Rancho Santa Fe Resident Karen Wilder Knows The Impact Of Alzheimers Disease After It Took Her Husband Beloved Actor Gene Wilder In 2016
Though people of a certain age may jokingly attribute occasional forgetfulness as old timers disease, the realities of actual Alzheimers disease is hardly a laughing matter. According to the Alzheimers Association, this progressive brain disease affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans, and someone develops Alzheimers every 65 seconds. As the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., it is far from a simple matter of occasional lapses in memory.
Rancho Santa Fe resident Karen Wilder knows the impact of the disease all too well. After all, it took her husband, the brilliant and beloved actor Gene Wilder, in 2016. Its truly the worst disease, I think, she says somberly. I say despicable, because that really expresses it for me, because it takes everything from that person, slowly. Recalling his initial symptoms, she says, There were things that he did that were so out of character that I couldnt quite understand what had happened, and when I went to talk to him about it, he couldnt tell me. She ultimately convinced him to see a doctor to be tested for mild cognitive impairment, but they werent prepared for it to be more than that.
A Message From the Alzheimers Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter:
How Is Alzheimers Disease Diagnosed
There is currently no single test to identify Alzheimers disease. The diagnosis is made only after careful clinical consultation.
The clinical diagnosis might include:
- A detailed medical history
- Lumbar puncture for cerebral spinal fluid tests
- Medical imaging
These tests will help to eliminate other conditions with similar symptoms such as nutritional deficiencies or depression. After eliminating other causes, a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimers disease can be made with about 80% to 90% accuracy if the symptoms and signs are appropriate. The diagnosis can only be confirmed after death by examination of the brain tissue.
It is important to have an early and accurate diagnosis to determine whether a treatable condition other than Alzheimers disease, is causing the symptoms. If Alzheimers disease is diagnosed, medical treatment and other assistance can be discussed.
Brain Changes Associated With Alzheimers Disease
A healthy adult brain has about 100 billion neurons, each with long, branching extensions. These extensions enable individual neurons to form connections with other neurons. At such connections, called synapses, information flows in tiny bursts of chemicals that are released by one neuron and detected by another neuron. The brain contains about 100 trillion synapses. They allow signals to travel rapidly through the brains neuronal circuits, creating the cellular basis of memories, thoughts, sensations, emotions, movements and skills.
The accumulation of the protein fragment beta-amyloid outside neurons and the accumulation of an abnormal form of the protein tau inside neurons are two of several brain changes associated with Alzheimers.
Plaques and smaller accumulations of beta-amyloid called oligomers may contribute to the damage and death of neurons by interfering with neuron-to-neuron communication at synapses. Tau tangles block the transport of nutrients and other essential molecules inside neurons. Although the complete sequence of events is unclear, beta-amyloid may begin accumulating before abnormal tau, and increasing beta-amyloid accumulation is associated with subsequent increases in tau.,
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Can Ventriculomegaly Be Treated
How is ventriculomegaly treated? Ventriculomegaly only needs to be treated if the baby has hydrocephalus, a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Treatments for hydrocephalus include: Shunt placement: In this process a small tube is implanted in the brain while the child is under anesthesia.
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Liver Problems Associated With Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the gut lining upon gluten consumption. In cases of uncontrolled celiac disease where the patients continue to consume gluten, other liver and biliary tract disorders can occur. Elevated alkaline phosphatase levels are associated with these two disorders .
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Causes Of High Alkaline Phosphatase
While alkaline phosphatase may not necessarily cause harm to the body itself, elevated levels are associated with cancer, bone, liver, and kidney diseases .
Additionally, lifestyle factors, medication, and certain supplements can raise alkaline phosphatase levels. Work with your doctor to find out what causes your high alkaline phosphatase levels.
Avoidable Use Of Health Care And Long
6.5.1 Preventable hospitalizations
Preventable hospitalizations are one common measure of health care quality. Preventable hospitalizations are hospitalizations for conditions that could have been avoided with better access to, or quality of, preventive and primary care. Unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 days are another type of hospitalization that potentially could have been avoided with appropriate post-discharge care. In 2013, 21% of hospitalizations for fee-for-service Medicare enrollees with Alzheimers or other dementias were either for unplanned readmissions within 30 days or for an ambulatory care sensitive condition . The total cost to Medicare of these potentially preventable hospitalizations was $4.7 billion . Of people with dementia who had at least one hospitalization, 18% were readmitted within 30 days. Of those who were readmitted within 30 days, 27% were readmitted two or more times. Ten percent of Medicare enrollees had at least one hospitalization for an ambulatory care-sensitive condition, and 14% of total hospitalizations for Medicare enrollees with Alzheimers or other dementias were for ambulatory care sensitive conditions.
FIGURE 16
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How Can Alzheimer’s Be Prevented
There is no specific way to prevent Alzheimer’s, but there are some steps you can take to minimize risks. Prevent Alzheimer’s disease with healthy lifestyle choices and an awareness of risk factors. Risk factors can include:
- High blood pressure
- Air pollution
- Brain injury
Being aware of your diet, exercising, and addressing other risk factors can help prevent Alzheimer’s. It can also help raise awareness, which increases the chance of early diagnosis. Early diagnosis means a person has a better chance of benefitting from treatment.
There are some factors that you cannot control, such as genetics and age. Family history is the only known risk factor for early-onset Alzheimer’s right now.
Attend An Education Program
We offer educational opportunities for anyone interested in learning about Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Education programs cover a variety of topics relating to memory loss and aging and are intended to help anyone with concerns or interest. Join us for a free live virtual event.
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‘rhop’ Star Karen Huger’s Return To Potomac Is In The Works
Real Housewives of Potomac fixture Karen Huger is continuing to lend her reality star status to charity.
It was a fabulous evening, Huger told Page Six when chatting about a charity dinner she hosted for the Alzheimers Association on Saturday night. I had family and friends that came to raise money for a great cause.
The cause hits close to home for the Bravo personality, as both of her parents are living with the debilitating disease. She has steadily been involved with the Alzheimers Association but upon her parents diagnosis she began working closely with the local chapter.
I need to help, I need to find a cure for this, she said. What a wonderful position to be in to raise funds to help others and not just my family but all families.
Alongside Huger for the night was another reality star, Carson Kressley, who was the MC.
He was amazing, she said. He totally set an atmosphere of love and fun and purpose, which Huger dubbed a perfect recipe for success.
The benefit was held in a venue on K Street in Washington, DC, where guests including the ladies of RHOP and Alzheimers Associations local chapter President Chris Brouille sipped on CÎROC and DeLeón thanks to the nights guest speaker, Dia Simms, the president of Combs Enterprises whose family is affected by Alzheimers.
She tells us it certainly was a blessing to meet Dia. We went from business to bonding simply because were in this fight together.
Health Environmental And Lifestyle Factors
Research suggests that a host of factors beyond genetics may play a role in the development and course of Alzheimers. There is a great deal of interest, for example, in the relationship between cognitive decline and vascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Ongoing research will help us understand whether and how reducing risk factors for these conditions may also reduce the risk of Alzheimers.
A nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits have all been associated with helping people stay healthy as they age. These factors might also help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimers. Researchers are testing some of these possibilities in clinical trials.
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What Are The Symptoms
The symptoms of hydrocephalus can vary significantly from person to person and mostly depend on age. Conditions other than hydrocephalus can cause similar symptoms so it is important to see a doctor to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.InfantsSigns and symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants include:
- a rapid increase in head size
- an unusually large head
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Nursing Home Recreates Famous Album Covers During Quarantine To Raise Money For Alzheimer’s
Being locked down during the coronavirus quarantine hasnt been fun for anyone. But the residents of Sydmar Lodge Care Home in Edgware, England, leveled up their entertainment in a fun and unique way that is also being used for good. The homes activities coordinator, Robert Speker, had the idea to do photoshoots of classic album covers, using the homes residents as stars. Albums featured so far include hits from Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Queen, David Bowie, Elvis, and more.
The effort isnt just for fun, however. Speker also launched a GoFundMe page to ask people who enjoy the project to donate. Proceeds from the page will be split between charities that work with Alzheimers, dementia and aging.
I made the suggestions of which albums and which resident best suited the look, or had a vague similarity to the artist, then I proposed the idea to each resident. Robert Speker, Sydmar Care Home activities coordinator
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Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases
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With a diagnosis of Alzheimers, early treatment is key in helping to preserve daily function over time. The disease cannot be stopped but interventions can help patients preserve memory and cognitive abilities
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Symptoms of Alzheimers disease include memory loss, confusion, wandering, trouble handling money or paying bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes, among others
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As Populations Age Rates Soar
by Cheryl Bond-Nelms, AARP, November 17, 2017
The Alzheimers Association says, Someone in the United States develops Alzheimers dementia every 66 seconds.
Degenerative brain disease and dementia are on the rise across all 50 U.S. states, according to the Alzheimers Association. As the rate of Alzheimers continues to escalate, more financial stress will be placed on health care programs. The trend will also increase the need for caregivers nationwide.
An estimated 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimers disease, according to the Alzheimers Association. The statistics are broken down by age and ethnicity and are listed as follows on their site.
- One in 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimers dementia.
- Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimers are women.
- African Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimers or other dementia as whites.
- Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimers or other dementia as whites.
Another startling figure exposed by the Alzheimers Association is that Someone in the United States develops Alzheimers dementia every 66 seconds.
The state with the highest rate of Alzheimers is Alaska. Cases of the disease are projected to increase from 7,100 in 2017 to 11,000 in 2025 an increase of 54.9 percent, reports AA.
Below is a list of the 10 states that are predicted to have the highest rate increases of Alzheimers by 2025.
1. Alaska
Alzheimers Increase, 2017-2025: 54.9 percent
2. Arizona
Trends In Dementia Caregiving
There is some indication that families are now better at managing the care they provide to relatives with dementia than in the past. From 1999 to 2015, dementia caregivers were significantly less likely to report physical difficulties and financial difficulties related to care provision. In addition, use of respite care by dementia caregivers increased substantially . However, as noted earlier, more work is needed to ensure that interventions for dementia caregivers are available and accessible to those who need them. A 2016 study of the Older Americans Acts National Family Caregiver Support Program found that over half of Area Agencies on Aging did not offer evidence-based family caregiver interventions.
FIGURE 11
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Research Has The Power To Make Breakthroughs Possible
Now that she is towards the end of her journey, Mrs Penny is looking forward to going back home in Wales, where she plans to start writing a book or two to immortalise her adventure.
And although this chapter may have come to a conclusion, she is determined to continue raising awareness about Alzheimers and supporting those impacted by the condition.
Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimers Research UK, said its people like Mrs Penny who breathe life into the charity and their important work.
She said: We are so grateful to Karen for the amazing fundraising and awareness-raising that she has done with such commitment since the beginning of 2019.
As Karen has found with all the people who have shared their experiences with her on her journey, one in two people know someone affected by dementia.
Through research, we can keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer.
Research has the power to make breakthroughs possible and Alzheimers Research UK is at the forefront of these efforts.
We rely on public donations to fund our crucial research and its thanks to the commitment of people like Karen that we are able to increase the profile of dementia research and continue our important work.
People can donate to Mrs Pennys fundraiser on her JustGiving page.
The Loss Of Pure Imagination
Gene Wilder is perhaps best known for his role of eccentric candy maker and chocolatier Willy Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory. Born Jerome Silberman in 1933, his first major film role was in the Mel Brooks 1967 film, The Producers, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The actor also directed, produced and helped co-write many scripts, including the script for Young Frankenstein. Wilders last on-screen appearance was on the television show Will and Grace as Mr. Stein in 2003. By then, Wilder had mostly turned to writing, and released several books, including a memoir, titled Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art, which detailed his life from birth up until the death of his third wife, Gilda Radner, to ovarian cancer. Wilder passed away from complications due to Alzheimers disease on August 29, 2016.
Gene was a very moral and honest person and a good example of someone that people would like to have as a friend and a mentor, said the late actors wife of 25 years, Karen Boyer Wilder. He was unique in so many ways. He was a real partner and thats not easy to find. He helped me and took care of me from the moment we first met and encouraged me to do many things to be able to grow and explore.
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Who Pays For Care
Anyone with savings or income above £23,250 is expected to pay for their own care fees.
People with savings below that are entitled to help with the cost of care from their local council. Generally, the less savings the person has, the more the authority will pay towards care.
This money goes towards paying for a carer to visit, or for a care or nursing home.
The current standard amount the NHS will pay towards nursing care is £165.56 per week, according to the Alzheimers Society.
As funding is linked to an individuals means, health services which may also help such as hospitals do not necessarily receive more public money if more people with the condition live in any one area.
A report from the London School of Economics shows the cost of dementia to the UK economy is £34.7bn per year.
Dr Karen Harrison-Dening, head of research and publications at Dementia UK, said there was no standardised service across the country.
Care at the moment is very hit or miss. We rely heavily on families to care for their loved ones themselves, she said.
If you developed cancer in later life the NHS would step in.
There would be NHS Continuing Healthcare, Macmillan nurses and bereavement support, but far less likely in dementia.
Karen Huger Told Her Rhop Co
Karen Huger doesnt want to talk about her husbands financial issues on The Real Housewives of Potomac, even though his IRS issues are all over the press. After the previous season of the show ended, news reports surfaced that Ray Huger was in some financial troubles. One of the companies he owned hadnt paid taxes for years and he was now in debt for over $5 million. Instead of just admitting to the issue, Karen decided to focus on her co-stars and their lack of respect for her privacy.
However, it seems that Karen Huger just cant stop getting herself into trouble. While her Real Housewives of Potomac co-stars want answers to her legal issues, Karen is merely trying to move on. One of the ways that shes moving on is to focus on her charity gala. But during the gala, she asked her co-stars to write out the checks to her business. She would then give the donations to the gala and use the donations as a tax write-off. However, some of the Real Housewives of Potomac viewers were quick to call out Karen, revealing she was committing a crime.
Karen Huger , the thought of raising money for Alzheimer’s is Great! But when you donate money to a individual business and then Karen’s business distributes the funds, and gets Tax write off. That’s a Federal crime. Never give Charity money to a private business!
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