Pain Often Untreated in Seniors With Dementia

Older adults are apt to suffer from a variety of painful health conditions, including arthritis, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, diabetic neuropathy, tooth problems, constipation and many others. It’s important to address this discomfort and work with the person’s healthcare provider to arrive at the most effective treatment for pain. Treatments might include medication, exercise and managing conditions that cause the pain.

But when a person also has Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, it can be very challenging to realize that the person is in pain, and what is causing the pain. As Alzheimer’s and other dementias progress, patients lose the ability to communicate what they are feeling. Consequently, they may express pain in ways that aren’t readily understood by family or even by medical personnel—and their pain may go untreated.

People with dementia may express pain in nonverbal ways, such as wincing, shouting, rocking, eating or sleep problems, or aggression. According to experts from the University of Alberta, family often assume that these behaviors are just a part of their loved one’s dementia. Said the researchers, “It is important for those who live or work with persons with dementia to know how to identify when an elderly person is experiencing pain.” The University of Alberta team offers an excellent online tutorial for families; it can be accessed here; a simple registration is required.

Dr. Alexia Torke of the Indiana University School of Medicine calls for increased access to hospice and palliative care for people with dementia. Said Torke, “Although the general public and many physicians do not associate palliative or hospice care with dementia, dementia is a terminal disease and should be respected as such. Palliative care is needed throughout the illness and can provide those who are unable to communicate their needs with a better quality of life as well as lowering the stress the illness places on caregivers and the entire family.”

A recent study by University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing researchers sought to better understand the issue of pain in people with dementia. The team found that while pain in nursing home residents had been studied, little was known about pain treatment for people with dementia who live at home. Said lead author Lauren Hunt, RN, MSN, “As a hospice nurse caring for people in their homes, I have seen many patients with dementia who suffer from distressing pain. I was motivated to conduct this research study to understand the issue from the broader national prospective. It turns out that pain is very common in this population and is frequently severe enough to limit activities.”

The researchers reported that people with dementia actually are at higher risk of pain, with 63 percent experiencing “bothersome pain” and 43 percent having “pain that limited activities.” The team reported that access to treatment was a big hurdle; many of the patients found it difficult or impossible to get to healthcare appointments, and had little access to care at home.

The study, which appeared in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, called for increased awareness of this important issue. Said UCSF professor Dr. Alexander Smith, “The extensive challenges associated with the assessment and treatment of pain in older adults with dementia will require creative solutions from researchers, clinicians and policymakers to ensure pain is being adequately managed in this vulnerable population.”

Source: IlluminAge AgeWise reporting on studies from University of California, San Francisco, University of Alberta and Indiana University School of Medicine.

Five Fun Things That Offer Surprising Brain Health Benefits

Most of us know the importance of taking care of our brains through healthy eating, exercise and regular healthcare appointments. Neurologists also have found that regular mental stimulation lowers the level of harmful proteins in the brain that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Luckily, brain care isn’t just a matter of hard work. Many activities that we find pleasurable also stimulate the growth of new cells and connections in the brain.

  1. Music. Neurologists are learning more about the complex way music works across many areas of the brain. Music helps people with Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries access memories and even remember new material. Recent studies show that taking music lessons when we are young may have a protective effect on our brains—but it is never too late to take part in this beneficial activity! Buy a harmonica, take piano lessons, join a community choir or load up your music player with interesting new tunes to give your mind a stimulating boost.
  2. Video games. Brain fitness programs are now a multibillion dollar industry. But even popular mainstream video games can be protective against cognitive decline. For example, a recent study in the Archives of Neurology showed that the wildly popular Angry Birds game provides a good brain workout. And researchers from North Carolina State University found that playing the World of Warcraft online role-playing game improved cognitive function in senior test subjects. Next time you’re tempted to chide your grandkids about their gaming, offer to join them instead!
  3. Dog walking. Contact with animals offers emotional benefits, encourages socialization and decreases stress. And dog owners have a built-in incentive to go for a brisk brain-boosting walk or two each day. Just a few precautions: the National Institute on Aging reminds seniors to stay safe during Fido’s daily constitutional: Dress in layers when it’s cold, bring water on hot days, and check for ticks after walks in the woods. A leash-training class for rambunctious dogs will help avoid falls.
  4. Do a good deed. We humans are wired to take pleasure in helping others. Now, neurologists have discovered that altruism—selfless acting for the good of others—is linked to greater longevity, a lower stress level and reduced depression. Dr. Stephen G. Post of Stony Brook University School of Medicine says that if there were a pill that provided the same results as doing good for others, “It would be a best seller overnight.”
  5. Bingo. Last but not least, a new look at an old favorite! Activities professionals who work in nursing homes and adult day centers sometimes complain about the “bingo stereotype,” but research from Case Western Reserve University shows that the game provides good mental exercise and improves thinking skills, even for players who have Alzheimer’s disease. So next time you call out B-I-N-G-O, remember that the real prize is a boost to brain health!

Source: IlluminAge. Copyright 2016 IlluminAge

Grieving for a Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the most common aspects of caring about someone who has memory loss is that grief comes in waves. The initial diagnosis can bring on anticipatory grief – feeling loss over the challenges that lie ahead. Then, as the disease brings about changes and challenging behavior in a long-familiar person, families feel the grief of losing a connection with someone who used to be so close.

These bouts of despair can be exacerbated because, for the most part, they are private moments. When a parent or loved one passes away, most people will experience an outpouring of love and support from friends, coworkers, and other family members. It’s much harder to tell someone, “My mom didn’t recognize me last night,” and harder still to get the same level of empathy and support, even though the feeling of grief can be just as profound.

Additionally, the gradual losses you experience may bring on mixed emotions, including anger, sadness, frustration and complete numbness. The first thing to know is that whatever you’re experiencing is normal. There is no wrong way to grieve. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to cope with the pain you’re feeling and to start healing.

Treat yourself with kindness. Accept that what you’re feeling is normal and give yourself permission to feel whatever it is you’re feeling. You may even experience anger at the person you love, feeling like they’ve given up on life or aren’t trying hard enough to be “normal” – and then feel guilty for having such thoughts. During these moments, recognize that what you’re experiencing is normal and that these feelings are a natural part of losing someone you care about.

Acknowledge your grief. Though there will be those around you who don’t understand what you’re going through, it’s important to acknowledge – at least to yourself – that you’re grieving. Consider a creative outlet – such as journaling, painting, or photography – to help work through the onslaught of emotions. Talk to friends and other family members and tell them how you’re feeling. Once they understand what you’re going through, they may be better able to help you through your grief.

Stay connected. Grief can be very isolating and often, one’s desire is simply to be alone. But healing is enhanced by sharing your experience with others. So, call up a friend or see a counselor. Consider joining a support group or join a support group. Being in the company of others who are experiencing the same emotions you are can be very healing, and you will also benefit by offering support to others. A good place to find a support group near you (or online) is the Alzheimer’s association (www.alz.org).

Take care of yourself. In the midst of grief, it’s easy to let other things slide – going to the gym and grocery store or even having coffee with friends. But one of the best ways to combat grief is to stay healthy, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It’s important to eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, socialize, and to continue to feed your soul – whether that means going out dancing, taking a walk through your local park or going to your faith community.

Get help. The above suggestions may be well and good, but many family caregivers are hard pressed to find any time to tend to their own needs. You can’t do this alone. Respite care is vital. Can friends lend a hand? What help is available from government and volunteer organizations? Consider an adult day center specializing in caring for clients with memory loss, which can can free up hours during the day where you can recharge your emotional batteries, and in the process be a better caregiver for your loved one.

Source: IlluminAge. Copyright 2016 IlluminAge.

Healthier Heart and Lungs, Healthier Brain?

We’ve learned a lot about brain health during the past decade. We know more about things we can do to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, stroke and other conditions that threaten cognitive well-being. Positive lifestyle choices include good nutrition, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, protecting ourselves from head injury, and taking part in mentally stimulating activities.

And on the very top of that list is to stay physically active. For years we’ve known about the important benefits of exercise for our hearts and lungs. And research continues to confirm that what benefits the heart and lungs also benefits the brain.

In November, a University of Illinois study added to our understanding of the complicated relationship between having a healthy heart and lungs and a healthy brain. The research team, headed  by researcher Michelle Voss, compared the brain health and cardiorespiratory health of a group of young and older people.

They measured brain health by using brain imagery (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure the strength of connections between different parts of the brain. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by how efficiently a person’s body used oxygen during physical activity. They found, as expected, that the brain connections were stronger in younger people. They also showed that among older people, those who were physically fit also had stronger brain connections.

Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on your genes—when it comes to the amount of activity needed for cardiorespiratory fitness, it would seem that there isn’t a level playing field. The University of Illinois team report that some people can maintain better fitness than others, regardless of activity level. Said Voss, “The idea that fitness could be related to brain health regardless of one’s physical activity levels is intriguing because it suggests there could be clues in how the body adapts for some people more than others from regular activity.”

This doesn’t mean that some people can be complete slackers, though. Exercise has brain benefits for everyone. According to Voss, who is currently an assistant professor at the University of Iowa, “An encouraging pattern in the data from our study and others is that the benefits of fitness seem to occur within the low-to-moderate range of endurance, suggesting that the benefits of fitness for the brain may not depend on being extremely fit.”

Almost everyone can take part in an exercise program, no matter what their physical and cognitive condition. A good brain-protective exercise program includes aerobic, muscle-strengthening, flexibility and balance training activities.

Talk to your healthcare provider about an exercise program that’s right for you. Lace up your sneakers and build up your brain!

Source: IlluminAge AgeWise, with material from University of Illinois. Brain Awareness Week is sponsored by the Dana Foundation (www.dana.org/BAW).

Improve Memory By Spring Cleaning Your Mind

Those little memory lapses we experience as we grow older can worry us. We’re introduced to someone but promptly forget their name. We look all over the place for our reading glasses, only to realize they are perched on our head. We save a document, but forget into which folder.

We might joke about “senior moments,” but of course, we worry. Could we be developing Alzheimer’s disease or another condition that affects our thinking and memory? The good news is, in most cases, memory lapses like this are perfectly normal as we grow older, representing an age-related change in memory function that begins around age 40. And we can take comfort in the fact that, in some respects, older brains are even more competent, with more of the qualities that we think of as “wisdom.”

Part of the problem, say experts, is that we simply have more information stored in our brains! It takes a little longer to find a piece of information as we accumulated a lifetime of memories.

Another change to be aware of is that our brains are less able to filter out “static” and clear out previous memories as we grow older. Multitasking becomes more challenging. An experiment performed by Concordia University in Quebec asked older and younger test subjects to perform a working memory task that included recalling and processing different pieces of information. Participants were shown a set of images and instructed to respond to each image in a certain way. The younger participants outperformed their older counterparts, because the seniors were more likely to offer the response that was appropriate to a previous image.

Head researcher Mervin Blair reported, “Basically, older adults are less able to keep irrelevant information out of their consciousness, which then impacts other mental abilities.”

What can seniors do to enhance short-term memory? Blair, who is now serving as a neuropsychology fellow at Parkwood Hospital in Ontario, suggested that focusing and reducing “mental clutter” may help. “Reduce clutter,” he said. “If you don’t, you may not get anything done.”

Here are five techniques that can help clear the clutter:

  1. Practice “mindfulness.” Take a class in meditation, listen to a relaxation tape, or try yoga or tai chi. These techniques can help even chronic multitaskers turn off a racing mind and focus better on one thought at a time.
  2. Turn off your gadgets. Nothing overloads our brains so much as our little electronic leashes that interrupt us in the middle of one task to focus on another. Go ahead, power down your smartphone for an hour—you’ll survive! And unless you are really paying attention, turn off the TV and radio talk shows. There is no use in adding a competing information stream.
  3. Listen to music to relax. Music can help us banish unwanted thoughts. To promote a tranquil state of mind, pick music that is calming and soothing. No matter what type of music you like, there are choices that will help you unwind.  But here’s an important caveat: as we grow older, it’s harder to filter out background sounds. If you’re trying to concentrate on something, it’s probably best to turn off the music. Teens can study while music blares; older adults, not so much.
  4. Write things down and put them aside. Are you fretting about tomorrow’s tasks even though there is nothing you can do about them today? Do you work problems over and over in your mind, obsess about past events, or compile an ever-growing mental “to-do” list? Keep a notebook where you can write down the thoughts that are swirling around in your head. The list will still be there when you need it.
  5. Get some exercise and spend some time in nature. Physical activity is a great way to clear the mind, and spending time in green spaces provides a calming sense of perspective. Much research in “ecopsychology”—the relationship between human beings and the natural world—shows the benefits of being outdoors, whether it’s a walk in the woods or a cup of tea in the garden.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to move some of that useless clutter out of your mind, leaving room for things you really need.

If you continue to have concerns about your memory, be sure to discuss this with your healthcare provider. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions allows for the best possible treatment to slow the progression of memory loss. And it’s important to rule out reversible conditions that affect the memory, such as depression, chronic stress or the side effects of medications.

Source: IlluminAge AgeWise

What Values Are Important for People With Alzheimer’s Disease?

Loved ones who suffer from mild to moderate dementia and their family caregivers often have different perceptions regarding the amount and quality of care given and received. A study by researchers at Penn State University and the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging examined a major source of those differences: Caregivers may not understand the things that are important to their relatives with dementia.

“Family caregivers often become the surrogate decision makers of relatives who have dementia, so the two groups need to communicate well and understand each other,” said study leader Steven Zarit, head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State. “Unfortunately, in our study we found that family caregivers and their relatives often do not understand each other well when it comes to the values they hold about giving and receiving care.”

The team interviewed 266 pairs of people, each composed of an individual with mild to moderate dementia and his or her family caregiver. To participate in the study, caregivers had to be the primary family caregiver of the dementia patient and the dementia patient had to be living in his or her own home.

The researchers interviewed members of the pairs separately, asking questions related to how much worth they placed on five core values: autonomy, burden, control, family and safety. For example, one question focused on the level of importance the dementia patients placed on the ability to spend their own money in the way they wanted.

“Our results demonstrate that adult children underestimate the importance that their relatives with dementia place on all five core values,” said Zarit. “For example, the person with dementia might think it is very important to continue to be part of family celebrations, but his or her caregiver might not.”

According to Zarit, a major reason for differences in these perceptions is that caregivers come to view people with dementia as unable to make their own decisions about daily life. “That is something that does happen as the disease progresses, but the people in our study remained capable of making decisions for themselves and could express their values in a clear and direct way,” said Zarit. “Caregivers who still saw the person with dementia as able to direct his or her daily life were also more in tune with that person’s values and beliefs.”

Source: Penn State University. This work was supported by the Administration on Aging, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the AARP Andrus Foundation, the Retirement Research Foundation, the National Institute of Aging and the National Institute of Mental Health.

When People With Alzheimer’s Disease Wander

Wandering is one of the greatest challenges faced by family caregivers whose loved one has Alzheimer’s or other memory loss. Over 60 percent of Alzheimer’s patients will become lost at some time. Most are gone only briefly, though long enough to frighten their loved ones. Others may be lost for an extended period of time, and unfortunately, there are news reports each year of missing Alzheimer’s patients who are never located. It is a sobering fact that if a person with dementia is lost for over 24 hours, he or she is likely to suffer a fall or other serious injury, or even death from injury or exposure. Reports one family caregiver, “The thought that Dad would climb onto a bus at the corner and we would never find him again keeps me awake at night, even on nights when he is getting a good night’s sleep.”

Why do people with dementia wander?

For people with Alzheimer’s or other memory loss, confusion and disorientation make it increasingly difficult to recognize familiar faces and places, even a spouse or child, or a lifetime home. Geriatricians point out that the term “wandering” is something of a misnomer, because many times, in the person’s mind, his or her activity is not purposeless. She may be looking for the bathroom but be unable to find it. He may think it is time to leave for work, even if he retired years before. A great-grandmother might be searching for her children, in the belief that they are still small and in need of her care.
Other factors that contribute to wandering include restlessness, agitation and stress; boredom and lack of a sense of purpose; sleep disorders; physical pain; and the side effects of medications.

Keeping loved ones safe

When a loved one with dementia wanders, family often decide that a nursing home or other residential memory care is the best choice for the person. However, many patients fare much better at home, in familiar surroundings. How can families keep their loved one safe at home, for as long as possible? Here are some strategies recommended by professionals:

Observe your loved one’s patterns. The first step is to understand as best you can the reason for your loved one’s wandering. What are his “triggers”? Where does he usually try to go? During what time of day is he most restless? Does he seem to be looking for something, someone, or someplace?

Adapt the home to keep your loved one safe. Beyond the usual “aging in place” home modifications, you can add special locks to doors, safety gates to prevent exit, and an alarm that will sound if the front door is open. See the resources at the end of this article for information about other home modifications.

Be sure your loved one always carries ID, and a medical alert to tell others he has memory loss. If he doesn’t consistently carry a wallet, try a bracelet, pendant, or clothing labels. Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association office to learn about their Safe Return program. In addition, more and more families are also using a GPS or other tracking device to help locate loved ones quickly.

Notify neighbors and local merchants about your loved one’s condition. Ask them to contact you if they see your loved one alone when he shouldn’t be. Having this conversation with you makes it more likely that others will recognize the problem and feel comfortable getting involved.

Find out if your state has a “Silver Alert” program, similar to the “Amber Alert” for missing children. As law enforcement agencies recognize the needs of growing numbers of adults with dementia, more states are implementing this broadcast notification system.

Try “behavior modification” strategies. If your loved one expresses feelings of being lost or abandoned, reassure him he is safe. Redirect him to safe activities that fill his need for a sense of purpose. If “sundowning” (restlessness at night) is a problem, limit daytime naps. Dementia-care professionals have found that “correcting” a dementia patient frequently can increase agitation. “Don’t correct—redirect” is their guideline.

Have your loved one’s medications reviewed. A person with Alzheimer’s may take medications for the disease itself, for mood or other behavior changes, and for other medical conditions they might have. It is important to take medicines correctly, and it is just as important to be alert for side effects that might increase wandering and other difficult behaviors.

Provide appropriate activities to reduce boredom and isolation. Boredom is stressful for people with dementia, and increases wandering. Art activities, crafts, household tasks, singing, cooking simple foods and socializing all promote well-being and a sense of purpose, which makes it less likely that your loved one will wander.

Get the help of professionals. Family caregivers need a break to renew their energy and take care of other responsibilities. In the earlier stages of the disease, home care or an adult day center can be a good choice. As the disease progresses, a residential care community specializing in care for residents with memory loss is often the safest choice, providing condition-appropriate activities, socialization and supervision for people with Alzheimer’s and related conditions.

Study Demonstrates Benefits of Brain Training

A trial from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed a 10-year benefit in realms of reasoning and speed.

Ten years after completing a brain training program, a group of older people still had improved cognitive abilities, according to results of a randomized clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health.

The report, from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study, appeared in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The project was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), components of the NIH.

“Previous data from this clinical trial demonstrated that the effects of the training lasted for five years,” said NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. “Now, these longer-term results indicate that particular types of cognitive training can provide a lasting benefit a decade later. They suggest that we should continue to pursue cognitive training as an intervention that might help maintain the mental abilities of older people so that they may remain independent and in the community.”

“ACTIVE is an important example of intervention research aimed at enabling older people to maintain their cognitive abilities as they age,” said NINR Director Patricia Grady, Ph.D. “The average age of the individuals who have been followed over the last 10 years is now 82. Given our nation’s aging population, this type of research is an increasingly high priority.”

The investigators were also interested in whether the training had an effect on the participants’ abilities to undertake some everyday and complex tasks of daily living. They assessed these using standardized measures of time and efficiency in performing daily activities, as well as asking the participants to report on their ability to carry out everyday tasks ranging from preparing meals, housework, finances, health care, using the telephone, shopping, travel and needing assistance in dressing, personal hygiene and bathing.

At the end of the trial, all groups showed declines from their baseline tests in memory, reasoning and speed of processing. However, the participants who had training in reasoning and speed of processing experienced less decline than those in the control groups. Results of the cognitive tests after 10 years show that 73.6 percent of reasoning-trained participants were still performing reasoning tasks above their pre-trial baseline level compared to 61.7 percent of control participants. This same pattern was seen in speed training: 70.7 percent of speed-trained participants were performing at or above their baseline level compared to 48.8 percent of controls. However, the researchers said memory training did not have an effect after 10 years.

“The speed-of-processing results are very encouraging,” said Jonathan W. King, Ph.D., program director for cognitive aging in the Division of Behavioral and Social Research at NIA and co-author. “The self-reported improvements in daily function are interesting, but we do not yet know whether they would truly allow older people to live independently longer; if they did, even a small effect would be important, not only for the older adults, but also for family members and others providing care.”

Source: The National Institute on Aging (NIA). The NIA leads the federal government effort conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The Institute’s broad scientific program seeks to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. For more information on research, aging, and health, go to www.nia.nih.gov. The study was published here.

Celebrating the Holidays When a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease

The bright lights and big crowds make the holidays fun and exciting for many of us. But the season can present special challenges if you are a family caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s or other form of cognitive impairment. A little planning can make the season less stressful for everyone in this situation. Geriatrics physician Dr. Cindy Carlsson, an Alzheimer’s disease researcher at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, explained that Alzheimer’s patients may feel a sense of loss during the holidays, while caregivers can become frantic trying to keep up with holiday traditions and caring for their loved ones at the same time.

Carlsson shared advice for making the holidays more enjoyable for everyone. Here are four easy suggestions as you plan this year’s holiday time with your friend or loved one:

Follow a routine. Sticking to a routine can reduce the stress on the person with dementia, as well as his or her caregiver and family. “Holidays are anything but routine, yet a routine is the best way to be kind to the patient,” Carlsson said. “Make sure the day is as normal as possible by providing meals at the same time they usually are.”

Help your loved one remember. People with Alzheimer’s can become frustrated when someone tries to challenge their memories with questions like, “Do you remember me?” and “Do you remember what we did last summer?” Advised Carlsson, “Regardless of how close you are to the person, introduce yourself. You could also update them on your activities so that they don’t have to ask questions.” Carlsson said reminiscent therapy can be effective. She suggests going through old family photos with your loved one. In addition, you might even ask guests to wear name tags.

Involve your loved one in activities. “We recommend that you involve an Alzheimer’s patient with straightforward activities like wrapping gifts, folding napkins or simple crafts,” said Carlsson. Activities can provide mental and physical stimulation.

Take care of the caregiver. The best gift for a caregiver can be the gift of time and respite. The typical stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can become even more overwhelming during the holidays. Carlsson said you can help a caregiver by offering to give them some time off. Families can prepare a plan to share the caregiving. For caregivers who will be hosting the holiday get-together, Carlsson suggests smaller gatherings or even a potluck.

Source: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, adapted by IlluminAge AgeWise.

Low Vitamin D May Hasten Dementia

Vitamin D, sometimes called “the sunshine vitamin,” is necessary for building strong bones, and lowers the risk of high blood pressure, certain cancers and problems with the immune system. Studies have shown that consuming adequate vitamin D lowers the risk of falls, improves mobility and even leads to a longer life.

This year, researchers from University of California Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences revealed that vitamin D also appears to help slow the development of memory and thinking problems.

Over the course of eight years, the researchers tested the levels of vitamin D in a diverse group of older adults, and also tracked their cognitive abilities. Researcher Charles DeCarli of the UC Alzheimer’s Disease Center reports, “We expected to see declines in individuals with low vitamin D status. What was unexpected was how profoundly and rapidly [low vitamin D] impacts cognition.”

Indeed, the researchers found that people who were deficient in vitamin D showed cognitive declines two to three times faster than those with adequate vitamin D! Professor Joshua Miller says, “Independent of race or ethnicity, baseline cognitive abilities and a host of other risk factors, vitamin D insufficiency was associated with significantly faster declines in both episodic memory and executive function performance.”

We can get a certain amount of vitamin D from the foods we eat. Egg yolks, fatty fish and mushrooms are some of the naturally occurring sources, and other foods may also be fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, cheese, juice and cereal. We also soak in vitamin D from sun exposure. But during the cooler months of the year, the latter is a challenge for most of us. Even in the summer, most of us limit our sun exposure to avoid raising the risk of skin cancer, so supplements may be recommended.

The researchers note that elderly African Americans and Hispanics are at particularly high risk of vitamin D deficiency. People with more pigment in their skin absorb less of the nutrient from the sun. African American and Hispanic seniors also on average consume fewer dairy products, the other main source of vitamin D.

Miller, who was a professor with the UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the time that the research was conducted, and now serves as professor and chair of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University, says that the results of this study should encourage people in their 60s and older to discuss taking a daily vitamin D supplement with their healthcare provider. Vitamin D is stored in the body’s fat, so taking too much can allow dangerous levels to build up, making it important to discuss our vitamin D intake with our healthcare provider.

DeCarli says, “This is a vitamin deficiency that could easily be treated and that has other health consequences. We need to start talking about it. And we need to start talking about it, particularly for people of color, for whom vitamin D deficiency appears to present an even greater risk.”

Source: AgeWise reporting on news releases from University of California Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences