How Elephants Are Helping Alzheimer’s Disease

The old adage, “An elephant never forgets,” is true: elephants really do have incredible memories, even into their old age. For example, they can recall and go back to very specific places decades after visiting them, irrespective of age. So what can we glean from elephants which may result in increasing our own brain performance in aging?

Surprisingly, senior elephants’ brains show no buildup of the amyloid plaques some scientists are linking to Alzheimer’s disease. And though other specialists tout the need for sufficient sleep to allow the brain the opportunity to clear away plaques, elephants are tromping over that hypothesis, sleeping less than 2 hours each day.

But a single variable rises above the rest that could be the key: socialization. Studies increasingly suggest the link between isolation and cognitive decline, and also the benefit of sustaining reliable social connections. Elephants stay socially involved with close family herds for life, whereas our human busyness oftentimes prevents the type of meaningful, sustained interactions we so desperately need.

Spending high quality time with your senior family members is a lot easier with some assistance from the trained caregivers at CareWorks Health Services. We’re readily available to offer support with housework, shopping, cooking, personal care needs, and much more, freeing up valuable time for older adults and their families.

We’re also skilled in supporting aging parents to remain active and involved in the world around them, and can provide transportation and accompaniment to senior centers, exercise programs, and stimulating outings, together with enhancing socialization right in the home with discussions, games, and interesting activities.

As we look forward to a cure or at the very least an effective treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease and a better understanding of brain performance in aging, understand that the senior care team at CareWorks Health Services is fully qualified and skilled in specialized dementia care. As a result, those impacted by the disease are equipped to live life to their greatest possible potential, and family caregivers get the assistance they need in dealing with some of the more difficult aspects of the disease, such as sundowning, aggression, wandering, and more.

Contact us online or call us at (949) 859-4700 to take the first step toward enhancing quality of life for your senior loved ones! As one of the top providers of senior in home care in Laguna Woods and the surrounding areas, we’re available for as much or as little care as needed, from a few hours to allow family members to take an essential break from care, up to and including full-time, around-the-clock care, and anything in between.