Sleep and Alzheimer's

[CBODY67]

I'm not so sure that forgetting where car keys were put or why you went to a particular room in the house is a significant issue. The real issue, to me, is how soon you remember where you had the car keys last or what you were doing when you got distracted (walking down the hall to that particular room).

The "ease of distraction" seems to increase with advancing age. Staying focused on what you're trying to accomplish AND then doing it becomes more important. That "focus" situation. Which can decrease the ability to multi-task as we used to in earlier times. Then, too, multi-tasking is something that some can do better than others . . . at ANY age. Making lists can help, but you have to try to achieve what's on the list for that to work.

With advancing age and decline of muscle strength (from a continued sedentary life style, possibly) the efficient use of what muscle strength remains can be important! My mother would sit "lady-like" with her ankles very close to each other. When she would try to stand up, it took several tries. My recommendation was to first place her feet about shoulder-width apart and then try to stand with that stance. Worked much better. Plus, I raised the seat in her chair so she was not sitting quite so close to the floor. Anything, like that, that you can do to improve their more efficient use of available muscle strength, to aid mobility, is good for their continued confidence to move around by themselves.

CBODY67

 

[65sporty]

I am watching what advancements they make with this disease, my mothers dad developed it over a 2 year period, after my brother moved out after finishing school, when he was back to living by himself, he started forgetting things, not taking him medicine. I knew things were getting bad when he got lost and couldn't find his way back home. He lived in Warren outside of Detroit and worked for the gas company. He knew his way around the city. My mom and aunt had to put him in a home, he has been gone for about 20 yrs.

My dads parents lived along time and there minds were sharp until each one of them died. I hope and pray as far as my mind goes I have more of their genes. My mother is now in her 70's and I am watching closely for any signs.

 

[Fury440]

My mother is now in her 70's and I am watching closely for any signs.

Don't go overboard, she will do lots of apparently strange things that are perfectly normal for her age.

I'm quickly approaching 76 and I notice problems with short term memory due not so much to dead grey cells, but inattention. If I pay attention, I seldom forget details, however as you get older you tend to perform repetitive tasks in autopilot mode. The effect is similar to a 500 mile highway trip, you tend to slip into autopilot mode and reach your destination without "seeing" much along the way. On the other hand, the same trip with very crappy driving conditions makes every foot memorable. I guess what I'm trying to say is, as you get older, your need to pay attention forces you into tunnel vision making you appear forgetful when all you need is a check list.

A more subtle change that seems to be tied to age and experience is decision making. When you are young, stupid and fearless you merrily get yourself into all sorts of situations, some are brilliant wins and others are total disasters. You don't have much to lose so you play "all in" and let the chips fall where they may. Decisions are usually very quick. However age doesn't make you smarter, but your experience makes much more careful. Once retired and on a fix income, you can't play "all in" any more. As a result you over think every decision and start to procrastinate like crazy. To an observer, you appear to be forgetful and absentminded while your mind is actually very busy chewing over how to do something. It's frustrating especially if you were used to making decisions.
I keep waiting for the "golden years" to start, so far its just boring trying to decide what to have for dinner!

 

[tbm3fan]

Needless to say much of this may not have any application to some simply because of age. There has yet to be any research on whether one can help themselves later on after half their life is over. Much like smoking for 40 years and then stopping when you are 60. You may benefit your blood pressure but your lungs are another matter and it is not likely they can clear themselves up in the time left.

So obviously this type of research has greater benefit for those that are young. My 9 year old gets 9 hours every night no matter what. I will try to keep that going in high school where things have been going off the rails. So many students in my office staring at some electronic device for homework up to midnight and then up at 6 am for school. When I was a student I always hung everything up at 11 pm while roommates crammed till 1-2 am then up for a 8 am final. I maintained that nothing extra would stick in my mind at that point and that the sleep would be more beneficial.

As for most doctors I can say that they have a hard enough time staying up with new information in their particular field. Staying up with information outside our fields is damn near impossible unless somehow it intersects with what we do, or hear it during a conference, or see a news blurp. Last few days a kidney specialist, who I know well, was in the office and I asked him if he had heard this. His wife, a super nice part time dentist with 4 children, was not aware of this along with him. Knowing how they raise their kids with clear cut expectations I knew they would look into it and apply it to their kids as they reach high school.

Last, I'm sure things are far more involved than just sleep. It always gets my attention when I see someone between 60-65 already showing the signs or now in a nursing home. I wonder why? How much genetics? Must be some for such a young age. One patient showed early signs at 53 and by 57 it was obvious. My wife helped the husband watch her so he could get out. In the end all windows had to be covered and mirrors removed, as she saw people not there, before she went into a nursing home at 59. I can only imagine her two daughters, in their early 30's, wondering what it all means.

 

[Fury440]

One thing I forgot to mention, my father was army and my childhood days all started with an alarm clock. Once out of the house I discarded my alarm clock and haven't used one for almost 60 years. I go to sleep when I'm tired and I wake up when my body is happy. For many years my average was 8 to 9 hours, lately however I'm down to 7.5 to 8. When I was young I slept without any rolling around, now however the prostate rules the sleep cycle!