As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s right now.

• It is projected that 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s in their lifetime.

• Every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.

• Alzheimer’s Disease is the seventh-leading cause of death.
The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.
These are just a few of the facts in our new report, 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. The report can be found at www.alz.org and it includes a comprehensive statistical abstract of U.S. data on Alzheimer’s disease that includes: prevalence, mortality, the costs of Alzheimer care, family caregiving and the lifetime risks of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Before you send your tax returns to the IRS, make sure you get the tax-savings you deserve as a caregiver. As a caregiver for a loved one, you may qualify for tax deductions and credits.

Tax deductions

Deductible caregiving costs may include:

Medical care, including nursing care
Transportation essential to medical care
In-home care, such as physical therapy
Personal care items, such as disposable briefs and special foods
Nursing home care
Assisted living or other residential care
Home modifications such as grab bars or wheel chair ramps
A caregiver can take federal income tax deductions only if the person with dementia has been certified as chronically ill. This certification must have been made by a licensed health care practitioner within the last 12 months.

Long-term care services must be given under a prescribed plan of care. Be sure to keep records of all your payment for services, and save certifications on the plans of care.

For more details on deducting caregiving costs, see IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.

A new report predicts that an estimated 10 million American baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime, placing strains on the U.S. health-care system and the already burdened network of caregivers. Currently, there are  least 5.2 million Americans that suffer from Alzheimer’s, including 200,000 to 250,000 people under age 65. By 2010, projections say there will be 500,000 new cases of the mind-wasting disease each year, and nearly one million new cases annually by 2050, the report estimates.

The report , released Tuesday by the Alzheimer’s Association, also notes that the disease is now the seventh deadliest in the nation and that women are at greater risk than men.

Read more at www.alz.org

Eat colorful Fruits and vegetables.Load up on spinach, berries,apples, and carrots are all high in antioxidants and fiber.

Eat Fish. Tuna, and salom are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Try eating 2-3 servings of fish per week.

Do Not Smoke.If you smoke, quit right now. Smoking triples your risk of dying by increasing your blood pressure and making blood more prone to clot, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Within a year of quitting, you will decrease your risk of a heart attack by 50 percent.

Balance exercise and your diet. Try to balance the calories you take in with the calories you burn by physical activity.If you have a bigger middle section, you are more likely to have fat in and around your abdominal organs where it can be released into the bloodstream as dangerous fatty acids that contribute to clogged arteries. For women, a waist size more than 30 inches is a red flag.

Exercise. Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Exercise – in any form - will lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and boost your “good” cholesterol.

Do not use salt. Keep your blood pressure at 120/80 mmHg or below. As women age, they become more salt-sensitive, which contributes to elevated blood pressure. Women over the age of 50 should cut sodium intake to 1,500 mg a day.

According to a new study published in February 2008,issue of Archives of Internal Medicine abnormal mammography and breast biopsy results are more common among women who take hormone therapy that combines oestrogen and progestin.The study also found that hormone therapy interferes with the effectiveness of both breast cancer screening methods.

The study findings are based on an analysis of 16,608 postmenopausal women who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative clinical trial, from 1993 to 1998. Women were randomly assigned to receive a combination of oestrogen daily (0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens) plus progesterone daily (2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate) (n = 8,506) or placebo (n = 8,102). Each participant received mammography and a breast examination yearly, with biopsies performed based on the physicians’ clinical judgment.

During the 5.6 years of the study, 199 women in the combined hormone therapy group and 150 women in the placebo group developed breast cancer. Abnormal mammography results were more common among women who were taking hormones (35%) compared with women who were assigned to placebo (23%). The women taking hormones also had a 4% greater risk of having an abnormal mammography after 1 year and an 11% greater risk after 5 years.Breast biopsies also were more common among women taking hormones (10%) compared with those assigned to placebo (6.1%).

“Although breast cancers were significantly increased and were diagnosed at higher stages in the combined hormone group, biopsies in that group less frequently diagnosed cancer (14.8% vs 19.6%),” the authors, led by Rowan T. Chlebowski, MD, PhD, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, Los Angeles, noted. “After discontinuation of combined hormone therapy, its adverse effect on mammography modulated but remained significantly different from that of placebo for at least 12 months.”

The use of combined hormones may increase breast density, which increases the risk of breast cancer and could also delay diagnosis; however, the authors noted that breast density was not measured in this study.

“Use of conjugated equine oestrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate for approximately 5 years resulted in more than 1 in 10 and 1 in 25 women having otherwise avoidable mammography abnormalities and breast biopsies, respectively, and compromised the diagnostic performance of both,” the authors concluded. “This adverse effect on breast cancer detection should be incorporated into risk-benefit discussions with women considering even short-term combined hormone therapy.”

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, February 25, 2008

Many senior living community representatives find that the most asked question by seniors and their families in search of a senior living community or nursing home is, “How is the food?”. So what do you think the representative would say? Terrible? I highly doubt that, I’m sure they would ensure that it is wonderful and that you will love it. Do you think that is true?

Here are some tips on trying to find out the truth out about their food. I recommend asking the current residents how they like the food. You can even ask to have a meal to see how you like it. Trying the food is the best way for you to tell if it meets your standards. Remember, they are cooking for a big group of people and not every meal is going to be perfect. I am sure that there will be a few complaints, but overall you should be looking for a flexible menu and fresh ingredients.

Signs and symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke may make it possible for the right care and to get immediate treatment. The signs and symptoms of stroke usually occur suddenly; frequently there’s more than one.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of your face, arm or leg — usually on one side
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia)
• Sudden blurred, double or decreased vision
• A sudden, severe headache or an unusual headache, which may be accompanied by a stiff neck, facial pain, pain between your eyes, vomiting or altered consciousness
• Confusion, or problems with memory

For most, a stroke gives no warning or signs. One possible sign of an impending stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow to a part of your brain.The signs and symptoms of TIA are the same as a stroke, but they last for a shorter period. It can be several minutes and to 24 hours and then go away without any apparent permanent effects. It is possible to have more than one TIA, and the recurrent signs and symptoms may be similar or different.

Men and women who are moderately fit reduce their stroke risk. Most People can reach that fitness range by walking briskly for only 30 minutes 5 times a week.Stroke is nation’s third-leading cause of death.In its stroke prevention guidelines, the American Stroke Association recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity on most days of the week.

Visit American Stoke Association for more information.

8 ounces sirloin steak, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon fennel seed, roughly chopped or coarsely ground in a spice mill
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3/4 cup reduced-sodium beef broth, divided (see Tips for Two)
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1. Rub steak with fennel seed and 1/4 teaspoon salt, turning to coat on all sides. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak in a single layer and cook, turning once, until browned on the outside and still pink in the middle, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
2. Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup broth and wine, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add bell peppers, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the peppers are tender-crisp, 4 to 6 minutes.

3. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup broth and flour in a small bowl. Add to the pepper mixture, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Return the steak to the pan. Adjust heat to maintain a slow simmer and cook, turning the meat once, about 2 minutes for medium-rare.

Recipe source:eatingwell.com

Exercise is really the way to “The Fountain of Youth”.

If you don’t beleive me, try following these simple fitness tips and see how you feel.

1. Consistent Cardio. 30 minutes, 5 days a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Work at a pace that allows you to talk freely; if you can sing, you’re not exercising hard enough. To get started, choose an activity you enjoy and do 10 minutes, 5 days a week. Then increase by 5 minutes each week until you’re doing 30 minutes at a time. Dividing your exercise into three 10-minute bouts throughout the day works, too.

2. Intervals.45 minutes, twice a week (moderate-paced cardio exercise interspersed with 1-minute speed bursts every 2 minutes). If you’re just starting out, do 20-second intervals, slowly building up to 1 minute as your endurance increases.

3. Weight Training. 20 minutes, twice a week. Dumbbells is really all you need. You can use light hand weights or weight machines at your gym. Both options are great and only one of them is a must.

4. Yoga and/or Pilates. Try to fit in 2-3 sessions per week. These sessions can help lower your stress levels.

Try these tips for at least 6 weeks followed with a well balanced diet and I bet you will feel GREAT! Please consult with your physician before beginning an exercise and diet plan.