There are many good books out there to read on Alzheimer's. The situations are different for everyone involved. I just picked up a book called 36 DAYS APART BY DEBORAH ANN TORNILLO. In this book she lives in Virgina and her parents live in Texas. She starts by telling us about her phone call from her sister in Feb. 2006 stating that on her visits with mom and dad on Sundays, something didn't seem right. She started noticing little things first like the house was a little messier than usual, no food in the refrigerator, and that their appearance was being neglected. This was hard for Deborah to imagine so she boarded a plane to see for herself.
This started a new change of events. She started on her conquest of searching for answers. Thank heavens for the Internet, and all the information she was able to obtain. In her story she watched with each visit how her parents digressed. She took control of their health affairs, finances, and living arrangements. She became the parent, still trying to let them think they were in charge.
She convinced them to move closer to her, so she could take care of them better,by first moving into an apartment in Virgina. After her mom wondered off one evening she found them an Assisted Living Faculty to live in. As the Alzheimer's disease got worse, they had to be moved to a place that was better equipped in taking care of her parents.
As we read this memoir, we can feel the emotions going through Debbie as she is trying to care for her parents. Her dad who is her 'rock' had a stroke first. His health failed him and with her assurance that mom would be taken care of he went on to be with the Lord. Than 36 days later, her mom followed him. But her mom was able to look at Debbie and say I LOVE YOU, before she passed on.
There are so many different books out there with so many different stories. If you are going through this situation, and have your loved one in a nursing faculty, you may want to read this book and get some in site from Debbie.
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seabord Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Good evening,
I want to share with you a wonderful person that I have come to know. Her name is Rev. Jamie Saloff. She is a Cancer survivor, an author, hosts workshops, and organizes conferences with the intention of helping others improve their lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her book is called Transformational Healing. Her website is http://www.icantransform.com/ . She also has an authors visibility website called The Polka Dot Banner. She has written a real nice review about my book. She wrote, THE THING I FELT ABOUT THE BOOK WAS THAT IT SEEMED TO OFFER A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON SOMETHING THAT SEEMINGLY HAD NOTHING POSITIVE TO OFFER. SOME OF THE SITUATIONS WERE GUT WRENCHING, AND YET, YOU NOT ONLY CAME THROUGH THEM, BUT HAVE NOW BECAME AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH IT NOW. THAT'S A VERY GOOD THING. Thank you for those kind words Jamie. She is going to put my book on her Polka Dot Banner starting Monday August 24. So if you get a chance go to her link http://www.polkadotbanner.com/ and find my book and hit it. The top hit profile each month wins a featured author position.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
I want to share with you a wonderful person that I have come to know. Her name is Rev. Jamie Saloff. She is a Cancer survivor, an author, hosts workshops, and organizes conferences with the intention of helping others improve their lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her book is called Transformational Healing. Her website is http://www.icantransform.com/ . She also has an authors visibility website called The Polka Dot Banner. She has written a real nice review about my book. She wrote, THE THING I FELT ABOUT THE BOOK WAS THAT IT SEEMED TO OFFER A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON SOMETHING THAT SEEMINGLY HAD NOTHING POSITIVE TO OFFER. SOME OF THE SITUATIONS WERE GUT WRENCHING, AND YET, YOU NOT ONLY CAME THROUGH THEM, BUT HAVE NOW BECAME AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH IT NOW. THAT'S A VERY GOOD THING. Thank you for those kind words Jamie. She is going to put my book on her Polka Dot Banner starting Monday August 24. So if you get a chance go to her link http://www.polkadotbanner.com/ and find my book and hit it. The top hit profile each month wins a featured author position.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
Friday, August 14, 2009
Stage 3
This is the hardest stage for the caregiver. The loved one affected with Alzheimer's is likely to experience increased loss of mobility, lack of coordination, decreased appetite, and will need help in bathing, dressing and using the bathroom. It is real sad to see your loved one this way, but you will have to have patience as you help them with their daily activities. They will not know you at all, and that is very heart breaking. You need to focus on what abilities they still can do and watch how you talk and respond to them. Just like a child, when you are crabby they will be also They are dying and even though you may be upset with the idea of their death, you need to keep a positive outlook so that you demeanor doesn't show them you are upset. You need to touch them with affectionate ways, and continue to tell them that you love them. You will be giving them comfort and they really need it.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
An Imprint of James A Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
This is the hardest stage for the caregiver. The loved one affected with Alzheimer's is likely to experience increased loss of mobility, lack of coordination, decreased appetite, and will need help in bathing, dressing and using the bathroom. It is real sad to see your loved one this way, but you will have to have patience as you help them with their daily activities. They will not know you at all, and that is very heart breaking. You need to focus on what abilities they still can do and watch how you talk and respond to them. Just like a child, when you are crabby they will be also They are dying and even though you may be upset with the idea of their death, you need to keep a positive outlook so that you demeanor doesn't show them you are upset. You need to touch them with affectionate ways, and continue to tell them that you love them. You will be giving them comfort and they really need it.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
An Imprint of James A Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Check out my little movie on Joe and his progressing Alzheimer's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&layer_token=3c1917039222373
How do you know if you are becoming overly stressed or near burnout? It is important to take care of yourself. Sleep, relaxation, diet, exercise, and meditation are some important ways to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your loved one with Alzheimer's Disease. Here are some common warning signes of caregivers stress.
* Denial about your loved one with Alzheimer's Disease. You may think they are getting better.
* Frequent anger and irritability.
* Sleep problems, exhaustion, insomnia or constant fatigue.
* Difficulty concentrating.
* Social withdrawal, anxiety or depression.
* Constant worry.
* No motivation to get out of bed.
* Chronic health problems
If you are experiencing any of these signs on a regular basis you need to get some help. If you don't try to decrease your stress level, it is time for you to stop being the caregiver.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
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