Improving Memory in Elderly

New Health Science cites new research which shows significant improvement in the memory of senior citizens who took 150mg of Pycnogenol(R) daily for three months. Computerized testing revealed improvement in both spatial and numerical working memory in individuals between 60 and 85 years of age.

You can read more about Pycnogenol(R) at www.pycnogenol.com.

Note: Do not take any over the counter substance without first consulting with your doctor.

Loose Belly Fat Or Get Alzheimer’s?

A recent study published in the online version of the journal Neurology (March 26, 2008 by R.A. Whitmer, et. al.) found a strong relationship between the presence of excess abdominal fat during mid-life and subsequent onset of dementia. It has been known for some time that central obesity is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Now dementia can be added to the list.

Hopefully this news will get the attention of caregivers who are taking care of seniors suffering from various forms of dementia. Their own excess “belly fat” puts them at risk of developing dementia – the very same disease that is ravaging their loved one.

A Lens For Senior Day Care?

I’ve been hearing a lot about Seth Godin and his Squidoo project recently. So I checked it out and decided to build a Lens which focuses on my favorite topic: Senior Day Care Centers.

 A Lens is a web page which anyone can create for free. The idea is to pick a topic you care about and share your knowledge with the world. You are allowed to add text and links to any other Lens or websites your readers would find helpful.

If you are passionate about a topic,
why not Create Your Own Lens?

The Squidoo interface is very easy to use. Squidoo automatically places a few ads on each Lens which can benefit charity (or you).

Senior Caregivers Augment Income From Home

Those taking care of a loved one in their home are frequently in need of a little extra cash each month. Yet their duties require that they provide constant supervision of their ailing family member. This is a dilemma for many these days.

Earlier this evening, I came across this interesting web page which explains the “ins and outs” of running a Successful CafePress Shop. I learned that CafePress allows anyone with a computer, a graphics program and access to the internet to set up an online shop where they can sell products (just about anything from t-shirts to bbq aprons) which contain images of their own design.

While CafePress would work best for those with some background in graphic design, there are probably many hundreds of other opportunities for online entrepreneurs to generate needed cash while remaining at home.

A strong word of caution: beware of scams. Never pay someone for the opportunity to “work at home.” Never respond to an unsolicited email; legitimate businesses do NOT promote themselves by sending unsolicited email.

I’ll keep my eyes open for other legitimate opportunities which may be of interest. Just remember: having a great idea for an online business is just the beginning, the key to success will be how well you execute your business plan!

Attention Caregivers: Avoid High Levels of Stress

A study in the European Heart Journal (published online on Jan 23, 2008, http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/) suggests that the body changes as a result of long-term exposure to a stressful environment.

Researchers followed 10,000 British workers between the ages of 35 and 55 beginning in 1985. Workers who reported high levels of stress in the work place experienced a 68 percent greater risk of developing heart disease, compared to workers reporting less stress. Physical effects of stress reported included changes in heart beat, elevated levels of cortisol, and heart disease. They concluded that “Work stress may be an important determinant of coronary heart disease amoung working-age populations….”

Those providing in-home care for elderly loved ones, may be particularily at risk. It’s difficult being a responsible, full-time caregiver. Without occaisional respite, exhaustion may set in – and it is the caregiver that now needs care. This must be prevented!

One solution is to find a senior day care center where loved ones can spend daytime hours – lowering caregiver stress and providing time for rest, running errands, etc.