A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Dementia illnesses take their toll on families
THE TOLL taken on the families of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has been revealed by a comprehensive survey published yesterday. Some 75 per cent of families reported an additional strain between themselves and other members of the family over the sharing of care with 67 per cent of respondents finding it difficult to get commitment from others on the issue.
The financial burden of having somebody with Alzheimer’s is also considerable. Some 57 per cent of respondents said that their loved ones illness had impacted on the financial stability of their family
More than a third said the financial burden was the main reason why participants had not considered putting their loved one into a home.
The survey was carried out among 600 respondents to an Empathy Research’s Health Panel. Those who participated are either a full time carer or shared responsibility for caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
There are approximately 44,000 people in Ireland living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, accounting for two-thirds of such cases.
A new website, mypeaceofmind.ieoffers help with support tools, such as a symptom checklist, a calendar for caring duties and useful tips on how to prepare and plan financially for the future.
It is supported by a number of prominent medical staff including Prof Des O’Neill, the consultant geriatrician, who is one of the most best-known authorities on ageing in Ireland.
Mobile unit to test for eye condition
A mobile testing unit for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) will appear at locations around the country between September 22nd and 30th, which is AMD Awareness Week.
Free tests will be offered at the mobile units to detect the early signs of AMD at venues in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
AMD is the most common cause of registered blindness in Ireland and is thought to affect one in 10 Irish people over the age of 50.
Going for a jog curbs urge to smoke, study shows
SMOKERS WHO are trying to cut down or quit might want to take a jog the next time a cigarette craving overcomes them, according to the findings of a new British study.
Researchers, whose findings appeared in the journal Addiction, combined the data from 19 previous clinical trials and found that a bout of exercise generally helped hopeful quitters reduce their nicotine cravings.
However, it is unclear whether this translated into a greater chance of quitting.
“Certainly, exercise seems to have temporary benefits, and as such can be strongly recommended,” said Adrian Taylor, a professor of exercise and health psychology at the University of Exeter in Britain, who led the study.
In the trials used for the study, smokers were randomly assigned to either exercise – most often, brisk walking or biking – or some kind of “passive” activity, such as watching a video or just sitting quietly.
Overall, Prof Taylors team found, people said they had less desire to smoke after working out than they did before.
Exactly why is not clear.
Exercise may serve as a distraction, while being active might also boost peoples mood, so that they dont feel as great a need to feel better by smoking, Prof Taylor said.
None of the smokers in the studies was in a quit programme or using nicotine replacement products, such as gums or patches.
Since nicotine replacement therapy curbs cravings, exercise might have less of an effect on smokers using these products.
