Care For Life » Alzheimer

Understanding Is Key For Help – Alzheimer’s video

Care for Life — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:27:21 +0000

Charles explains how understanding Alzheimer’s is the first step in dealing with the disease. Charles first learned what to expect while caring for his mother. He explains that participating in clinical trials was an important decision for his wife, who is now living with Alzheimer’s.

Learn more at:
http://www.alzheimers.gov

Click here to view the embedded video.

Know Where To Turn Alzheimer’s video

Care for Life — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:26:13 +0000

Maggie explains her mother-in-law’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and that she now knows where to turn for help. By having an understanding of her husband’s family history and diagnosis of the disease, she was able to recognize that he too had an early onset of Alzheimer’s and is now learning to cope with it. While it’s not easy, she is aware of the resources available to her.

Learn more at:
http://www.alzheimers.gov

Click here to view the embedded video.

I Am Not Alone – Alzheimer’s Video

Care for Life — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:22:18 +0000

Alan shares the story of his wife and her battle with Alzheimer’s. He describes the financial challenges associated with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and shares the concern that his finances could only cover a few years of care. Along with his daughter’s help, the national hotline was a critical resource for him in helping him understand his options. He has found comfort in knowing there are other people in the same situation and resources for finding help.

Learn more at:
http://www.alzheimers.gov

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Answers Start Here – Alzheimer’s Video

Care for Life — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:19:00 +0000

Found this video from http://www.alzheimers.gov

About 15 million people care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s in the US. Knowing what to expect and preparing for the challenges can help people with Alzheimer’s live better.

Click here to view the embedded video.

How Alzheimers Spreads Throughout the Brain Alzheimers Reading Room

careforlife — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:57:31 +0000

Found this great article from www.alzheimersreadingroom.com
How Alzheimers Spreads Throughout the Brain Alzheimers Reading Room.

Alzheimer’s Reading Room

careforlife — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:36:02 +0000

A blog post by Claudia Marshall-Apers from the alzheimersreadingroom.com.

Oh Alzheimer’s Reading Room.

A Comprehensive Overview of the Alzheimer’s Disease

careforlife — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:31:17 +0000

Alois Alzheimer was studying dementia patients in 1906 and came to the conclusion that problems that were afflicting his patients was a disease separate from all other known disorders. The degenerative, terminal and incurable disease that bares his name is the most common form of dementia known to man. The disease is most often diagnosed in the elderly but there are no rules that say it can not start affecting people much earlier. Alzheimer’s disease is believed to affect twenty six million people and the number is only going to increase as the world’s population ages. The cause of Alzheimer’s is not well understood, but as research progresses there is hope that one day Alzheimer’s disease treatments will eradicate the disease. What is known about the disease is that it causes plaques and tangles within the brain. The disease has been divided into four stages: pre-dementia, early, moderate and advanced. In pre-dementia, the decrease in cognitive functioning is attributed to old age and often ignored. During early and moderate stages of the disease, cognitive functions of the patients decrease so much that patient independence is somewhat compromised. Once the patient hits the final stage of the disease, the patient is totally dependent on a caregiver.Alzheimer’s Disease signs can be difficult to identify. Diagnosis of the disease is difficult and for some can take a very long time. Since the disease affects the elderly you really need to pay attention to any changes in their daily cognitive recognition and responses. If you feel that there are decreases in responsiveness, it never hurts to take your loved one to a physician. Once a diagnosis has been made there really is not much that can be done. The average patient will live only seven years after the diagnosis, with three percent living longer than fourteen years. No two patients experience the disease exactly the same way. Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms are often comparable, but do not always ensure that a person is inflicted with the disease. Some common Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms include: not being able to acquire new memories, lacking the ability to remember something that happened earlier in the day, frequent confusion and mild aggression. As the disease moves on to the more advance stages, patients often experience irritability, mood swings, long-term memory loss and can eventually go through a general withdrawal from society.

Alzheimer’s Disease treatment consists of many different strategies. Since there is no known cure for the disease, the goal of most treatments is to slow the progression of the disease. There are drugs that can be prescribed to help slow the disease. The drugs available do not show much improvement and sometimes family members of patients do not even see any noticeable improvement. Since patients do suffer from aggression and mood swings, many Alzheimer’s drugs are aimed at decreasing the mood swings and violent behavior. When diagnosed it is important to stop taking pills that can increase confusion. These pills include painkillers, sleeping pills, antihistamines and depressants. There are many people that feel daily vitamins can decrease the likely hood that Alzheimer’s Disease develops. Ginkgo Biloba is one common supplement that is often associated with treating Alzheimer’s Disease. When it comes down to it, there is no evidence that shows daily vitamins or Ginkgo Biloba have any affect on the disease. One of the most affective treatments for the disease is behavior therapy. Since medicine does not have much affect against the progression of Alzheimer’s, therapy that helps the patient deal with the disease might be the best option. Alzheimer’s Disease is an awful affliction. To find more in depth Alzheimer’s Disease information, check with any medical doctor or do the research yourself using an online medical journal.

10 Tips for Living with Early Onset Alzheimer’s

Care for Life — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Expect to have good days and bad days. Be kind to yourself. Discuss you might feel anger with those close to you.
Share your story — educate others and express yourself.
Discuss changes in relationships with a counselor.
Talk openly about the changes the disease is causing. Share feelings with friends and family, and someone who can help with spiritual needs.
Get involved. Volunteer in your community. Become an advocate.
Talk to your employer about adapting your job hours or duties.
Get professional legal and financial help. Don’t be afraid to have confidential conversations with professionals. Consider a trust.
Maintain your health and reduce stress. Walking helps!
Take steps to make your home a safer place. Ask for a home assessment from a professional care manager.
Stay active. Keep making memories with your loved ones. Use your experience to enlighten. Adapted from www.alz.org

Please Dont Let the Forgetter be Forgotton – Norrms – Member blogs – Social Work Blog – Carespace from Community Care

careforlife — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:42:33 +0000

Please Dont Let the Forgetter be Forgotton – Norrms – Member blogs – Social Work Blog – Carespace from Community Care.

this is an awesome Alzheimer’s story

careforlife — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:50:41 +0000

Hallmark Heroes with Regis Philbin – Kathy Hatfield, an Alzheimer’s Caregiver. An awesome video and story.

Click here to view the embedded video.