Dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease and How to Provide Social Support

Alzheimer’s disease can be reached to the best of us, celebrity boxer Muhammad Ali or former President Ronald Reagan are few of the many known figures in our world than have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As we watched and heard they’re heartbreaker stories it allowed us to become aware of what the disease is and the toll it can produce in our lives and the impact in our loved ones. Do you or anyone you know suffer from this chronic disease? If so, keep reading because I will share with you research studies and ways to help better provide social support for the ones you care for most.

Before we jump into research, we first have to define what is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease as defined in the Health Psychology textbook (2011) is “a degenerative disease of the brain” (Brannon & Feist, 2011, p.280). Both behavioral and environmental play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, but the biggest risk factor is age (Brannon & Feist, 2011). The early onset begins symptoms after 60 as the early onset begins before 60. As the example of President Reagan, he did not develop this disease until the late onset of his life. Much cognitive impairment takes place, such as memory loss which plays as the main contributor to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. As hard as it is for the person who is diagnosed which can bring out about fear and new adaptations, it is just as difficult for the caregivers of this patients who struggle to make ends meet. The video below gives you a look inside President Reagan's experience:

Research has been conducted in order to further understand the elements faced with Alzheimer’s and the degree of social support that is needed to help improve the quality of life for both individuals and caregivers. Article titled “Behaviour and disturbance other predictors of carer burden in Alzheimer’s disease” by authors Coen, Swanwick, O’ Boyle, and Coackley had conducted a study to further investigate the effects of caregivers on the burden on Alzheimer’s disease patients. Design was formed with two cohorts “one compromising AD patients, the other compromising their primary carers”. Samples of 50 patients meeting the Alzheimer’s disease criteria with an age range of 60-87 were chosen as well as the primary caregivers between the ages of 31-84.  Many measures and tests were applied such as The Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Baumgarten et al. Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale, the Blessed–Roth Dementia Scale, the Personal Self-Maintenance Scale, the Zarit Burden Interview and the Vaux et al. Social Support Appraisals (SS-A) and Social Support Behaviours (SS-B) Scales (Coen et al., 2010).  

Findings found that women more than men feel the burden more and the impairment of the patient did not impose quite. The significant and independent factors in the study that predicted burden on the caregiver’s was the behavioral disturbance and informal social support.  

This topic is important for the public and health officials to know because it allows all of us to become aware and knowledgeable of this chronic disease and the ways we can go about in properly taking care of our loved one. This information is important for health psychologists because help patients and the family of patients better cope with all the adaptations and emotions they all experience, on top of making sure they are always adhering to the medical and lifestyle regimen needed to cope. Focusing on just trying to live a normal life as much as possible is the best advice. Don't focus on the disease all day, rather put in the time to and work to motivate and better improve the patient's perceptions of life at this point.

Here's a funny picture I found that I wanted to share with you all that proves the severity of her symptoms, but in a funny way.

References:

Brannon, L., & Feist, J. (2010). An introduction to behavior and health.  

        Belmont, CA:

 Thomson Wadsworth.

Coen, R. F., Swanwick, G. R. J., O'Boyle, C. A. and Coakley, D. (1997),

Behaviour disturbance and other predictors of carer burden in alzheimer's disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12: 331–336.

doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1166(199703)12:3<331::AID-GPS495>3.0.CO;2-J

Youtube Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7GiLOTF3Ik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1BkfV2h09g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78UQ-GT3VKw&feature=relmfu

Picture links:

http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/2011/02/remembering-ronald-reagan-and-james.html

http://www.seniorhomecareinformation.com/alzheimers/how-can-i-cope-with-a-parent-with-alzheimers-disease-and-where-can-i-find-a-upport-group/  

Cancer and Stress Relation

Cancer and Stress Relation

Is cancer and stress playing an impact in your life? Are you or someone you know facing the effects that cancer and stress can have on one’s health? Cancer is a malignant, chronic disease that takes on many forms that can appear throughout your body. It is when abnormal cells in your body appear and segregate in an uncontrollable fashion. Stress is defined as “a challenging event that requires physiological, cognitive, or behavioral adaptation” (Oltmanns & Emery, 2011, p.232).

Cancer can cause a great deal of stress on one’s mind and body when undergoing vast amounts of procedures, treatments, and an overall ride in an emotional rollercoaster. So can cancer cause stress or stress cause cancer? The answer actually lies in both questions and work both ways. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system preventing the T cells in the body to counterattack all the mutant cells that’s destroying the body (Brannon & Feist, 2011). I will review different articles that all connect to the topic of cancer and stress and provide you with the core results found in research.

The first article titled Cancer and Stress by Lawrence S. and Hymie states that “stress may influence the carcinogenic process” (Lawrence & Hymie, 2011, p.1). Through extensive research by using retrospective studies in an infrahuman experimentation they were able to find that stress and cancer does show a significant correlation. Since stress influences all our “neurochemical, hormonal, and immunological functioning” (Lawrence & Hymie, 2011, p.1), we come to conclusions on its effects and influence on tumor growth in the body as discussed in the article. The point to this article was not to claim stress causes cancer, but rather that stress can influence and induce stress hormones chronically resulting in other abnormalities in the body to occur such as tumors that can affect your everyday functioning.  

The second article titled, “Distress in couples coping with cancer: A meta-analysis and critical review of role and gender effects” analyzes gender effects when coping with stress and cancer. The researchers measured their findings through a meta-analysis and narrative critical assessment. Women consistently reported more stress than men regardless of their roles in the situation, but moderate results were proven to be the case when stress was measured between the cancer patient and supporter. There were distinctive links between communication patterns in couples that were found to influence more stress in the couple’s relationship while producing environmental and social stressors. What their findings suggest are that other factors should be considered beyond the event of cancer that could cause distress in couples and influence those types of physiological and psychological stress onto them. We should focus more on the gender affects to role functioning and its significance, rather than stress alone.    

The importance for the public to be aware of these concerns is because essentially this is your life, your body, and your health on the line and if we all as individuals don’t take our health seriously then we are going to face major problems in our lives. Sometimes the public just simply do not know the effects and levels of stress can cause a person or the effects of cancer to one’s body. That’s why it’s the Health Psychologists job to inform the public through raising awareness, implementing stress management and support interventions accessible to the community, and ultimately educating and instilling knowledge to clients or anyone whose concerned.  

Here is a remarkable story from a cancer survivor I wanted to share with all of you.

References:

Sklar, L. S., & Anisman, H. (1981). Stress and cancer. Psychological Bulletin, 89(3), 369-406.    

Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/614289651?accountid=4485

Hagedoorn, M., Sanderman, R., Bolks, H. N., Tuinstra, J., & Coyne, J. C. (2008). Distress in       

couples coping with cancer: A meta-analysis and critical review of role and gender effects. Psychological Bulletin, 134(1), 1-30. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/614475202?accountid=4485

YouTube Video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bAoSFI2g08

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq5Kno8V_s0

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfddD6keYq0

Picture Link:

http://www.healthieratlanta.com/pages/volume-1-issue-3/seasonal-affective-disorder.php



Blog 1

Blog 1 Assignment

In the fitness article titled Older and Stronger: Progressive Resistance Training Can Build Muscle, Increase Strength as We Age, health expert Mark Peterson takes us through the reasons to why exercise, strength-building, and consistency can help improve muscle and strength loss that is diminished as we age. University of Michigan scientists establish new findings through qualitative research and quantitative numbers that increase our knowledge about health and fitness. This article discusses about the importance of progressive resistance training by raising awareness and teaching the readers of interest techniques they can accomplish through this type of training in order to be in healthier shape and withstand muscle weakness. Just because a person is in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s does not mean that they can cut back on their workouts. It actually means that they are more prone to the beginning of decreased muscle strength in their bones because as we get older our body becomes more fragile and less resistant to bone loss. This is why we should integrate a structured regimen that involves strength engaging activities.

Especially if you are over the age of 50, it is even more critical to adapt to new styles of training. This can be done gradually beginning with exercises that are used by involving your own body weight that a person can incorporate a few days of the week, such as squats, modified push-ups, and yoga (ScienceDaily, 2011). Once the person has gotten a strong hold of these types of exercises, they can then further there progression by intensifying their workouts through fitness facilities. With motivation, determination, and consistency, individuals of older generations can increase their overall strength in a matter of 18-20 weeks through progressive resistance training by 25-30 percent (The American Journal of Medicine, 2011). Consulting with a health and exercise expert, such as the trainers at the gym, only helps you to receive beneficial information to improving your health and workouts in order to regain the necessary strength for your muscles to continue its essential functioning in everyday life. No matter how old you are or what shape you are in it is never too late to take control of your body and achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Based on what I’ve learned so far, it has kept its recommendations consistent with the entire article. I feel that the current coverage in the media does not always broadcast important health findings as the ones that are considered “newsworthy”, which are the health issues that celebrities are facing. The article measured its accuracy through existing and new research developed by The University of Michigan Health System. The strategy I used to find this scientific article was through the internet, but once I was finding trouble I seeked guidance through the “Hallway Conversations” of our class page and I found a site mentioned from a student in our class that helped me to find a numerous articles.  

References

University of Michigan Health System (2011, April 2). Older and stronger: Progressive

            resistance training can build muscle, increase strength as we age. ScienceDaily.

            Retrieved April 3, 2011, from

            <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/03/110331163539.htm>.

Mark D. Peterson, Paul M. Gordon. Resistance Exercise for the Aging Adult: Clinical    

            Implications and Prescription Guidelines. The American Journal of Medicine, 2011; 124

            (3): 194

            DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.08.020