PrimeCare of Novi
Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 8             Nov 2011

November is National Alzheimer's Awarness Month!

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
3.  Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at
        leisure.
4.  Confusion with time or place.
5.  Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
6.  New problems with words in speaking or writing.
7.  Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
8.  Decreased or poor judgment.
9.  Withdrawal from work or social activities.
10. Changes in mood and personality.

Alzheimer's disease has a high prevalence in the elderly, though, often times it is hard to detect until later stages.  If you or a loved one suffer from the symptoms above, please call a PrimeCare physician for a geriatric evaluation.  Dr. Shively has extra training in Geriatrics and all physicians care for a variety of patients of all ages.

By Jennifer Maida, Registered Dietitian

     As we are in the midst of Alzheimer's Awareness Month, it is important to discuss the relationship between nutrition and Alzheimer's disease. Although there is no specific diet for this condition, eating a nutritious diet is beneficial for overall health. The following recommendations are to assist with preventing and/or managing Alzheimer's disease:

       * Consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of food from each of the food groups.

       * Maintain a healthy weight (monitor for weight loss, which may indicate inadequate nutrition in people who have Alzheimer's).

      * Consume a diet that is high in healthy fats and low in saturated fats and trans-fats. Examples of healthy fats include: extra virgin olive oil, avocado, flax seed oil. Examples of proteins low in saturated fat include: fish, poultry, soy.

      * Eat a high fiber diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes.

      * Consume antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, red peppers, spinach, seaweed, nut oils, whole grains.

      * Be sure to include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids as a part of your healthy diet.

         Tip: aim for 1-2 servings of fish per week.

      * Eat foods that are rich in niacin such as, lean meats, fish, poultry, omega-3 enriched eggs, whole grain products, beans, peas, avocados, dates, figs, prunes.

        Following a well-balanced, low fat, high fiber, antioxidant-rich diet can help to promote cognitive health. It may also be beneficial to supplement your diet with multivitamin that contains vitamin C and folic acid to help in the prevention of developing Alzheimer's disease. Be sure to discuss any dietary changes with your registered dietitian so he/she can help you to achieve your individual nutritional goals.

PrimeCare of Novi

Contact information:

Dr. Theodore W. Shively, DO
Dr. Robert R. Zaid, DO

39555 W. Ten Mile Road,
Suite 302, Novi

Phone:
(248) 426-7200

Follow prompts after hours to speak to on-call doctor

Fax:
(248) 426-7335

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www.primecareofmi.com

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Editor: Maria McCuean

Nancy’s Quote

Forever on Thanksgiving Day the heart will find a pathway home.

Chronic Disease Registry

Did you know that we keep track of all chronic diseases and patients with newly diagnosed diseases.

We can pull information from our system that lets us know when you have abnormal findings that need attention or when you are due for important health maintenance items.

Special points of interest:

* Make sure you are keeping up with your routine visits.
* Don’t forget to give at least 24 hour notice if you are unable to keep your appointment.
* Just a reminder that Co-pays are due at check-in the day of service.
* It is helpful if you can bring in your medications during your physical.

 The holidays are vastly approaching and we have a donation basket in the waiting room for all canned goods. If you would like to donate some non perishable food items to help out the less fortunate that would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! From the Primecare of Novi staff.

We encourage you to call our office and ask about webview!  We are now allowing all patients to review their records online and to communicate with staff.  This will be our preferred mode of communication in that it provides a secure e-mail and way to contact us.  You can request appointments, review labs, speak with staff and physicians.  This allows us to be more efficient in the office and allows us to respond to you immediately.  Please call us if you would like to try it out!