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July/August 2017
Metrocrest Senior News
Researchers Say Speed Training May Put Off How Your Support Helps People Like Debbie Dementia—What Else Can You Do to Help you to keep donating in order to help clients like 70 year old Debbie was referred to Metrocrest September is World Alzheimer’s Month as well as National Healthy Aging Month. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect more than five million Americans 65 and older. It’s heart breaking to watch a loved one with the disease but there is new hope. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, a new 10-year study showed that speed training—computer exercises that get users to visually process information more quickly— beat memory and reasoning exercises, the two other popular brain training techniques. Researchers found that a total of 11 to 14 hours of speed training has the potential to cut by as much as 48 percent the risk of developing dementia 10 years later. The results of this study, entitled “Advanced Cognitive Training in Vital Elderly (ACTIVE)” were presented to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, held in July 2016. There are many different theories about the causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Gerontologists and neurologists have speculated about the factors which can exacerbate dementia for many years, but we really don’t understand the cause of this deterioration of the brain’s function. There is one key factor that consistently appears in the studies revealing the brain’s deterioration dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Imbalanced hormones. Recent research suggests that men with low testosterone are three times more likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease while women with low testosterone and estrogen are 50 percent more likely to develop these conditions.
Unfortunately, once Alzheimer’s disease begins, it is not reversible. As a result, the most important consideration for anyone who might be genetically predisposed for these conditions is prevention. This means one must take action to ensure that his or her hormones are optimized throughout the aging process.
Food for Thought In addition to hormone imbalance, there are other theories about lifestyle factors that might bring about this relentless cognitive decline. Food plays a critical role in helping someone avoid dementia. Processed foods, the demineralization of food, and all of the pesticides and chemicals that are being used to grow our food, have been shown to impact the onset of dementia and then Alzheimer’s disease. The toxins found in this type of food, affect the brain. There is no question about this. My rule-of-thumb for choosing food for you and your family is this: If you can’t pronounce a word on the label, it’s likely not healthy and not something you should eat.
Will This Speed Training Change Treatment for Dementia? In order to participate in this ‘speed training’ brain exercise or any other type of preventive therapy, a person must feel good enough to get up and become active. If one’s testosterone is too low, they will not have the energy necessary to participate in these dementia prevention exercises. Hormones, B vitamins—found in green, leafy vegetables—and other fresh, nonprocessed food supply the ‘fuel’ needed to
The Importance of Testosterone for Brain Health A woman’s primary hormone is estrogen and her secondary hormone is testosterone. With men, it is the reverse. Thus, both genders require testosterone in order to remain healthy. This fact is important for the study of dementia because there are literally thousands of receptors in the brain—in the parietal temporal lobe area—for testosterone. These are responsible for such things as mood and mental clarity, and as we age, the levels of testosterone decline. This causes memory and focus to also decline and agitation to increase. These are all indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Medical researchers also find hormones play a role in beta amyloid disposition beta which is another indicator of dementia and Alzheimer’s. With the onset of dementia, the brain’s neuro fibers become entangled and the synapses become coated. There is a direct correlation between balanced estrogen and testosterone hormones in the prevention of this condition.
Services after relocating to the area. Living with her 73 year old veteran husband, Debbie was unable to gather enough funds to meet their monthly expenses despite using Social Security. Debbie’s case was even more critical due to her health issues, as she had difficulty with mobility after two unsuccessful knee operations—and the fact that she was on an oxygen respirator didn’t help either, as her electric bills were high because of it. While already utilizing our Food Pantry, Debbie also requested electric, rent and utility financial assistance. As always, we considered it our duty to help her. Metrocrest Services assisted Debbie with her electric bill, installed railings in her home to help her with mobility, while also making sure she continued to utilize our food pantry to ensure she and her husband did not go hungry. Needless to say, none of this would’ve been possible had it not been for the support of people who are always behind Metrocrest Services and all our efforts. This is why we urge
If you wish to be a part of our mission, donate right now by using the enclosed donation envelope in this issue. Let’s keep the mission going and continue to provide programs for individuals, families, and seniors that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence. We can only build a stronger community together if we stand ready to serve our community! For more information about our Senior Services, visit metrocrestservices.org.
Volunteer Spotlight
Richard (Dick) Selby One of our newest additions to our highly dedicated volunteer group, Richard, otherwise known as Dick, says he supports Metrocrest Services “with my time, energy, and money” and his “own desire to love neighbors by helping them gain independence.”
How did you first get involved with Metrocrest Services?
complete these rigorous mental exercises. Moderate exercise, such as walking 20-minutes each day, also increases our brain capacity. As for this current research on speed training, I believe it will be incorporated into current therapies for prevention of these conditions. However, there is no cure. The current approach for treating cognitive decline involves using medication which slows down the decline, but doesn’t halt the process. Once the condition is diagnosed and brain cells begin to die, the condition is irreversible. Even though most medical research and literature do not focus on it, prevention is the key. From: The Senior Voice, August 1, 2016
Debbie.
I’ve lived in the community for nearly 24 years and have been involved in CROP Walks to help support Metrocrest Services over the years. I served Ridgeview Presbyterian Church in Farmers Branch as pastor for 8 years, and First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster for 13½ years. I retired on July 31, 2016. After a sabbatical, I attended a Metrocrest Ministers’ Fellowship luncheon at Metrocrest Services. I took the opportunity to investigate the possibility that volunteering might be good fit for fulfilling my own life’s goals. And it was. I began volunteering in the food pantry in November 2016 and in December, I began to serve in our Christmas toy and clothing distribution program.
When you last volunteered, donated, or attended a Metrocrest Service event, how did that make you feel?
What do you wish other people knew about Metrocrest Services? The wide variety of services offered by the agency in addition to the food pantry. The mission of the agency is to help people reach their own independence through rent assistance, utility bill assistance, budgeting and financial education, and employment counseling. We have senior services that include minor home repairs and other senior services. The agency has medical equipment available to loan. We have a computer lab in which clients can look for jobs and work on their resumes.
What might someone be surprised to know about you? That I am an identical twin.
What would you tell someone who considers volunteering? It is very fulfilling work, and you meet the nicest people, both as clients and as volunteers. Metrocrest Services is also filled with friendly employees, creating a wonderful workplace.
What’s it like to be a Metrocrest Service volunteer?
I go home feeling as though I have made the world a little better, and I have spent my time doing something worthwhile. We change the Exhausted! But also fulfilled. I enjoy the world. We make a difference. And I love being work I do, meeting wonderful people in the in that workplace. Our pay includes hugs and community, helping them through a crisis by providing food for themselves and their families. smiles.