General Latest

The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for insight into Alzheimer's disease.

The Department of Health has announced a "landmark strategy to transform dementia services". It claims care for patients with dementia will be transformed as dementia advisers are appointed, GPs receive improved training, and memory centres run by specialists to provide early diagnosis and treatment are opened nationwide.

If you had a word to describe your feelings about diabetes, what would it be?
That’s the question that the folks behind the Diabetes Handprint initiative want to know. They are asking everyone to create a virtual handprint that has the word you’d like to use to help bring awareness to diabetes. In exchange for every virtual handprint made, they will give $5 to one of two diabetic charities.

Many of you know that I’ve expanded Minding Our
Elders to give readers more nuts and bolts help. Support of caregivers
who’ve walked the path is vital to breaking the isolation they often feel.
Caregivers can renew themselves by talking with other caregivers.

While searching Google, I ran across an interesting article about Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus(NPH) on the ABC 7 website--San Francisco.

Terry Prachett suffers from posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare early-onset form of Alzheimer's disease. He has been on a mission to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and improve research into treatments. He has advocated on behalf of Alzheimer's sufferers in the U.K.  Mr.

Drinking fruit or vegetable juice may be better for you than you think. A research study shows that drinking fruit or vegetable juice may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room--via Email

The number of uninsured is likely to grow as unemployment rises and demand for community health clinics is likely to keep growing.Last year, Presiden-elect Obama was one of the sponsors of a bill that backers said would fund another 2,900 centers over five years.To find a health center near you following this link.

A new study in the journal Neuron "suggests that improving blood flow to the brain might be an effective therapeutic approach to prevent or treat Alzheimer's". These finding should be of particular interest to anyone suffering from high cholesterol or hypertension (high blood pressure). A previous study showed that high cholesterol in your 40s increases the odds of contracting Alzheimer's disease by 50 percent.

Embedded video from CNN VideoSol Rogers, 89, says the best way to fight Alzheimer's is to cuddle with his wife for an hour daily.Sol Rogers is a good man.

Playing strategic video games may improve memory, reasoning, and other "executive" mental skills in older adults according to a new study presented in the journal Psychology and Aging.

This article is off track but I found it interesting so here you go.Myth: Eating at night makes you fat

A recent study showed a simple three minute test could help diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is often a precursor to dementia or Alzheimer's.

I recently posting an article about Living Alzheimer's from the Front Row. This refers to the millions of Alzheimer's caregivers that deal with Alzheimer's 24/7. My point is simple, unless you live it you really cannot imagine what it is like.

A recent article on CNN.com, Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away, mentions five ways to keep your memory sharp: antioxidants, fish oil supplements, phosphatidylserine supplements, curry, and Cross-training your brain. This was part of a discussion about Alzheimer's and yesterday's news about how herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba doesn't stop Alzheimer's. I believe that supplemnts are a good part of any regimen to improve health.

I often use the term "living Alzheimer's from the front row".

There is an article circulating around the Internet today about the positive effect that education can have in staving off Alzheimer's disease,

I often get asked question about how I deal with my mother when she evidences errat

These findings should bring hope to those suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. Baby boomers should take note.

Wonderful people.

Dementia caregivers may seem to be difficult people to shop for because their lives are so tied up in caregiving responsibilities. This characteristic gives you many great gift ideas to help them balance their caregiving with some needed attention to themselves. Here are a few simple ideas:

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that ginkgo biloba supplements do not have any effectiveness in preventing dementia. Originally researchers thought that ginkgo biloba, a plant derived supplement, might help preserve memory and...

Eight counties in my home state of New Jersey honored caregivers and raised dementia awareness on November 3rd, the designated day for dementia awareness in NJ. The whole month of November is set aside by the Alzheimer's Association for many...

As many countries recently brought attention to the increased need for dementia care through Dementia Awareness programs, one of the key themes was to let people know that a new dementia case is reported every seven seconds worldwide. A staggering...

September 21st of each year is remembered as World Alzheimer's Day, a chance for all Alzheimer's disease and dementia organizations worldwide to raise awareness of the struggle so many people are facing. This includes dementia caregivers worldwide too. The staggering...

We've talked before about the recent use of PET (a specialized brain scan which is short for positron emission tomography) scans as a means for clinicians to make a tentative diagnosis of dementia. The downside of PET scan use has...

As a person progresses through the stages of dementia, we know that the disease allows them to access long term memories more frequently than short term memories.So how does this work when someone has learned English as their second language?...

It doesn't matter if you have a formal religion you choose to follow or you just feel there is a higher power, dementia caregivers need to embrace their spiritual side as a way of keeping their balance as a caregiver....

The government has admitted that current investment in dementia research is eight times less that cancer research.

New Alzheimer's Society research will investigate whether curcumin, found in the popular Indian spice turmeric, and a number of drugs for other conditions, could benefit people with Alzheimer's.

The Queen's Nursing Institute and the Alzheimer's Society are offering the Excellence in Dementia Care Award for 2009.

Mum has now been in the nursing home for over a year. Up until recently she has been very happy there and settled. She told me on a few occasions that she is glad I made the decision to put her there. Her health has gradually declined. She needs help with all activities of daily living to get started and encouragement to complete tasks. She is often incontinent and toileted hourly.

Read the complete text of this article at the Alzheimer's Reading Room• Every 71 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease.• Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death (recently surpassing diabetes).

Read the complete article at the Alzheimer's Reading Room

This free guide is an excellent resource and should be especially interesting to baby boomers. The guide includes: information about Alzheimer's disease, information about a prescription treatment option, a doctor discussion guide, and caregiving tips.

My mother is currently moving into the medium stage of Alzheimer's so for us this is exciting news.

I found this video to be wonderfully enlightening. I would suggest that all Caregivers and family/friends of caregivers take the time to view this video. Often overlooked, caregivers can suffer from depression. The job tends to wear you down over time.

I often get asked question about how I deal with my mother when she evidences erratic behavior.

I just discovered this website at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. The web site is a composite of easy to view video's designed to help people better understand Alzheimer's, dementia and includes caregiver tips. When you enter the website you can click a play list to see all the available content. The site uses YouTube as the delivery system making viewing and listening easy.

This new report released by the Alzheimer's Association is informative, compelling and long overdue.

Looking back, there is little doubt in my mind that if I had had the proper education or information I would have realized my mother was suffering from dementia sooner.

People with mild to moderate dementia are cared for largely by family physicians as well as the patient's own family, and management of care can be complex and challenging.

AlzheimersNotes.com
In a previous post, How Do You Feel About Yourself & Your Alzheimer’s Caregiving, I discussed that research shows caregivers do better when they feel good about themselves.  However, sometimes this takes effort when you’re dealing with the frustrations of caregiving and often the differing opinions of family members.

AlzheimersNotes.com
As I consider the activities used with Alzheimer’s patients of my mother’s era, as well as movies shown and music played, I realize these may change as a younger generation, essentially Baby Boomers, reach the Alzheimer’s stage.  They won’t recognize some of the movies and music, will enjoy some of the same activities, but many different ones, too.

AlzheimersNotes.com
WORD OF THE WEEK
Nursing Home - a place that provides care and a residence for people (frequently older ones) who cannot care for themselves or who are extremely ill.
Many people don’t like to say the term, admit to the term, especially if an older person in their family is living there.  However, when I could no longer care for Auntie and Mother, in their advanced Alzheimer’s, I was thankful there was some place where they received excellent care. 

AlzheimersNotes.com

AlzheimersNotes.com

I know, as Roserio commented - it has been Awfully Quiet. I've found it rather difficult to find the time and energy to post regularly. I've managed to put something up once a week or so over on my more lighthearted blog . To let regular visitors know I am still alive and 'active' of sorts.

This free guide is an excellent resource and should be especially interesting to baby boomers. The guide includes: information about Alzheimer's disease, information about a prescription treatment option, a doctor discussion guide, and caregiving tips.

American Indians have a higher incidence of strokes than white or black Americans. Higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and cigarette smoking may account for the higher risk. The findings come from the largest population study of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in American Indians.

I am a baby boomer. My mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

Obesity poses as grave a threat to Britain as terrorism, a Government adviser has warned. Public health expert Professor David Hunter criticised ministers for failing to take 'bold action' to tackle the crisis.

Obesity poses as grave a threat to Britain as terrorism, a Government adviser has warned. Public health expert Professor David Hunter criticised ministers for failing to take 'bold action' to tackle the crisis.

A new online community, called "ConnectingForCare.com", was announced recently with a goal of connecting and assisting the over 50 million caregivers in the United States.

A team of Dutch scientists have found that exposing dementia patients to nine hours of bright light each day can significantly slow the progression of dementia.

U.S. New Scientist reports a new type of dementia has been detected that appears very similar to Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD), also known as Mad-Cow Disease. Scientists are not sure how this new strain of dementia was triggered or how it...

Researchers Identify Promising Indicators and Targets for Drug Development Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a technique to detect the progression of Alzheimer’s disease earlier. By catching Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms are apparent, physicians can prescribe treatments to slow down the disease progression.

Part 4 ... what can friends do to help someone who is a caregiver?
 

Part 3
 

A team of British researchers have studied the effects of hypnosis on persons living with dementia and found some interesting results.

The 2008 International Alzheimer's Association Conference always yields interesting findings and this session in Chicago is no exception.

PBS will present a special evening of programming focused on Alzheimer's disease on Sunday, August 3 starting a

Caregivingly Yours is often surprising interactive. Recently I received a most kind email including a question about what can friends do to help someone who is a caregiver. 
 

We live in an extraordinary age of communication. Most of us communicate effortlessly. 
 

September 2006, a medical transcriptionist outside Boston researching Multiple Sclerosis caregiving found Caregivingly Yours:

I often wonder to myself about the effects on the carer of having to bite one's lip all the time. I know on occasions I have taken out my feelings of frustration and anger, out of my mother's direct line of vision, by slapping or punching something inanimate. But I can remember one day when things really got to me, I opened my mouth, took a deep breath, and let out a big, long scream - for as long as I had wind to carry on.I have never - ever - been a screamer, but I do have a good pair of lungs, having walked the high country in my former life in Wellington.

The exhaustion that results from long-term full-time caring is something that not many people appreciate. Those who have never looked after an elderly person have absolutely no idea of how deep-seated this exhaustion can be. They assume it's all some kind of a stay-at-home picnic. See my earliest posts for thoughts on uninvolved relatives doing a whitewash job to ease their own consciences...

It's really wierd how deeply this stuff affects our lives. Just before I finally finished working at the local Health Shop, the new owners did a "review" of my work standards. I need to explain that this is quite a small shop, with a small room out the back, and for a few weeks before I finally quit the job because of mom's health, I did some weekday work for them because I had some home help.

My apologies for such a huge time gap between posts. Much of the reason can be found here. So, the government are yet again promising a better deal for carers, by doubling the amount of respite care available. This is going to cost them a whopping £150 million.

If what I've said sounds a little extreme, let me describe the situation. My mother's thoughts and vocalisations go in very narrow patterns. One is the "Hello" syndrome, another is the "I'm sorry but I don't feel well" syndrome, a third is the "Are you allright?" syndrome, and another is what I call "The Inquisition". From the moment she awakes in the morning, until the moment she falls asleep at night. my mom vocalises pretty continually. It is either in one of the above veins, or else it is a complaint about pain.

Donna Wrabel, MSW, is co-owner and operator of At Your Side Home Care with husband of twenty-five years, Rick Wrabel. At Your Side Care is a licensed home care agency by the State of Texas.

We had our first visit from the Hospice nurse, Judy, and social worker, Julie, this morning. They said that the nurse who went to evaluate Rick at the Center on Friday, found him sleeping and could not arouse him. That is probably why he was accepted into the program. Jean Small, director fo the Center, said that shortly after the nurse left the center Friday, Rick was up dancing with her.

Continuing our series of the primary caregiver preparing to be away from their aging care recipient due to travel. I'm speaking with several "expert" advisors on how best to prepare before leaving home.

I spoke to my sister tonight. She cleans for a lady in her 90’s who suffers from Alzheimer’s and lives alone. We’ll call her Mary.

We went to see Erin this weekend. Her church was celebrating their one year anniversary with a “Signs and Wonders Conference.” Wayne Neal was the guest speaker. Bro Wayne is the evangelist we had at Faith Assembly several years ago for revival that lasted 18 months. It was very good to see him again.

Mum has been in the nursing home for 4 months now. The time has flown by and I still feel like I am trying to keep up with 'life' a lot of the time. I have just come back from a visit and it was really nice to see her looking so well and sounding a lot happier. Since her admission she has had two different sugeries (minor) and she should not require anymore surgery at this stage.

Lori P. Michiel, NASM, CPT Fifty Plus FitnessTM Serving Active Adults and Seniors *Private Training *Fitness By Phone CoachingR *Boot-ish Camp *SeniorcizeTM *Lectures and more P.S.

In response to some feedback that it would be helpful if there were some recommended books for carers and caregivers, I'm happy to introduce a selection of books from Amazon.com.

I've included the editorial reviews from Amazon where they exists, but as with everything at Caringlive, the more the community voices it's opinion (by voting) on the book offered, the more likely the feedback will be

author: Lynda A. Markut Anatole Crane asin: 0826514804 binding: Paperback list price: $24.95 USD amazon price: $22.45 USD

Replete with the powerful words of experienced caregivers, It Wasn't Supposed to Be Like This is an essential guidebook for anyone who must attend to the needs of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.

author: Dr. Marion Somers PhD asin: 1886039801 binding: Paperback list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $12.71 USD

Do You Find Yourself in the Role of Caregiver?

author: Pat Samples Diane Larsen Marvin Larsen asin: 1568385609 binding: Paperback list price: $14.95 USD amazon price: $10.17 USD

Are you one of the growing number of people who serves as a caregiver for an aging or chronically ill friend or family member?

author: Maria M. Meyer Paula Derr asin: 0966476778 binding: Paperback list price: $24.95 USD amazon price: $24.45 USD

This comprehensive guide to the day-to-day issues confronted by Parkinson disease patients and their caregivers covers every caregiving stage.It's all here in an illustrated, easy-to-read format, including the decision to provide home care, preparing the home, assisting with daily activities, financial management, and strategies for avoiding caregiver burnout.

author: Jolene Brackey asin: 1557534624 binding: Paperback list price: $24.95 USD amazon price: $16.47 USD

Jolene Brackey has a vision. A vision that will soon look beyond the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and focus more of our energy on creating moments of joy. When a person has short-term memory loss, his life is made up of moments. But if you think about it, our memory is made up of moments, too. We are not able to create a perfectly wonderful day with someone who has dementia, but it is absolutely attainable to create a perfectly wonderful moment; a moment that puts a smile on their face, a twinkle in their eye, or triggers a memory.

author: Emilia Bazan-Salazar asin: 0071447318 binding: Paperback list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $11.53 USD

Based on its author's four-year study and 15 years of experience in Alzheimer's and dementia-related care, Alzheimer's Activities That Stimulate the Mind is the only book offering exercises appropriate to each of the four stages of the disease. It features hundreds of exercises across an array of areas and disciplines, including arts and crafts, community outings, physical activity, religion and spirituality, grooming, gardening, music, and many more.

author: Jacqueline Marcell asin: 0967970318 binding: Paperback list price: $24.95 USD amazon price: $16.47 USD

A riveting, often humorous, non-fiction novel that chronicles Jacqueline Marcell's trials and tribulations, and eventual success at managing the care of her aging parents. Elder Rage is also an extensive self-help book with solutions for effective management, medically and behaviorally, of challenging elders who resist care. Includes answers to difficult "how to" questions like: getting obstinate elders to give up driving, accept a caregiver, see a different doctor, go to adult day care, move to a new residence--and includes a wealth of valuable resources, websites and recommended reading.

author: Daniel Kuhn asin: 0897933974 binding: Paperback list price: $15.95 USD amazon price: $10.85 USD

This edition includes the latest information on Alzheimer’s risk factors, treatments, and prevention, as well as a new chapter, “Voices of Experience,” composed of reflections by family members. It also provides information about new drugs approved since 1999 and the federal government’s decision to cover counseling and other health-related services through Medicare.

author: Alexis Abramson asin: 0399529985 binding: Paperback list price: $15.95 USD amazon price: $10.85 USD

One in four families in the U.S. is caring for parents or other senior relatives-and 72% of the primary caregivers in these families are women. This book is written for those 16 million women who are part of the "sandwich generation"-caught between the needs of their elderly relatives and their young families. These women often feel invisible, their own needs unobserved and unappreciated by those around them. The Caregiver's Survival Handbook not only offers practical caregiving advice for these women, but also helps them deal with the emotional concerns they face:

author: American Medical Association asin: 0471414093 binding: Paperback list price: $14.95 USD amazon price: $10.17 USD

At some time, most families will need to provide home care for an aging family member who is ill or disabled. While home caregiving provides many benefits, it takes careful planning, support, and patience. The American Medical Association Guide to Home Caregiving provides the information you need to take the best possible care of an elderly, ill, or disabled person in a home setting.

asin: 1932603166 binding: Paperback list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $11.53 USD

An estimated 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. That number continues to grow — by 2050 the number of individuals with Alzheimer's could range from 11.3 million to 16 million. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It is a devastating disorder of the brain's nerve cells that impairs memory, thinking, and behavior.

author: Janet Gonzalez-Mena Dianne Widmeyer Eyer asin: 0073131326 binding: Paperback list price: $29.15 USD amazon price: $22.27 USD

The Caregiver's Companion: Readings and Professional Resources to accompany "Infants, Toddlers and Caregivers, 7th edition."

author: Joy A. Glenner Jean M. Stehman Judith Davagnino Margaret J. Galante Martha L. Green asin: 0801881145 binding: Paperback list price: $18.00 USD amazon price: $12.24 USD

Eighty percent of persons with dementia live at home, and the family members caring for them are often overwhelmed by the enormous responsibility and the complexities of care. This book is designed to support the caregivers and help them understand the needs and feelings of the person for whom they are caring. A central focus is the goal of sustaining a loving family relationship between the caregiver and the patient.

author: Virginia Bell David Troxel asin: 075730060X binding: Paperback list price: $12.95 USD amazon price: $10.36 USD

Four million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's disease and experts estimate that 22 million people around the world will be so afflicted by 2025. Far too many families are struggling with the emotionally and physically draining responsibility of redefining their relationship with, and caring for, someone who not long ago was a vibrant member of society, yet may not know their own name today. A Dignified Life helps combat the burnout and frustration that often accompany the task of caring for an Alzheimer's patient.

author: Gary Barg asin: 1931868565 binding: Paperback list price: $15.95 USD amazon price: $10.85 USD

While they are giving care, the nation's 25 million family caregivers rarely get a rest. Gone are the days when you could rely on others to do the work of caring for a loved one in your family. America's healthcare system throws many of the vital decisions, costs and burdens back on the family.

author: Lauren Kessler asin: B000Z4GPSM binding: Hardcover list price: $24.95 USD amazon price: $24.95

One journalist’s riveting—and surprisingly hopeful—in-the-trenches look at Alzheimer’s, the disease that claimed her mother’s life Like many loved ones of Alzheimer’s sufferers, Lauren Kessler was devastated by the ravaging disease that seemed to turn her mother into another person before claiming her life altogether. To deal with the pain of her loss, and to better understand the confounding aspects of living with a disease that afflicts four and a half million people every year, Kessler enlisted as a caregiver at a facility she calls Maplewood.

author: Joy Loverde asin: 0812932781 binding: Paperback list price: $19.95 USD amazon price: $13.57 USD

"The simple truth about elders is this: they want their lives to be validated, and they do not want to die alone," writes eldercare consultant Joy Loverde in her preface to the second edition of The Complete Eldercare Planner. While that desire is entirely valid and compelling, there is an equally real parallel reality: caring for elders is a formidable responsibility, a sometimes daunting maze of financial, medical, personal, legal, and logistical issues.

author: Cappy Capossela Sheila Warnock asin: 0743262689 binding: Paperback list price: $15.00 USD amazon price: $10.20 USD

You Don't Have to Do It AloneWhether you're prepared for it or not, chances are you'll take on the role of caregiver when a family member or friend is affected by a serious illness or injury, or when you find your elderly parent needs help. As you'll soon discover, the range of tasks and responsibilities involved are overwhelming. Share The Care offers a sensible and loving solution: a unique group approach that can turn a circle of ordinary people into a powerful caregiving team.

Researchers at The University of Warwick are looking at how carers of people with dementia could use new technology to improve care

11 January 2008.Gordon Brown has travelled to Leeds to discuss issues relating to caring in the latest Citizen's Jury.

The PM met a wide range of people from around the country, including young and elderly carers and representatives of caring organisations. Mr Brown said that he wished to listen to carers' ideas on changes and policies that they want to see implemented.

Senile dementia is not a direct consequence of aging. Alzheimer's Disease is more prevalent in the elderly, but the healthy aging brain and mind can be as vital as it was decades before.