Understanding and managing the up and down behavior and mood swings experienced by those with Alzheimer’s is a never-ending cycle for family caregivers, and a draining one at that. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association ranks personality changes as one of the top reasons families make the painful decision to place their loved one with Alzheimer’s into a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Promising new research, however, is offering hope! What if your brain could be adjusted like a dimmer switch to correct a dysfunction….adjusting the brain “up” or “down” to bring new life to dying areas of the brain or to calm hyperactive areas? For those with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression, it appears we are getting close to a procedure that can do just that.
Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is becoming a much more precise method, helping physicians pinpoint brain disturbances and intervene within brain circuits and adjust behaviors and moods to help patients with these diseases live more normal lives. This fascinating TED talk from Dr. Andres Lazano shows a dramatic demonstration of using DBS to stop tremors in a woman with Parkinson’s disease as well as illustrates how DBS can turn parts of the brain that have been shut down by Alzheimer’s back on.
Watch how DBS can help people with a variety of ailments and diseases lead healthier lives.
If you have a loved one struggling through the challenges of Alzheimer’s, there is hope and help at Live Free Home Health Care, where our Central new Hampshire home care services are provided by caregivers specially trained by a Certified Dementia Practitioner in diffusing such difficult behaviors as aggression, frustration, wandering, depression, and sundowning. We invite you to browse through our free Alzheimer’s resources, or call us at 603-217-0149 to learn more.