Alzheimer's Blogging:
My father in law died June 13, 2004. It was a hard day as we sat on the bed next to him, telling him that we loved him and to go to the light. It was hard to watch him as his mouth opened and gasped for air with each breath.
That morning, I changed his depends and washed his mottled colored body of purple and blue. "Is he suffering," kept creeping into my mind. He lay there completely lifeless except for the gasping of breath.
My mind did panic with the after thoughts of what maybe I should or could have done to prolong his life. What kind of quality of life would that have been for him.
I prayed hard for the Good Lord to please take Dad now. I knew he was ready. He told me so many times before this terrible disease took his mind completely away from us. Even though I wasn't.
Images of Dad shot into my head. Like the time I first met him, and at my wedding. Times like when he would come over and help my husband fix things on the porch and when he held his grandchildren.
Life goes on even when we wish it would stop. If only time could halt for a short while, so we could catch our breath and get ourselves back to order and than begin again.
Remember life is short. Don't take it for granted. Tell someone you love them. Do an act of kindness. And always pray.
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
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
I want to talk today about Aricept. This is a drug prescribed to a lot of dementia/Alzheimer's patients to help improve their memory.
Another name for Aricpet, is called Donepezil which is used to treat dementia/ Alzheimer's Disease. If you are reading this you already know that this brain disorder affects the ability to remember, communicate and perform daily activities. Donepezil is in a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors which improves mental function that is being taken away by increasing the amount of a certain naturally occurring substance in the brain. Donepezil may improve the ability to think and remember or slow the loss of these abilities in people who have AD. However, donepezil will not cure AD or prevent the loss of mental abilities at some time in the future.
The sad part is how costly this drug can be. Here is a site with patient assistance program. http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/Programs/programdetails.aspx?p=4
A limited income should not keep people from helpful medicine. That's why Pfizer has financial assistance programs for their Aricept medication for Alzheimer's.
I hope this helps.
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 talk today about Aricept. This is a drug prescribed to a lot of dementia/Alzheimer's patients to help improve their memory.
Another name for Aricpet, is called Donepezil which is used to treat dementia/ Alzheimer's Disease. If you are reading this you already know that this brain disorder affects the ability to remember, communicate and perform daily activities. Donepezil is in a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors which improves mental function that is being taken away by increasing the amount of a certain naturally occurring substance in the brain. Donepezil may improve the ability to think and remember or slow the loss of these abilities in people who have AD. However, donepezil will not cure AD or prevent the loss of mental abilities at some time in the future.
The sad part is how costly this drug can be. Here is a site with patient assistance program. http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/Programs/programdetails.aspx?p=4
A limited income should not keep people from helpful medicine. That's why Pfizer has financial assistance programs for their Aricept medication for Alzheimer's.
I hope this helps.
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, November 26, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
I sit here quietly blogging, now that my house is quiet. My 99 yr old grandmother and my Aunt Peg, and my parents were in town for a week. Along with my daughter Kristina with her husband and three kids. The house was messy, and noisy, just like I like it. Signs of life you know. My daughter left with her crew a couple of hours ago and it is lonely again. But I reflect to the last few days of wiping runny noses, and spending endless hours at the park feeding the ducks.
As we sat around the Thanksgiving table, passing the food, and helping the little ones eat, my mind wondered off to a different time. To a time when I was the young parent and my father and mother in law had us over to their home with the wonderful smells of their cooking, and they were in charge. I was to young to even know what was expected as I would take care of my children, expecting a feast and taking for granted their hospitality.
I must have A.D.D. as my mind would go off into another direction, and it was the year 2002. We had moved into Dads home a few months before this so we could help dad, and that Thanksgiving I remember sitting in the living room of his house while he pointed to the furniture and telling me they belonged to him. It seemed like that was a time Dad couldn't remember if he was at home and we were always trying to convince him he was.
It was the Thanksgiving year, 2003 that we spent our first Thanksgiving day without him. We had just moved to Phoenix and all my kids were in town. We decided to make an adventure and go see the Grand Canyon. Only Dad couldn't come with us. So we had to make arrangements for Dad to be at a nursing home for a couple of days.
Life is so full of disappointments. It hurts to think of how this terrible disease took my father in law away from us. Yet this man was heaven sent as he taught us about life, commitment and love. They say in every storm cloud to look for the silver lining. We found ours.
Remember to the world you are but just one person. But to that special person you may be their world.
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 sit here quietly blogging, now that my house is quiet. My 99 yr old grandmother and my Aunt Peg, and my parents were in town for a week. Along with my daughter Kristina with her husband and three kids. The house was messy, and noisy, just like I like it. Signs of life you know. My daughter left with her crew a couple of hours ago and it is lonely again. But I reflect to the last few days of wiping runny noses, and spending endless hours at the park feeding the ducks.
As we sat around the Thanksgiving table, passing the food, and helping the little ones eat, my mind wondered off to a different time. To a time when I was the young parent and my father and mother in law had us over to their home with the wonderful smells of their cooking, and they were in charge. I was to young to even know what was expected as I would take care of my children, expecting a feast and taking for granted their hospitality.
I must have A.D.D. as my mind would go off into another direction, and it was the year 2002. We had moved into Dads home a few months before this so we could help dad, and that Thanksgiving I remember sitting in the living room of his house while he pointed to the furniture and telling me they belonged to him. It seemed like that was a time Dad couldn't remember if he was at home and we were always trying to convince him he was.
It was the Thanksgiving year, 2003 that we spent our first Thanksgiving day without him. We had just moved to Phoenix and all my kids were in town. We decided to make an adventure and go see the Grand Canyon. Only Dad couldn't come with us. So we had to make arrangements for Dad to be at a nursing home for a couple of days.
Life is so full of disappointments. It hurts to think of how this terrible disease took my father in law away from us. Yet this man was heaven sent as he taught us about life, commitment and love. They say in every storm cloud to look for the silver lining. We found ours.
Remember to the world you are but just one person. But to that special person you may be their world.
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
Monday, November 22, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
As I reflect back to the time of taking care of my father in law I remembered him in a lot of pain. After I took him to a doctor we found out he needed hip surgery. So we brought him in the day of the surgery, and stayed with him until they had put him out to go for his surgery. I really can't remember how long he was in the operating room, but he finally came out to the recovery room and he of course was still sleeping.
The nurses told me that we could see him tomorrow, since it was in the evening. I of course was worried about when he woke up and didn't see us there. So I gave them my phone number to call me in case he needed a sitter. Funny thing was I was only home not even a half hour when I got the phone call. When he woke up, he took out his IV and the nasal cannula, and tried pulling out the Foley. I found him lying in bed cussing with his arms strapped down so he couldn't hurt himself anymore.
I just found an article on Alzheimer's Weekly about a 65 yr old women who went in the hospital for routine hip surgery and six months later she developed memory loss and finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
From article:
"Although oxygen treatment beneficially increases the oxygen content of blood during or after major surgery, it also has several negative effects that we believe may trigger Alzheimer's symptoms in those destined to develop the disease," said USF neuroscientist Arendash, the study's lead author. "Our study suggests that the combination of brain beta amyloid and exposure to high concentrations of oxygen provides a perfect storm for speeding up the onset of memory loss associated with Alzheimer's Disease."
Please read this article: http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/content/less-oxygen-surgery
Hope this helps.
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 I reflect back to the time of taking care of my father in law I remembered him in a lot of pain. After I took him to a doctor we found out he needed hip surgery. So we brought him in the day of the surgery, and stayed with him until they had put him out to go for his surgery. I really can't remember how long he was in the operating room, but he finally came out to the recovery room and he of course was still sleeping.
The nurses told me that we could see him tomorrow, since it was in the evening. I of course was worried about when he woke up and didn't see us there. So I gave them my phone number to call me in case he needed a sitter. Funny thing was I was only home not even a half hour when I got the phone call. When he woke up, he took out his IV and the nasal cannula, and tried pulling out the Foley. I found him lying in bed cussing with his arms strapped down so he couldn't hurt himself anymore.
I just found an article on Alzheimer's Weekly about a 65 yr old women who went in the hospital for routine hip surgery and six months later she developed memory loss and finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
From article:
"Although oxygen treatment beneficially increases the oxygen content of blood during or after major surgery, it also has several negative effects that we believe may trigger Alzheimer's symptoms in those destined to develop the disease," said USF neuroscientist Arendash, the study's lead author. "Our study suggests that the combination of brain beta amyloid and exposure to high concentrations of oxygen provides a perfect storm for speeding up the onset of memory loss associated with Alzheimer's Disease."
Please read this article: http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/content/less-oxygen-surgery
Hope this helps.
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, November 18, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
My grandma is 99yrs young. I have wonderful memories of her growing up and I hate the idea of her being old. When I was a child grandma and grandpa had a dairy farm. Grandpa use to spray milk in out mouth straight from the cow. I use to help grandpa gather the cows and milk the cows and clean the manure in the barn. I use to help grandma plant seeds in her vegetable garden, snap the peas for a meal, and bake bread. I grew up gathering up the eggs from the chicken coop. Our food came from the farm. Grandpa use to kill the deer and cows for our meat, milk the cows for our milk, fetch the eggs from the chicken, can vegetables from our garden, and make jellies and jams from the strawberries and raspberries that grew in the garden. It would be a treat to go to town and for a bag of chips. There was always dogs and cats running around.
It breaks my heart that my kids can never experience what I did growing up. And it breaks my that my grandma is finally 99 yrs old and finally getting confused. She asks me over and over again the same questions now. She can't seem to remember where the bathroom is or the bedroom that she stays in at my house. Yet she can remember my kids names. I hope and pray that I do have her mind when I am her age.
Today we went to the White Tank Mountains and went for a hike. Yea, a hike. I did get a wheel chair for grandma. She started walking pushing the chair, than I pushed it and she held on to her daughters arm. And finally she sat in the chair. We didn't go as far as I would have liked to. I forget that she is not as young as I am and not as adventurous, but we went a little ways before she asked if we could go back and she enjoyed the view.
Today did make me think that I need to do what ever adventures I want the next few years, before my body won't let me. I keep forgetting myself that I am getting older. I watched my Aunt Peg who is ten years older than me, and she was getting winded early. Ouch. I never even thought about not being able to hike or anything like that.
So today was a good day. God gave me the chance to be with my grandma another day. Plus I will get to take a five generation picture this weekend. Imagine that. Take care of your self and your loved one. Enjoy the gift of life that you were given today.
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
My grandma is 99yrs young. I have wonderful memories of her growing up and I hate the idea of her being old. When I was a child grandma and grandpa had a dairy farm. Grandpa use to spray milk in out mouth straight from the cow. I use to help grandpa gather the cows and milk the cows and clean the manure in the barn. I use to help grandma plant seeds in her vegetable garden, snap the peas for a meal, and bake bread. I grew up gathering up the eggs from the chicken coop. Our food came from the farm. Grandpa use to kill the deer and cows for our meat, milk the cows for our milk, fetch the eggs from the chicken, can vegetables from our garden, and make jellies and jams from the strawberries and raspberries that grew in the garden. It would be a treat to go to town and for a bag of chips. There was always dogs and cats running around.
It breaks my heart that my kids can never experience what I did growing up. And it breaks my that my grandma is finally 99 yrs old and finally getting confused. She asks me over and over again the same questions now. She can't seem to remember where the bathroom is or the bedroom that she stays in at my house. Yet she can remember my kids names. I hope and pray that I do have her mind when I am her age.
Today we went to the White Tank Mountains and went for a hike. Yea, a hike. I did get a wheel chair for grandma. She started walking pushing the chair, than I pushed it and she held on to her daughters arm. And finally she sat in the chair. We didn't go as far as I would have liked to. I forget that she is not as young as I am and not as adventurous, but we went a little ways before she asked if we could go back and she enjoyed the view.
Today did make me think that I need to do what ever adventures I want the next few years, before my body won't let me. I keep forgetting myself that I am getting older. I watched my Aunt Peg who is ten years older than me, and she was getting winded early. Ouch. I never even thought about not being able to hike or anything like that.
So today was a good day. God gave me the chance to be with my grandma another day. Plus I will get to take a five generation picture this weekend. Imagine that. Take care of your self and your loved one. Enjoy the gift of life that you were given today.
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, November 16, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
Today has been an eventful day. First I was at the grocery store, and when I walked out this elderly gentleman was standing next to his nice looking motorcycle. I commented to him that his bike was nice. He smiled pleased and asked me if I wanted a ride. I told him I was pretty busy or else maybe I would take him up on it. To my surprise he gave me his card and asked me to call him if I ever needed anything to get fixed in the house or wanted to take him up on that ride and that he was lonely. He was a 75 yr old male, who use to be a cop and now he teaches dance lessons. I am thinking of calling him up for Thanksgiving.
Second I went to the airport to pick up my 75 yr old mom and my 80 yr old dad at one terminal. Than I went to another terminal to pick up my 66yr old aunt and my 99 yr old grandmother. Yea you heard me right. She is 99 and she flew here from Wisconsin so that I could get a five generation picture.
My grandma was at my home just a couple of years ago and I can now see the dementia that she is beginning to get. She asks the same questions over and over again. She never use to be like that. She is finally forgetting my kids names and their kids names. Also something new for her. Yet we played a game called sequence and she is good at this game. I am hoping my genes are coming from her and that I will have her brain when I am her age. I wish I knew how to put pictures on the blog so you can see how beautiful she really is.
Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today. Especially if it is something with a parent or child.
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
Today has been an eventful day. First I was at the grocery store, and when I walked out this elderly gentleman was standing next to his nice looking motorcycle. I commented to him that his bike was nice. He smiled pleased and asked me if I wanted a ride. I told him I was pretty busy or else maybe I would take him up on it. To my surprise he gave me his card and asked me to call him if I ever needed anything to get fixed in the house or wanted to take him up on that ride and that he was lonely. He was a 75 yr old male, who use to be a cop and now he teaches dance lessons. I am thinking of calling him up for Thanksgiving.
Second I went to the airport to pick up my 75 yr old mom and my 80 yr old dad at one terminal. Than I went to another terminal to pick up my 66yr old aunt and my 99 yr old grandmother. Yea you heard me right. She is 99 and she flew here from Wisconsin so that I could get a five generation picture.
My grandma was at my home just a couple of years ago and I can now see the dementia that she is beginning to get. She asks the same questions over and over again. She never use to be like that. She is finally forgetting my kids names and their kids names. Also something new for her. Yet we played a game called sequence and she is good at this game. I am hoping my genes are coming from her and that I will have her brain when I am her age. I wish I knew how to put pictures on the blog so you can see how beautiful she really is.
Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today. Especially if it is something with a parent or child.
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
Monday, November 15, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
As I searched through Alzheimer's Weekly yesterday I came across this interesting site. They want to prevent Alzheimer's and slow down dementia. So they have a site with sponsor linking brain games. Sounds cool doesn't it. I have attached them for you to go and cruse on to.
www.ClubBing.com - Fun memory games
www.lumosity.com - Brain training games
www.Pmemory.com - Improve Memory
www.primalforce.net - Repair your aging brain
These are just a few of the sites listed. I know it is scary out here. I am myself in my fifties and when I can't remember something I get scared. The other day I wanted to put some boxes in my daughters car. She was upstairs, so I went in her purse and took out her keys and went into the front driveway to open her car door. The keys would not work. So disappointed I came back into the house with the boxes. My son in law asked me what was wrong and I told him that I was trying to put the boxes in her car but I couldn't get the car door to open. He opened her purse and took out the keys I had earlier in my hands and said try these. I told him I did but they didn't work. So my youngest daughter said she would help. I took the boxes and started for the front door. She went to the door of the garage and asked me what I was doing. She opened the garage and opened the car door. She saw the surprised look on my face and then I told her I tried the car outside. She said, "Mom I'm worried about you. You know that Jessica always parks her car in the garage. That was my car in the driveway."
Hard to say, is this a sign for dementia or just mistaken identity.
Have a good 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
As I searched through Alzheimer's Weekly yesterday I came across this interesting site. They want to prevent Alzheimer's and slow down dementia. So they have a site with sponsor linking brain games. Sounds cool doesn't it. I have attached them for you to go and cruse on to.
www.ClubBing.com - Fun memory games
www.lumosity.com - Brain training games
www.Pmemory.com - Improve Memory
www.primalforce.net - Repair your aging brain
These are just a few of the sites listed. I know it is scary out here. I am myself in my fifties and when I can't remember something I get scared. The other day I wanted to put some boxes in my daughters car. She was upstairs, so I went in her purse and took out her keys and went into the front driveway to open her car door. The keys would not work. So disappointed I came back into the house with the boxes. My son in law asked me what was wrong and I told him that I was trying to put the boxes in her car but I couldn't get the car door to open. He opened her purse and took out the keys I had earlier in my hands and said try these. I told him I did but they didn't work. So my youngest daughter said she would help. I took the boxes and started for the front door. She went to the door of the garage and asked me what I was doing. She opened the garage and opened the car door. She saw the surprised look on my face and then I told her I tried the car outside. She said, "Mom I'm worried about you. You know that Jessica always parks her car in the garage. That was my car in the driveway."
Hard to say, is this a sign for dementia or just mistaken identity.
Have a good 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
Saturday, November 13, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Today was the big event here in Phoenix, Az. We were at the Wesley Bolin Plaza and at nine AM the three mile walk started. There was a wonderful turn out. It looked a lot bigger than last year. As I put my head phones on and walked I noticed a few cute elderly with their canes and a few people pushing wheel chairs. A lot of people brought their dogs, and baby carriages. It was great to see so many people whom work at nursing homes from the valley participating in this. Of course if you have a team or if you donate $30 you get a T-shirt, but it was awesome to see the shirts made with pictures of their loved ones who have suffered from this disease.
Here in Phoenix there was about 99 teams with the top team being Team Tonto Verde, with recruited members of 119 - brought in $9,070.00. I was able to come up with $490.00. It wasn't as big as Team Tonto Verde, but every bit helps. It looks like Phoenix did well, and I am hoping that in the other states they have done the same and we will soon have a cure for this horrible disease.
I want to thank everyone who helped me with this wonderful fundraiser.
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
Today was the big event here in Phoenix, Az. We were at the Wesley Bolin Plaza and at nine AM the three mile walk started. There was a wonderful turn out. It looked a lot bigger than last year. As I put my head phones on and walked I noticed a few cute elderly with their canes and a few people pushing wheel chairs. A lot of people brought their dogs, and baby carriages. It was great to see so many people whom work at nursing homes from the valley participating in this. Of course if you have a team or if you donate $30 you get a T-shirt, but it was awesome to see the shirts made with pictures of their loved ones who have suffered from this disease.
Here in Phoenix there was about 99 teams with the top team being Team Tonto Verde, with recruited members of 119 - brought in $9,070.00. I was able to come up with $490.00. It wasn't as big as Team Tonto Verde, but every bit helps. It looks like Phoenix did well, and I am hoping that in the other states they have done the same and we will soon have a cure for this horrible disease.
I want to thank everyone who helped me with this wonderful fundraiser.
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, November 11, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
Happy Veterans Day!!
My father in law, Joe, was awarded THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL for meritorious achievement
in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations.
Alzheimer's doesn't care whom it may want to invade and take the mind away.
If you are interested in buying my book here is the link.
http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
If you are interested in seeing how this devastating disease took my father in laws mind here it the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
If you are interested in helping me reach my goal for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk here is the link.
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
I remember a few years ago before my father in law passed away and I brought him to the Veterans Day Parade, he saluted every one in a uniform with tears in his eyes. My father in law was a good man, and I am so happy that I was able to help him keep as normal of life as possible while this disease was killing him.
I salute all of our veterans. My daughter and my son in law did a tour in Iraq. I am grateful for all the people who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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
Happy Veterans Day!!
My father in law, Joe, was awarded THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL for meritorious achievement
in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations.
Alzheimer's doesn't care whom it may want to invade and take the mind away.
If you are interested in buying my book here is the link.
http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622
If you are interested in seeing how this devastating disease took my father in laws mind here it the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded
If you are interested in helping me reach my goal for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk here is the link.
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672
I remember a few years ago before my father in law passed away and I brought him to the Veterans Day Parade, he saluted every one in a uniform with tears in his eyes. My father in law was a good man, and I am so happy that I was able to help him keep as normal of life as possible while this disease was killing him.
I salute all of our veterans. My daughter and my son in law did a tour in Iraq. I am grateful for all the people who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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
Monday, November 8, 2010
ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:
I was at church today volunteering for Missions Of Mercy a Mobile Medical Unit which provides free medical care for anyone with no insurance. As I talked to the other volunteers, one of them told me she was going through some confusion, forgetting things and volunteered to be in a clinical study for people in the early stages of dementia due to Alzheimer's. She said she has to take a pill and has no idea if this pill is the active agent or a placebo. It was great to talk to her, as she hopes to help find a cure.
I also talked to a women who is taking care of her mother in law with Alzheimer's. She told me that things have settled down now. That her mother in law is finally in the calm stage. She doesn't know anyone, and really doesn't talk. But she smiles and feeds the birds and isn't hateful anymore. If you know anything about Alzheimer's you understand that it has stages. She pointed out that life is much easier now.
She made me think about my father in law. When we moved to Phoenix, from Chicago, my father in law didn't know anyone any more either. He had no idea we moved him, and when ever I took him outside for a walk or ride he would comment on the palm trees and mountains saying we must be in the country. He was at that calm stage, not hitting anymore and following me with his eyes like a hawk.
Remember the stages:
1) May have memory Lapses
2) Trouble coming up with the right word or names - losing or misplacing an object
3) Forgetting a recent event - difficulty paying bills or planning dinner
4) Can't remember address or phone number - need help choosing proper clothing for weather
5) Trouble remembering name of spouse or caregiver - major personality and behavioral changes - major changes in sleep patterns
6) Tends to wonder - trouble controlling bladder
7) Needs help with personal care- help with eating - swallowing impaired - needs depends
Remember if you have a loved one with Alzheimer's please get into a good support group. Also with the behavioral changes they tend to get mean. They don't mean it, that is just the disease. It soon will pass before they are passive and baby like.
Please remember life is a gift. Enjoy today and make it count. There is no guarantee what tomorrow may bring.
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 was at church today volunteering for Missions Of Mercy a Mobile Medical Unit which provides free medical care for anyone with no insurance. As I talked to the other volunteers, one of them told me she was going through some confusion, forgetting things and volunteered to be in a clinical study for people in the early stages of dementia due to Alzheimer's. She said she has to take a pill and has no idea if this pill is the active agent or a placebo. It was great to talk to her, as she hopes to help find a cure.
I also talked to a women who is taking care of her mother in law with Alzheimer's. She told me that things have settled down now. That her mother in law is finally in the calm stage. She doesn't know anyone, and really doesn't talk. But she smiles and feeds the birds and isn't hateful anymore. If you know anything about Alzheimer's you understand that it has stages. She pointed out that life is much easier now.
She made me think about my father in law. When we moved to Phoenix, from Chicago, my father in law didn't know anyone any more either. He had no idea we moved him, and when ever I took him outside for a walk or ride he would comment on the palm trees and mountains saying we must be in the country. He was at that calm stage, not hitting anymore and following me with his eyes like a hawk.
Remember the stages:
1) May have memory Lapses
2) Trouble coming up with the right word or names - losing or misplacing an object
3) Forgetting a recent event - difficulty paying bills or planning dinner
4) Can't remember address or phone number - need help choosing proper clothing for weather
5) Trouble remembering name of spouse or caregiver - major personality and behavioral changes - major changes in sleep patterns
6) Tends to wonder - trouble controlling bladder
7) Needs help with personal care- help with eating - swallowing impaired - needs depends
Remember if you have a loved one with Alzheimer's please get into a good support group. Also with the behavioral changes they tend to get mean. They don't mean it, that is just the disease. It soon will pass before they are passive and baby like.
Please remember life is a gift. Enjoy today and make it count. There is no guarantee what tomorrow may bring.
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, November 3, 2010
Alzheimer's Blogging:
Tonight with my girls I watched the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. This is a wonderful movie about a woman who learns the value of friendship. It also shows how an elderly woman can tell stories and shares her experiences.
They had a scene at a nursing home with the wheel chairs lined up in the hallway with the men or women sitting in them looking so sad. I have seen this in real life. It seems like once a person is put into a nursing home they are forgotten. I am not saying all of them, their are a few families out there who truly love and miss them and make sure to visit. But so many of these people are lonely and they all have stories to tell. They were once young and alive like we are now. They once had dreams, and ambitions. Then old age got hold of them and they had to stop what they were doing. It will happen to you and me. We will get old and not be able to keep up the pace we are at now.
These people all have a story, and want to tell. With Alzheimer's if you don't get the story before their mind is gone it will be to late.
I loved hearing my father in law talk about the war and Hitler. He told me once how they thought they were going to capture him and how scared they were. They were told to go in, but when they went into his house Hitler was gone. My father in law said he had never been so scared.
Please listen to your loved ones stories and watch their face light up as they talk.
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
Tonight with my girls I watched the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. This is a wonderful movie about a woman who learns the value of friendship. It also shows how an elderly woman can tell stories and shares her experiences.
They had a scene at a nursing home with the wheel chairs lined up in the hallway with the men or women sitting in them looking so sad. I have seen this in real life. It seems like once a person is put into a nursing home they are forgotten. I am not saying all of them, their are a few families out there who truly love and miss them and make sure to visit. But so many of these people are lonely and they all have stories to tell. They were once young and alive like we are now. They once had dreams, and ambitions. Then old age got hold of them and they had to stop what they were doing. It will happen to you and me. We will get old and not be able to keep up the pace we are at now.
These people all have a story, and want to tell. With Alzheimer's if you don't get the story before their mind is gone it will be to late.
I loved hearing my father in law talk about the war and Hitler. He told me once how they thought they were going to capture him and how scared they were. They were told to go in, but when they went into his house Hitler was gone. My father in law said he had never been so scared.
Please listen to your loved ones stories and watch their face light up as they talk.
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
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