Debating the Effectiveness of Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a Moisturizer

Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil an Effective Treatment for Dry Skin?   

The Jury Hasn’t Returned Yet

Evelyn Smith
 

Popular culture and folk medicine advocates the use of extra virgin olive oil as an emollient or moisturizer, but unfortunately few medical studies actually prove its usefulness since it is often tested under extenuating circumstances—such as in the treatment of chemical warfare wounds or in the easing of dermatitis caused by diaper rash in premature infants. While these studies establish that olive oil when used with another ingredient helps alleviate dry skin, they do not necessarily establish its complete effectiveness when used alone.  Similarly, the olive-oil potions recommended in the sampling of self-help blogs summarized below also often pair olive oil with another ingredient, such as shea butter, castor oil, or pineapple.  This may suggest a trend that perhaps cashes in on the current popularity of the Mediterranean diet, but it may indicate the need for future randomized, double-blind trials that study the benefits of olive oil’s use as a topical agent especially when treating the dry skin of the elderly.  

Popular Cultural References to Olive Oil 

as a Moisturizer or Emollient

Hardyal, S. (2011, June 14).  What is the benefit of olive butter for skin care?  Livestrong.  Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/305014-what-is-the-benefit-of-olive-butter-for-skin-care/

Hardyal counsels the use of a mixture of olive oil and shea butter since it doesn’t wash off easily like a lotion, and she suggests adding corn starch to the recipe if this is too greasy (Hardyal, 2011, para. 1 & 3). She notes that extra virgin olive oil is hypoallergenic and contains the antioxidants A and E (Hardyal, 2011, para. 4).  However, she also suggests that the olive oil/shea butter mix should only be used on dry skin since shea butter is too heavy for oily skin.  Finally, Hardyal cites the Kiechl-Kohlendorfer trial, summarized in the scholarly references below, as the use of a treatment for diaper rash in premature infants as proof of olive oil’s effectiveness.  

Kartha, D. (2010, January 13). Olive oil as a moisturizer.  Buzzle. Retrieved from
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/olive-oil-as-a-moisturizer.html

Kartha claims olive oil not only keeps skin hydrated, but it also relieves the effects of acne and sunburn (Kartha,  2010, para. 1) since olive oil contains polypherol compounds that protect the skin from damage (Kartha, 2010, para. 1 & 5). She recommends using olive oil as a bath oil, topical moisturizer, and when blended with pineapple as a facial mask.

Ocano, S. C. (2013, March 1).  Ingredient of the week—extra virgin olive oil.  My Valley News. Retrieved from http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/69731/

The moisturizing properties of extra virgin olive oil regenerate skin cells and soften skin tissue.  However, olive oil has a short shelf life since it oxidizes when exposed to air.  Accordingly, it loses much of its effectiveness after two months (Ocano, 2013, para. 8 & 9).

TSH. (2009, October 12).  How to clean your face naturally.  Simple Mom.  Retrieved from http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/

An un-identified author advocates a 50 percent extra-virgin olive oil and 50 percent castor oil blend since the castor oil draws the dirt out of pores and the olive oil moisturizes the skin (TSH, 2009, para. 6). The user should massage this liquid into dry skin, steam the face, and then wipe off the oil (TSH, 2009, para. 7-9), although admitting that the user won’t need to do this more than once daily, and other oils such as jojoba, grapeseed, and flaxseed may exhibit similarly moisturizing properties (TSH, 2009, para. 12-13).  She also suggests that adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil added to the castor/olive oil blend clears up acne.

Scholarly References to Olive Oil as 

a Moisturizer or Emollient

Kiechl-Kohlendorfer, J., Berger C., & Inzinger, R. (2008, March-April). The effect of daily treatment with an olive oil/lanolin emollient on skin integrity in preterm infants. Pediatric Dermatology.  25(2), 174-178. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2008.00627.x 

This Austrian study randomly assigned premature infants to either water-in-oil emollient cream with a mixture of 70 percent lanolin to 30 percent olive oil, and a control group  that treated neonatal infants for four weeks, comparing the infants degree of dermatitis at the end of each week. Those preemies treated with the lanolin and olive oil creamed showed less dermatitis than those with a water-in-oil Bepanthen diaper-rash cream, and both did better than the control group. 

Panahi, Y, Davoudi, S. M., Sahebkar, A., Beiraghdar, F., Dadjo, Y, Ferzi, I, Amirchoopahi, G., and Zamani, A. (2012, June).  Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera/olive oil cream versus betamethasone cream for chronic skin lesions following sulfur mustard exposure: A randomized double-blind clinical trial. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology. 31(2), 95-103. doi: 10.3109/15569527.2011.614669

Iranian physicians performed a randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy of an aloe vera and olive oil cream with a 0.1 percent betamethasone cream for the treatment of skin lesions complicated by sulfur mustard intoxication whereupon both treatments significantly reduced the frequency of itching and burning sensations; however, only the aloe vera/olive oil cream reduced the fissure and abrasions caused by scratching. 

Verallo-Rowell, V. M., Dillague, K. M., Syah-Tjundawan, B.S. (2008, November-December).  Novel antibacterial and emollient effects of coconut and virgin olive oils in adult atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis. 19(6), 308-15. doi: 10.2310/6620.2008.08052

Philippines research in a double-blind ,controlled trial compared the treatment with either olive oil or coconut oil of dermatitis patients in two dermatology outpatient clients  and found that coconut oil was more like to kill Staphylococcus  aureus, a staph infection associated with dry skin.

Conclusion: This Topical Treatment Needs Study

While advocates of extra virgin olive oil use as a topical treatment for dry skin tout its use, more study needs to take place to fully establish its value.  In the meanwhile, since most moisturizers list alcohol in their list of ingredients, the elderly might benefit from the use of olive oil as an alcohol-free emollient to treat the dry skin.

The medial links furnished on this Web page represent the opinions of their authors, so they complement—not substitute—for a physician's advice.

Preventing Skin Tears in Nursing Home Patients

Skin Tear Care



Evelyn Smith

M. S. in Library Science, University of North Texas (2012)

Any family member who has received a phone call at the end of a nurse's shift about a loved one's recently discovered skin tear will welcome this bibliography of articles on the causes and prevention of skin tears. Nurses and attendants will also benefit from these references.

Personal experiences, however, occasion the research that resulted in this Web page.  Although my STEM class that inspired one of the primary topics of this blog,  Mild Cognitive Impairment, ended in May 2011, Mother is now in her third year of living on a hospice ward of a nursing home that specializes in the care of dementia patients since she needs help with all her activities of daily living.  Her skin  is paper thin not only because she is now 87, but also because even though she is given a liquid  multiple vitamin daily, and  the staff dietician and the ward’s charge nurse routinely monitor her food and water intake, she  rarely goes outside the building, so her skin lacks the vitamin D nutrients that it otherwise would have.

However, providing a diet rich in vitamins  C, D, and E and when weather permits making sure that she receives a sunbath in warm weather of about ten minutes daily, using a PH-neutral cleanser and moisturizing her skin in the morning and at night, and dressing her in long sleeves, cotton gardener gloves, and pants might help prevent some future skin tears.  Nevertheless, since the cause of some skin tears must remain a mystery, the careful covering of her skin tears with dressings and adhesives that will not further damage the skin is also necessary. 

Bank, D. (2006, August 31).  Preventing skin tears in a nursing and rehabilitation center: An interdisciplinary effort. OWN: Ostomy Wound Management.  Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16980728

A connection exists between dry skin and skin tears because dry skin makes aging skin more susceptible to trauma. Trauma, in turn, makes for more skin tears.  These injuries result when the outer skin level, or epidermis, separates from the dermis, the skin layer immediately underneath it.  As the rete ridge that joins these two layers flattens with age, institutionalized patient more likely to suffer from skin tears. Using harsh soap with a high PH value further dries the skin and lessens its water-holding ability, but applying an emollient or moisturizer twice daily to the arms and legs lessens the chance of skin tears.

Fleck, C. A. (2007). FAQs: Preventing and treating skin tears.  Advances in skin and wound care.  Journal for Prevention and Healing. 20(6), 315-321.  Retrieved from
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/static?pageid=727851

The ridge separating the epidermis and dermis begins to flatten as early as the sixth decade of life; however, patients totally dependent on others for their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are particularly at risk for skin tears most often on their forearms and arms.  Skin tears not only result in bruised skin, but they also result in fluid loss, and edema. Furthermore, skin tears and bruising (a.k.a. Senile Purpura of the skin) decrease pain perception.

Older skin heals more slowly than younger skin because of a reduced inflammatory response, a delayed formation of new blood vessels, the dwindling function of sebaceous (sweat), glands, a decrease in  collagen, and changes in aging skin that result in skin discoloration.  All of which causes a slower formation of the healing tissue that grows over a wound.

If a skin-tear occurs, both health-care professionals and a patient’s relatives should be familiar with the Payne-Martin skin-tear classification system that covers three levels of skin tears from best case to worst case scenario:

Category 1: Skin tear without tissue loss;

Category 2: Partial tissue loss;

Category 3: Complete tissue loss.

Since skin tears can influence the patient’s general well-being, prevention of skin tears should be the goal of all caregivers.  Accordingly, Fleck suggests the following preventive internal and external measures:

• Keep the patient well-hydrated by monitoring fluid in-take;

• Moisturize the skin since mature skin has a decreased percentage of sweat glands a lessened ability to retain moisture and dermal proteins;

• Dress  the patient in long-sleeves and slacks or else wrap his or her legs in gauze;

• Put gloves on the patient [instead of socks or mittens], which he or she can easily remove.

Older skin is ordinarily drier than younger skin,

so it needs moisturizing.

Jennigan, K. (2010, April 21).   What are the cause of thin skin in the elderly?  Livestrong.com. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/109989-causes-thin-skin-elderly/

Changes in connective tissue and collagen result not only in sagging skin, but an increasingly dry skin is more likely to suffer water loss, skin tears, bruising, or the formation of small hemorrhages , or Senile Purpura, and possible infection.  Additionally, the elderly slowly loss fat or else it moves to the abdomen.  This causes an additional thinning of fat cells in the arms and legs. Because both sweat production declines and oil-decreasing glands lessen their effectiveness, it’s harder for the skin to retain moisture, so moisturizers need to be applied.

Hamilton, E, (2013).  How to protect the skin from skin tears. Aged Carer.  Retrieved from
http://www.agedcarer.com.au/topic/aged-care-tips/ageing-skin-care/how-prevent-and-care-skin-tears

The elderly are at risk for skin care because of their dry and fragile skin, the use of multiple medications, poor nutrition and hydration, immobility and the harm that results from their inability to move themselves, and [all too often] chronic diseases, such as diabetes.  Since incontinent nursing home patients often have to have their clothes changed several times daily, Hamilton recommends that the patient’s family buys fabrics that easily stretch and/or a size too large.  The use of padded sheepskin booties, bed-cover pads, elbow protectors, and seat covers for wheelchairs, as well as air mattresses and long-sleeved shirts and blouses can protect against possible skin tears. Once a skin tear occurs, the use of silicon-based adhesives, tubular and roller bandages may prevent further skin damage.

Malone, M. L., Rozario, N. Gavinski, M., and Goodwin, J. (1991, June).  The epidemiology of skin tears in the institutionalized elderly (Abstract only).  Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 39(6), 591-595. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2037750

Incidence of skin tears for females increases with age.  Eighty percent of all skin tears occur in the arms and forearms, and over half of these result from unknown causes.

Miner, K. Katz, M, & Razor, B. (2009, November 1).  Skin tear and management.  Nevada RNformation.  Free Library. Retrieved from
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Skin+tear+prevention+and+management.-a0214204947

Miner, Katz, and Razor offers a long-list of strategies to prevent skin tears:

• Training staff in positioning, turning, lifting, and transferring methods;

• Dressing patients in long sleeves, pants, and gloves or else placing tubular dressings on the arms as an added layer of protection;

• Padding wheelchair arms, bed rails, and sharp furniture edges;

• Avoiding harsh soaps, scrubbing while bathing;

• Gently patting patients dry;

• Applying moisturizers without alcohol;

• Maintaining hydration levels;

• Using mild PH balanced skin cleansers.

Once a skin tear occurs, they recommend

• Using hydrogel sheets, silicon-faced foam, and bio-cellulose dressings that can remain in place for three, five, and seven days respectively or else using tubular-support bandages;

• Using adhesive closure strips if the skin tear has a flap.

Skin tears: The clinical challenge. (2006, September 3).  Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisor. 3(3), 5-10. Retrieved from
http://patientsafetyauthority.org/ADVISORIES/AdvisoryLibrary/2006/Sep3(3)/Pages/01b.aspx

Statistics occasioned by skin tears in Pennsylvania hospitals and nursing homes may prove useful when predicting patients particularly susceptible to skin tears:

• "Skin integrity events" cause 62 percent of all skin tears while 32 percent of skin tears result from falls;

• Patients age 75 to 84 have 41 percent of all skin tears;

• Males have slightly more skin tears (52 percent) than females (48 percent);

• Skin tears most frequently take place on the forearms and arms, followed by the hands and legs;

• Catching the skin on unpadded furniture and safety guards often causes skin tears; 

• At particular risk are patients over the are of 70, those with hearing and/or vision loss, compromised nutrition, a history of skin tears, dementia, and dependence on others to take care of their ADLs. 

The Pennsylvania Safety Advisor recommends the following preventive measures:

• Modifying the patient’s environment; 

• Providing adequate nutrition and hydration;

• Avoiding activities that cause friction and shearing;

• Taking special caution when removing tape. 

Stephen-Haynes, J. & Corville, K. (2011).  Skin tears made easy.  Wounds International. 2(4).  Retrieved from http://www.woundsinternational.com/made-easys/skin-tears-made-easy/page-4

Stephen-Haynes and Corville both identify risk factors for developing skin tears as well as offer suggestions to reduce their possibility:

Risk factors include

• Age and gender;

• History of previous skin tears;

• Dry fragile skin;

• Steroids;

• Bruising;

• Impaired mobility and/or vision;

• Poor nutrition and hydration;

• Cognitive impairment;

• Compromised vascularity;

• Chronic heart disease, renal failure, or cerebral disease;

• Dependence upon others for dressing, bathing, or transferring.

Preventive measures include

• Trimmed finger nails;

• No jewelry;

• Padding of wheelchairs, bed rails, and furniture with sharp corners;

• Care in transfer;

• Adequate lighting at night for still mobile patients;

• Use of lifting devices and slide sheets;

• Use of Ph-neutral cleansers instead of soap;

• Moisturizers applied regularly;

• Changing adult diapers regularly for incontinent patients;

• Gently removing peripheral devices;

• Use of barrier film or cream instead of taped bandages;

• Use of tubular and roller bandages;

• Dressing the patient in long-sleeved clothing and pants.

Conclusion

A review of these articles underlines the idea that skin tear prevention should be a joint venture that involves both the nursing home staff and a concerned and regularly involved family member.  This is particularly true in the case of dementia patients since they might  scratch themselves without realizing that this results in a skin tear. 

That might also mean that the patient's family may need to buy larger clothing sizes and regularly drop in at the nursing home to see that the patient is actually wearing large-sleeved shirts and pants, being bathed with PH-neutral skin cleansers instead of soaps, and having attendants regularly apply moisturizer without alcohol.  The last is harder than it sounds, although the nursing home administrator where Mother lives recommends using olive oil.  If a family member regularly visits the patient, this will also let the nursing staff know that someone truly cares about his or her welfare.  Even so, when a nurse calls late at night reporting a skin tear, this worries loved ones. 

The medical links furnished on this Web page represent the opinions of their authors, so they complement—not substitute—for a physician's advice.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Barker Engineering Library and the Hayden Science Library

Critiquing MIT'S Barker Engineering Library & the Hayden Science Library

Evelyn Smith

M.S. in Library Science, University of North Texas  (2012)

The Barker Engineering Library at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is justifiably proud of its newly remodeled reading room under the Great Dome of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that features quiet study spaces (Gabridge, n.d., para. 3 and 4). However, the Barker Library also includes a media room with video conferencing and group study space (Gabridge, 2011, para. 3).

But the Barker library is only one of the Massachusetts of Technology’s STEM Libraries

since the Hayden Science Library houses the rest of the science and technical collections there. Of particular interest is the 24-hour study room that allows group study as well as furnishing comfortable seating study tables, photocopying, wireless access and two onsite computers (Hayden, para. 2, 2011, January 2). This study space follows a trend that is also found in public school libraries where micro environments are included in a larger space (Lau, 2002, March 3, para. 12). Additionally, all MIT libraries also follow a mantra established at the public school level wherein not only does form follow function, but it also follows flexibility (Lau, 2002, March 3, para. 7).

The most important user-spaces, at MIT, however, might be the electronic ones since the libraries furnish an impressive collection or live videos, recorded workshops, and research guides for MIT classes. Among the video tutorials lists are tutorials explaining database search tips, citation management tools, bio-information tutorials, GIS, patents, scholarly publications and copyright (MIT Engineering and Science Libraries, n.d.). Undoubtedly many MIT students keep the page entitled “Keeping Current with Research” bookmarked (Keeping Current, n.d.)

References

Gabridge, T. and Silver, H. (n.d.). About the Barker Engineering Library. MIT Engineering and Science Libraries. Retrieved May 7, 2011, from http://libraries.mit.edu/esl/barker/about-barker.html

Lau, D. (2002, March 3). The shape of tomorrow. School Library Journal. Retrieved May 7, 2011, from http://www.schoolibraryjournal.com/articleCA198862.html

MIT Engineering and Science Libraries. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2011, from
http://libraries.mit.edu/hayden/24study.html

24/7 study space in Hayden Library. 2011, January 2). Hayden Circulation. MIT Libraries.Retrieved May 7, 2011, from http://libraries.mit.edu/hayden/24study.html

Keep current with research. (n.d.). MIT Engineering and Science Libraries.Retrieved May 7, 2011, Retrieved from http://libraries.mit.edu/esl/current.html

Some Additional Tips on Handling Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s

 

Time-tested Tips from a Caretaker

 Evelyn Smith

Although the previous post cites sources, this blog page comes from a caretaker’s personal experience.  Although everyone who suffers from Mild Cognitive Impairment is different, perhaps these observations will help other caregivers. Please read the earlier blog entry first since this blog entry only offers this blogger's personal experiences as a caretaker of a  MCI-diagnosed patient.

Diagnosis

As soon as family members see a loved one exhibit symptomatic behavior, they should schedule an appointment with a neurologist:

• Problems with word usage, which means lots of circumlocution,
• Getting lost in familiar surroundings,
• The failure to function up to usual capacity and education level,
• A change in personality, for instance, when an introverted individual morphs into an extrovert.

If a relative is diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, which usually affects verbal memory, then cholesterase inhibitors, like Aricept and Donepezil, can delay the onset of dementia for about a year.  However, these medications lose their ability to alleviate symptoms of dementia after three years. They can also upset the stomach (as this caretaker knows from experience), so some patients may not be able to tolerate the increasing dosage schedule.

Case in point:  I discovered Mother’s “problem” during a long-distance phone call in the spring of 2000.  Mother told me she had gone to the “chicken place” after church, and it took me 30 minutes to find out she was talking about Long John Silver’s. After I moved back to my home town, Mother started taking Aricept in August 2000, and I was able to keep her at home until February 2008 whereupon she entered a nursing home that cares exclusively for Alzheimer’s patients because I could not lift on her.

Diet

If a relative lives alone and does not want to lose those final vestiges of independence, he or she may need some help along the way:

·        Go shopping with the MCI-diagnosed individual and make sure that he or she picks out healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.  Often times, individuals with MCI retain the ability to use the microwave and most probably can still make a morning cup of coffee, but they have lost the ability to coordinate a balanced meal. For instance, the diet of a MCI-diagnosed couple I knew consisted almost entirely of Lean Cuisine microwave dinners.  I suspect that they had lost the ability to prepare anything else.

·        Make sure the MCI-diagnosed individual dines with friends and relatives as often as possible as they include him or her in family meals.  For example, before I moved in with my mom, I ate all my evening meals with her from August 2000 to January 2006; at which point, I became a live-in caretaker. This meant that even before I moved in with her, she had at least one well-balanced meal a day.

·        Make sure to control for portion size.  As MCI and Alzheimer’s progresses, the individual may lose his or her sense of this.  In other words, when serving a MCI-diagnosed individual, make sure that he or she only takes a few cookies—not the whole plate.

Exercise

While 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily is ideal, everyone also benefits from stretching and bending activities as well.

·        Church groups often schedule exercise activities just for seniors; however, an MCI-diagnosed individual may not attend if he or she does not have a buddy to go with to these sessions. Since I worked full time, I could not do this, but in retrospect, I wonder if one of her friends might have been able to persuade her to participate in some of these sessions.

·        Get a dog:  While I was working, my mother would insist on walking my little Yorkie twice a day for thirty minutes, no matter how much I tried to dissuade her from doing so. 

·        Gardening and housecleaning mean stretching and bending, but if the MCI-diagnosed individual has any obsessive-compulsive tendencies, obsessive compulsive disorder will certainly manifest itself while doing these activities.  

·        Seniors with arthritis need to control it, so they can exercise. Glucosamine chondroitin worked well for Mother, although she needed to substitute a drink mix for a pill or capsule.  Even though she is now in hospice care, I still provide her with a Knox glucosamine chondroitin drink mix.

Coping Skills and Instructional Activities of Daily Living

MCI-diagnosed individuals need the support of friends and family members as they try to cope with an increasingly bewildering world.

·        Along the way, MCI-diagnosed individuals often lose the ability to differentiate between fraudulent get-rich schemes and efficiently managing their finances.  Signs of this include a mail box filled with lottery letters that require consideration on the receiver’s part (“Just enclose $25.00, and we’ll send you the grand prize of 10 million dollars) as well as mail from all kinds of charities, while at the same time, the MCI-diagnosed person may fail to pay bills on time.  In Mother’s case, this necessitated a Post Office Box as well as a trust officer and an on location relative with power of attorney handling the finances.  Be forewarned, however, that while the MCI-diagnosed individual might believe everything friendly strangers say, he or she will not take too kindly to an intervening family member.

·        Before a MCI-diagnosed individual shows signs of dementia, he or she needs to make out a will, a living will, and give a trusted relative power of attorney as well as perhaps arrange with a family member’s help to have the trust department at a local bank handle finances.  Unfortunately, however, that MCI-diagnosis makes it a little too late to buy long-term care insurance. 

If I might cite a  personal example: Fortunately, Mother had three years of LTC coverage through my dad’s employer, which cut her nursing home expenses for these  years in a nursing home almost in half. The best age to buy LTC insurance is in the early 50’s before its gets prohibitively expensive.

·        MCI-diagnosed individuals and patients with early Alzheimer’s are very embarrassed by their failing memory and growing inability to function. Accordingly, they may want to do everything themselves.  This might include getting up and down without the aid of a cane. This caused Mother much embarrassment on several memorable occasions. 

·        Taking the car away from a parent is perhaps the hardest task a caretaker ever has to do. With Mother, this was done in stages since for a couple of years she drove to church on Sunday while I sat on the passenger side of the front seat.  (Needless to say, I did not look forward to Sundays.)  She lost this privilege, however, when she backed into the garage door.  I kept the keys on my person at all times.  

Mother, incidentally, was a latch-key parent for over a year; at which time, a Visiting Angel came from 10 a.m. to 2 p. m.  Later a second paid caretaker also came from 2 to 5 p. m.  (I had about 30 minutes from the time I got off work, teaching school, before the last caretaker left at five.  This meant a mad dash to the post office or the bank on the way home since I was Mother’s caretaker during the evening hours).  

·        I cannot emphasize enough the support of the friends of MCI-diagnosed individuals and Alzheimer’s patients. Unfortunately, however, all too often, their former peers as well as some of their family members neglect them.   Just sending a card on Mother’s Day card or noting in passing that he or she is on the prayer list should not do.

Cognitive Activities

Remember that except in certain instances MCI-diagnosed individuals lack the attention span they earlier had.  Nevertheless, they can continue to enjoy some of the activities that have previously given their life meaning.

·        While using a computer to surf the Web boosts cognitive activity, do not assume that providing a MCI-diagnosed individual with a computer means he or she will use it. For example, my brother bought Mother a computer, so they could e-mail each other.  She attempted twice to take a continuing-education class in computer use at a local community college, but otherwise found the computer useless except for playing solitaire.  For example, I had to retrieve any e-mails sent to her.   All of which was a little surprising since she earlier had taught business subjects and typing both at the high school level and at a local community college.

·        If your relative displays a particular talent, he or she should focus on it.  For instance, my mother played the piano beautifully, so she spent countless hours a day practicing after her diagnosis with MCI because she had read that challenging activities could delay dementia.  Indeed, she was able to sight read and play really difficult classical pieces after she lost her ability to speak and after she was forced to enter an Alzheimer’s care center perhaps because she had trained as a concert pianist in her youth.

·        Attending religious services is one activity MCI-diagnosed individuals and Alzheimer’s patients can enjoy.   I took Mother to church, or rather she insisted upon going, until a forced stay in the hospital eventually sent her to a nursing home.  Please also remember that regularly scheduled activities sometimes require an enabler who can carry the conversation.  For instance, Mother drafted me into attending retired faculty meetings and faculty wives teas at the local university as well as meetings for her study club, even though I took off work to do so. 

·        Eventually, television probably is not something that these individuals will particularly enjoy beyond watching the news and weather.  When I moved in with Mother, I soon discovered that I could not watch a complete 30-minute or hour program because inevitably she would need something just as the plot reached its climax.

·        One activity that many senior women really look forward to is their weekly trip to the beauty shop.  If a loved one enters a nursing home, make sure that beautician/barber services are available.

I hope that these thoughts help other caregivers and their MCI-diagnosed loved ones.  Please feel free to add your own tips.

The tips furnished on this Web page represent the opinion of the author, so they complement—not substitute—for a physician’s advice.