Research: Cognitive Impairment Could Lead to Alzheimer’s

Almost two-thirds of American senior citizens with Alzheimer’s disease are women, according to research.

As women enter these ranks, their chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease are reportedly much greater than that for men. And women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a typical condition of Alzheimer’s disease, have been found to decline in cognition two times faster than men with MCI, according to research reported at the 2015 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.

MCI typically involves a slight but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and thinking skills, but the changes are not yet severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.

With this information, researchers from the Center for Brain Health at The University of Texas at Dallas are attempting to identify a potential biomarker that could offer a more complete picture of who is most at risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

To learn more about the MCI study, visit http://www.brainhealth.utdallas.edu/news_page/affordable-non-invasive-test-may-detect-who-is-most-at-risk-for-alzhei. 

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Tablet Helps Seniors Go Digital, Research Says

We get it. Computers could be intimidating and tiny phones might be . . . well, just too tiny. Why not consider a tablet? Those smaller, lighter, easy-to-use computers that sometimes replace laptops appear to be a way to help seniors make the transition to digital communication.

In fact, new Michigan State University research has found that the use of tablets does make it easier, breaking down some of the barriers that keep seniors from getting connected.

In addition, tablets allow people to maneuver online without having to move and click a mouse. “The dexterity required to control a mouse is really hard for some older adults,” said Shelia Cotten, an MSU professor of media and information who led the research. “A certain level of muscle control is needed. And some older adults have shaking issues, in addition to muscle-control issues in their hands and arms.”

Cotten also said that in most cases, tablets are just easier to use, especially for people who don't have a lot of computer experience. “You don't have to click on 12 different things to do what you want to do. It helps to ease their tech anxiety.”

To learn more about this study, visit http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2015/tablets-can-help-elderly-cross-the-digital-divide/. 

 

Each Home Instead Senior Care^® franchise office is independently owned and operated.