As a care manager, ensuring the comfort and well-being of your care recipients is your top priority. A large part of this task involves keeping abreast of any changes in condition that could ultimately impair their quality of life. Along these lines, one of the greatest concerns facing older adults and the dedicated caregivers who serve them is the onset of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of this cognitive decline, and currently affects one in eight older Americans.
Previously, we reported on a French study indicating that delaying retirement – or at least maintaining heightened levels of mental and social engagement – may stall or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. Now, research has shown that older Americans could also benefit from incorporating a certain beverage into their daily routine as well. Individuals with existing circulation issues, in particular, typically face a greater risk of cognitive decline because blood may not be able to reach certain areas of the brain. However, a recent study from Harvard Medical School has revealed that this potential damage may be mitigated by drinking hot cocoa twice a day.
"We're learning more about blood flow in the brain and its effect on thinking skills. As different areas of the brain need more energy to complete their tasks, they also need greater blood flow. This relationship, called neurovascular coupling, may play an important role in diseases such as Alzheimer's, " lead author Farzaneh Sorond, MD, PhD, said in a press release.
According to the source, of the 60 older adults who took part in the month-long study, 18 exhibited circulation issues. These individuals reportedly made great improvements in memory and thinking tests after drinking hot chocolate twice a day over the course of the trial.
What does this mean for care managers?
While it does not fall to care managers to oversee the health of their care recipients, encouraging simple, beneficial behaviors like exercising regularly and offering heart-healthy foods and beverages in residential communities does fall within their scope. In addition, understanding what risks your care recipients may face due to preexisting conditions can help you better tailor your care to meet their needs. By introducing Independa's caregiver support technology to your residential community or home-based care services, you can provide the around-the-clock monitoring that certain recipients need, as well as medical reminders and other important notifications. With our Angela interface, your care recipients will also be able to reach out to caregivers and loved ones quickly and easily should they have any concerns.
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