Tips Prepared by Dr. Barrett

Brain-fog tips compiled by Paul T. Barrett, Ph.D.

Sleep hygiene tips compiled by Paul T. Barrett, Ph.D. Additional information about sleep, sleep disorders and common treatments can be found at sleepeducation.com, presented by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Insomnia Association.

Tips for remembering names compiled by Paul T. Barrett, Ph.D.

State and Local Organizations and Agencies

MemoryCare is a non-profit organization in Asheville providing state-of-the-art care and support for those with Alzheimer's and other memory and age-related impairments. They also support caregivers with education, counseling, and improved access to necessary services, and they provide community education.

The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services has a wealth of information about services, benefits, and protections for older adults in North Carolina.

The Land-of-Sky Regional Council Area Agency on Aging helps adults over the age of 60 in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties by providing a family caregiver support program, a senior community service employment program, and a long-term care ombudsman who serves as a mediator seeking to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of people living in long-term care facilities.

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County offers a variety of services to help older people remain safely in their homes. Seniors Safe at Home, Project ROSCO, Call A Ride, Medicare assistance, advice on taxes, and other services are accessed through their Information and Assistance Program. The Council on Aging can also be reached at 828-277-8288.

The Henderson County Council on Aging advocates for the elderly of Henderson County in all causes affecting their well-being. They coordinate a variety of services, including Meals on Wheels in Henderson County, congregate meals at the Sammy Williams Center, a hearing aid bank, and the Elder Neighbor Program. The Council on Aging also coordinates with Senior Advocates for the Elderly (S.A.F.E.), who assist elderly residents in acquiring needed social services that enable them to remain independent. As part of this program, a social worker visits seniors to assess each individual’s situation and to provide information concerning available services. Caseworkers and volunteers provide assistance in accessing needed services and follow-up. The Henderson County Council on Aging can also be reached at 828-692-4203

National Organizations and Agencies

The Alzheimer’s Association provides information about Alzheimer's disease, resources, research advances, publications, and events. It also provides information about the services and programs they offer directly and through local chapters. It is a comprehensive source of information and is highly recommended. Some of their services include the Safe Return program, which provides assistance when a person with Alzheimer's or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost locally or far from home.

The Alzheimer’s Society is the United Kingdom’s leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and caregivers. Their website has a great deal of information about Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Alzinfo.org is published by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation to educate people about Alzheimer’s disease. The website has general information about Alzheimer’s disease, It has a wealth of short news articles about caregiving, drugs and treatment, prevention and wellness, and diagnosis and causes. Most articles have references to the scientific studies they are based on.

The Alzheimer's & related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center has current, comprehensive Alzheimer's disease information and resources from the National Institute on Aging. The ADEAR Center’s staff of Information Specialists is available at 800-438-4380 (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday - Friday) to assist people with:

• Answers to specific questions about Alzheimer's disease

• Free publications about Alzheimer's disease symptoms, diagnosis, related disorders, risk factors, treatment, caregiving tips, home safety tips, and research

• Referrals to local supportive services

• Spanish language resources

• Clinical trials information

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation has articles about alcohol and drug abuse, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, caregiving, depression, geriatric psychiatry, and normal aging. It also has a directory of member geriatric psychiatrists and a list of Internet resources.

AARP's Staying Sharp Program provides science-based tools to assess your brain health in order to provide a personalized path to maintain and improve it. It's packed with information, activities and tools backed by the Global Council on Brain Health and designed to be both fun and effective.

BenefitsCheckUp is a free confidential service from the National Council on Aging (a national nonprofit group) that screens for federal, state and some local private and public benefit programs for adults over the age of 54. In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program.

Senior Housing Net is a commercial site that describes various housing options for older adults. It also has paid listings of facilities and companies providing various levels of care including independent living, continuing care, assisted living, Alzheimer’s care, and skilled nursing.

The AAA Senior Driver Website has tips and information for keeping your driving skills sharp and a directory of supplemental transportation programs for seniors. There is also a link to AAA's CarFit brochure to maximize the comfort and control of the vehicle you drive.

Physician resources

Recommended lab tests for patients with suspected dementia.

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry’s position statements are a variety of articles about the care and treatment of older adults focusing on those with dementia. Most position statements are more than 10 years old.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s information for healthcare providers to help them meet the challenges of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. This section of the association’s website includes guidelined and recommendations that can help you care for patients with dementia. They also have clinical resources to help your practice and professional development. This website has a great deal of current reliable information.

Recommended lab tests for elderly patients with suspected dementia.

The American Academy of Neurology’s practice guidelines recommend the following laboratory tests for elderly patients undergoing evaluation for suspected dementia:

It is generally a good idea to get results from these laboratory tests and treat any reversible conditions before referring a patient for a neuropsychological evaluation.