This week on Tuesday November 15th Miami Jewish Health Systems hosted a Multicultural Conference on Alzheimer's. This unique educational symposium was billed as "Dealing with Alzheimer's from a traditional, holistic, spiritual and mystical perspective." Alzheimer's Disease is a form of dementia commonly found in the elderly population, while presenters at the conference pointed out that even younger people can develop this condition and risk factors that may contribute to Alzheimer's are present in people of all ages. The incidence of Alzheimer's has reached epidemic proportions as more and more individuals and families are confronted with the challenges associated with this neurodegenerative disease.
This conference presented news on current findings about Alzheimer's Disease and progress being made with treatment and prevention approaches. The main speakers were Marc Agronin, M.D. from Miami Jewish Health Systems along with John Lewis, Ph.D., from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Richard Isaacson, M.D., from the University of Miami School of Medicine Neurology Department. These experts discussed clinical research, examining how genetic and lifestyle risk factors contribute to the development of Alzheimer's Disease.
Some current research is focusing on helping the immune system clear away beta-amyloid protein build-ups that are widely believed to be responsible for the brain degeneration associated with the illness. While Dr. Agronin reported some preliminary success with creating a vaccine that helps stimulate the immune system to carry out this task, there are already a variety of things people can use or apply that are shown to help prevent Alzheimer's or slow its progression. Diet and lifestyle are major factors, and avoiding refined foods such as sugars, hydrogenated oils, and most saturated fats, was identified as helpful in reducing one's risk for Alzheimer's as well as other common health challenges like heart disease and diabetes. Supplements of antioxidants such as grape seed extract have been identified as valuable, and according to the presenters other research has reported benefits from DHA (essential fatty acid in algaes and fish oils), curcumin (turmeric spice), B vitamins, and glyconutrients (saccharides found in plants such as aloe vera and seaweed). Even a compound found in coconuts has been isolated and concentrated as a "medical food" to help people diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Lewis and his colleagues suggested that regular mental and physical exercise along with a mostly plant-based whole food diet will reduce one's risk for developing what are often viewed as age-related health challenges.
Additional topics addressed in the conference included caregivers' beliefs and traditions, vibrational healing, music therapy, acupuncture, anti-aging, exercise, hypnosis, cultural diversity and healthcare decisions, finding meaning in life transitions, and music therapy. While the main presenters exhibited optimism about their research and progress being made in finding ways to treat and prevent Alzheimer's more effectively, Dr. Lewis pointed out that our society needs to be more responsible about educating people to take care of their health, as he has visited foreign countries where public health efforts appear to be more progressive and advanced than what has been applied in America. For those already coping with Alzheimer's there are a variety of resources and holistic wellness aids available.
Many studies and clinical reports have shown the benefits of music with dementia patients, and some recent findings have demonstrated positive effects from therapies like reiki, which are designed to clear away stress and balance subtle energies. Therese Silva Johnson, a gerontologist and owner of a facility that treats many Alzheimer's patients began to provide reiki treatments at her facility. As she experimented with these treatments she noted that although the disease progressed, her patients did not suffer the usual level of symptoms of anxiety, agitation, pain, and physical discomfort. Pacing and wandering were drastically reduced. Paranoia began to subside. The mere laying on of hands allowed patients to become completely relaxed, more present, and lucid. Wounds healed in half the time with daily 5-10 minute Reiki treatments. Johnson found that even those patients who normally resisted different kinds of touch (bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.) welcomed and even asked for Reiki. Reiki can even be given as a long distance treatment for those with special needs as it does not require physical touch - it only requires a spiritual or energetic resonance connection. Therese developed a program for reiki therapy to be applied by caregivers, which can be found at www.reikimastertherese.com/TreatingAlzheimers.pdf
M. Deborah Salach at San Francisco State University found in her research, published in 2006, that reiki reduces depression & anxiety in Alzheimer's dementia patients. Meanwhile, study authors Crawford, Leaver, & Mahoney found benefits of reiki provided to Alzheimer's patients at a Native American Indian reservation in Maine, sharing their findings in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2006. With patients and caregivers experiencing stress and emotional depletion, this type of therapy can help foster peace and harmony and replenish the energy of those addressing the everyday challenges of Alzheimer's.
For those struggling with Alzheimer's and those caring for people exhibiting dementia, it is helpful to be aware of the spectrum of resources that can provide assistance. Working with body, mind, and spirit, and building a culture of support, can make a world of difference.
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