Haelth Benefite of Chocolate

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Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

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The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

The researchers caution however, that more studies are needed to confirm the link, and other factors besides chocolate consumption could be contributing to the decreased stroke risk. Also, one reviewed study showed no connection between stroke risk and chocolate consumption.

Still, the results add to a growing list of potential advantages to eating chocolate, including a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. But this doesn't mean you should gorge yourself on the candy this Valentine's day either.

Among the pros and cons of chocolate:

Chocolate can be good for you

Many previous studies have linked eating chocolate with health benefits, including:

• A 2008 study found that people who ate a small amount of dark chocolate a day (about 6.7 grams) had lower levels of a protein that is associated with inflammation in their blood.
• Other recent studies have found that blood platelets clump together more slowly in chocolate eaters. Clumping platelets can lead to the formation of blood clots, which in turn can cause a heart attack. Chocolate consumption may lower blood pressure, help prevent formation of artery plaques and improve blood flow, according to other research.
• Eating chocolate may even help with math, or at least counting. A study reported in 2009 showed that people did a better job of counting backwards in groups of three after they had consumed a hot cocoa drink containing large amounts of a compound found in chocolate. These compounds, called flavonoids, which we'll get to later, may increase blood flow to the brain.
• Chocolate may also have anti-cancer benefits because flavonoids may help reduce the cell damage that can spur tumor growth.   

"More and more research is showing that [eating chocolate] is really more beneficial than we ever imagined," said Katherine Tallmadge a registered dietician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

However, she notes that the advantages you get still appear to be quite small. "It's not anything major, but it's still an advantage, and even slight advantages can make a difference for some people," she said.

Not all chocolate is created equal

Certain forms of chocolate are better for your health than others, and it comes down to one key component of the rich snack: flavonoids.

These compounds, which are found in the seeds of cacao plants (from which chocolate is made), are antioxidants that are thought to help protect cells against damage that might come from environmental toxins, or simply byproducts of vital processes in the body.

Consuming flavonoids has been linked to heart benefits. But since flavonoids are bitter, most commercial chocolate goes through processing steps that remove these compounds. Less processed, or darker chocolates, will tend to have higher levels of flavonoids. Your best choice in terms of healthiness is to go with natural, unsweetened cocoa powder, Tallmadge said.

"You can have mounds of it," because it is low in calories and full of flavonoids, Tallmadge told LiveScience.

Runners-up for health benefits are bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with a high cocoa percentage, she said. Unfortunately for milk-chocolate lovers, this type of chocolate has lower levels of flavonoids.

Chocolate can be bad for you

The underlying health benefits don't give you an excuse to eat chocolate by the pound.

"Because we mainly eat it as a candy with sugar added, it's going to be high in calories and not necessarily good for you in high quantities, because it will take the place of more nutritious foods," Tallmadge said.

For instance, if you gorge on chocolate, you might skimp out on fruits and vegetables, which are also important for heart health and disease prevention.

Tallmadge advises that people who want to eat chocolate limit themselves to one ounce per day. "Any more than that and you're probably going to take in too many calories for weight control," she said.

Like the heart and blood vessels, dark chocolate can protect the brain from conditions related to high blood pressure, clots and free radical damage. Chocolate also affects the brain’s function, thereby affecting mental function, cognition and mood. One of the really good health benefits of dark chocolate!

Other foods and beverages can also provide flavonoids, including citrus fruits, onions, green tea and red wine

Yet another health benefit has been linked to eating chocolate: It may decrease your risk of stroke, a new study suggests.

The analysis, which will be presented in April at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting, reviewed the results of three previous studies. One study with more than 44,000 participants found that those who ate a weekly serving of chocolate were 22 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate no chocolate.

Hair sayings and quotes

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two


Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition

Quotegarden

The hair is the richest ornament of women.  ~Martin Luther


Hair brings one's self-image into focus; it is vanity's proving ground.  Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices.  ~Shana Alexander


Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like.  ~Author Unknown


It seems no more than right that men should seize time by the forelock, for the rude old fellow, sooner or later, pulls all their hair out.  ~George Dennison Prentice, Prenticeana, 1860


What's the matter with you guys?  The sight of blonde hair knocks you three rungs down on the evolutionary ladder.  ~From the television show Civil Wars


The great ages of prose are the ages in which men shave.  The great ages of poetry are those in which they allow their beards to grow.  ~Robert Lynd


Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.  ~Kahlil Gibran


I'm not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb.  I also know I'm not blonde.  ~Dolly Parton


It was a blonde.  A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.  ~Raymond Chandler


Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself.  ~Hubert de Givenchy, Vogue, July 1985


Babies haven't any hair:
Old men's heads are just as bare;
From the cradle to the grave
Lies a haircut and a shave.
~Samuel Goodman Hoffenstein


Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.  ~Sam Ewing


Women.... Who made 'em?  God must have been a... genius.  Their hair.  They say that the hair is everything, you know?  Have you ever buried your nose in a mountain of curls, and just wanted to go to sleep forever?  ~Bo Goldman, "The Start of an Education," made popular by the movie Scent of a Woman


When red headed people are above a certain social grade their hair is auburn.  ~Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court


Those curious locks so aptly twin'd,
Whose every hair a soul doth bind.
~Thomas Carew


If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in a library?  ~Lily Tomlin


Long, beautiful, gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen... I adore hair!  ~James Rado and Gerome Ragni, Hair


Violet will be a good color for hair at just about the same time that brunette becomes a good color for flowers.  ~Fran Lebowitz


Beauty draws us with a single hair.  ~Alexander Pope


Gentlemen prefer blondes... but gentlemen marry brunettes.  ~Anita Loos


Hair is vitally personal to children.  They weep vigorously when it is cut for the first time; no matter how it grows, bushy, straight or curly, they feel they are being shorn of a part of their personality.  ~Charles Chaplin, My Autobiography, 1964


Attired to please herself: no gems of any kind
She wore, nor aught of borrowed gloss in Nature's stead;
And, then her long, loose hair flung round her head
Fell carelessly behind.
~Publius Terentius Afer


[T]his is California.  Blondes are like the state flower or something.  ~From the television show Beverly Hills 90210


There is more felicity on the far side of baldness than young men can possibly imagine.  ~Logan Pearsall Smith


Only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.
~W.B. Yeats


It is foolish to tear one's hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness.  ~Cicero


To Crystal, hair was the most important thing on earth.  She would never get married because you couldn't wear curlers in bed.  ~Edna O'Brien


There is nothing more contemptible than a bald man who pretends to have hair.  ~Martial


Gray hair is a blessing - ask any bald man.  ~Author Unknown


You can't part the skin of a sausage,
Or a dad from his fond son and heir.
And you can't part the hair on a bald-headed man,
For there'll be no parting there.  ~Billy Bennett


Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair...  ~Susan Polis Shutz


A celebrity is any well-known TV or movie star who looks like he spends more than two hours working on his hair.  ~Steve Martin


A fine head of hair adds beauty to a good face, and terror to an ugly one.  ~Lycurgus


By common consent gray hairs are a crown of glory; the only object of respect that can never excite envy.  ~George Bancroft


There is one thing about baldness:  it's neat.  ~Don Herold


How can I control my life when I can't control my hair?  ~Author Unknown


It always seemed to me that men wore their beards, like they wear their neckties, for show.  ~D.H. Lawrence


I don't care if they call me "baldie" or "chrome dome."  God took an eraser and brushed my head clean.  I'd rather be bald on top than bald inside.  ~Joe Garagiola, 1975


A hair in the head is worth two in the brush.  ~Oliver Herford


Experience is a comb which nature gives us when we are bald.  ~Proverb

Study: Dose of laughter good for dementia

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals.Benevolant Society

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two


Follow alzheimersideas on twitter


smh.com

AAP

By Belinda Tasker, AAP Medical Correspondent

Laughter really could be the best medicine when it comes to treating older people with dementia.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Nursing home residents with dementia who were treated to amusing visits from a "humour therapist" and cared for by staff under the watchful eye of a "laughter boss" were found to be less agitated than those receiving more straight-laced care.

Four hundred residents from 36 nursing homes took part in the SMILE study led by University of NSW researchers who wanted to see if humour had an effect on people with dementia in terms of their mood, agitation levels, behaviour and social engagement.

The researchers worked with "humour therapist" Jean-Paul Bell, who co-founded the Humour Foundation and works as a "clown doctor" cheering up patients in children's hospitals.

Mr Bell replaced his crazy clown doctor outfit with one of an elevator attendant to become a "humour valet" for half the nursing home residents, most of whom had dementia, for three months.

The remaining 200 residents did not receive any extra doses of humor.

Mr Bell raised a smile or two by chatting away to imaginary people on the end of an old-style telephone handset and waved a magic wand about, asking residents what they wished for.

A member of staff at the nursing homes was also trained to be a "laughter boss" to ensure carers incorporated humour into their daily routines to maintain the cheery atmosphere.

Lead researcher Dr Lee-Fay Low said residents who received humor therapy showed a 20 per cent reduction in agitated behaviour such as aggression, wandering, screaming and repetitive behaviour.

She said she hoped the results would encourage more nursing homes to inject a bit more humor into their care routines.

"There's evidence to show that people with dementia still experience humor and to the same amount of enjoyment as people without dementia but they find different things funny," Dr Low said.

"I think in some facilities they are very task focused and think, 'we have to do baths, showers, food and cleaning' and because they are so busy looking after the clinical and physical needs of the residents they sometimes forget to look after the emotional needs so the lightheartedness (in the study) is part of that."

Mr Bell, who has set up the Arts Health Institute to train aged-care staff how to inject humour into nursing homes, said he was surprised by the changes in some residents.

"There was one resident who sat quietly and hardly spoke a word," he said.

"Over the next 12 weeks she blossomed, starting slowly with one or two words.

"Well, it wasn't long before she was greeting me and exchanging conversation - a new energy had awoken inside of her."

One in four people aged over 85 have dementia, which affects a person's ability to think, their behavior and ability to perform everyday tasks.

Laughter Therapy Book

The Importance of Nursing Home Activities

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is an article
that should interest you



by Sarah Matthews
Many people think a nursing home is a nasty, soul-less place where residents either lie in bed or sit endlessly in a rocking chair, waiting out their days until the inevitable happens. The reality – at least in a good nursing home – is far from that. Many people enter a nursing facility when they have lots of life in them yet, and look forward to years of fun and companionship, with daily activities to keep both their bodies and brains active

In fact, studies have shown that regular stimulating activities help half a decline in depression among nursing home residents, staving off dementia and keeping their spirits as well as their bodies alive. Activities are vital to keeping up residents’ mental and physical wellbeing, and even staff and visiting family and friends can take part – willingly – in the activities a good nursing home provides.

If you are looking to find a nursing home for a loved one who’s still capable of loving life, it’s important that you discover what types of activities are on offer – and how often they are available. In fact, nursing homes that take Medicare or Medicaid patients have to have a designated activities director to get the proper funding. But how well they carry out their job is something you will have to assess yourself…

“I think the residents I talk to who tell me there is nothing for them to do but sleep, eat and read the paper are looking for purpose to get up every morning,” writes Vicki30CNA on the allnurses.com website. “They do not look forward to the next day as they all run together. And our residents that are not as able get little to no stimulation besides toileting and shower. A few fold bibs every AM and see it as their ‘job’, but that job takes them a half hour. Then what, they tell me. I hate to see their last years months days so empty and without purpose. “

If you want to avoid this from happening to someone you love, read on. A wide variety of activities should be on offer at every nursing home, so make sure this is the case when considering a nursing home. Some residents may enjoy going out for lunch several times a week, shopping or visiting the local art gallery or cinema. Others will prefer on-site activities that stimulate their hearts and minds.

It might be a good idea to have a chat with the nursing home activities director to see what’s available. Here is just a handful of activities that a good nursing home should willingly provide…

Self-Starting Activities

Great as they require little preparation and can be planned by the residents themselves. They include:

Gardening. Depending on residents’ scope of mobility and interest, gardening can be as rigorous or as gentle as they want it to be. If there is a real garden that’s fantastic, if not then hanging baskets, small pots of herbs and indoor cactus or orchid collections can still keep the interest going.
Arts and crafts. Even older residents enjoy making something – especially when they feel it’s going to a good cause. Knitting blankets, making baby clothes or entering art or photographic contests can keep people busy and help them make a contribution to society at the same time.
Games. You might think bingo is the most popular nursing home game – and you’re right. But there’s more to competitive games than just bingo. How about bridge, mah-jong, canasta or chess – the sky’s the limit. One-on-one games are great for encouraging closer relationships among residents, and group games are also good for fostering a sense of community.
Musical-based activities. Don’t limit the fun to sing-alongs – you may even have professional musicians among the residents, or you may discover some hidden talents…

Volunteer-led Activities

Nail care, Bible study, hair salon day – all you need is a volunteer with a skill – and the time to make a difference in someone’s life…

School groups. It may sound cliched, but young people have a lot to learn from oldsters. This can take the form of Granny teaching little Albertine to knit, or visiting a school once a week and reading to the little ones. Many schools, in fact, encourage people from the outside – assuming they have been police-checked – to help kids who need a little bit extra with one-to-one reading or math exercises.
Local community groups. People who have a special talent often enjoy visiting nursing homes on a regular basis and sharing their skills. This can be giving residents massages or reflexology sessions, teaching them a special aspect about gardening, or giving a talk about growing orchids.
Scout groups. Often, scout troops visit nursing homes – gathering together to do something fun such as bake chocolate-chop cookies or build a birdhouse. The two groups can learn from each other and make use of each other’s skills and talents.
Local charities. People from charities often give their time to older people, whether that means preparing outings or having a Pet Therapy day when the local vet or employees from the animal shelter bring animals to visit.
Nursing Home-Led Activities

Themed events, such as birthdays or religious celebrations. Some creative residents get together with staff to plan events such as Hawaiian nights, Chinese New Year celebrations or Halloween or Thanksgiving festivities. Friends and family can be invited to join in – perhaps even residents of neighboring nursing homes as well.
Outdoor activities such as barbecues, picnics or a stroll through a park or garden center. In some cases volunteers may be called on to help residents with mobility issues.
A bit of culture. Going to the theatre, opera, museum or cinema can take some planning, but its worth it. Again, volunteer helpers and drivers may be necessary.
Alternative therapies. Everyone can benefit – as long as they’re not too invasive. Massage, yoga or Tai Chi can help residents have fun, get fit and relax.
Keeping people as happy and healthy as possible for as long as possible. both physically and mentally, should be the goal of every nursing home. Activities should be varied and interesting, suited to the different abilities, needs and interests of the residents. They should be not only fun but worthwhile, enabling residents to form new relationships, develop new skills, and keep up their fitness levels.

“We have a ’senior prom’ in May, where the local single Marines escort our residents (wheelchairs and all) for dancing and food, writes CoachCathy on the allnurses.com site. “We have gowns and suits donated by the local thrift stores. Local hair parlors come and do the hair and nails. Everyone has a blast.

“And we had a Winter wonderland theme last December – we made snowmen with diaper boxes painted white – and had a snowman decorating contest. The residents had an indoor snowball fight (with cotton balls). It was so much fun!”