Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Giving the Gift of Games Could Change Risk of Alzheimer’s

Games are common in checklists of gifts for Alzheimer’s patients, because they provide mental stimulation and pleasant interaction for patients and their families and other caregivers.

A July 2016 report concerning reinterpretation of data from a 10-year study related to warding off Alzheimer’s is creating a stir about cutting risk of the disease through computer brain games.

Registered nurses who aid Alzheimer’s patients know all too well the impacts the disease has on patients’ families. One concern that often arises is vulnerability of other family members to the disease and what they can do to avoid it.

Many members of Alzheimer’s families are interested in whether brain training through computer games may be beneficial.

National Institutes of Health ACTIVE Study

The study “Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly” (ACTIVE) began in 1996 and sought to discover whether brain training activities could positively affect healthy participants whose average age was 74 years old. It involved roughly 2,800 participants who were divided into three groups for different kinds of training — memory, reasoning and speed of mental processing — plus a control group.

Original interpretation of the data focused on whether certain kinds of brain games could help people with tasks such as simple math and driving. But new analysis focused on answering whether the training delayed mental decline from Alzheimer’s.

According to a July 27, 2016, report about new analysis of ACTIVE data, researchers found that participants in the speed-of-processing group showed a dramatically lowered (48 percent) development of “Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia” ten years after training. What’s amazing is the participants played the game for a total of 10 to 14 hours, all within the first half of the 10-year time frame.

The ACTIVE study didn’t concern computerized brain training. However, the new data analysis likely will encourage production of even more computer brain games than are currently on the market.

Healthy Choices for Active Brains

“At present, there’s no clear prescription medical providers can offer for preventing Alzheimer’s,” said Sarah Wood, manager of Visiting Nurse Health System’s Private Duty Program, “but regular exercise, a low fat diet and social engagement may help maintain cognitive health”.

Computer brain training may be part of the mix for cognitive health. However, as The New York Times reported about maintaining brain fitness on July 6, 2016, we need to do more than play games online.

Avoiding isolation is important. So is physical exercise, healthy diet, social interaction and opportunities to learn something new. Along with brain games, these are ingredients in a recipe for mental stimulation. Contact us to learn more about how Visiting Nurse currently helps patients manage Alzheimer to improve their quality of life.

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As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services in the homes of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
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As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services in the homes of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
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As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services, in the homes, of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
#2025 #donate #GiveBack #youmatter #impact

As we embrace 2025, join us with renewed commitment to help us provide compassionate healthcare and hospice services, in the homes, of thousands of our community members in need. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
#2025 #donate #GiveBack #youmatter #impact
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Last night was a night to remember as we gathered to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Visiting Nurse Health System employees at the Annual Applause Employee Awards Dinner! 🌟
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all our amazing employees who continue to drive our success. Here’s to another year of excellence and achievement! 🏆
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Last night was a night to remember as we gathered to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Visiting Nurse Health System employees at the Annual Applause Employee Awards Dinner! 🌟
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all our amazing employees who continue to drive our success. Here’s to another year of excellence and achievement! 🏆
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Pets are family too, here at Visiting Nurse! Michelle’s life is filled with animal love, from playful dogs to daily visits with caregiver Dena and her furry friend Danny. 🐶💬🌟
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Pets are family too, here at Visiting Nurse! Michelle’s life is filled with animal love, from playful dogs to daily visits with caregiver Dena and her furry friend Danny. 🐶💬🌟
#petlovers #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a fervent advocate for equality and justice in all aspects of life, including access to healthcare. 
We honor this day of remembrance and action with his famous quote that highlights his views on the topic. 
#MLKDay #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a fervent advocate for equality and justice in all aspects of life, including access to healthcare.
We honor this day of remembrance and action with his famous quote that highlights his views on the topic.
#MLKDay #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
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Join us in celebrating the January Visiting Nurse Health System Employee of the Month! Thank you for all you do, Dwana! #stellar #employee #celebrate

Join us in celebrating the January Visiting Nurse Health System Employee of the Month! Thank you for all you do, Dwana! #stellar #employee #celebrate ...

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Happy New year from all of us at Visiting Nurse Health System!

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Happy New year from all of us at Visiting Nurse Health System!

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Thank You, Trella Health Team!
A heartfelt thank you to the Trella Health employees for choosing Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta for your generous gifts-in-kind for our patients in need at this year's 2024 Kindness Drive event! 🌟 
Your dedication to the healthcare industry and compassion for giving back makes a positive imprint on the lives of our patients, bringing smiles and comfort to those in need. Together, we're making a positive difference in our community. Keep shining your light in healthcare! 💙 #KindnessDrive #TrellaHealth #CommunityCare #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta

Thank You, Trella Health Team!
A heartfelt thank you to the Trella Health employees for choosing Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta for your generous gifts-in-kind for our patients in need at this year`s 2024 Kindness Drive event! 🌟
Your dedication to the healthcare industry and compassion for giving back makes a positive imprint on the lives of our patients, bringing smiles and comfort to those in need. Together, we`re making a positive difference in our community. Keep shining your light in healthcare! 💙 #KindnessDrive #TrellaHealth #CommunityCare #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta
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