Alzheimer's Blogging:
Well hello,
I hope every one is having a great week. It is hard to believe this year has been moving so fast. Tomorrow is already October, time for costumes and trick & treat. I don't know if anyone is reading these posts but I have been having fun writing, sharing stories from my father in law, or stories from my patients. I hope I have helped some of you with information to make your life easier.
Today on my ambulance I had a cute 80 yr old female who fell a week ago and ended up with a subdural hematoma. OUCH. She was at one hospital in ICU for a few days and than a step down unit as she got stronger. She came home yesterday yet today the family saw her with slurred speech and facial droop. They called 911 and asked them to bring her to the hospital she was in just the other day, only that hospital was not stroke hospital, so of course the firemen brought her to the stroke hospital, and in turn my ambulance was called to bring her to the hospital she was in when in ICU.
Remember sometimes you know your loved one better than any one else. This poor family is paying for two ambulance rides. Maybe next time they can bring her themselves to the place they wanted her to go and avoid the costs. Just a thought.
Hope this helps.
Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
FTD Shows We Use It or Lose It
In an international study of patients with a devastating type of dementia that often strikes in middle age, researchers have found intriguing evidence that the part of the brain exercised most by a person's career fights frontotemporal dementia best.
The study was led by Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute in collaboration with the Memory and Aging Centre at the University of California, San Francisco and several U.S. and European clinical sites. It appears online today in the Article in Press section of the journal Neuropsychologia, ahead of publication.
Researchers conducted a multi-centre, retrospective chart review of brain imaging and occupation data from 588 patients diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), sometimes referred to as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Among the dementias affecting those 65 years and younger, FTLD is as common as Alzheimer's disease. Like Alzheimer's, it is progressive and fatal. Unlike Alzheimer's, which tends to affect both sides of the brain equally, FTLD often manifests on either the left or the right side of the brain, then becomes more widespread as the disease progresses. Typical symptoms include changes in personality and behaviour, and a decline in language skills.
For this study, each patient's occupation was rated with scores derived from an occupation database published by the U.S. Department of Labor. The scores indicated the skills required for the occupation, including verbal, physical and visuospatial skills. For example, a school principal would receive a higher rating for verbal skills than for visuospatial skills, whereas a flight engineer would show the opposite pattern. Both of these professions would score lower on physical skills than a firefighter.
The researchers correlated each patient's occupation scores with the location of brain tissue loss as determined from brain imaging results. They found that patients with professions rated highly for verbal skills, such as school principals, had greater tissue loss on the right side of the brain, whereas those rated low for verbal skills, such as flight engineers, had greater tissue loss on the left side of the brain. This effect was expressed most clearly in the temporal lobes of the brain.
"The disease appeared to attack the side of the brain that was the least used in the patient's professional life," said Dr. Nathan Spreng, who conducted the study as a psychology graduate student at Baycrest and is now a post doctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University.
The brain's left hemisphere, particularly the temporal lobe, is specialized for language and verbal skills. In occupations ranked highly for verbal skills, tens of thousands of hours of applying these skills may build reserve capacity by strengthening connections in the brain's left hemisphere, making it more resistant to damage due to FTLD, suggested Dr. Spreng. This process may also make the right hemisphere, which is less concerned with verbal tasks, more vulnerable to dementia through disuse.
Yet the researchers could not rule out an alternative explanation. "There may be an undetected functional impairment related to FTLD in these patients that biases them toward a certain career path decades before they get sick," said Dr. Brian Levine of the Rotman Research Institute and senior author on the study.
What is common to both explanations is that the patients' selection and practice of an occupation early in life was related to their brain changes later in life. The authors cautioned that the results were limited to FTLD and may not hold for other brain diseases or conditions.
Conclusions
Further research will be needed to determine how strong a predictor occupation may be for hemispheric localization of the disease.
Also, there is no evidence that someone with a particularly verbal or non-verbal profession is vulnerable to brain disease.
Notwithstanding, this research indicates that if a person were to develop FTLD (affecting approximately 250,000 Americans and 25,000 Canadians a year), the location of the disease may be attracted to the area least used in the person's occupational practice.
found this article: http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/ftd-shows-we-use-lose
Please check out Alzheimers Weekly for more great information.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub.,Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
FTD Shows We Use It or Lose It
In an international study of patients with a devastating type of dementia that often strikes in middle age, researchers have found intriguing evidence that the part of the brain exercised most by a person's career fights frontotemporal dementia best.
The study was led by Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute in collaboration with the Memory and Aging Centre at the University of California, San Francisco and several U.S. and European clinical sites. It appears online today in the Article in Press section of the journal Neuropsychologia, ahead of publication.
Researchers conducted a multi-centre, retrospective chart review of brain imaging and occupation data from 588 patients diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), sometimes referred to as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Among the dementias affecting those 65 years and younger, FTLD is as common as Alzheimer's disease. Like Alzheimer's, it is progressive and fatal. Unlike Alzheimer's, which tends to affect both sides of the brain equally, FTLD often manifests on either the left or the right side of the brain, then becomes more widespread as the disease progresses. Typical symptoms include changes in personality and behaviour, and a decline in language skills.
For this study, each patient's occupation was rated with scores derived from an occupation database published by the U.S. Department of Labor. The scores indicated the skills required for the occupation, including verbal, physical and visuospatial skills. For example, a school principal would receive a higher rating for verbal skills than for visuospatial skills, whereas a flight engineer would show the opposite pattern. Both of these professions would score lower on physical skills than a firefighter.
The researchers correlated each patient's occupation scores with the location of brain tissue loss as determined from brain imaging results. They found that patients with professions rated highly for verbal skills, such as school principals, had greater tissue loss on the right side of the brain, whereas those rated low for verbal skills, such as flight engineers, had greater tissue loss on the left side of the brain. This effect was expressed most clearly in the temporal lobes of the brain.
"The disease appeared to attack the side of the brain that was the least used in the patient's professional life," said Dr. Nathan Spreng, who conducted the study as a psychology graduate student at Baycrest and is now a post doctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University.
The brain's left hemisphere, particularly the temporal lobe, is specialized for language and verbal skills. In occupations ranked highly for verbal skills, tens of thousands of hours of applying these skills may build reserve capacity by strengthening connections in the brain's left hemisphere, making it more resistant to damage due to FTLD, suggested Dr. Spreng. This process may also make the right hemisphere, which is less concerned with verbal tasks, more vulnerable to dementia through disuse.
Yet the researchers could not rule out an alternative explanation. "There may be an undetected functional impairment related to FTLD in these patients that biases them toward a certain career path decades before they get sick," said Dr. Brian Levine of the Rotman Research Institute and senior author on the study.
What is common to both explanations is that the patients' selection and practice of an occupation early in life was related to their brain changes later in life. The authors cautioned that the results were limited to FTLD and may not hold for other brain diseases or conditions.
Conclusions
Further research will be needed to determine how strong a predictor occupation may be for hemispheric localization of the disease.
Also, there is no evidence that someone with a particularly verbal or non-verbal profession is vulnerable to brain disease.
Notwithstanding, this research indicates that if a person were to develop FTLD (affecting approximately 250,000 Americans and 25,000 Canadians a year), the location of the disease may be attracted to the area least used in the person's occupational practice.
found this article: http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/ftd-shows-we-use-lose
Please check out Alzheimers Weekly for more great information.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub.,Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Alzheimer's Blog:
I thought I would share with you one of the calls I ran on my ambulance yesterday. I was called for a 88 yr old female who got tired after her lunch, had to have help to walk away from the lunch table to a chair in the living room and fell asleep. They said that wasn't like her normally. They called her son who said she must be having a stroke and so I want her to go to the hospital. They told me she was pretty with it, has no medical history and found the medication list for me. Hmm How can you have no medical history yet have medication to take. My partner woke up this sweet women by calling her name and asked her how she was feeling. She said fine, just tired. I found that she was taking lisinopril, and aricept. OK playing detective, I figure she has at least to have for a medical history high blood pressure and Dementia/Alzheimer's. I did the little stoke test, and she passed it. On the way to the hospital as I talked to her I found out except for her name she doesn't remember anything. She could not tell me how old she was, or her birthday just to name a couple of things. We took her to the hospital but even the nurses at the hospital couldn't figure out why she was there.
It is important that where ever your loved one is living at, it is important that they know all about them. They need to know if they they have high blood pressure or Alzheimer's or Congested heart failure. They should not be given a box of drugs with out explanation. This home was in a house in a regular neighborhood that housed about six elderly people. And I am sure that the son or daughter who put them there wanted to try and give them a life not in a nursing home yet to have someone watching them. But they have to be honest with them.
This poor patient had no idea why we brought her to the hospital and why she couldn't stay and sleep. Please do some research before you drop off your loved one in a home no matter where it is and make sure they can take care of your loved one the right way.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
I thought I would share with you one of the calls I ran on my ambulance yesterday. I was called for a 88 yr old female who got tired after her lunch, had to have help to walk away from the lunch table to a chair in the living room and fell asleep. They said that wasn't like her normally. They called her son who said she must be having a stroke and so I want her to go to the hospital. They told me she was pretty with it, has no medical history and found the medication list for me. Hmm How can you have no medical history yet have medication to take. My partner woke up this sweet women by calling her name and asked her how she was feeling. She said fine, just tired. I found that she was taking lisinopril, and aricept. OK playing detective, I figure she has at least to have for a medical history high blood pressure and Dementia/Alzheimer's. I did the little stoke test, and she passed it. On the way to the hospital as I talked to her I found out except for her name she doesn't remember anything. She could not tell me how old she was, or her birthday just to name a couple of things. We took her to the hospital but even the nurses at the hospital couldn't figure out why she was there.
It is important that where ever your loved one is living at, it is important that they know all about them. They need to know if they they have high blood pressure or Alzheimer's or Congested heart failure. They should not be given a box of drugs with out explanation. This home was in a house in a regular neighborhood that housed about six elderly people. And I am sure that the son or daughter who put them there wanted to try and give them a life not in a nursing home yet to have someone watching them. But they have to be honest with them.
This poor patient had no idea why we brought her to the hospital and why she couldn't stay and sleep. Please do some research before you drop off your loved one in a home no matter where it is and make sure they can take care of your loved one the right way.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Alzheimer's Blog:
Yesterday we recognized Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day with several important initiatives to address the global epidemic of Alzheimer's disease here in the United States.
Forty riders from the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Breakthrough RideSM cycled onto Capitol Hill, presenting a petition containing more than 110,000 signatures demanding that our elected officials make Alzheimer's a national priority.
With your support, we sent a message on behalf of all Americans affected by this disease: Alzheimer's can no longer be ignored. In a moving ceremony, Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, promised that this message would be delivered to both Congress and the White House. Thank you for signing the petition! See photos from the event.
Yesterday also marked the release of the "World Alzheimer Report 2010: The Global Economic Impact of Dementia" by Alzheimer's Disease International, revealing the global costs of dementia care as a staggering $604 billion. This means if dementia care was a company, it would be the world's largest by annual revenue, exceeding both Wal-Mart ($414 billion) and Exxon Mobil ($311 billion). Read a summary of the Report and related news coverage.
Later in the afternoon, the Alzheimer's Association delivered the message of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride in a special White House briefing on Alzheimer's disease. The meeting was a good first step from this Administration toward a real and sustained effort to lead the fight against Alzheimer's. Harry Johns, Alzheimer's Association president and CEO, and National Board Member Stephen Hume, Psy.D., an individual living with the disease, made presentations at the meeting, focusing on the urgent need for action. The Alzheimer's Association will continue to create and pursue every opportunity to impress upon the nation's
leaders the scale of this disaster, the necessity of a coordinated national Alzheimer strategy and the need for its swift implementation.
One of these core activities is the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA, S.3036/H.R.4689), legislation that would create a National Alzheimer's Project Office and an inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for developing a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer crisis. Take action today by asking your member of Congress to enact NAPA this year.
Thank you for your continued efforts — on World Alzheimer's Day, and every day — in support of the Alzheimer's Association and our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.
Sincerely,
Alzheimer's Association
P.S.
Tune in!
Watch Alzheimer's Association Celebrity Champions test their knowledge and earn cash to benefit the care, support and research efforts of the Association on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," airing this week. Check local listings for air times.
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Yesterday we recognized Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day with several important initiatives to address the global epidemic of Alzheimer's disease here in the United States.
Forty riders from the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Breakthrough RideSM cycled onto Capitol Hill, presenting a petition containing more than 110,000 signatures demanding that our elected officials make Alzheimer's a national priority.
With your support, we sent a message on behalf of all Americans affected by this disease: Alzheimer's can no longer be ignored. In a moving ceremony, Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, promised that this message would be delivered to both Congress and the White House. Thank you for signing the petition! See photos from the event.
Yesterday also marked the release of the "World Alzheimer Report 2010: The Global Economic Impact of Dementia" by Alzheimer's Disease International, revealing the global costs of dementia care as a staggering $604 billion. This means if dementia care was a company, it would be the world's largest by annual revenue, exceeding both Wal-Mart ($414 billion) and Exxon Mobil ($311 billion). Read a summary of the Report and related news coverage.
Later in the afternoon, the Alzheimer's Association delivered the message of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride in a special White House briefing on Alzheimer's disease. The meeting was a good first step from this Administration toward a real and sustained effort to lead the fight against Alzheimer's. Harry Johns, Alzheimer's Association president and CEO, and National Board Member Stephen Hume, Psy.D., an individual living with the disease, made presentations at the meeting, focusing on the urgent need for action. The Alzheimer's Association will continue to create and pursue every opportunity to impress upon the nation's
leaders the scale of this disaster, the necessity of a coordinated national Alzheimer strategy and the need for its swift implementation.
One of these core activities is the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA, S.3036/H.R.4689), legislation that would create a National Alzheimer's Project Office and an inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for developing a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer crisis. Take action today by asking your member of Congress to enact NAPA this year.
Thank you for your continued efforts — on World Alzheimer's Day, and every day — in support of the Alzheimer's Association and our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.
Sincerely,
Alzheimer's Association
P.S.
Tune in!
Watch Alzheimer's Association Celebrity Champions test their knowledge and earn cash to benefit the care, support and research efforts of the Association on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," airing this week. Check local listings for air times.
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
This week on Alzheimer's Weekly they have an article about designing a house for the Dementia person.
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/Interest/design-a-house-for-dementia-a817.html
So I thought I would share with you what we did for dad while he had his Alzheimer's. When we moved in we kept watch over dad to see his habits and see how we could make his life easier for him. Finally we actually put up signs all around the house. A sign saying Joe's Chair or a sign saying This Way to the Bathroom and a sign saying Joe's Room. We also watched his actions and what seemed to make him happy. We kept plastic plates and cups in the sink since it seemed like Dad wanted to wash dishes. And we kept a basket full of towels in the corner since it seemed like Dad wanted to fold laundry. We kept a chair by the back door since we would watch Dad walk down the drive way to the mail box, look in side and walk back up again. He would do it over and over again but would walk in the house, sit on his favorite chair and with in minutes go outside again. Once we put the chair out there for him, he would walk to the porch but instead of coming in, he would rest on the outside chair and than get up and start down the driveway again. We put up locks high on the doors that we didn't want him to open. I found that when he would get into the laundry room he would mix up the dirty and clean clothes. But once we put up the lock that stopped. In the bathroom we put in bath chair in the tub so he wouldn't have to sit down on the bottom of the tub and put a chair over the toilet so that he didn't have to sit so low when using it.
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's and you are taking care of this loved one full time, remember to Dementia Proof your home. Also it is important that you find a good support group and respite care. If you can't find a support group follow this link:
http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp
I hope I have helped you in some way. Remember 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
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
This week on Alzheimer's Weekly they have an article about designing a house for the Dementia person.
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/Interest/design-a-house-for-dementia-a817.html
So I thought I would share with you what we did for dad while he had his Alzheimer's. When we moved in we kept watch over dad to see his habits and see how we could make his life easier for him. Finally we actually put up signs all around the house. A sign saying Joe's Chair or a sign saying This Way to the Bathroom and a sign saying Joe's Room. We also watched his actions and what seemed to make him happy. We kept plastic plates and cups in the sink since it seemed like Dad wanted to wash dishes. And we kept a basket full of towels in the corner since it seemed like Dad wanted to fold laundry. We kept a chair by the back door since we would watch Dad walk down the drive way to the mail box, look in side and walk back up again. He would do it over and over again but would walk in the house, sit on his favorite chair and with in minutes go outside again. Once we put the chair out there for him, he would walk to the porch but instead of coming in, he would rest on the outside chair and than get up and start down the driveway again. We put up locks high on the doors that we didn't want him to open. I found that when he would get into the laundry room he would mix up the dirty and clean clothes. But once we put up the lock that stopped. In the bathroom we put in bath chair in the tub so he wouldn't have to sit down on the bottom of the tub and put a chair over the toilet so that he didn't have to sit so low when using it.
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's and you are taking care of this loved one full time, remember to Dementia Proof your home. Also it is important that you find a good support group and respite care. If you can't find a support group follow this link:
http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp
I hope I have helped you in some way. Remember 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
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
ALZHEIMERS BLOG:
As you all probably know Alzheimer's Association is having its big memory walk. I know a friend who called me last week because they were having the walk in St. Louis, Missouri. I live outside Phoenix, Az and we are lucky enough to have two of them. One in Phoenix and one in Sun City West. Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Prescott, Sedona and Tucson in AZ also are having this wonderful walk. If you click onto this: http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/signUp.asp you can find a walk near you.
I think this is an important walk. Not only does it take your loved one away from you in their mind while their body is still there but this terrible disease can happen to you.
I went to the women's expo yesterday and listened to Helen Hunt talk. Did you know that her mother died with Alzheimer's. So I looked up to see if there was any other names we might recognize.
Famous people with Alzheimer's Disease
Joe Adcock, baseball player
Mabel Albertson, actor
Dana Andrews, actor
Rudolph Bing, opera impresario
James Brooks, artist
Charles Bronson actor, film director
Abe Burrows,author
Carroll Campbell, Former Rebublican Senator
Joyce Chen, chef
Perry Como, Singer entertainer
Aaron Copland, composer
Willem DeKooning, artist
James Doohan, actor
Thomas Dorsey, singer
Tom Fears, professional football player and coach
Louis Feraud, fashion designer
Arlene Francis, actor
Mike Frankovich, film producer
John Douglas French, physician
Barry Goldwater, Senator of Arizona
Rita Hayworth, actress
Raul Silva Henriquez, Roman Catholic cardinal, human rights advocate
Charlton Heston actor and political activist
Mervyn Leroy, director
Jack Lord, actor
Ross MacDonald, author
Burgess Meredith, actor
Iris Murdoch, author
Edmond O’Brien, actor
Arthur O’Connell, actor
Marv Owen, baseball player
Molly Picon, actor
Otto Preminger, director
Bill Quackenbush, professional hockey player
Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA
Harry Ritz, performer
Sugar Ray Robinson, boxer
Norman Rockwell, artist
Simon Scott, actor
Irving Shulman, screenwriter
Betty Schwartz, Olympic gold medal winner in track events
Kay Swift,composer
Alfred Van Vogt, science fiction writer
E.B. White, author
Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister
You see Alzheimer's doesn't care who it wants so we need to find a cure so that you don't have to add your name to this list. Of course this is a small list. I think my father in law was as important as any of the names on this list and you have loved one that isn't on the list either. Here is my link if you would like to help support this wonderful cause;
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
As you all probably know Alzheimer's Association is having its big memory walk. I know a friend who called me last week because they were having the walk in St. Louis, Missouri. I live outside Phoenix, Az and we are lucky enough to have two of them. One in Phoenix and one in Sun City West. Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Prescott, Sedona and Tucson in AZ also are having this wonderful walk. If you click onto this: http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/signUp.asp you can find a walk near you.
I think this is an important walk. Not only does it take your loved one away from you in their mind while their body is still there but this terrible disease can happen to you.
I went to the women's expo yesterday and listened to Helen Hunt talk. Did you know that her mother died with Alzheimer's. So I looked up to see if there was any other names we might recognize.
Famous people with Alzheimer's Disease
Joe Adcock, baseball player
Mabel Albertson, actor
Dana Andrews, actor
Rudolph Bing, opera impresario
James Brooks, artist
Charles Bronson actor, film director
Abe Burrows,author
Carroll Campbell, Former Rebublican Senator
Joyce Chen, chef
Perry Como, Singer entertainer
Aaron Copland, composer
Willem DeKooning, artist
James Doohan, actor
Thomas Dorsey, singer
Tom Fears, professional football player and coach
Louis Feraud, fashion designer
Arlene Francis, actor
Mike Frankovich, film producer
John Douglas French, physician
Barry Goldwater, Senator of Arizona
Rita Hayworth, actress
Raul Silva Henriquez, Roman Catholic cardinal, human rights advocate
Charlton Heston actor and political activist
Mervyn Leroy, director
Jack Lord, actor
Ross MacDonald, author
Burgess Meredith, actor
Iris Murdoch, author
Edmond O’Brien, actor
Arthur O’Connell, actor
Marv Owen, baseball player
Molly Picon, actor
Otto Preminger, director
Bill Quackenbush, professional hockey player
Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA
Harry Ritz, performer
Sugar Ray Robinson, boxer
Norman Rockwell, artist
Simon Scott, actor
Irving Shulman, screenwriter
Betty Schwartz, Olympic gold medal winner in track events
Kay Swift,composer
Alfred Van Vogt, science fiction writer
E.B. White, author
Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister
You see Alzheimer's doesn't care who it wants so we need to find a cure so that you don't have to add your name to this list. Of course this is a small list. I think my father in law was as important as any of the names on this list and you have loved one that isn't on the list either. Here is my link if you would like to help support this wonderful cause;
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
I am sorry for all the advertising I have done lately, but it is important that we have a voice and try to make a difference. I received another e-mail on:
100,00 Americans demand an Alzheimer's breakthrough.
A message from Bruce Lamb, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Breakthrough Rider and Chair
Thank you and congratulations! With your help, the Alzheimer's Breakthrough RideSM has collected 100,000 signatures for a petition asking Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We deeply appreciate your efforts to make this goal a reality.
On Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day, the Ride will culminate in our nation's capital as researchers who collectively cycled more than 4,500 miles cross-country deliver signatures to Congress. These riders are sending a critical message on our behalf: Alzheimer's disease can no longer be ignored. We must have additional resources for research, care and support.
But this isn't the finish line in the fight against Alzheimer's. Take further action today:
•Collect additional petition signatures. We need even more support when we get to Capitol Hill! Forward this e-mail to three friends and ask them to sign the petition. More signatures will create a bigger impression on World Alzheimer's Day.
•Go purple on Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day. To recognize the global fight against Alzheimer's disease, wear purple — the color of Alzheimer's awareness.
•Donate to the cause. Make a gift that fuels additional resources for Alzheimer care, support and research efforts.
Thank you for helping to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We're proud to share your voice with Congress on World Alzheimer's Day.
With gratitude,
Bruce Lamb, Ph.D.
Associate Staff Scientist
Lerner Research Institute
Cleveland Clinic
I myself have a Memory Walk Team and you can show your support by donating to the following link:
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
Hope you have a great day. Remember to be an Angel and practice AN ACT OF KINDNESS.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
I am sorry for all the advertising I have done lately, but it is important that we have a voice and try to make a difference. I received another e-mail on:
100,00 Americans demand an Alzheimer's breakthrough.
A message from Bruce Lamb, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Breakthrough Rider and Chair
Thank you and congratulations! With your help, the Alzheimer's Breakthrough RideSM has collected 100,000 signatures for a petition asking Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We deeply appreciate your efforts to make this goal a reality.
On Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day, the Ride will culminate in our nation's capital as researchers who collectively cycled more than 4,500 miles cross-country deliver signatures to Congress. These riders are sending a critical message on our behalf: Alzheimer's disease can no longer be ignored. We must have additional resources for research, care and support.
But this isn't the finish line in the fight against Alzheimer's. Take further action today:
•Collect additional petition signatures. We need even more support when we get to Capitol Hill! Forward this e-mail to three friends and ask them to sign the petition. More signatures will create a bigger impression on World Alzheimer's Day.
•Go purple on Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day. To recognize the global fight against Alzheimer's disease, wear purple — the color of Alzheimer's awareness.
•Donate to the cause. Make a gift that fuels additional resources for Alzheimer care, support and research efforts.
Thank you for helping to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We're proud to share your voice with Congress on World Alzheimer's Day.
With gratitude,
Bruce Lamb, Ph.D.
Associate Staff Scientist
Lerner Research Institute
Cleveland Clinic
I myself have a Memory Walk Team and you can show your support by donating to the following link:
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
Hope you have a great day. Remember to be an Angel and practice AN ACT OF KINDNESS.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:
USE YOUR VOICE TO FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.
With your help, we’ve nearly hit our goal of 100,000 petition signatures. When we deliver them to Congress on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, we will send a strong message to Capitol Hill that the time has come for Alzheimer's disease to become a national priority. However, with less than 3 weeks to go until Congress adjourns for the year, we need to make our voices heard NOW.
The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) has momentum - but we need your help to get it to a vote. Please take a moment to call one of your senators by Thursday, September 16 and urge them to support NAPA.
What: Call on your senator to make Alzheimer’s disease a priority by voting YES on S. 3036, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.
Call our toll free line: 800-958-5374
When: September 14-15, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST
Tell your senator:
1.Please work with your colleagues to pass the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S. 3036) before the end of this session of Congress.
2.NAPA will create a nationwide strategy to overcome Alzheimer’s disease.
3.NAPA is a non-controversial, no-cost bill to combat Alzheimer’s disease. It will maximize all federal efforts, including federally funded research, care, and services.
4.I ask that you please work with your colleagues to enact the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S. 3036) by moving it through committee and to the Senate floor for passage before Congress adjourns this year.
Background
Alzheimer’s disease is the public health crisis of the 21st century. One in eight baby boomers will soon reach the age of greatest risk for Alzheimer’s and 10 million American baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s.
Yet there is no national plan on how to deal with this looming crisis, and NAPA will create this vital plan.
For more information on the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, visit www.alz.org/napa.
Thank you for your help. Together, we can reach our goal of a world without Alzheimer’s.
Sincerely,
Robert Egge
VP of Public Policy
Please help fight for a cure to this devastating disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press Imprinted by James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
USE YOUR VOICE TO FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.
With your help, we’ve nearly hit our goal of 100,000 petition signatures. When we deliver them to Congress on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, we will send a strong message to Capitol Hill that the time has come for Alzheimer's disease to become a national priority. However, with less than 3 weeks to go until Congress adjourns for the year, we need to make our voices heard NOW.
The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) has momentum - but we need your help to get it to a vote. Please take a moment to call one of your senators by Thursday, September 16 and urge them to support NAPA.
What: Call on your senator to make Alzheimer’s disease a priority by voting YES on S. 3036, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.
Call our toll free line: 800-958-5374
When: September 14-15, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST
Tell your senator:
1.Please work with your colleagues to pass the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S. 3036) before the end of this session of Congress.
2.NAPA will create a nationwide strategy to overcome Alzheimer’s disease.
3.NAPA is a non-controversial, no-cost bill to combat Alzheimer’s disease. It will maximize all federal efforts, including federally funded research, care, and services.
4.I ask that you please work with your colleagues to enact the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S. 3036) by moving it through committee and to the Senate floor for passage before Congress adjourns this year.
Background
Alzheimer’s disease is the public health crisis of the 21st century. One in eight baby boomers will soon reach the age of greatest risk for Alzheimer’s and 10 million American baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s.
Yet there is no national plan on how to deal with this looming crisis, and NAPA will create this vital plan.
For more information on the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, visit www.alz.org/napa.
Thank you for your help. Together, we can reach our goal of a world without Alzheimer’s.
Sincerely,
Robert Egge
VP of Public Policy
Please help fight for a cure to this devastating disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press Imprinted by James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 12, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Yesterday I talked to my Aunt who lives in Florida with her husband who has this terrible disease. They are both in their eighties, with my Uncle being a couple of years older than her. They have three children and seven grandchildren. My Aunt has her hands full as she takes care of her husband, and still helps her children with their children. She likes to call me sometimes just to talk and vent a little. She hasn't been able to find a good support group and it seems like she has no help taking care of my Uncle. I live in Phoenix, so I am no help to her.
She did share with me about something she did learn about and how it helped her once when her husband went for a walk and got lost. It is called Project Lifesaver. She told me, my uncle wears a ankle bracelet which has a thirty day battery, and a continuous mobile tracking system. I have never heard of them before so I decided I needed to share this today on my blog. Here is the link if you are interested. http://www.projectlifesaver.org/ My Aunt told me they come to her house once a month and change the batteries. She also said it does cost a little but the piece of mind she has from this is worth it.
I hope this helps somebody out there.
Also just a reminder, I do have a team for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk and collecting donations. If you feel you would like to help please hit this link.
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Yesterday I talked to my Aunt who lives in Florida with her husband who has this terrible disease. They are both in their eighties, with my Uncle being a couple of years older than her. They have three children and seven grandchildren. My Aunt has her hands full as she takes care of her husband, and still helps her children with their children. She likes to call me sometimes just to talk and vent a little. She hasn't been able to find a good support group and it seems like she has no help taking care of my Uncle. I live in Phoenix, so I am no help to her.
She did share with me about something she did learn about and how it helped her once when her husband went for a walk and got lost. It is called Project Lifesaver. She told me, my uncle wears a ankle bracelet which has a thirty day battery, and a continuous mobile tracking system. I have never heard of them before so I decided I needed to share this today on my blog. Here is the link if you are interested. http://www.projectlifesaver.org/ My Aunt told me they come to her house once a month and change the batteries. She also said it does cost a little but the piece of mind she has from this is worth it.
I hope this helps somebody out there.
Also just a reminder, I do have a team for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk and collecting donations. If you feel you would like to help please hit this link.
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Friday, September 10, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
World Alzheimer’s Day: Celebrating the Transforming Mind
Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30 p.m. –8:00 p.m.
Theater 3 (The Celeste Bartos Theater), mezzanine, The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building
Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO, Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter, has both personal and professional experience with Alzheimer’s disease and the burdens of caregiving. She knows firsthand the powerful effect of creative and interactive experiences for those with dementia and their caregivers. The organization’s work in the arts community demonstrates that cultural arts programs play a unique role, allowing community participation in a safe environment where no one is judged, and where the sharing of ideas and feelings is possible even when language and cognition are compromised.
Cathie Borrie, author (assisted by Melia McClure, author and actor), presents "You say goodbye and I say hello." Cathie Borrie spent seven years caring for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Recording many of their conversations, she discovered in her mother an astonishing poetic sensibility, insight, and humor that she had not expected would be part of the Alzheimer’s experience. In the same way that Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at art, Cathie, by learning to deeply listen, found a way to provide a blank canvas upon which her mother was free to create the story of her shifting mind. It is a story that dismisses once and for all negative stereotypes about the disease, recasting the long goodbye of Alzheimer’s as the long hello of profound and new understandings.
Admission is free. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, please call (212) 333-6570.
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
World Alzheimer’s Day: Celebrating the Transforming Mind
Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30 p.m. –8:00 p.m.
Theater 3 (The Celeste Bartos Theater), mezzanine, The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building
Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO, Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter, has both personal and professional experience with Alzheimer’s disease and the burdens of caregiving. She knows firsthand the powerful effect of creative and interactive experiences for those with dementia and their caregivers. The organization’s work in the arts community demonstrates that cultural arts programs play a unique role, allowing community participation in a safe environment where no one is judged, and where the sharing of ideas and feelings is possible even when language and cognition are compromised.
Cathie Borrie, author (assisted by Melia McClure, author and actor), presents "You say goodbye and I say hello." Cathie Borrie spent seven years caring for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Recording many of their conversations, she discovered in her mother an astonishing poetic sensibility, insight, and humor that she had not expected would be part of the Alzheimer’s experience. In the same way that Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at art, Cathie, by learning to deeply listen, found a way to provide a blank canvas upon which her mother was free to create the story of her shifting mind. It is a story that dismisses once and for all negative stereotypes about the disease, recasting the long goodbye of Alzheimer’s as the long hello of profound and new understandings.
Admission is free. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, please call (212) 333-6570.
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
Exercise helps blood and oxygen go through the brain feeding the cells and nerves helping to keep it alive. Walking around your house or doing your job is not considered exercise. Exercise is a physical action being done for at least 30 minutes at one time and not the usual daily routine.
So today as I have been on the computer and taking care of my sick grandson, I needed to stretch my legs. Since I do work on an ambulance and see many people that are around my age not able to get around, first I thank God for my health, and second I continue to exercise so that my brain is getting the oxygen it needs to stay healthy and young. Today I did one of my favorite things to do and that was exercise with Richard Simmons. Maybe it is the music from my day that makes him so much fun, plus the fact we are dancing not exercising.
Please remember to do these six things to help slow down Alzheimer's.
1) Drink vegetable juices
2) Eat healthy foods with Omega 3 - Fatty Acids
3) Maintain a healthy body weight for your height
4) Exercise your brain daily
5) Exercise your body daily
6) Avoid Mercury
Is anyone reading my blogs?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Exercise helps blood and oxygen go through the brain feeding the cells and nerves helping to keep it alive. Walking around your house or doing your job is not considered exercise. Exercise is a physical action being done for at least 30 minutes at one time and not the usual daily routine.
So today as I have been on the computer and taking care of my sick grandson, I needed to stretch my legs. Since I do work on an ambulance and see many people that are around my age not able to get around, first I thank God for my health, and second I continue to exercise so that my brain is getting the oxygen it needs to stay healthy and young. Today I did one of my favorite things to do and that was exercise with Richard Simmons. Maybe it is the music from my day that makes him so much fun, plus the fact we are dancing not exercising.
Please remember to do these six things to help slow down Alzheimer's.
1) Drink vegetable juices
2) Eat healthy foods with Omega 3 - Fatty Acids
3) Maintain a healthy body weight for your height
4) Exercise your brain daily
5) Exercise your body daily
6) Avoid Mercury
Is anyone reading my blogs?
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
So I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I had to work on Sunday, but I did get off Monday morning, took a nap, had lunch with my family, swimming in the back yard, and a little TV before I had to go to bed so I could get up again this morning for another 24 hr shift.
I don't know if anyone is really reading my blogs, or if I am just doing this for myself. I am hoping that in some small way, I am helping somebody out there. Today I thought I would write an entry out of my journal from September 25, 2003:
Today is Thursday, a normal day. Joe wakes up early in the morning with his pajamas and diapers soaking wet. I put dry pajamas on him. Sometimes he goes back to bed and sometimes he just sits in his chair, but he always falls back asleep.
Between 8 & 9 am, I make him coffee and breakfast and give him his Risperdol. I let him sit and drink coffee until about 10. Then I coax him into the bathroom, put him on the toilet, take his clothes off, and put him in the bathtub (usually under protest). I bathe him and then give him the washcloth and let him rewash himself.
When he gets out of the tub, I make him dry himself. I help him put on his underwear and then I shave his face. I give him his toothbrush and make him brush his teeth. Usually, by this point, he has an attitude. He doesn't like bathing and is often verbally abusive.
I lay his clothes on his bed and make him dress himself. Sometimes he does just fine and sometimes he doesn't know his pants from his shirt. I always make him put on his socks, which he begs me to put on for him. No matter what he says, I know that he can put them on himself.
He always wears a baseball cap. He loves to go for rides and I drive him to the Daycare Center. He still goes there four hours every day, Monday through Friday. When we bring him home, he comes in the house and sits in his chair. Then he gets up and walks outside, only to return right away to sit in his chair. He repeats this routine over and over again.
His famous saying is , "What do you have for me?" That usually means he wants a pop and food. He is still very forgetful about meals and always want to eat again an hour after a meal. He just can't remember when he last ate. He can say some mean and nasty things, so I've gotten in the habit of giving him some fruit or applesauce when he asks to eat again.
He likes to drink soda pop all the time, so I try to mix water with the soda to cut down the calories. He doesn't seem to notice this. Now, I cut up his meat during his meals along with anything else that may need cutting. If I don't do this, he'll put the whole thing in his mouth.
Around 8pm I give him another dose of Risperdal. He generally goes to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. First I try to coax him into the bathroom. Then I undress him and put on his pajamas (again, this is usually under protest). I make him sit on the side of the bed and slide his legs up into the bed and cover him up.
I turn off the light, give him a kiss on the cheek and close the door, all the while repeating to him that it is time for sleep. Because he no longer remembers how to turn on the lights, being in the dark helps him stay in bed and sleep. Sometimes he even sleeps right through the night.
I don't allow him to walk around during sleep time. I also don't let him take naps during the day. I've found that if he sleeps during the day then he won't sleep at night.
When he uses the toilet now, I make him sit to urinate so he won't mess up his clothes. And I never leave him by himself for more than five minutes.
Hope this entry helps you.
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
So I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I had to work on Sunday, but I did get off Monday morning, took a nap, had lunch with my family, swimming in the back yard, and a little TV before I had to go to bed so I could get up again this morning for another 24 hr shift.
I don't know if anyone is really reading my blogs, or if I am just doing this for myself. I am hoping that in some small way, I am helping somebody out there. Today I thought I would write an entry out of my journal from September 25, 2003:
Today is Thursday, a normal day. Joe wakes up early in the morning with his pajamas and diapers soaking wet. I put dry pajamas on him. Sometimes he goes back to bed and sometimes he just sits in his chair, but he always falls back asleep.
Between 8 & 9 am, I make him coffee and breakfast and give him his Risperdol. I let him sit and drink coffee until about 10. Then I coax him into the bathroom, put him on the toilet, take his clothes off, and put him in the bathtub (usually under protest). I bathe him and then give him the washcloth and let him rewash himself.
When he gets out of the tub, I make him dry himself. I help him put on his underwear and then I shave his face. I give him his toothbrush and make him brush his teeth. Usually, by this point, he has an attitude. He doesn't like bathing and is often verbally abusive.
I lay his clothes on his bed and make him dress himself. Sometimes he does just fine and sometimes he doesn't know his pants from his shirt. I always make him put on his socks, which he begs me to put on for him. No matter what he says, I know that he can put them on himself.
He always wears a baseball cap. He loves to go for rides and I drive him to the Daycare Center. He still goes there four hours every day, Monday through Friday. When we bring him home, he comes in the house and sits in his chair. Then he gets up and walks outside, only to return right away to sit in his chair. He repeats this routine over and over again.
His famous saying is , "What do you have for me?" That usually means he wants a pop and food. He is still very forgetful about meals and always want to eat again an hour after a meal. He just can't remember when he last ate. He can say some mean and nasty things, so I've gotten in the habit of giving him some fruit or applesauce when he asks to eat again.
He likes to drink soda pop all the time, so I try to mix water with the soda to cut down the calories. He doesn't seem to notice this. Now, I cut up his meat during his meals along with anything else that may need cutting. If I don't do this, he'll put the whole thing in his mouth.
Around 8pm I give him another dose of Risperdal. He generally goes to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. First I try to coax him into the bathroom. Then I undress him and put on his pajamas (again, this is usually under protest). I make him sit on the side of the bed and slide his legs up into the bed and cover him up.
I turn off the light, give him a kiss on the cheek and close the door, all the while repeating to him that it is time for sleep. Because he no longer remembers how to turn on the lights, being in the dark helps him stay in bed and sleep. Sometimes he even sleeps right through the night.
I don't allow him to walk around during sleep time. I also don't let him take naps during the day. I've found that if he sleeps during the day then he won't sleep at night.
When he uses the toilet now, I make him sit to urinate so he won't mess up his clothes. And I never leave him by himself for more than five minutes.
Hope this entry helps you.
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 5, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
It was a beautiful Wednesday, morning April 19, when I ran my two miles, got my kids off to school and went to work at the beauty shop. I already had a patron under the hair dryer and shampooing another head of hair when the beauty shop shook. We didn't understand what had happened and thought we may have had a little earth quake. My boss put on the TV to see the devastating news. The Murrah Federal Building in down town Oklahoma City had just had a bomb attack. Tears filled all of our eyes as we watched the devastation on TV which was only a thirty minute drive from us. Quickly I finished my two ladies hair, and called the rest of my customers to inform them I would not be in the rest of the day. Running to my car, with tears filling my eyes, I made it downtown and with the help of the National Guard, I found a parking place before I ran to help. How discouraging it was to find out they didn't want my help unless I was a Doctor, Nurse or an EMT. I cried for thirty minutes in my car before I drove home to make phone calls to see what I, as a citizen can do to help. Later I found myself, along with others, in boots, coats and face masks cleaning up the destruction of the buildings. The Oklahoma bombing killed 168 people, including 19 children under the age of 6.
This is what made me become a paramedic. I wanted to help people and wanted to make sure no one could tell me NO ever again.
My father in law was a kind, generous and loving person. When I was dating his son, I knew I wanted to be in that family, and Joe was a big reason why. Joe had made an apartment in the basement for us to live in as we started our life together. After we had a child and moved into our own place, Joe would come around, and leave money on the counter top or bring grocery's just to help. Joe had made a big impact on my life, showing me compassion and kindness. When we found out that Dad was getting confused, we decided now it was our turn to give back.
That is why we decided to take care of Dad while he had his Alzheimer's Disease. I wanted to try and give him as normal life as possible and try to give back the love, compassion and kindness he shared with me.
Everyone has their own story. They are all important, and a gift to the world to help others dealing with this devastating disease. If you would like, you can share them with me and I will gladly share them with the readers of this blog.
ere is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
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
It was a beautiful Wednesday, morning April 19, when I ran my two miles, got my kids off to school and went to work at the beauty shop. I already had a patron under the hair dryer and shampooing another head of hair when the beauty shop shook. We didn't understand what had happened and thought we may have had a little earth quake. My boss put on the TV to see the devastating news. The Murrah Federal Building in down town Oklahoma City had just had a bomb attack. Tears filled all of our eyes as we watched the devastation on TV which was only a thirty minute drive from us. Quickly I finished my two ladies hair, and called the rest of my customers to inform them I would not be in the rest of the day. Running to my car, with tears filling my eyes, I made it downtown and with the help of the National Guard, I found a parking place before I ran to help. How discouraging it was to find out they didn't want my help unless I was a Doctor, Nurse or an EMT. I cried for thirty minutes in my car before I drove home to make phone calls to see what I, as a citizen can do to help. Later I found myself, along with others, in boots, coats and face masks cleaning up the destruction of the buildings. The Oklahoma bombing killed 168 people, including 19 children under the age of 6.
This is what made me become a paramedic. I wanted to help people and wanted to make sure no one could tell me NO ever again.
My father in law was a kind, generous and loving person. When I was dating his son, I knew I wanted to be in that family, and Joe was a big reason why. Joe had made an apartment in the basement for us to live in as we started our life together. After we had a child and moved into our own place, Joe would come around, and leave money on the counter top or bring grocery's just to help. Joe had made a big impact on my life, showing me compassion and kindness. When we found out that Dad was getting confused, we decided now it was our turn to give back.
That is why we decided to take care of Dad while he had his Alzheimer's Disease. I wanted to try and give him as normal life as possible and try to give back the love, compassion and kindness he shared with me.
Everyone has their own story. They are all important, and a gift to the world to help others dealing with this devastating disease. If you would like, you can share them with me and I will gladly share them with the readers of this blog.
ere is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
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
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Alzheimer's Blog:
Support groups maintain interpersonal contact in a variety of ways. Traditionally, groups have met in person in sizes that allowed conversational interaction. Support groups also maintain contact through printed newsletters, telephone chains, Internet forums, and mailing lists. A self-help support group is fully organized and managed by its members, who are commonly volunteers and have personal experience in the subject of the group's focus.
With Alzheimer's Association you can find a support group anywhere in the United States, and learn about programs and services available in your area, including support groups and educational workshops. http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp
We did go to support groups when Dad was alive with his Alzheimer's Disease. Let me share with you a paper they handed out called Attitude.
The longer I live, the more I realized the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is out attitude...I AM CONVINCED THAT LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AND 90% HOW I REACT TO IT.
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
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/
Support groups maintain interpersonal contact in a variety of ways. Traditionally, groups have met in person in sizes that allowed conversational interaction. Support groups also maintain contact through printed newsletters, telephone chains, Internet forums, and mailing lists. A self-help support group is fully organized and managed by its members, who are commonly volunteers and have personal experience in the subject of the group's focus.
With Alzheimer's Association you can find a support group anywhere in the United States, and learn about programs and services available in your area, including support groups and educational workshops. http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp
We did go to support groups when Dad was alive with his Alzheimer's Disease. Let me share with you a paper they handed out called Attitude.
The longer I live, the more I realized the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is out attitude...I AM CONVINCED THAT LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO ME AND 90% HOW I REACT TO IT.
Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
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, September 3, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
I want to thank Douglas Lowell, for this updated information on AD research.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/health/research/02alzheimer.html?_r=1 It was in the New York Times, September 1. Title: FINDING SUGGESTS NEW AIM FOR ALZHEIMER'S DRUGS. This article goes on to say the findings should be published on Thursday in the journal, Nature, revealing a new drug that could slow or halt the devastating effects of this untreatable disease. Check out the link above.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
I want to thank Douglas Lowell, for this updated information on AD research.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/health/research/02alzheimer.html?_r=1 It was in the New York Times, September 1. Title: FINDING SUGGESTS NEW AIM FOR ALZHEIMER'S DRUGS. This article goes on to say the findings should be published on Thursday in the journal, Nature, revealing a new drug that could slow or halt the devastating effects of this untreatable disease. Check out the link above.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 2, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease. As the disease progresses the afflicted person moves into a different world than the one in which he lives. For instant Dad didn't know he was living in his home. He thought a lot of time he was at work and wanted to know when he was going home. I found that Dad could tell a sense of approval and disapproval. If I was upset one day, Dad would be upset also. If I was short with him, he would be short with me also.
I found that Dad did not like to take baths. If I would tell him to take a bath he would be very upset with me and of course would not budge. So I had to get inventive. I would fill the bath tub and tell Dad it was now his turn to take a bath. I had a special chair in the tub so he didn't have to sit down on the bottom of the tub. When he finally gave in I would keep the door open a crack to make sure he obeyed. Sometimes he would take off some of his clothes, put water in the sink and wash his face and arms. So I would have to go into the bathroom and help him take off all his clothes, and help place him on the bath chair. All the time he would complain he fought two wars and should not be told what to do.
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's is not an easy job. I found it a rewarding job. I wanted to give back to my father in law the love he had given to me after I married into his family. Sometimes as a caretaker you feel isolated--the world, after all, doesn't stop, despite the sense that your world is frozen in time. I hope that my book will offer comfort to those who find themselves in that world.
http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease. As the disease progresses the afflicted person moves into a different world than the one in which he lives. For instant Dad didn't know he was living in his home. He thought a lot of time he was at work and wanted to know when he was going home. I found that Dad could tell a sense of approval and disapproval. If I was upset one day, Dad would be upset also. If I was short with him, he would be short with me also.
I found that Dad did not like to take baths. If I would tell him to take a bath he would be very upset with me and of course would not budge. So I had to get inventive. I would fill the bath tub and tell Dad it was now his turn to take a bath. I had a special chair in the tub so he didn't have to sit down on the bottom of the tub. When he finally gave in I would keep the door open a crack to make sure he obeyed. Sometimes he would take off some of his clothes, put water in the sink and wash his face and arms. So I would have to go into the bathroom and help him take off all his clothes, and help place him on the bath chair. All the time he would complain he fought two wars and should not be told what to do.
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's is not an easy job. I found it a rewarding job. I wanted to give back to my father in law the love he had given to me after I married into his family. Sometimes as a caretaker you feel isolated--the world, after all, doesn't stop, despite the sense that your world is frozen in time. I hope that my book will offer comfort to those who find themselves in that world.
http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:
We moved into my father in laws house on September 6, 2002. We watched Dad, talked to Dad and noticed right in front of our eyes, his confusion and dementia. I remember on November 6, just two months later having a deep talk with him and that was when it struck me about him having Alzheimer's. First I asked him simple questions, you know like, what is your name, and how old are you. He was quick to tell me his name and his birthday, but he had no idea how old he was, and he was totally confused as to why I was asking him questions, because he had no idea who I was. I made my parents in law a photo album a few years back and I took it out for the two of us to go through. He enjoyed going through it with me, but he kept asking me the names of the people in it. He was able to point out his wife in a lot of the pictures, and asked me where she was and if they were happy. Jimmy decided it was time to put signs around the house to help dad with his memory. He took white paper and black magic marker with words like, Joe's Chair, Bathroom, Joe's Bedroom and we lived with signs all over the house. At first they helped but as your know Alzheimer's doesn't get better and as he progressed through it, the signs eventually went on the way side.
We were busy with Dad 24 hrs - 7 days a week, and before we got to burned out we found out about respite care. We really needed a break now and then. And I just want to repeat, if you are taking care of a loved one at your house, you do need a break. How can you take care of someone else if you don't take care of your self. It is not self-fish to want to get away for a few hours or a weekend. There is all kinds of respite care. You can find an adult day care so your loved one can be with other people with Alzheimer's and you can have a short rest time. Nursing homes will be glad to give you a short retreat and watch your loved ones for a few days while you get some R&R. Sometimes as a caregiver for Alzheimer's you experience isolation, and frustration. Remember you are not alone. Even though you feel like your world has stopped, the world is still moving and you can to.
Please help us fight against Alzheimer's. http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
I hope I have helped.
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/
We moved into my father in laws house on September 6, 2002. We watched Dad, talked to Dad and noticed right in front of our eyes, his confusion and dementia. I remember on November 6, just two months later having a deep talk with him and that was when it struck me about him having Alzheimer's. First I asked him simple questions, you know like, what is your name, and how old are you. He was quick to tell me his name and his birthday, but he had no idea how old he was, and he was totally confused as to why I was asking him questions, because he had no idea who I was. I made my parents in law a photo album a few years back and I took it out for the two of us to go through. He enjoyed going through it with me, but he kept asking me the names of the people in it. He was able to point out his wife in a lot of the pictures, and asked me where she was and if they were happy. Jimmy decided it was time to put signs around the house to help dad with his memory. He took white paper and black magic marker with words like, Joe's Chair, Bathroom, Joe's Bedroom and we lived with signs all over the house. At first they helped but as your know Alzheimer's doesn't get better and as he progressed through it, the signs eventually went on the way side.
We were busy with Dad 24 hrs - 7 days a week, and before we got to burned out we found out about respite care. We really needed a break now and then. And I just want to repeat, if you are taking care of a loved one at your house, you do need a break. How can you take care of someone else if you don't take care of your self. It is not self-fish to want to get away for a few hours or a weekend. There is all kinds of respite care. You can find an adult day care so your loved one can be with other people with Alzheimer's and you can have a short rest time. Nursing homes will be glad to give you a short retreat and watch your loved ones for a few days while you get some R&R. Sometimes as a caregiver for Alzheimer's you experience isolation, and frustration. Remember you are not alone. Even though you feel like your world has stopped, the world is still moving and you can to.
Please help us fight against Alzheimer's. http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
I hope I have helped.
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/
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