Explaining the brain
First, the good news. We don’t use the word “senile” anymore. Next, the bad news. Cognitive impairment will happen to many of us as we age—but not all of us. UMRA member Paul Schanfield, MD, a retired neurologist who remains active as a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota, shared definitions, symptoms, and solutions for cognitive changes related to aging during UMRA’s March 19 Living Well Workshop.
For example, instead of “senility” the term “dementia” is used today to describe the impairment of cognition that interferes with daily living. Often, relatives and friends observe the signs before the patient. Early signs include attention span loss, decline of executive function, diminished judgment, lack of spatial orientation, and lack of insight. There are multiple types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Schanfield emphasized the importance of a healthy diet, good hearing, and sufficient sleep to postponing cognitive decline. Maintaining relationships, lifelong curiosity, education, and hobbies are also important. Schanfield noted that UMRA membership is a great way to remain active.
There are treatable causes of cognitive impairment, including vitamin deficiencies and low thyroid function. And there are Alzheimer’s disease medications, although some drugs have possible side effects and/or provide only temporary improvements. There are no cures—yet.
Caregivers need support
If you have a family member with dementia, Schanfield recommended that caregivers avoid arguing or identifying mistakes. Don’t ask if the patient remembers an event, or that a loved has died. Caregivers also need support and respite, so take care of yourself, too. There are many levels of housing and medical assistance for both patient and caregivers. Organizations including the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Elder Voice Family Advocates, and Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis can provide guidance and help.
Schanfield’s presentation, like his book, A Migraine in Room 3, a Stroke in Room 4, included heartwarming and amusing quotes from his patients. As one patient said, “I’m not so bad off, so I probably have Half-zheimer’s disease, not All-zheimer’s.”
Humor is valuable in dealing with all of the challenges of aging.
—Julie Sweitzer, UMRA president-elect and Program Committee chair
Alzheimer’s, dementia, and the brain explained
Tue, March 19 2024, 11am
Paul Schanfield, MD
Neurologist and physician educator
University of Minnesota
Event to be held via Zoom.
Do you ever wonder whether forgetting names is a sign of impending Alzheimer’s? Or whether it is OK to forget names and nouns but not verbs? All sorts of tales are floating around regarding dementia. So, for the UMRA Living Well Workshop on March 19, we thought we’d go to an expert for some answers.
UMRA member Paul Schanfield, MD, a “neurologist, physician educator, father, grandfather, and author” as he describes himself, will explain how our brains work and how dementia develops in some people. These are complicated topics, but Schanfield has spent his professional career learning how to share difficult diagnoses with patients and families. He teaches medical students and residents how to do the same. Schanfield has also taught and offered practical medical advice about the brain to older adults through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. During the UMRA workshop, he will simplify common neurological conditions related to dementia, including Alzheimer’s, and guide us through identifying symptoms, prevention, treatment, and acceptance.
Schanfield retired from private practice in 2015, after 40 years, but continues to teach medical students and residents, primarily as a clinical professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota, where he also serves on the Medical School Admissions Committee. He also teaches at United Family Physicians in St. Paul.
He has received numerous honors, including the first-ever University of Minnesota Neurology Community Educator of the Month Award in July 2017, and teaching awards from the University family practice residencies at the M Health Fairview Bethesda and Phalen Village Clinics in St. Paul. In 2018, Schanfield was recognized as the Community Teacher of the Year by the United Family Medicine Residency Program.
Schanfield’s book, A Migraine in Room 3, A Stroke in Room 4: A Physician Examines His Profession, was released in 2019.
Please register for this workshop and join us via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19.
If you have preliminary questions for our guest speaker, please email them to Wendy Lougee at [email protected]. She will be moderating the question and answer session during the workshop.
—Julie Sweitzer, president-elect and Program Committee chair
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.