Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
I don’t like the term “day care”. It strikes me as being demeaning. That said, I have been referring to what I do with my Dad as “Daddy Daycare” for years now. I know. I’m a hypocrite, but I also know a sense of humor is key in this disease. When the idea of senior [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Often Alzheimer’s Disease is referred to this way. Some caregivers chafe at it because it seems depressing and final. Alzheimer’s is a terminal disease-until research is found to prevent, and/or cure it. It’s a fact. There is no escaping it. Yup. I know that. I know when I looked at my dad when he was [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
I remember working in a nursing home before the advent of the disposable briefs. I’m really dating myself here, but I know some of you out there know what I’m talking about. There were not only no briefs, but no wipes. I’ll leave the details to your imagination, but suffice it to say, things are [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Lauren in the category: Alzheimer's Nutrition
In general, it is recommended that we drink at least 8-10 glasses of fluids per day. This does not need to be exclusively water; however water is usually a better choice than juice or other caloric beverages as it promotes hydration without the extra sugar and calories. Often times, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Eating and drinking problems happen when you are busy thinking about other things. As a caregiver you may feel you are already covering the issues in front of you-falling, wandering, incontinence, etc. Dad is eating and drinking just fine. Is he? I will leave the subject of what to our dietician, but let’s talk about [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
I was recently working with a client that had lost all ability to communicate and it pointed out to me some things about care giving that are essential. When your loved one reacts to something it speaks volumes. Maybe they can no longer speak, but often they can still smile or you can read their [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Susan in the category: Alzheimer's Research
One of the symptoms that can be observed in the middle to later stages of Alzheimer’s disease is hallucinations. If these are upsetting to the patient one would look for relief in medication. Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on behavior has been observed in open-label trial of Tacrine and Rivastigmine as well as in placebo-controlled trials of Metrifonate [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Susan in the category: Alzheimer's Research
After seeing the successes of the Amloid hypothesis research, Nishimura et al. decided to look into the genes which produce Amyloid protein rather than attacking the proteins with antibodies. Through various gene assays Nishimura et al. was able to discover genes susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, of the 23 pairs of chromosomes found in humans, it was [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Let me preface this with two comments. First, all hospice programs are different so I can’t say what each offers or doesn’t offer. Second, I have not had to have hospice care for anyone closer than a mother and father in law or persons I was hired to care give for, and I know that [ … ] continue reading ›
Posted By: Sonja in the category: Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
My Father has always been a voracious reader. A college professor, he read multiple periodicals in his field, wrote his own lab book and read his Bible by the hour. Now he swears his vision has gone bad. He pulls the magazine right up to his face and sometimes can’t make out the largest words. [ … ] continue reading ›