Eye Exams May Aid in Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

In research designed to improve early detection techniques for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, scientists in Australia have discovered that certain eye tests may provide a less invasive, though effective, tool. The study, conducted by AIBL (Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle), looked for abnormalities in retinal blood vessels to determine whether there was a correlation with increased amyloid plaque in the brain, one of the commonly accepted symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

To examine the relationship between what scientists call “retinal vascular parameters (RVPs)” and a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, AIBL’s researchers tested approximately 150 individuals, 25 of whom had a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. They took digital color photographs of the retinas of all participants, and then used software to evaluate 19 different factors, including the width of retinal blood vessels. Scientists found significant variations between those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the health participants in 13 of the 19 different measurements.

The Australian study produced results similar to those found in research led by Dr. Gilbert Feke, at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, in Boston. Feke’s research team only tested 34 people, but looked at three different groups: those with a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, those with some cognitive impairment, and those considered healthy. His researchers concluded that individuals with a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s had significantly narrower veins in their retinas than the other groups, and that the narrower veins led to restricted blood flow in the retina. The health group had the least restriction in retinal blood flow.

Researchers note that it makes great sense to examine the retina when looking for signs of Alzheimer’s. After all, says Feke, “the retina is part of the brain.”

Learn More about Your Options from Star Multi Care

At Star Multi Care, we offer a wide range of services to Alzheimer’s patients, including in-home health care. We also work with people in assisted living or other residential care facilities. To learn more about the ways we can help you and your loved ones, contact us online or call our office at 877-920-0600.

Home Health Care—Protecting Your Legal Interests

When you require health care services in your home, you want to make certain your legal rights and interests are protected. Attorney Bonnie Lawston, in Huntington Station, has provided sound counsel to seniors and their families for more than 15 years. She can work with clients and providers in New York and out of state.

According to government estimates, within 20 years nearly one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. As baby boomers continue to age, demands for medical care will increase significantly. For most Americans, that has long meant an eventual move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, or unpaid in-home care by a family member. More and more, though, home health care is becoming an option for more people.

Home health care providers have been around for over a century, but the services available exploded after then enactment of Medicare in 1965. According to the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), between 1967 and 1985, the number of Medicare-certified home health care agencies more than tripled, with almost 6,000 providers. Currently, some 12 million patients receive in-home care from more than 33,000 home health care agencies.

Covering the Costs of Home Health Care

Before Medicare, home health care was primarily available only to those who could pay for it out of their own pocket. Under Medicare, anyone over the age of 65 may qualify for in-home services, if they are homebound, under a physician’s care, and need certain skilled nursing or therapy services. There is also limited coverage available to low-income Americans under Medicaid. Public funds are also available under the Older Americans Act (OAA), through the Veterans Administration, and through community organizations or social services programs.

Commercial health insurance providers have also entered the market, providing policies that include coverage for both short-term in-home care and long-term in-home care needs. Major insurers, such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, typically offer cost-sharing programs for home health care services. Some group health plans also offer coverage for certain types of in-home health care treatment.

Learn More about Your Options from Star Multi Care

At Star Multi Care, we provide in-home health care, and also work with people in assisted living or other residential care facilities. To learn more about the ways we can help you and your loved ones, contact us online or call our office at 877-920-0600.

Home Health Care—Protecting Your Legal Interests

When you require health care services in your home, you want to make certain your legal rights and interests are protected. Attorney Bonnie Lawston, in Huntington Station, has provided sound counsel to seniors and their families for more than 15 years. She can work with clients and providers in New York and out of state.

In separate studies, two teams of researchers have found a mutation in a gene linked with inflammation that is tied to the most common form of Alzheimer’s. According to one scientist, those individuals who had the mutation had a four-fold increase in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that leads to memory loss and diminished cognitive skills.

First New Genetic Discovery in a Decade

Scientists have been aggressively looking for the genetic keys to Alzheimer’s for years. The new mutation, known as TREM2, is rarer than the best-known genetic link to date, ApoE4, which is found in about 40% of late-onset Alzheimer’s patients. The TREM2 appears in less than 4% of those patients.

The Significance of TREM2

The TREM2 gene regulates the protein in tissue cells that “clean up garbage,” according to Dr. Kari Stefansson, a researcher with decode Genetics, a private company out of Reykjavik. When these genes mutate, it changes the ways in which excess toxic proteins from beta amyloid are processed. Beta amyloid is an amino acid in the brain that scientist have long associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s. Scientists believe that beta amyloids collect a “plaque,” which interferes with normal brain function.

The initial study of TREM2 was conducted using test subjects exclusively from Iceland. To confirm that the findings were not unique to Icelanders, similar studies were conducted in the United State, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands. All the studies came to essentially the same conclusion.

Researchers caution, however, that they are still in the very early stages of identifying the causes of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Stefansson acknowledges that Alzheimer’s is “ a complex disease.” Scientists expect to find other genes related to Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Care from Star Multi Care

Star Multicare offers a wide range of in-home health care services to Alzheimer’s sufferers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. We also work with individuals in assisted living or other residential care facilities. For more information about the ways we can help you and your loved ones, contact us online or call our office toll free number:(877) 920--0600

Home Health Care—Legal Concerns

When you need home health care, it’s important to make certain your legal rights and interests are protected. Attorney Bonnie Lawston, in Huntington Station, has worked with seniors and their families for more than 15 years, addressing all matters related to home health care services. She advises clients and providers in New York and out of state.

Author: Star Multi Care: Stephen Sternbach

Bonnie Lawston: Law Offices of Bonnie Lawston

Home Health Care Not Directly Affected by Fiscal Cliff Agreement

Fears that the resolution of the federal budget crisis might lead to significant cuts affecting home health care providers proven unfounded, as President Obama and legislators came to an agreement that, at least for now, will have no direct impact on home health care. Prior legislation had already called for $77 billion in cuts in the Medicare home health care benefit over the next ten years, and home health care industry advocates worried that additional cuts might be forthcoming.  Such cuts, according to Val J. Halamandaris, president of NAHC (the National Association of Home Care and Hospice), would have made it much more difficult for home health care providers to cost-effectively offer their services, which continue to have high demand.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which resolved the “fiscal cliff” crisis, did repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act, or CLASS. In its place, Congress and President Obama established a 15 member Long Term Care Commission, which is charged with both defining the problems associated with providing long term care, and offering solutions. Those solutions would then be taken up by Congress.

Industry watchdogs caution that the fight is not over yet. The deal negotiated between the President and Congress did not address federal borrowing limits, which are expected to be reached in approximately two months. It is anticipated that there will be new legislative efforts at that time, which may include further health care cuts, particularly in light of President Obama’s call for Medicare reform as a component of future deficit reductions.

Learn More about Your Options from Star Multi Care

Star Multi Care offers a wide range of in-home health care services, from Alzheimers’ and diabetic care to post-hospitalization treatment. We also work with individuals in assisted living or other residential care facilities. For more information about the ways we can help you and your loved ones, contact us online or call our office at (877) 920-0600

Home Health Care—Legal Concerns

When you need home health care, it’s important to make certain your legal rights and interests are protected. Attorney Bonnie Lawston, in Huntington Station, has worked with seniors and their families for more than 20 years, addressing all matters related to home health care services. She advises clients and providers in New York and out of state.

Home Health Care—Legal Concerns

When you need home health care, it’s important to make certain your legal rights and interests are protected. Attorney Bonnie Lawston, in Huntington Station, has worked with seniors and their families for more than 20 years, addressing all matters related to home health care services.

Our office can provide you and your family with a wealth of information on how to best handle the home care issues facing you today and how they affect your finances now an in the future.  We can give you advice on how to protect your assets based upon your current situation and what to expect for the future.   Many of our parents worked very hard for what they have and they want to protect it for themselves but also for their children.  We will work with you to prepare the legal documents that you need to carry out your desires and maximize your family’s inheritance. We prepare all the necessary documents such as living wills, health care proxies and other directives including funeral arrangements, power of attorney documents, Wills and Trusts.   We will explain the advantages and disadvantages to you.   Allow the “Law” in Lawston to work for you.