an Alzheimer’s sufferer have to prepare the house to be an improvised nursing home.

To read a bit more about what this comparison entails (and doesn’t entail), see “Alzheimer’s-Proofing Vs. Babyproofing: An Overview”

Secondly, because caretakers see firsthand the devastation caused by Alzheimer’s (and similar dementias), they may exhibit a keen interest in trying to avoid the same fate themselves. So, by “Alzheimer’s proofing,” I am also talking about those steps that people can take in their own lives to reduce their risk of developing this dread disease.

For more about these two aspects, see “What Is ‘Alzheimer’s-Proofing’?”

The Disease

First, if you’re not already up to speed on the basics of Alzheimer’s Disease, it might be worth checking out some of my background posts.

“What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? A Brief Overview”

“How Long Has Alzheimer’s Dementia Been Around?”

Additionally, and unfortunately, you should be aware that science has been no means “figured out” Alzheimer’s. Among other things, this means that a cure still eludes us. But it also means that there are lingering questions regarding classification and detection.

For example, when I began doing research after my dad’s diagnosis, one of the first things (many others would follow) that confused me was the question of whether Alzheimer’s has three stages or seven stages – because some online sources took the former view, while others took the latter.

I discuss this, and a few other issues, in my “Does Alzheimer’s Disease have Three Stages or Seven Stages?”

Detection

Detection in Alzheimer’s can be a bit of a challenge. There’s no easy chemical test, for example. Mostly, dementia is diagnosed in virtue of its symptoms. In other words, typically, doctors can’t tell you that someone has dementia until everyone else already knows. But, there are the usual caveats, footnotes, and provisos. Plus, there are a few really quirky tests that purport to be able to say something useful in terms of advanced warning. See: “How to Detect Alzheimer’s: 10 Tests of Varying Accuracy”

Prevention

These next two categories sort of dovetail and interconnect in important (and sometimes strange) ways. In any case, there is no bright line that can be drawn between them. So, if you’re interested in one category, I invite you to check out the articles in the other as well.

These will get you started.

“10 Things to do NOW to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Later in Life”

“Top Ten (10) Nutrient & Vitamin Supplements for Alzheimer’s”

Treatment

“Top 25 Herbs For Treating (& Preventing?) Alzheimer’s”

“6 Drugs That Treat Alzheimer’s and 20+ Natural Alternatives”

“75 Questions to Ask a Doctor About an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis”

Death

Sadly, Alzheimer’s is presently incurable. Therefore, when a person has it, he or she will have it at the time of his or her death. However, although an afflicted individual will certainly die with Alzheimer’s, he or she may not necessary die from Alzheimer’s.

For more on this difficult topic, see “How Does a Person Actually Die From Alzheimer’s Disease?”

Still, despite the fact that Alzheimer’s itself is not always the cause of death for every sufferer, it is indisputably a serious condition. So, it suggests the question “Is Alzheimer’s Disease a Terminal Illness?”

Your Body

Alcohol

There is no consensus about what actually causes Alzheimer’s Disease.

Some scientists believe that it is due to the breakdown of various neurotransmitters (chiefly, acetylcholine). Others venture the opinion that it is instead precipitated by the accumulation in the brain of various protein deposits (called “plaques” and “tangles”).

For more on this, see my “What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? A Brief Overview.”

Some researchers even believe that “Alzheimer’s” may not be just one, single condition, but rather a cluster of conditions – each with potentially different triggers (or triggering events). To read a bit further on this intriguing possibility, see “Highlights From the ‘Awakening from Alzheimer’s’ Series.”

But amongst the hypotheses is that various forms of dementia can result from exposure to certain chemicals and other neurotoxins. Candidate substances include ethyl alcohol, or ethanol. This liquid compound is often referred to as “grain alcohol” because it is derived from various plants.[1]

Agave cactus is the heart of the Mexican beverage Tequila. (For more on Agave, see “Allergy-Triggering Plants.”) Barley is used for some beers, scotches, and whiskeys. Corn is used to make various bourbons and whiskeys. Certain fruits (mostly berries; e.g., blackberries, grapes and juniper berries) may end up in brandies, champagnes, cognacs, gins, ports, and (of course) wines (including sparkling wines and vermouth). (Berries are also a staple of the Alzheimer’s-friendly MIND Diet. See HERE.) Grains in general may be distilled into gins and vodkas. The herb hops (a sleep aid, see HERE and HERE) along with yeast is also a fixture of ales and beers. Potatoes create a type a type of ethanol that may be made into Vodka. Rice is used as the foundation of the Asian drink sake. Sugarcane may be turned into rum. Rye and wheat can also be made into vodka or whiskey. Other plants or plant parts (such as bark, flowers, and seeds) may also be incorporated into myriad liqueurs, liquors, and miscellaneous beverages.

Moderate red-wine consumption is often thought to confer various health benefits. And it’s part of the MIND Diet. (See HERE.) But there is a concern that overindulgence – especially over time – can precipitate mental decline. For further reading, see: “Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Alzheimer’s Disease?”

Diet

But this mention of alcohol suggests follow-up questions. For example: What should you eat and drink? What shouldn’t you eat? And so on.

For an in-depth look at the present nutritional recommendations, see my article “The Alzheimer’s Dementia ‘MIND’ Diet: What Should You Eat?”

There is little question but that good dietary habits have to be the centerpiece of any general healthcare strategy. And there is hardly any doubt that this generalization applies to dementia as well.

Sleep

Sleep is a tricky one. Alzheimer’s patients may end up on irregular schedules. They may sleep too much, or they may not sleep enough. To help introduce you to the issues, see my “Alzheimer’s and Sleep: Too Little, Too Much and Just Right.”

There are certain things that you can do to help yourself or your love one to get more predictable and restful sleep. I discuss some of these tips here: “Alzheimer’s and Sleep: Herbs, Spices, and Other Supplements”

Water

If there is anything that may be more important than food intake, then it’s probably water. It shocked me to discover how bad some of America’s municipal water supplies are. This realization led me to investigate whether there was a potential for water contaminants to lead to the development of (some forms of) Alzheimer’s.

Although it’s highly speculative given our present scientific knowledge, I think that these issues are well worth considering. I tackle some of the relevant questions in my article “Can Contaminated/Dirty Tap Water Cause Alzheimer’s Disease?”

Perhaps more importantly, what can you do to ensure that you and your family have access to quality drinking water? I give some suggestions (and product recommendations) HERE.

Supplements

Supplements are by no means able to make up for bad dietary or exercise practices. But they can add to (i.e., literally supplement) an otherwise health-supporting lifestyle.

For an introduction to some of the posisbilities, see “Alzheimer’s-Proof Your Diet: Vitamin D and Other Nutrients” and “Alzheimer’s-Proofing Your Diet: Carbs, Fats and ‘Exotics’.” See, also, my “Top 25 Herbs for Treating (and Avoiding) Alzheimer’s.”

Your Car

This one was a “biggie” for my family.

My dad loved to drive and having to question his competence (and, ultimately, write to his doctor to get his license revoked) was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. (To read some of my personal account, see HERE.)

But, as a person’s cognitive capabilities diminish, the question of their ability to operate a motor vehicle is bound to arise – and should arise! For some of the issues, see “Is It Safe to Drive With Alzheimer’s?”

Part of the constellation of concerns revolves around the statistical probability that a dementia sufferer will get into a ca accident. For some background and context, see my article “Are Drivers With Alzheimer’s More Dangerous than Others?”

Another layer to this discussion is the law. What does the law say? “Is It Legal to Drive With Alzheimer’s Disease?”

Driving Laws

Each state actually has its own regulations and rules. After all, drivers’ licensing is handled by the individual states.

See my state-by-state guide to driving laws in the United States, HERE. For my Canadian friends, I have a similarly structured province-by-province guide, HERE.

Assuming that you have to restrict or revoke the license, how to do prevent your loved one from getting into and operating the car? How can a dementia patient be safely transported in a vehicle when, like a child, they cannot be relied upon to exercise good judgment? For an introduction to the issues, see: “How Do You Alzheimer’s-Proof a Car?”

Your Finances

One of the biggest risks to your (or your loved one’s) retirement assets is the risk of needing long-term care. Long-term care might be required due to some strictly physical enfeeblement. Or it may be due to dramatic cognitive decline. (Or both!)

There are really only three ways to pay for long-term (or “custodial”) care – and health insurance and Medicare are not among them. I discuss these ways, and some of your options, here: “Alzheimer’s-Proof Your Retirement: Long-Term Care Insurance” and “Plan Ahead for Alzheimer’s and Retire Happy in Four Steps.” I also revisit these topics (along with “Medicaid Trusts”) in my “Protect Yourself Against the Coming Dementia Crisis.”

The Home

There are so many potential dangers throughout the home, I have devoted many pages and posts to the topic of household Alzheimer’s proofing.

Alzheimer’s-Proofing Strategies

A good place to start is to See my five-part “Ultimate Guide to Alzheimer’s-Proofing a Home.”

Household Dangers

I have several resources concerning the identification of household hazards. To begin with, I have an overview article: “Toxic Alzheimer’s? Household Hazards: Gases, Molds, Poisons.”

Beyond this, I am developing a hazards database. It’s in its “1.0” stage and in three parts:

Your Lifestyle

“Lifestyle” is, to be sure, a plastic and somewhat loose term. Here, it’s kind of functioning as a “catch all” for topics that don’t fit neatly into any other categories.

Holidays

For example, what steps do you need to take to celebrate the holidays (whatever your family celebrates) with your Alzheimer’s-afflicted lone one? Traveling can be extremely upsetting and difficult for a person with dementia.

To read about some possible pitfalls – and a few suggested solutions or “workarounds” – see: “Travel & Celebrate Holidays With Alzheimer’s: Caregiver Tips”

Sex

This may be a bit off the beaten path. It started as a question from one of my two young boys. “Can a Person With Alzheimer’s Disease Have Sex?” What are the physiological, psychological, and ethical issues? For those who may be interested, I sketch the lay of the land.

Television

It has long been believed – even if only anecdotally, at the level of folk tradition – that an active mind is less likely to decline. In the 21st century, many people fear the stultifying effect that television can have on our brain power. For the issues – and a discussion of how too sedentary a lifestyle  can exacerbate the dangers – see “Alzheimer’s: Too Much TV – and Too Much Sitting”

Therapies

Music

There is little question but that music can have a soothing effect on an agitated dementia patient. One investigator, writing in her eBook Natural Standard Medical Conditions Reference,[2] states the following.

“Music is used to influence physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being and improve quality of life for healthy people as well as those who are disabled or ill. It may involve either listening to or performing music… In people with A[lzheimer’s]D[isease]…, music therapy has been found to reduce aggressive or agitated behavior, improve mood, and improve cooperation with daily tasks such as bathing. …[It] may also be beneficial for …depression…”.[3]

“Can Music Calm an Alzheimer’s Patient?”

Your Mind

Memory

What can you do to help boost the memory of your loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s? And, relatedly, is there anything that you can do to try to maintain your own cognitive health for as long as possible? It turns out that… there just might be!

For an sketch of some relevant considerations – and a few suggested techniques – see “How to Boost Memory and Possible Avoid Alzheimer’s Dementia.”

Additional Resources

My Recommended Products

I have many categories of product recommendations. On the hardware front, these include various locks, monitors, sensors, and water-filtration devices. But I also give you suggestions for dietary supplements (including herbs and vitamins). This area is a work in progress. But, if you’re at a loss for what to buy, check it out, here:

Notes:

[1] This is as opposed to methyl alcohol, or methanol – also known as “wood alcohol.” For more information on this household poison, see HERE.

[2] Catherine Ulbricht, Natural Standard Medical Conditions Reference E-Book: An Integrative Approach, St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2009, p. 19, <https://books.google.com/books?id=oUlgDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA19>.

[3] Ibid.