ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
So how has this disease changed you?
Today on my truck, I had a call for an 88 yr old female who was having high blood pressure. It was pretty high, 196/119. When we took her vitals and put her on our monitor her heart rate was also high at 150 bpm. She was a sweet lady and she told me she just had a pacemaker put in around Christmas Time. She also told me that she just took a nitro to try and lower her blood pressure. She was worried about having a stroke. We packaged her up, transferred her to our gurney and got her to the hospital. Nice part about this call is as we were leaving for the hospital her heart rate and her blood pressure came down.
My question is why is it that this pretty elderly lady is lucky enough to have her own mind and take care of herself at age 88 when my father in law couldn't take care of him self at 76. My grandmother is 99 yrs old and she can take care of her self. What was it that she did different than my father in law. And what about me or my husband. What does our future have in store for us. Alzheimer's is such a terrible disease. I have to admit this disease scares me. I want to know who my children and grandchildren are as I grow old. What are your thoughts?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Has this disease changed you as a person?
Reading my book, I checked out October 23,2002. I wrote:
Hey, this is just a venting note. Sometimes it is not easy taking care of someone with Alzheimer's. Today I started out by getting up at 5 a.m. and running a couple of miles with Gina, my 15-year-old daughter. I got Dad up and dressed and gave him his coffee. Then we started our trip to pick up the people we were spending the day with. I picked up my 80 yr old Aunt who doesn't know anyone and is lonely while her 80 yr old husband is busy working because he won't retire. Drove to Joliet, about 35 miles away, with Dad telling me how to drive because he was a truck driver all his life and I'm not going the right way. I picked up my other two aunts, ages 80 and 90, and waited for a couple of young people to show up, ages 60 and 43.
We went to the nursing home first, before lunch, to visit another aunt. Then we went to the restaurant, where my sister-in-law took over and ordered for my father-in-law. That hurt my feelings since I am Dad's main caretaker and I only work 36 hours a week now.
On the way home Dad complained that I was taking the long way home and again, declared that I don't know where I am going.
When we get back, he tells me that his daughter lives with him but I can come in for a while if I'd like. Later I find him out in the garage without a coat on, complaining because the boxes are cluttering up the place and he has to fix it. Right now. I try to explain to him Jimmy is in the middle of cleaning out the garage but Dad is snapping at me.
I'm not complaining, just venting. I will go running in a few minutes and I will feel better.
But this is a part of the disease that is so hard. He doesn't know who we are or what we are doing. He doesn't understand that you are doing for him because you want to and because you love him.
It is a lot harder on Jimmy because this is his father. But when Dad snaps at me when I'm trying to help, I have to remind myself that he doesn't know what he is saying or doing. Please don't take this letter wrong. I LOVE WHAT I AM DOING!! It is just hard sometimes and today was just one of those days.
Hope you enjoyed this entry and understand a little more about this disease with the effects it has on you and your loved one.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Has this disease changed you as a person?
Reading my book, I checked out October 23,2002. I wrote:
Hey, this is just a venting note. Sometimes it is not easy taking care of someone with Alzheimer's. Today I started out by getting up at 5 a.m. and running a couple of miles with Gina, my 15-year-old daughter. I got Dad up and dressed and gave him his coffee. Then we started our trip to pick up the people we were spending the day with. I picked up my 80 yr old Aunt who doesn't know anyone and is lonely while her 80 yr old husband is busy working because he won't retire. Drove to Joliet, about 35 miles away, with Dad telling me how to drive because he was a truck driver all his life and I'm not going the right way. I picked up my other two aunts, ages 80 and 90, and waited for a couple of young people to show up, ages 60 and 43.
We went to the nursing home first, before lunch, to visit another aunt. Then we went to the restaurant, where my sister-in-law took over and ordered for my father-in-law. That hurt my feelings since I am Dad's main caretaker and I only work 36 hours a week now.
On the way home Dad complained that I was taking the long way home and again, declared that I don't know where I am going.
When we get back, he tells me that his daughter lives with him but I can come in for a while if I'd like. Later I find him out in the garage without a coat on, complaining because the boxes are cluttering up the place and he has to fix it. Right now. I try to explain to him Jimmy is in the middle of cleaning out the garage but Dad is snapping at me.
I'm not complaining, just venting. I will go running in a few minutes and I will feel better.
But this is a part of the disease that is so hard. He doesn't know who we are or what we are doing. He doesn't understand that you are doing for him because you want to and because you love him.
It is a lot harder on Jimmy because this is his father. But when Dad snaps at me when I'm trying to help, I have to remind myself that he doesn't know what he is saying or doing. Please don't take this letter wrong. I LOVE WHAT I AM DOING!! It is just hard sometimes and today was just one of those days.
Hope you enjoyed this entry and understand a little more about this disease with the effects it has on you and your loved one.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
How has this disease affected you?
Going back into time I remember one day when my father in law asked my husband what he (dad) did for a living. Jimmy told him that he was retired and receives a pension check every month. Dad shook his head and seemed to be alright with that answer. But about ten minutes later my father in law asked Jimmy to tell him when he (dad) goes to work and when does he come home? Jimmy told him that he doesn't go to work anymore. Dad looked puzzled and Jimmy told him again that he was retired and receives pension checks. Unfortunately that went on for a couple of hours.
Later that night we were all in bed, yet I heard dad up. I told him that it was bed time and that he had to go to bed. It was around eleven pm at night. I gave him his pajamas to put on but dad was being stubborn. He was angry with me, and quite short with me. He took a long time to put his pajamas on and getting angry with me because I kept checking up on him. He was getting noisy and yelling at me, and Jimmy finally had enough. He went into the room and yelled at his father. Dad just got into bed, I put the sheets and blankets on him and he went to sleep. But poor Jimmy was feeling very frustrated and mad at himself.
This disease can take a lot out of you, and show a side of you that you didn't know you had. I would love to hear your stories. Please comment :)
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
How has this disease affected you?
Going back into time I remember one day when my father in law asked my husband what he (dad) did for a living. Jimmy told him that he was retired and receives a pension check every month. Dad shook his head and seemed to be alright with that answer. But about ten minutes later my father in law asked Jimmy to tell him when he (dad) goes to work and when does he come home? Jimmy told him that he doesn't go to work anymore. Dad looked puzzled and Jimmy told him again that he was retired and receives pension checks. Unfortunately that went on for a couple of hours.
Later that night we were all in bed, yet I heard dad up. I told him that it was bed time and that he had to go to bed. It was around eleven pm at night. I gave him his pajamas to put on but dad was being stubborn. He was angry with me, and quite short with me. He took a long time to put his pajamas on and getting angry with me because I kept checking up on him. He was getting noisy and yelling at me, and Jimmy finally had enough. He went into the room and yelled at his father. Dad just got into bed, I put the sheets and blankets on him and he went to sleep. But poor Jimmy was feeling very frustrated and mad at himself.
This disease can take a lot out of you, and show a side of you that you didn't know you had. I would love to hear your stories. Please comment :)
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Thursday, February 25, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
How has this disease changed you as a person?
It is different to everyone. This disease - Alzheimer's - not only changes the mental behavior and personality of the one who is stricken. It can and many times does, change the behavior of the caretaker as well.
This is a little piece from my husband. First a little bit about my husband's relationship with his father. There was never a time when he didn't think his father loved him with his whole heart. And Jimmy felt the same. Joe was a good father, great husband, and just a great man. When they were young they would always find things to argue about, but it was never violent or cussing. As Jimmy got older the arguing began to subside and they drew closer to each other.
This disease is very frustrating, and aggravating. Jimmy was having trouble having patience with his father. He will shamefully say he cursed at him, pinched him, pulled him, pushed him, and treated him by far much worse than he had treated anyone else in the world.
It wasn't until Joe died that the shame set in an and Jimmy would apologize many times a day to his father, asking forgiveness for days, weeks, and months. He was ashamed and horrified beyond words for his actions.
I wanted to share this with you. I want you to know that you are not alone. That this disease plays differently with every one and we are not all proud of what it did to us, and how we treated our loved one, but we can learn from it.
The purpose for writing this book is to let you see what it did to this family, and how differently we were all affected by it. It is something to read and consider before you take on this awesome responsibility.
Any thoughts on this matter? How is this disease affecting your family?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
How has this disease changed you as a person?
It is different to everyone. This disease - Alzheimer's - not only changes the mental behavior and personality of the one who is stricken. It can and many times does, change the behavior of the caretaker as well.
This is a little piece from my husband. First a little bit about my husband's relationship with his father. There was never a time when he didn't think his father loved him with his whole heart. And Jimmy felt the same. Joe was a good father, great husband, and just a great man. When they were young they would always find things to argue about, but it was never violent or cussing. As Jimmy got older the arguing began to subside and they drew closer to each other.
This disease is very frustrating, and aggravating. Jimmy was having trouble having patience with his father. He will shamefully say he cursed at him, pinched him, pulled him, pushed him, and treated him by far much worse than he had treated anyone else in the world.
It wasn't until Joe died that the shame set in an and Jimmy would apologize many times a day to his father, asking forgiveness for days, weeks, and months. He was ashamed and horrified beyond words for his actions.
I wanted to share this with you. I want you to know that you are not alone. That this disease plays differently with every one and we are not all proud of what it did to us, and how we treated our loved one, but we can learn from it.
The purpose for writing this book is to let you see what it did to this family, and how differently we were all affected by it. It is something to read and consider before you take on this awesome responsibility.
Any thoughts on this matter? How is this disease affecting your family?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
HOW HAS ALZHEIMER'S CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? HOW WERE YOU CHANGED AS A PERSON? HAS YOUR LIFE OR YOUR FUTURE BEEN CHANGED AS A RESULT BECAUSE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ALZHEIMER'S?
I would love to her from you to see how this terrible disease has changed you. For me I began to realize more than ever how precious life is. I realized that growing old with your loved one may not be a fun experience. I always thought the golden years were to be the time that you and your spouse were going to see the world, and enjoy life now that you were enjoying retirement. My views have changed on that since dealing with my father in law and his Alzheimer's. I always knew life was a gift, but now more than ever I want to experience what ever I can while we still have our senses about us and before one of us starts to get dementia. I know everyone does not get this disease. My grandmother is going to be 100 yrs old next March and she has been getting a little confused just these last couple of years. Yet she still bakes cookies, and rides a three wheel bike. But on the other hand, her husband did get Alzheimer's about 20 yrs ago and died a couple years after that.
I would love to hear from you. Tell me how this terrible disease has changed you.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com
www.blogspot.com
www.google.com
HOW HAS ALZHEIMER'S CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? HOW WERE YOU CHANGED AS A PERSON? HAS YOUR LIFE OR YOUR FUTURE BEEN CHANGED AS A RESULT BECAUSE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ALZHEIMER'S?
I would love to her from you to see how this terrible disease has changed you. For me I began to realize more than ever how precious life is. I realized that growing old with your loved one may not be a fun experience. I always thought the golden years were to be the time that you and your spouse were going to see the world, and enjoy life now that you were enjoying retirement. My views have changed on that since dealing with my father in law and his Alzheimer's. I always knew life was a gift, but now more than ever I want to experience what ever I can while we still have our senses about us and before one of us starts to get dementia. I know everyone does not get this disease. My grandmother is going to be 100 yrs old next March and she has been getting a little confused just these last couple of years. Yet she still bakes cookies, and rides a three wheel bike. But on the other hand, her husband did get Alzheimer's about 20 yrs ago and died a couple years after that.
I would love to hear from you. Tell me how this terrible disease has changed you.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com
www.blogspot.com
www.google.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
This week on Alzheimer's Weekly there is a talk and video about Caregivers Getting Support.
It talks about the average person taking care of a parent is in their forties and they are sandwiched in between taking care of their own children and now there parents. Please use this link to read it:
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/Caregivers/caregivers-get-support-a686.html
I have been there, so I really know what they mean. I was so tired, between taking care of my father in law and working part time and raising my last child of five while she was in high school. It was such a help when I found a day care of the elderly. At first I used them a couple of times a week, but eventually I ended up using them five days a week. This was time well spent whether I took a nap or took an outing with my family. You have to take care of yourself if you want to be able to take care of someone else. Watch this video, and hopefully you will find some comfort knowing you are not alone and there is nothing wrong with getting some help.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
This week on Alzheimer's Weekly there is a talk and video about Caregivers Getting Support.
It talks about the average person taking care of a parent is in their forties and they are sandwiched in between taking care of their own children and now there parents. Please use this link to read it:
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/Caregivers/caregivers-get-support-a686.html
I have been there, so I really know what they mean. I was so tired, between taking care of my father in law and working part time and raising my last child of five while she was in high school. It was such a help when I found a day care of the elderly. At first I used them a couple of times a week, but eventually I ended up using them five days a week. This was time well spent whether I took a nap or took an outing with my family. You have to take care of yourself if you want to be able to take care of someone else. Watch this video, and hopefully you will find some comfort knowing you are not alone and there is nothing wrong with getting some help.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
My mind is busy going into the past. I can't help but think of my father in law and how much I miss him. My inlaws were one of the things that helped sway me to marry my husband. I loved my husband, but his parents were some of the nicest people I had ever met. They took me in with such loving arms when I met them. They didn't judge me, and just accepted me the way I was. I remember the first fight my husband and I had after we got married. My mother in law talked to me, and did not take sides. She just told me what she thought and told me that we had to try ourselves to make it work. I remember when my husband got laid off in Chicago and he got a job in Houston. My father in law came over and helped us with the move, showing me how to open the top of the over and clean it. I was so young and dumb. He never judged me, he just helped me and taught me. Than my husband and I were having marital problems. We were living in San Antionio, and I had just filed for a divorce. My father in law drove a truck from Chicago, and helped pack me and my five children up and drove us to his house to live untill my husband and I figured out what we were doing.
Alzheimer's took my father in laws personality away from him. He was not the same person whom I knew when I married into the family. But my memories of the loving man he was, is what made me want to take charge of him. And even though I got mad at myself for getting upset with him at times, I also had times I just loved having him around. I MISS HIM.
This is just me thinking out loud. Just to let you know that you are not alone. Read my book, and feel the love we had for him and how as a family we got through this terrible disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
My mind is busy going into the past. I can't help but think of my father in law and how much I miss him. My inlaws were one of the things that helped sway me to marry my husband. I loved my husband, but his parents were some of the nicest people I had ever met. They took me in with such loving arms when I met them. They didn't judge me, and just accepted me the way I was. I remember the first fight my husband and I had after we got married. My mother in law talked to me, and did not take sides. She just told me what she thought and told me that we had to try ourselves to make it work. I remember when my husband got laid off in Chicago and he got a job in Houston. My father in law came over and helped us with the move, showing me how to open the top of the over and clean it. I was so young and dumb. He never judged me, he just helped me and taught me. Than my husband and I were having marital problems. We were living in San Antionio, and I had just filed for a divorce. My father in law drove a truck from Chicago, and helped pack me and my five children up and drove us to his house to live untill my husband and I figured out what we were doing.
Alzheimer's took my father in laws personality away from him. He was not the same person whom I knew when I married into the family. But my memories of the loving man he was, is what made me want to take charge of him. And even though I got mad at myself for getting upset with him at times, I also had times I just loved having him around. I MISS HIM.
This is just me thinking out loud. Just to let you know that you are not alone. Read my book, and feel the love we had for him and how as a family we got through this terrible disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Put your self in his shoes. It is midnight when I get a call for a patient with fast pulse rate. We get to the nursing home and the nurse tells me this patients pulse is running 140 beats per minute. Also he is on oxygen and his oxygen sats are only 91% on 4 liters of oxygen. She asks me to wait because she is not finished with her paper work. As I am at the nurse station first I see an elderly women in a wheel chair sitting there awake, but very confused. As she tries to walk her wheel chair down the hall a little the nurse runs to her and puts her back in the same spot telling her she can't leave. I go through my patients paper work to see he has a history of atrial fib, has pneumonia and is on an antibiotic. The nurse tells me to make sure that this patient keeps his nasal cannula on. I remind the nurse that I drop off the patient at the hospital and she may need a sitter to sit with this patient if she is worried about him keeping on his oxygen. She states she can't and calls a relative to let them know that the patient is leaving.
Now I am in my patients room. He is 89 yrs old, can't see very well, can't hear very well, and is confused as to why we are bothering him. Patiently we put him on our gurney, put on a ecg monitor to see that his pulse is running 55 beats per minute to 140. His oxygen sats for us are 98%. The nurse comes in and states she can feel his heart beating with her hand on his chest and that can't be good. We put in an IV, Pulse ox, oxygen, and ecg monitor and bring him to the hospital.
I am thinking that this patient has to be very scared, confused, and very tired. He doesn't know who we are, and why we are getting him in the middle of the night. We need to think of how we are taking care of our elderly. We need to put our self in there shoes. Just food for thought.
If you are reading this, try and get my book. Maybe it will help you as you go through the journey with your loved one through this terrible disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Put your self in his shoes. It is midnight when I get a call for a patient with fast pulse rate. We get to the nursing home and the nurse tells me this patients pulse is running 140 beats per minute. Also he is on oxygen and his oxygen sats are only 91% on 4 liters of oxygen. She asks me to wait because she is not finished with her paper work. As I am at the nurse station first I see an elderly women in a wheel chair sitting there awake, but very confused. As she tries to walk her wheel chair down the hall a little the nurse runs to her and puts her back in the same spot telling her she can't leave. I go through my patients paper work to see he has a history of atrial fib, has pneumonia and is on an antibiotic. The nurse tells me to make sure that this patient keeps his nasal cannula on. I remind the nurse that I drop off the patient at the hospital and she may need a sitter to sit with this patient if she is worried about him keeping on his oxygen. She states she can't and calls a relative to let them know that the patient is leaving.
Now I am in my patients room. He is 89 yrs old, can't see very well, can't hear very well, and is confused as to why we are bothering him. Patiently we put him on our gurney, put on a ecg monitor to see that his pulse is running 55 beats per minute to 140. His oxygen sats for us are 98%. The nurse comes in and states she can feel his heart beating with her hand on his chest and that can't be good. We put in an IV, Pulse ox, oxygen, and ecg monitor and bring him to the hospital.
I am thinking that this patient has to be very scared, confused, and very tired. He doesn't know who we are, and why we are getting him in the middle of the night. We need to think of how we are taking care of our elderly. We need to put our self in there shoes. Just food for thought.
If you are reading this, try and get my book. Maybe it will help you as you go through the journey with your loved one through this terrible disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Sunday, February 21, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
I had been writing down in a journal just to keep track of how Dad was progressing. We had moved into my father-in-laws home and Jimmy wasn't doing very well with this situation. Dad told Jimmy he wanted us to take him home, and told us he liked it here with us but he needed to check on his house. At first Jimmy was calm talking to Dad, telling him that this was his home. But the conversation did not end and Jimmy now was arguing with Dad. Jimmy felt defeated and finally admitted that he has to learn just to agree with Dad. He finally realized that he could not change Dad's mind or make him understand.
The next day the same thing happened and Dad wanted us to take him home. So I took him for a ride in the car to show him his home. After we drove up the street, I asked Dad if anything looked familiar. Dad said,"Yes, I live around here. Hey, my house is around here. Where are we going?"
I explained to him that he wanted to find his house so I was going to show it to him. He replied that he knows where he lives and he never said such a thing. I drove up the driveway, and Dad told me he lives here and seemed agitated.
I hope this helps you as you find yourself in a incident where you feel defeated, confused, agitated, and very alone. Remind yourself this is the disease and not your loved one.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
I had been writing down in a journal just to keep track of how Dad was progressing. We had moved into my father-in-laws home and Jimmy wasn't doing very well with this situation. Dad told Jimmy he wanted us to take him home, and told us he liked it here with us but he needed to check on his house. At first Jimmy was calm talking to Dad, telling him that this was his home. But the conversation did not end and Jimmy now was arguing with Dad. Jimmy felt defeated and finally admitted that he has to learn just to agree with Dad. He finally realized that he could not change Dad's mind or make him understand.
The next day the same thing happened and Dad wanted us to take him home. So I took him for a ride in the car to show him his home. After we drove up the street, I asked Dad if anything looked familiar. Dad said,"Yes, I live around here. Hey, my house is around here. Where are we going?"
I explained to him that he wanted to find his house so I was going to show it to him. He replied that he knows where he lives and he never said such a thing. I drove up the driveway, and Dad told me he lives here and seemed agitated.
I hope this helps you as you find yourself in a incident where you feel defeated, confused, agitated, and very alone. Remind yourself this is the disease and not your loved one.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Saturday, February 20, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Dad use to get confused. He had a routine that I use to try to keep. He would like his cup of coffee in the morning and than take a nap. Than I would have him change his clothes. I remembered one time when I laid his clothes on his bed. He would come out telling me he is ready but I noticed he only changed his shirt and not his pants. So I sent him in his room again to change his pants. He told me he did, so I showed him the dirt on his pants and sent him back into his room with the clean pants. He came out again with the dirty ones on saying he changed them. After three times of sending him in his room to change his pants, I finally kept the clean pants outside the door with me. I told him to take off the dirty ones and pass them to me, and than I passed him the clean ones. Bless his heart, I heard him say, "I've never changed into so many pairs of pants in one day before."
Remember you can not be in a hurry with a loved one with Alzheimer's. You need more patience and time and compassion.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Dad use to get confused. He had a routine that I use to try to keep. He would like his cup of coffee in the morning and than take a nap. Than I would have him change his clothes. I remembered one time when I laid his clothes on his bed. He would come out telling me he is ready but I noticed he only changed his shirt and not his pants. So I sent him in his room again to change his pants. He told me he did, so I showed him the dirt on his pants and sent him back into his room with the clean pants. He came out again with the dirty ones on saying he changed them. After three times of sending him in his room to change his pants, I finally kept the clean pants outside the door with me. I told him to take off the dirty ones and pass them to me, and than I passed him the clean ones. Bless his heart, I heard him say, "I've never changed into so many pairs of pants in one day before."
Remember you can not be in a hurry with a loved one with Alzheimer's. You need more patience and time and compassion.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Today is starting out as an interesting day. First I have a cute 63 yr old female who can not use her left side of her body because of an old CVA. So the aid has her sitting on her bed, trying to stand up, to get into her wheel chair, but she slips and falls and the left side of her face is swollen and bruise with pretty purple under her eye. OUCH.
Than when I am at the hospital, I am listening to a nurse trying to talk to a patient who has dementia, and telling her where she is going. The poor patient does not understand her and keeps asking her the same question over and over again. The nurse is getting frustrated talking to her repeating her self over and over again. OK my feelings here are on the patient and how confused as to what is going on, why it is going on, and no family around.
Next I talk to a doctor about how are elderly are in a nursing home vs home. He says it is to hard to watch them at home, plus how are you suppose to work if you have to stay home and baby sit.
We will see how the rest of the day goes. Imagine being in your loved ones shoes with Alzheimer's. They don't understand what is going on and the people don't understand them.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
www.blogspot.com
www.google.com
Today is starting out as an interesting day. First I have a cute 63 yr old female who can not use her left side of her body because of an old CVA. So the aid has her sitting on her bed, trying to stand up, to get into her wheel chair, but she slips and falls and the left side of her face is swollen and bruise with pretty purple under her eye. OUCH.
Than when I am at the hospital, I am listening to a nurse trying to talk to a patient who has dementia, and telling her where she is going. The poor patient does not understand her and keeps asking her the same question over and over again. The nurse is getting frustrated talking to her repeating her self over and over again. OK my feelings here are on the patient and how confused as to what is going on, why it is going on, and no family around.
Next I talk to a doctor about how are elderly are in a nursing home vs home. He says it is to hard to watch them at home, plus how are you suppose to work if you have to stay home and baby sit.
We will see how the rest of the day goes. Imagine being in your loved ones shoes with Alzheimer's. They don't understand what is going on and the people don't understand them.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
www.blogspot.com
www.google.com
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
So you found out your parent is forgetting things. And each time you see them it gets worse. What do you do? Is it Dementia or Alzheimer's? Can they still live alone? Will they be safe? Do they have any other medical problems that also need to be taken care of?
These are some of the questions that go through your head when your loved one is forgetful. Your loved one may live in their own home or apartment. Or they may have already moved into a living area for seniors only where they can get the help of a nurse if need.
Do you move them to something they are not familiar with? Will they get more confused? Do you move in with them? Do you put them into a nursing home? Do you move them into your home?
So many decisions to make and so much research that needs to be done. We chose to move in with my father in law. It is a personal decision. I wanted to try and let him have a normal life until the end. I thought he deserved that. It was not an easy task, picking up and moving. For me it was the right choice. But for you it may be different. Please check out the different Alzheimer's Sites before you make your decision. I want to tell you that either way you choose you will feel guilt. Maybe you feel guilty because you put them in a nursing home. But you were not able to take care of them at your home and it was for the best. Maybe you feel guilty while living with them because they can get on your nerves. Remember you are only human. There is no right or wrong answer. And please remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Read my book and see my adventure with Alzheimer's. I hope it will help you.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
So you found out your parent is forgetting things. And each time you see them it gets worse. What do you do? Is it Dementia or Alzheimer's? Can they still live alone? Will they be safe? Do they have any other medical problems that also need to be taken care of?
These are some of the questions that go through your head when your loved one is forgetful. Your loved one may live in their own home or apartment. Or they may have already moved into a living area for seniors only where they can get the help of a nurse if need.
Do you move them to something they are not familiar with? Will they get more confused? Do you move in with them? Do you put them into a nursing home? Do you move them into your home?
So many decisions to make and so much research that needs to be done. We chose to move in with my father in law. It is a personal decision. I wanted to try and let him have a normal life until the end. I thought he deserved that. It was not an easy task, picking up and moving. For me it was the right choice. But for you it may be different. Please check out the different Alzheimer's Sites before you make your decision. I want to tell you that either way you choose you will feel guilt. Maybe you feel guilty because you put them in a nursing home. But you were not able to take care of them at your home and it was for the best. Maybe you feel guilty while living with them because they can get on your nerves. Remember you are only human. There is no right or wrong answer. And please remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Read my book and see my adventure with Alzheimer's. I hope it will help you.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
One of the favorite things my father in law like to do was eat. I use to take him in the car for a 30 minute ride to pick up a couple of his sister in laws. We would than go to a nursing home to see another sister in law. Than the four of us would go out to eat. He let the women help him walk and let me help him with the ordering. When the ladies would talk to him, he seemed to know who they were. But when I dropped them off and he told them goodbye we wouldn't drive to long before he would be asking me why we were in the car. When I told him who we saw and what he did, he would want to call them and ask them if I was telling him the truth.
Alzheimer's is a very strange disease the way it plays with the persons mind. When this happens to you and they can't remember who you are or who they were with. Just remember, it is the disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
One of the favorite things my father in law like to do was eat. I use to take him in the car for a 30 minute ride to pick up a couple of his sister in laws. We would than go to a nursing home to see another sister in law. Than the four of us would go out to eat. He let the women help him walk and let me help him with the ordering. When the ladies would talk to him, he seemed to know who they were. But when I dropped them off and he told them goodbye we wouldn't drive to long before he would be asking me why we were in the car. When I told him who we saw and what he did, he would want to call them and ask them if I was telling him the truth.
Alzheimer's is a very strange disease the way it plays with the persons mind. When this happens to you and they can't remember who you are or who they were with. Just remember, it is the disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Monday, February 15, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
How to prepare the house for continue safety:
WONDERING: Keep a bracelet on them with there name, address, phone numbers, and allergies. My father in law would wonder out of the house but I was lucky. He would walk down to the mail box and back to the front door. Of course I had to keep an eye on him, and I could watch him from the kitchen window.
DRESSING: As time goes on and the Alzheimer's gets worse, I found it was easier for dad to get dressed if I only gave him one piece of clothing at a time. He seemed to get mixed up if all the clothes were in front of him.
BATHING: My father in law use to fight me when it came to taking a bath. I kept a bath chair in the tub for him and would already have the water in the tub. At first I would tell him it is his turn to bath and he would go in the bathroom and turn the water on in the sink, wash his face and walk out telling me he took a bath. So finally I had to help him undress and get into the tub. He would yell at me asking me why I didn't make him bathe when he was in the army. Than he would go off on a tangent yelling at me as to why I made him kill women and children in the army. But unfortunately as the Alzheimer's progressed he would sit on the bath chair and do as he was told until it finally progressed and he didn't know how to bath and I would be bathing him.
TOILETING: Of course at first dad could use the toilet. But as time went on, I use to put him on the potty like he was a child trying to guessed when he would need to go until finally he had to wear depends. Even with the depends I would try and put him on the potty so he wouldn't be to embarrassed.
LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING PROBLEMS: I call this time Sun downing. This was the time he would get agitated, and want to wonder even more. I tried to keep him busy with puzzles or cards that I would play with him. That didn't always do the trick. I tried to put him on a schedule. In the mornings and early afternoons my schedule worked but towards the evenings I could not keep one. It always depended on his moods.
I hope this helps you if you are dealing with this terrible disease with your loved one. If you have any questions for something I didn't write please let me know and I will address them for you. Keep up the good work. I know you feel all alone. There are many of you baby boomers out there dealing with this. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
How to prepare the house for continue safety:
WONDERING: Keep a bracelet on them with there name, address, phone numbers, and allergies. My father in law would wonder out of the house but I was lucky. He would walk down to the mail box and back to the front door. Of course I had to keep an eye on him, and I could watch him from the kitchen window.
DRESSING: As time goes on and the Alzheimer's gets worse, I found it was easier for dad to get dressed if I only gave him one piece of clothing at a time. He seemed to get mixed up if all the clothes were in front of him.
BATHING: My father in law use to fight me when it came to taking a bath. I kept a bath chair in the tub for him and would already have the water in the tub. At first I would tell him it is his turn to bath and he would go in the bathroom and turn the water on in the sink, wash his face and walk out telling me he took a bath. So finally I had to help him undress and get into the tub. He would yell at me asking me why I didn't make him bathe when he was in the army. Than he would go off on a tangent yelling at me as to why I made him kill women and children in the army. But unfortunately as the Alzheimer's progressed he would sit on the bath chair and do as he was told until it finally progressed and he didn't know how to bath and I would be bathing him.
TOILETING: Of course at first dad could use the toilet. But as time went on, I use to put him on the potty like he was a child trying to guessed when he would need to go until finally he had to wear depends. Even with the depends I would try and put him on the potty so he wouldn't be to embarrassed.
LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING PROBLEMS: I call this time Sun downing. This was the time he would get agitated, and want to wonder even more. I tried to keep him busy with puzzles or cards that I would play with him. That didn't always do the trick. I tried to put him on a schedule. In the mornings and early afternoons my schedule worked but towards the evenings I could not keep one. It always depended on his moods.
I hope this helps you if you are dealing with this terrible disease with your loved one. If you have any questions for something I didn't write please let me know and I will address them for you. Keep up the good work. I know you feel all alone. There are many of you baby boomers out there dealing with this. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Sunday, February 14, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Have you read Alzheimer's Weekly today? MEDITERRANEAN DIET PROTECTS MEMORY AND THINKING
A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of the brain damage that can lead
to problems with thinking and memory, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd annual meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010.
The study found that people who ate a Mediterranean-like diet were less likely to have brain infarcts, or small areas of dead were less likely to have brain infarcts, or small areas of dead tissue linked to thinking problems. (An infarct happens when blood passage is slowed or completely blocked by clotting.)
Please read this whole article. http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
www.google.com
Have you read Alzheimer's Weekly today? MEDITERRANEAN DIET PROTECTS MEMORY AND THINKING
A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of the brain damage that can lead
to problems with thinking and memory, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd annual meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010.
The study found that people who ate a Mediterranean-like diet were less likely to have brain infarcts, or small areas of dead were less likely to have brain infarcts, or small areas of dead tissue linked to thinking problems. (An infarct happens when blood passage is slowed or completely blocked by clotting.)
Please read this whole article. http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
www.google.com
Saturday, February 13, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
What a wonderful evening. Happy Valentines Day. Yes it is a day early but here in sunny Phoenix, Az Alzheimer's Association had their 2010 Gala Ball. It was at the Phoenician Resort. It was beautiful as we drove up the street into the yard of this resort with trees, flowers a water fall and a golf course with the prettiest green grass. Of course the weather here is a warm. It was a fancy affair, women had to wear a black dress and the men had to wear black dress pants, white dress shirt, black tie, and black suit coat. We were volunteers and each had a job. My husband's and my job was to usher people into the ballroom and help with the live auction. The resort was breath taking as we walked inside looking for the ballroom. the chandeliers were lots of cut glass that was sculpted into a cute design and the way the light passed through it was pretty. The lights on the wall resembled the chandeliers. There were tables lined up against the wall with a silent auction going on. Women were passing around appetisers and wine. A couple girls were passing around candy. There was also a photographer. It was amazing to see the people come in so dressed up in beautiful clothes coming to this event. A red rose was handed to everyone who paid for the affair.
Dinner included SALAD: Roasted Wild Mushroom Salad, Seasonal Greens, Parmesan Cheese, Pear Tomatoes, Mustard Vinaigrette. ENTREE: Blue cheese and Herb Crusted Filet Mignon w/Merlot Demi Glaze, Cauliflower Potato Puree Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Spinach & Oven Dried Tomato. DESSERT: Dark Chocolate Mousse Dome with Macadamia Parfait Caramelized Nuts. coffee & tea service- glass mountain chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
There was a live auction, paddle appeal, plus just some donating of money. In the end was Dancing. A couple from Fred Astaire was there dancing for every one also. There were a few couples that had to be in there 70's or more and they were on the dance floor cutting the rug. I loved seeing that.
I think about 180 people paid to go to the event. I hope we raised a good amount of money to help with the research to end this terrible disease. Remember life is short so enjoy each day.
Thank you Jimmy for a wonderful Valentines Date and Dinner and Dancing.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/
What a wonderful evening. Happy Valentines Day. Yes it is a day early but here in sunny Phoenix, Az Alzheimer's Association had their 2010 Gala Ball. It was at the Phoenician Resort. It was beautiful as we drove up the street into the yard of this resort with trees, flowers a water fall and a golf course with the prettiest green grass. Of course the weather here is a warm. It was a fancy affair, women had to wear a black dress and the men had to wear black dress pants, white dress shirt, black tie, and black suit coat. We were volunteers and each had a job. My husband's and my job was to usher people into the ballroom and help with the live auction. The resort was breath taking as we walked inside looking for the ballroom. the chandeliers were lots of cut glass that was sculpted into a cute design and the way the light passed through it was pretty. The lights on the wall resembled the chandeliers. There were tables lined up against the wall with a silent auction going on. Women were passing around appetisers and wine. A couple girls were passing around candy. There was also a photographer. It was amazing to see the people come in so dressed up in beautiful clothes coming to this event. A red rose was handed to everyone who paid for the affair.
Dinner included SALAD: Roasted Wild Mushroom Salad, Seasonal Greens, Parmesan Cheese, Pear Tomatoes, Mustard Vinaigrette. ENTREE: Blue cheese and Herb Crusted Filet Mignon w/Merlot Demi Glaze, Cauliflower Potato Puree Roasted Butternut Squash, Sauteed Spinach & Oven Dried Tomato. DESSERT: Dark Chocolate Mousse Dome with Macadamia Parfait Caramelized Nuts. coffee & tea service- glass mountain chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
There was a live auction, paddle appeal, plus just some donating of money. In the end was Dancing. A couple from Fred Astaire was there dancing for every one also. There were a few couples that had to be in there 70's or more and they were on the dance floor cutting the rug. I loved seeing that.
I think about 180 people paid to go to the event. I hope we raised a good amount of money to help with the research to end this terrible disease. Remember life is short so enjoy each day.
Thank you Jimmy for a wonderful Valentines Date and Dinner and Dancing.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/
Friday, February 12, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Today has been a real busy day on my ambulance. It breaks my heart when I have a patient who takes a lot of pills to hopefully try to end their life. Than it doesn't work and we show up to take them to a hospital to get medically cleared and than to a psych facility. Don't they know life is a gift. It really did hurt my heart today for a 66 yr old male with dementia, who has had a fracture of his right hip Jan 1 of this year and this is the third time it got dislocated. He is in so much pain. He doesn't remember if any one gave him anything for pain but the nursing home did. It just takes time to work. ugh So I have this man moaning in pain asking for more morphine. Yet after we got him to the hospital and all the questions were asked he was lying quietly in the bed. I am sure that his ambulance ride was not fun. We have a truck frame in the back and you know it is bouncy back there. It is not a smooth ride so it had to hurt every time we hit a bump. Sorry Sir. :(
Well everyone have a great holiday weekend. Sunday is Valentines Day. Don't forget to get your sweet heart something special. And don't forget your Alzheimer's family member to make it special for them also. They may forget, but at that time they will be over joyed. We shouldn't have to have a special date to remember someone. We should do this on a regular basis. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Today has been a real busy day on my ambulance. It breaks my heart when I have a patient who takes a lot of pills to hopefully try to end their life. Than it doesn't work and we show up to take them to a hospital to get medically cleared and than to a psych facility. Don't they know life is a gift. It really did hurt my heart today for a 66 yr old male with dementia, who has had a fracture of his right hip Jan 1 of this year and this is the third time it got dislocated. He is in so much pain. He doesn't remember if any one gave him anything for pain but the nursing home did. It just takes time to work. ugh So I have this man moaning in pain asking for more morphine. Yet after we got him to the hospital and all the questions were asked he was lying quietly in the bed. I am sure that his ambulance ride was not fun. We have a truck frame in the back and you know it is bouncy back there. It is not a smooth ride so it had to hurt every time we hit a bump. Sorry Sir. :(
Well everyone have a great holiday weekend. Sunday is Valentines Day. Don't forget to get your sweet heart something special. And don't forget your Alzheimer's family member to make it special for them also. They may forget, but at that time they will be over joyed. We shouldn't have to have a special date to remember someone. We should do this on a regular basis. Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Hey just a little reminder about find a cure panel where care givers of people with Alzheimer's Disease can participate in on line research designed especially for them. For every completed survey, FACP will donate a minimum of $25.00 to a Alzheimer's Disease related non profit of your choice. You can register by completing the 2 minute profile below:
http://www.facebook.com/1/69da4;member.assistyourteamsurveys.com/aytsreg.aspx?AID=292
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Hey just a little reminder about find a cure panel where care givers of people with Alzheimer's Disease can participate in on line research designed especially for them. For every completed survey, FACP will donate a minimum of $25.00 to a Alzheimer's Disease related non profit of your choice. You can register by completing the 2 minute profile below:
http://www.facebook.com/1/69da4;member.assistyourteamsurveys.com/aytsreg.aspx?AID=292
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
When my sister in law called us to tell us that she could no longer live with dad, and she was thinking of putting him in a nursing home, is when we decided we were the ones who had to move. I have nothing against nursing homes. I use to work in one as a nurses aid, and I took care of a hall way full of patients every day. But I was only one person for all these people, and I bathed them, helped them brush their teeth, put them on the potty, made their beds, got them dressed and even helped some of them eat. I am not complaining of the work I did, but I am complaining about not being able to give each of them enough of my time. So it was a very easy decision for us to make.
We quit our jobs, and switched high school for my youngest child. We learned from day one after moving in that Alzheimer's suffered not just long-term memory loss but also short-term memory loss. The next morning I found Dad sitting in the living room, looking at all the boxes. With sad eyes he looked at me and said, "Hey lady, what are you doing with all my stuff? I put my hard work and sweat into this place and now I see a truck in the driveway and my stuff in boxes." I tried to explain to him that the boxes were full of our stuff, and that we were moving in. Jimmy even opened a couple of them to show Dad. But Dad was confused and set on the idea that we were packing him up.
It hurt to see the man who I had admired and looked up to for so many years, who took care of me and my family in countless situations, appear so helpless and confused. I was just glad that I was given the opportunity to try and return his kindness, and try to provide the quality of life that he deserved.
I have recently been talking to a Mr Douglas Lowell, the president of find a cure panel. They focus on research for Alzheimer's Disease. Please check out this website:
www.findacuretransit.com
Sincerelly,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
When my sister in law called us to tell us that she could no longer live with dad, and she was thinking of putting him in a nursing home, is when we decided we were the ones who had to move. I have nothing against nursing homes. I use to work in one as a nurses aid, and I took care of a hall way full of patients every day. But I was only one person for all these people, and I bathed them, helped them brush their teeth, put them on the potty, made their beds, got them dressed and even helped some of them eat. I am not complaining of the work I did, but I am complaining about not being able to give each of them enough of my time. So it was a very easy decision for us to make.
We quit our jobs, and switched high school for my youngest child. We learned from day one after moving in that Alzheimer's suffered not just long-term memory loss but also short-term memory loss. The next morning I found Dad sitting in the living room, looking at all the boxes. With sad eyes he looked at me and said, "Hey lady, what are you doing with all my stuff? I put my hard work and sweat into this place and now I see a truck in the driveway and my stuff in boxes." I tried to explain to him that the boxes were full of our stuff, and that we were moving in. Jimmy even opened a couple of them to show Dad. But Dad was confused and set on the idea that we were packing him up.
It hurt to see the man who I had admired and looked up to for so many years, who took care of me and my family in countless situations, appear so helpless and confused. I was just glad that I was given the opportunity to try and return his kindness, and try to provide the quality of life that he deserved.
I have recently been talking to a Mr Douglas Lowell, the president of find a cure panel. They focus on research for Alzheimer's Disease. Please check out this website:
www.findacuretransit.com
Sincerelly,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Have you checked out Alzheimer's Association lately? They have a new study which shows Cigarette smoking a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease. A USCF analysis of published studies on the relationship between Alzheimer's Disease and smoking indicates that smoking cigarettes is a significant risk factor for the disease.
Also: Study will put to test growing evidence linking high blood pressure to dementia. In a flurry of new research, scientists scanned peoples brains to show hypertension fuels a kind of scanning linked to later development of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia's. Those scars can start building up in middle age, decades before memory problems will appear.
Go on to www.alz.org Read it and learn more about Alzheimer's.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Have you checked out Alzheimer's Association lately? They have a new study which shows Cigarette smoking a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease. A USCF analysis of published studies on the relationship between Alzheimer's Disease and smoking indicates that smoking cigarettes is a significant risk factor for the disease.
Also: Study will put to test growing evidence linking high blood pressure to dementia. In a flurry of new research, scientists scanned peoples brains to show hypertension fuels a kind of scanning linked to later development of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia's. Those scars can start building up in middle age, decades before memory problems will appear.
Go on to www.alz.org Read it and learn more about Alzheimer's.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Obesity ages a brain by 16 years; This is an article on Alzheimer's Weekly. Health studies show that people that age 70 yrs. and older and over weight with the body mass index from 25 to 30 had 4% less tissue in the frontal lobes of the brain than normal weight peers. Increased risk for health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease obesity is bad for your brain. They have linked it to shrinkage of brain areas are also target for Alzheimer's.
Exercising, eating right and keeping your weight under control can maintain brain health with aging. It lowers the risk for Alzheimer's and dementia. Please check out www.alzheimersweekly.com
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Obesity ages a brain by 16 years; This is an article on Alzheimer's Weekly. Health studies show that people that age 70 yrs. and older and over weight with the body mass index from 25 to 30 had 4% less tissue in the frontal lobes of the brain than normal weight peers. Increased risk for health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease obesity is bad for your brain. They have linked it to shrinkage of brain areas are also target for Alzheimer's.
Exercising, eating right and keeping your weight under control can maintain brain health with aging. It lowers the risk for Alzheimer's and dementia. Please check out www.alzheimersweekly.com
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Monday, February 8, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Today on my ambulance I had an elderly gentlemen who had low blood pressure. Was told he had low oxygen sats also. This poor man was a little up set when we came to his room this morning to wake him up to go to the hospital. He was pretty out of it. Well wouldn't you be sort of out of it also if you were woke up and taken out of bed before you had a chance to wake up? I did talk to him trying to explain to him what was going on and why. He didn't seem to understand but just let us do what we wanted to do. We sheet lifted him to our gurney. Took vitals, put in a IV, ecg monitor, oxygen and brought him safely to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital, he was trying to answer questions and trying to follow commands. He was hard of hearing, even with his hearing aid. He was also legally blind. Poor thing, my heart goes out to him. The doctor was kinda cute when he asked why he was there. His 02 sats went up with the bump of his oxygen, and he was a DNR. The doctor said it is probably a good thing he was here because maybe they didn't know how to take care of him.
On another note I want to thank Sandy for the You-Tube clip - I remember better when I paint. Check it out. It shows people with Alzheimer's come alive when painting or looking at paintings.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Today on my ambulance I had an elderly gentlemen who had low blood pressure. Was told he had low oxygen sats also. This poor man was a little up set when we came to his room this morning to wake him up to go to the hospital. He was pretty out of it. Well wouldn't you be sort of out of it also if you were woke up and taken out of bed before you had a chance to wake up? I did talk to him trying to explain to him what was going on and why. He didn't seem to understand but just let us do what we wanted to do. We sheet lifted him to our gurney. Took vitals, put in a IV, ecg monitor, oxygen and brought him safely to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital, he was trying to answer questions and trying to follow commands. He was hard of hearing, even with his hearing aid. He was also legally blind. Poor thing, my heart goes out to him. The doctor was kinda cute when he asked why he was there. His 02 sats went up with the bump of his oxygen, and he was a DNR. The doctor said it is probably a good thing he was here because maybe they didn't know how to take care of him.
On another note I want to thank Sandy for the You-Tube clip - I remember better when I paint. Check it out. It shows people with Alzheimer's come alive when painting or looking at paintings.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Sunday, February 7, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
I don't know if you have checked out Alzheimer's Weekly lately. It is an on line sight for people to read who are dealing with Dementia, and Alzheimer's. This on line magazine is wonderful with all the information that they have and the blogging and the Ask Nurse Dina, and Ann's Support Group, just to name a few things on this sight. This week they are talking about How to talk to parents about driving and when is it time to hand up the keys. So what are the signs and what do we look for as the kids to know when it is time to hang up the keys. First of all try and keep it positive. Don't say Take away the keys or Give up the keys. Say when do we Hang up the keys. What this does is make them feel like they are part of the decision. What signs are you looking for to help with decision. Maybe it is when your parent tells you they got lost going to the store or they went down the wrong street. Or you see some dents in the car and they do not know how they got there. When possible drive with your parents so you can observe yourself how they are doing. Than come up with a conversation in a way where they are not giving up their independence. Maybe you can say "Hey I'm fifty and I don't like driving at night" and the conversation can start. Or maybe the doctor can help because of the medication they are on. Check out the video on www.alzheimersweekly.com This could help you make the decision and help you talk to your parents about this important issue.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
I don't know if you have checked out Alzheimer's Weekly lately. It is an on line sight for people to read who are dealing with Dementia, and Alzheimer's. This on line magazine is wonderful with all the information that they have and the blogging and the Ask Nurse Dina, and Ann's Support Group, just to name a few things on this sight. This week they are talking about How to talk to parents about driving and when is it time to hand up the keys. So what are the signs and what do we look for as the kids to know when it is time to hang up the keys. First of all try and keep it positive. Don't say Take away the keys or Give up the keys. Say when do we Hang up the keys. What this does is make them feel like they are part of the decision. What signs are you looking for to help with decision. Maybe it is when your parent tells you they got lost going to the store or they went down the wrong street. Or you see some dents in the car and they do not know how they got there. When possible drive with your parents so you can observe yourself how they are doing. Than come up with a conversation in a way where they are not giving up their independence. Maybe you can say "Hey I'm fifty and I don't like driving at night" and the conversation can start. Or maybe the doctor can help because of the medication they are on. Check out the video on www.alzheimersweekly.com This could help you make the decision and help you talk to your parents about this important issue.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Saturday, February 6, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Imagine this: He was born in 1926 and grew up on the south side of Chicago. He was living during the Great Depression, and only completed up to the tenth grade and than he became a soldier in the United States Army. He traveled to Europe, Berlin, and France. His batoon was to surprise Hitler, but Hitler was not there. He spent two weeks of intensive training in preparation for a beach invasion of Japan. As he traveled by ship, the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and World War II came to an end. He learned to drive a truck while stationed in the Philippines. He ended up receiving the Bronze Star Medal.
After he got out of the army, he married and had three children. He drove a truck for a living, and was a devoted husband, and father. As his children grew up they got married and he became a grandfather.
Alzheimer's is a very selfish disease. It robs you of your memory and the people you love. My father in law remembered, like it was yesterday the days of being in the army. He use to ask me why I wanted him to shoot women and children. He told me not to tell him to take a bath because in the army he didn't have to. He once fought with me about going home because he thought I was a Nazi. And his favorite saying was "I was in the war, I fought for our Country to die. But I didn't die." But he could not remember his family. He would always ask for his son, whom was taking care of him. He called me lady and could not remember that I was his daughter in law.
If you have an older parent or grandparent, talk to them. Get their history before it is to late. They have very interesting things to tell you, but once Alzheimer's hits, those days will be gone forever.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Imagine this: He was born in 1926 and grew up on the south side of Chicago. He was living during the Great Depression, and only completed up to the tenth grade and than he became a soldier in the United States Army. He traveled to Europe, Berlin, and France. His batoon was to surprise Hitler, but Hitler was not there. He spent two weeks of intensive training in preparation for a beach invasion of Japan. As he traveled by ship, the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and World War II came to an end. He learned to drive a truck while stationed in the Philippines. He ended up receiving the Bronze Star Medal.
After he got out of the army, he married and had three children. He drove a truck for a living, and was a devoted husband, and father. As his children grew up they got married and he became a grandfather.
Alzheimer's is a very selfish disease. It robs you of your memory and the people you love. My father in law remembered, like it was yesterday the days of being in the army. He use to ask me why I wanted him to shoot women and children. He told me not to tell him to take a bath because in the army he didn't have to. He once fought with me about going home because he thought I was a Nazi. And his favorite saying was "I was in the war, I fought for our Country to die. But I didn't die." But he could not remember his family. He would always ask for his son, whom was taking care of him. He called me lady and could not remember that I was his daughter in law.
If you have an older parent or grandparent, talk to them. Get their history before it is to late. They have very interesting things to tell you, but once Alzheimer's hits, those days will be gone forever.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Friday, February 5, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
On a day to day basis, it is hard to take care of your loved one with Alzheimer's. Don't get me wrong, it is not necessary the work, but the competitiveness of it all. You picked the job because you love that person and you want to give back to them what they have given to you. At the same time you didn't know how much your life was going to change. This is a 24hr - 7 day a week job. It is not as easy a task as you thought it would be. You are afraid to be in there space, telling them what to do. At the same time you don't want them to get hurt. You don't want to invade their privacy, yet you want them to bath, and go to the bathroom. Where is it that you have crossed the line? Their mind is slowly going by the way side. One day they don't want you to dress them. But the next day, they ask you to help, and all to soon, they don't even know what you are doing. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. Are you getting any help? Do you find family members to give you time off? Or are they too busy. I personally found that my children did help when they could with their grandpa Joe, but I found other family members stayed away. They didn't want to see him like this. They pretended that the disease didn't exist. No seeing and not knowing was better than getting involved. Are you getting help? If you had the chance to do this all again, would you?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
On a day to day basis, it is hard to take care of your loved one with Alzheimer's. Don't get me wrong, it is not necessary the work, but the competitiveness of it all. You picked the job because you love that person and you want to give back to them what they have given to you. At the same time you didn't know how much your life was going to change. This is a 24hr - 7 day a week job. It is not as easy a task as you thought it would be. You are afraid to be in there space, telling them what to do. At the same time you don't want them to get hurt. You don't want to invade their privacy, yet you want them to bath, and go to the bathroom. Where is it that you have crossed the line? Their mind is slowly going by the way side. One day they don't want you to dress them. But the next day, they ask you to help, and all to soon, they don't even know what you are doing. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. Are you getting any help? Do you find family members to give you time off? Or are they too busy. I personally found that my children did help when they could with their grandpa Joe, but I found other family members stayed away. They didn't want to see him like this. They pretended that the disease didn't exist. No seeing and not knowing was better than getting involved. Are you getting help? If you had the chance to do this all again, would you?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Picture this: You are in your eighties, lying in a nursing home bed. You can not hear what people are saying to you. Your eyes have cataracts so you can not see very well. Your tummy is distended, looking like a basket ball, and hard. Two people come in with a gurney and tell you that you are to go to the hospital, only you have no idea what they are saying. You are scared, pulling on your covers, saying no no. Oh yea and it is almost midnight.
We have to put our feet in other peoples shoes. We wrote to her on paper what we were doing and why. When she put her arms up looking scared we hugged her. Even though she didn't understand all of what was going on, she looked relieved to know what was going on and that we cared.
Be an angel and practice random acts of kindness!
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com n
Picture this: You are in your eighties, lying in a nursing home bed. You can not hear what people are saying to you. Your eyes have cataracts so you can not see very well. Your tummy is distended, looking like a basket ball, and hard. Two people come in with a gurney and tell you that you are to go to the hospital, only you have no idea what they are saying. You are scared, pulling on your covers, saying no no. Oh yea and it is almost midnight.
We have to put our feet in other peoples shoes. We wrote to her on paper what we were doing and why. When she put her arms up looking scared we hugged her. Even though she didn't understand all of what was going on, she looked relieved to know what was going on and that we cared.
Be an angel and practice random acts of kindness!
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com n
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
I love being on my ambulance and taking care of people. I meet so many different kinds of people. Today I met a couple that were in their 80's. I asked them how long they had been married and they told me 65 yrs. I told them they were an inspiration, and called them dinosaurs. I told them that I have only been married for 35 yrs and I was trying to get what they had. So I asked them how they stayed married so long. The husband just smiled real big showing all his teeth and said I had better not forget what he has to say, before he told me LAUGHTER. He said that being able to laugh is what kept them married, and to never let a day go by without laughter. So I guess this blog is about laughter and how important it is for every day life. I know that some days seem long and hard, but each day there is some point where you had to smile. Moments are so important and each day we have a moment where we smiled if only for a few seconds. Keep those moments in your heart. Hold on to them later in the day when the day seems impossible. It is those moments that will get you through this rough time.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
I love being on my ambulance and taking care of people. I meet so many different kinds of people. Today I met a couple that were in their 80's. I asked them how long they had been married and they told me 65 yrs. I told them they were an inspiration, and called them dinosaurs. I told them that I have only been married for 35 yrs and I was trying to get what they had. So I asked them how they stayed married so long. The husband just smiled real big showing all his teeth and said I had better not forget what he has to say, before he told me LAUGHTER. He said that being able to laugh is what kept them married, and to never let a day go by without laughter. So I guess this blog is about laughter and how important it is for every day life. I know that some days seem long and hard, but each day there is some point where you had to smile. Moments are so important and each day we have a moment where we smiled if only for a few seconds. Keep those moments in your heart. Hold on to them later in the day when the day seems impossible. It is those moments that will get you through this rough time.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Good afternoon everyone who is reading this. Well it looks like the ground hog has seen his shadow so six more weeks of cold weather. Here in Phoenix that is not to bad but in places like Chicago, or Oklahoma City I am sure this is not good news. BRRRRR
I had an idea today that I wanted to share. I have been writing about experiences with my father in law, and experiences on the ambulance with some of the elderly with and without Alzheimer's. I thought that many of you have had many similar experiences that you may want to share with the readers or just with me. If so please go to comment and tell me. Also tell me if this is something that is private or that you would like to share. I would be happy to help you and who knows, you may be helping someone out, or just putting a smile on someones face.
Remember that it is important to have a good support group. If you don't know where to look go on Alzheimer's Association Site under search by state. You will see a map of the US and you can click on your state. Than you can look for the closet regional office to you and click on that.
Click to the left of the screen you will see programs. Now it will say all the programs they offer and support groups is in there. Hit support groups. Scroll down the page to your region, click and than the cites will come up. Hit your city or one close to you and the names, address, times of meetings and phone numbers will come up. It is that easy. It is important to find a good support group. Smile and have a good day. Be an angel try a little act of kindness today!!
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press an Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Good afternoon everyone who is reading this. Well it looks like the ground hog has seen his shadow so six more weeks of cold weather. Here in Phoenix that is not to bad but in places like Chicago, or Oklahoma City I am sure this is not good news. BRRRRR
I had an idea today that I wanted to share. I have been writing about experiences with my father in law, and experiences on the ambulance with some of the elderly with and without Alzheimer's. I thought that many of you have had many similar experiences that you may want to share with the readers or just with me. If so please go to comment and tell me. Also tell me if this is something that is private or that you would like to share. I would be happy to help you and who knows, you may be helping someone out, or just putting a smile on someones face.
Remember that it is important to have a good support group. If you don't know where to look go on Alzheimer's Association Site under search by state. You will see a map of the US and you can click on your state. Than you can look for the closet regional office to you and click on that.
Click to the left of the screen you will see programs. Now it will say all the programs they offer and support groups is in there. Hit support groups. Scroll down the page to your region, click and than the cites will come up. Hit your city or one close to you and the names, address, times of meetings and phone numbers will come up. It is that easy. It is important to find a good support group. Smile and have a good day. Be an angel try a little act of kindness today!!
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press an Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Picture this: A beautiful day in sunny Arizona and a couple 91 yrs old are at the doctors because the man has an infection to his right foot, which is leading to gangrene.
The man tells me his story. He met this wife when he was 68 yrs old. His first wife had cardiac issues and was dying so she was living in a nursing home. She met his now wife at the nursing home while she was visiting her mother. His first wife asked the second to please marry her husband when she dies and take care of him. As time goes on, she died and the other women married the husband. He told me that she is ten days older than him so she robbed the cradle. How cute is that. He told me they have done a lot of traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. But he is afraid that their traveling days may be over. As we walked through the hospital hallways, the wife told her husband she was afraid that she could not walk fast enough to hold his hand. So of course we waited for her to stand next to the gurney, and watched her take his hand, and than we walked very slowly to the elevators. It was so cute to watch the two of them, and listen to them talk. When we got to his room, she gave us a hug goodbye. As we were leaving she was taking off his shoes for him. Now that is LOVE.
I just thought a cute story would be nice instead of a sad story all the time. That is what I love about my job. I get to see people, all kinds of people, talk with them, and enjoy their stories. I hope this gives you encouragement about getting old.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
Picture this: A beautiful day in sunny Arizona and a couple 91 yrs old are at the doctors because the man has an infection to his right foot, which is leading to gangrene.
The man tells me his story. He met this wife when he was 68 yrs old. His first wife had cardiac issues and was dying so she was living in a nursing home. She met his now wife at the nursing home while she was visiting her mother. His first wife asked the second to please marry her husband when she dies and take care of him. As time goes on, she died and the other women married the husband. He told me that she is ten days older than him so she robbed the cradle. How cute is that. He told me they have done a lot of traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. But he is afraid that their traveling days may be over. As we walked through the hospital hallways, the wife told her husband she was afraid that she could not walk fast enough to hold his hand. So of course we waited for her to stand next to the gurney, and watched her take his hand, and than we walked very slowly to the elevators. It was so cute to watch the two of them, and listen to them talk. When we got to his room, she gave us a hug goodbye. As we were leaving she was taking off his shoes for him. Now that is LOVE.
I just thought a cute story would be nice instead of a sad story all the time. That is what I love about my job. I get to see people, all kinds of people, talk with them, and enjoy their stories. I hope this gives you encouragement about getting old.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
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