When a mind dies

Article Abstract:

A 1995 study showed that positron-emission tomography (PET) may detect evidence of Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear, however PET scanning should not be used yet as a clinical Alzheimer's test. In the study, PET scanning indicated that people with two copies of the epsilon-4 gene, which is often associated with Alzheimer's, had decreased glucose metabolism in the same regions of the brain as people with dementia typical of Alzheimer's. However, none of these people had signs of cognitive impairment or dementia. The best test for dementia remains a neurological examination. The study does show that PET scanning may help evaluate experimental treatments for Alzheimer's. Although effective treatments have yet to be discovered, physicians can help patients with this disease. They can treat depression and sleep disorders and refer patients and families to community resources that can help provide care and support.

Care and treatment, Alzheimer's disease

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New hope for home care?

Article Abstract:

Preventative home care programs for the elderly may be cost effective and desirable to the elderly, but they may be replaced by less appealing technological home care. Two 1995 studies found two home care programs to be cost effective. One program, involving home consultations, reduced the likelihood that a group of people would require admission to a nursing home. The other study reduced the risk that elderly patients with congestive heart failure would be readmitted to the hospital. As Medicare pays more for home care, they will manage this care to move people out of hospitals but not necessarily to keep them out of nursing homes. As a result, elderly people may have elaborate hospital machinery moved in to their bedrooms, though they might prefer to stay in hospitals longer or to receive preventative care at home from nurses.

Social aspects, Aged, Elderly, Home care

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