Alzheimer's Blog:

Today on my ambulance it was an eventful day. I met a man whom in his time was a surgeon. I know he must have tales he could tell only this terrible disease took over his mind and body. Now he is lying in a bed refusing to eat, having to have oxygen on all the time, and pees in a foley cath.

I wonder if he ever thought about this disease when he was an inspiring surgeon. We all are in denial and hoping that dementia doesn't catch us. Is this the way he would want to live now?

I was told that in another week a feeding tube will be placed in his belly for nourishment. If he could make the choice would he approve of this?

There is no right or wrong answer. I saw a man who had glazed looking eyes, a body that kept shaking, and had no idea what was going on with a confused look on his face. The nursing home put in an IV to try and keep him hydrated. This patient took it out after a couple of days and the nurses had to put it back in. What will keep him from pulling out a feeding tube?

This is my thought for the 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

Alzheimer's Blog:

WE NEED YOUR VOICE!

The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders is in Jeopardy!

The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders enables individuals 65 and older to continue to reside in their communities. This program serves Connecticut’s elderly residents by providing assistance with personal care needs such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating, as well as periodic needs such as shopping, cleaning, laundry, cooking and transportation. Twenty-two percent (22%) of the program participants are Alzheimer's and dementia patients, and receive critical services that allow them to remain in the community with their loved-ones. Governor Rell is proposing to raise the co-pay and close level 1 of the program and we know this will have a detrimental effect on people with Alzheimer’s currently enrolled! In 2010, nearly 500 seniors dropped out of the CT Home Care Program for elders because they could not afford an additional 15% cost-share. You can help by making a quick phone call! Please call or e-mail Senator Toni Harp and Rep. Toni Walker today and simply say: Please stop the 15% cost-share and keep level 1 open for the CT Home Care Program for Elders, so that individuals with Alzheimer’s and persons of color and low-income can continue to remain in their homes, thank you. Senator Toni Harp: 1-800-842-1420

Representative Toni Walker: 1-800-842-1902

We appreciate your concern for the Alzheimer’s cause and willingness to be a voice for those who need support. Your immediate action is needed and greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Laurie Julian

Director of Public Policy Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter

Laurie.Julian@alz.org

Sincerely,

Marie Fostino

Alzhleimer's A Caretakers Journal

Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.

http://www.mariefostino.com/

http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/

Alzheimer's Blog:

Advocate Profile — Gerry Sampson

As vice chair of the Alzheimer’s Association National Board of Directors and a longtime board member of the Association’s Greater Dallas Chapter, Gerry Sampson is very familiar with the Association and its events and programs. That's why he couldn't wait to register for the 2011 Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum. Gerry was one of the very first registrants and the first national board member to do so.

"It’s so inspiring to be there," he said. "It reinvigorates everyone to look around and see how many other people care about this cause."

Gerry has attended seven past Forums, so he has experience visiting Capitol Hill and meeting with lawmakers to explain the Association's federal priorities. But the Forum is definitely a no-experience-required event, he said.

"The staff is so good at preparing you and educating you on the subjects we need to cover," he explained. "By the time you get to Capitol Hill, you'll have a good understanding of the issues and will feel comfortable and confident speaking up."

Another reason Gerry attends the Forum each year is his leadership position within the organization. He believes that board-member participation sends a clear message about the importance of advocacy, and he encourages other local and national board members to also attend.

"It demonstrates that it's not just the advocates from around the country, but also the leadership of the organization," Gerry said. "From the highest level down, we're committed to this cause."

Gerry added that there's an even greater urgency this year, as Congress looks to lower spending and reduce the deficit.

"It's an extra challenge, but it doesn't mean we can't do it," he said. "We've just got to be more articulate and focused on what we're asking for and make our case loud and clear."

Please check out more on this important issue:

For more information: advocacyforum@alz

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/

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG: Have you checked out Alzheimer's Weekly this week yet. Let me share with you an article on wondering.

CAREGIVERS ARTICLE - Understand what causes wandering and how to reduce a person's need to wander. (HealthDay News) -- Wandering is a common but dangerous symptom of Alzheimer's disease - a degenerative disease of the brain that affects memory and cognition. Alzheimer's patients may suddenly walk off and become lost, frightened and confused about where they are, and many do not even know where they are trying to go. Since many of these people can't identify themselves or where they live, wandering in unconfined and unsecured areas can be very dangerous. Disorientation, medication, stress, fear or anxiety, and restlessness may all cause an Alzheimer's patient to wander.

To keep patients safe and minimize wandering, the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles offers these suggestions: •Make sure the patient is always comfortable and doesn't need to use the restroom and isn't hungry or thirsty. •Try to make sure he receives regular exercise and activity to reduce restlessness and boredom. If he is still capable, let the patient help with daily chores like laundry or light cooking or housekeeping. •Tell the person often that you are there to help him, and make sure he understands he doesn't need to be anywhere but right where he is. •Keep the environment quiet and relaxing -- avoid noise and confusion that may frighten the patient into trying to scamper away. •If possible, keep doors locked and secured to prevent wandering into the street and getting lost. •Devise a plan of action in the event the patient does become lost -- keep current information on hand, like height and weight, and a recent photograph. Also, keep a list of places where the person has wandered previously, or places he used to frequent that he may be trying to find.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's than you have experienced the wondering stage. It is frightening for both the Alzheimer's patient and for the caregiver. I remember when my father in law walked away from the house one day and my husband was following him in the car. He walks slow so Jimmy decided to drive around the block and catch back up with him. But to his surprise when he came back to the same spot my father in law was missing. I was just getting back into town, and you can only imagine how scared I was when my husband said Dad is gone. If it wasn't for a kind soul who found dad in a ditch covered in mud, we would have never found him. There are bracelet's to put on your loved ones with their name, address and allergies written on them. Yes, allergies are important. What if something happened to them, and they ended up in the emergency room and you were not notified yet. It could be life threatening if the doctors gave a medication that your loved one was allergic to.

Just a thought. Hope this helps.

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/

alzheimer's Blog:

Subject: You Are Invited!

The largest gathering of Alzheimer's disease researchers, medical experts, caregivers and policy makers in Arizona's history will gather Friday, May 21 to continue the urgent battle against the disease that today has more than 78,000 victims in Arizona alone.

About 1,200 people are expected to attend the 12th Annual Conference of the Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium. The free event will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Glendale, Ariz. The gathering is attracting experts from around the United States who will present their scientific breakthroughs and participate in round-table discussions.

Joining the list of internationally-known experts is Paul Aisen, M.D., from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), an industry leader in evaluation of promising new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Aisen will provide the latest update on the development of new Alzheimer's disease treatments.

"This year's event offers an outstanding group of speakers, who will provide practical information for patients and family caregivers and share some of their latest scientific findings with other researchers," said Eric Reiman, M.D, Director of the Consortium and executive director of the Banner Alzheimer's Institute.

As part of the day-long conference, policymakers will have the opportunity to hear from people with Alzheimer's disease, caregivers, family members and the general public. The Arizona Governor's Office on Aging will be conducting a State Alzheimer's Priority Plan Forum from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. This open forum and roundtable is designed so that the voices of people affected by the seventh leading cause of death can be heard and help shape Alzheimer's policy in Arizona.

The Conference also will include presentations by the top researchers in Alzheimer's disease in the country, including:

* Alzheimer's Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment Options, by Richard Caselli, MD

* Understanding the Behavioral Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease, by Alfred Kaszniak

* Oral presentations about research conducted by consortium members, including Banner Sun Health Research, Banner Research Institute, Banner Alzheimer's Institute, the Mayo Clinic, Barrow Neurological Institute, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Arizona State University

* Scientific poster presentations describing other research findings from consortium members

For more information about this free event, including a detailed agenda, please visit www.azalz.org or call 602-239-6901. To register, visit www.azalz.org or call our RSVP line (480) 440-7177.

The Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium (AAC) capitalizes on the complementary resources of its seven member institutions to promote the scientific understanding and early detection of Alzheimer's disease and effective disease-stopping and prevention therapies. Established in 1998, the Consortium also seeks to educate Arizona's residents about Alzheimer's disease, research progress in the state and the resources needed to help patients, families and professionals manage the disease. The AAC is comprised of both the NIA-funded Arizona Disease Core Center (ADCC) and the state-funded Arizona Alzheimer's Research Center (AARC). The AAC's member research institutions include Arizona State University, the Banner Alzheimer's Institute, the Barrow Neurological Institute, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the University of Arizona.


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 Blogging:

For anyone who is new to my blog, I work as a paramedic for a private ambulance company. I do 911 calls but I also do calls at nursing homes involving senior citizens which is my favorite part of my job. So at two am I get a call for a 76 yr old female in respiratory distress. When we arrived at the nursing home and went into the patients room the nurse came running in asking us if the woman was still breathing. It seems that this patient is on oxygen all the time, but her 02 sats dropped while on the oxygen into the 70's at around one am. Now that is bad because our 02 sats are usually in the middle to high 90's. This nurse was a good nurse and gave this patient an albuterol SVN treatment which helped her. We found her in labor breathing, with diminished lung sounds and wheezing.

Now I just want you to put yourself in this patients shoes. She has a shunt in her head, a feeding tube and not allowed to eat, a foley to go to the bathroom in, always on oxygen and dementia/Alzheimer. Is this the way you want to live?

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 Blog:

How long can one with Dementia drive safely?

Carol was a sales executive who spent a great deal of time on the road in the course of her business. Because her services were much in demand, Carol rarely had much time to visit with her children and grandchildren, but holidays were the exception. She always drove her son’s family to her daughter’s home in the next town, even in the worst weather.

That changed the day Carol became confused on the road, telling her son she didn’t recognize the highway and must have taken a wrong turn. It was Christmas Eve, and Carol had driven that stretch all her life, but now it looked strange and it worried her. She refused to go any farther, and insisted her son take over.

For the first time Carol and her family began to think about whether she could continue to drive, but the doctor was not surprised. He had expected this day.

When should a person with Alzheimer’s disease stop driving? Is it always necessary? After all, to some people it can represent a devastating loss of independence.

To continue this article click on the link http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/content/how-long-can-one-drive-safely

I remember when we moved into my father-in-law's house. My sister-in-law already warned us that she had taken his car keys away. The story goes he was driving and hit the back of one car and kept on going till he hit the back of another car. The police called my sister-in-law to come and get him and take him home. After that she hid his keys. When ever I would forget to lock my car, dad would get behind the wheel and try to figure out how to start my car, without my keys. It is sad but it is also true.

One day when I was driving him back from a lunch outing, we passed a semi. My father-in-law use to drive them. He scared me when he punched the dash board before he stated that he missed driving trucks. My heart broke. Luckily he forgot all about that a few minutes later.

I hope you find the article above helpful.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com

Alzheimer's Blog:


2011 Alzheimer's Facts and
Figures Released

Yesterday, the Alzheimer's Association released the 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report. The report provides a statistical resource for all U.S. information related to Alzheimer's and other dementias. This year, it also includes a special report on early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

The new 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report information will support all of the Association's public policy and communication efforts over the next year. This week, we are distributing the report on Capitol Hill. Additionally, we know this data is most powerful when it is combined with the personal stories of advocates. To help with your advocacy efforts with legislators, local media, and others, we have created a fact sheet for your use. Key highlights include:

•An estimated 5.4 million American's have Alzheimer's disease. Another American develops Alzheimer's disease every 69 seconds.
•In 2010, 14.9 million family and friends provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
•The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's to American society will total $183 billion in 2011.
•Deaths from Alzheimer's increased 66 percent between 2000 and 2008, and Alzheimer's is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression.
Please find the full report, fact sheet, and information specific to your state at www.alz.org/facts.

Federal Budget Update
As you have probably seen in the news, leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate have yet to agree upon a budget to fund the Federal Government for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year. As things stand right now, none of our key Alzheimer's priorities have been cut in the negotiations. However, the Public Policy office continues to closely monitor budget activity on behalf of the Alzheimer's community to ensure that critical research and care programs remain in place.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journals
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com

Alzheimer's Blog:

Here is a wonderful little email that I received today.

Marie Stevens Scalabrino

Marie says, "Just came across your blog and am so thankful. I'm consumed by reading everything about Alz as my mom was dx'd in Oct 2009 n is now turning the corner to easily agitated and paranoid. I just moved her in with me n my two daughters after losing my dad n I'm beginning to feel trapped and disliked. Thank u for taking the time to share your experiences. Warmest regards, Marie."

Dear Marie,
Love the name. lol Thank you for writing. The reason I write this blog and wrote my book is to let people know that they are not alone. In my book I am trying to show the daily trials and tribulations that one may go through while taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's. I share the feelings of confusion, frustration, and the blessings I experienced. Sometimes as the caretaker we feel very isolated--the world, after all, doesn't stop, despite the sense that your world is frozen in time. My book is a tale of thoughts, stories, anecdotes, as well as feelings of helplessness, guilt, happiness, and sorrow. Please remember that you are not alone. Please get a hold of a good support group in your area so you can learn from others and to vent. And don't forget respite care. You can't take care of another human being if you don't take care of your self.

http://alz.org/apps/findus.asp This site will help anyone find a good support group anywhere in the US.

You are an angel, giving back the love that once was given to you.
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/

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

Enjoy these articles from Alzheimer's Weekly.


http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/seroquel-suit-settled-685m

http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/copper-our-diet

http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/what-triggers-alzheimer-s-could-liver

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 BLOG:

I know I already blogged today, but I just had a patient that made me think What is quality of life?

So I looked it up.

From Wikipedia:

The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of living, which is based primarily on income. Instead, standard indicators of the quality of life include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. Also frequently related are concepts such as freedom, human rights, and happiness.
Also frequently related are concepts such as freedom, human rights, and happiness.

From another site about quality of life -

Quality of Life is often defined in a very negative way, simply as the absence of health threatening hazards from the environment or as the absence of disease or medical problems. Even if we take a more positive approach and consider the advantages the environment offers (e.g. in arts, schools, natural beauty, access and so on) this is again a static viewpoint and assumes that a body that is functioning at its optimum in an optimum environment is somehow also optimised. Nothing could be further from the truth, a vegetable could perhaps say that - but not a human.

Now my question is what is quality of life for the Alzheimer's patient.

I just picked up a 76 yr old male patient who has a pacemaker, Foley, feeding tube and on oxygen. He is totally confused due to his dementia / Alzheimer's. Is this the quality of life you want? Just a thought.

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 Blog

So the other day on my ambulance here is how it went. I get called for 73 yr old male patient at 300 am in the morning. His blood pressure is high like 200/100 and he has a temp of 102 which they found out at 200 am. I of course ask the nurses if they gave this patient his blood pressure medication and some non- aspirin for the fever and the answer was no because they want the doctor to see this.

So here is my patient, lying in bed sleeping.
"Sir," I say before I touch him. Drool is running from his mouth. He doesn't wake up. "Sir," I say again as I now touch his shoulder and he is startled.

Imagine you are this patient. You have dementia, sleeping and have no idea what is going on. A stranger is talking to you, telling you that you have to go to the hospital and all you want to do is sleep. You would have to be frightened, wondering why your space is being invaded. Why are two strangers picking him up, making him go to a gurney, out in the cold night air, and into an ambulance which is frightened looking than out into a hospital with nurses and doctors probing around you.

I did talk the nurses at the nursing home to give this patient his blood pressure medication and a Tylenol which of course his blood pressure and temp went down.

Just an insight for you to see what goes on sometimes with your loved one with dementia/Alzheimer's when at a facility.

Have a great day. And thank you for letting me take care of your loved ones on my ambulance.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprintt of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

It always feels good when someone asks me questions about a loved one with severe dementia. Here is how the text came: Hi Marie, I have been referred to you for help with my mother-in-law who is getting progressively worse with dementia and we want to continue care for her at home verse an institution.

First I want to remind you all that you are not alone. There is help for you. You need to educate yourself as to what is going on with your loved one and than to the resources around you. One good resource is Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/index.asp Next they do have a map that will help you find a good support group where ever you live.
http://www.alz.org/index.asp. Alzheimer's Weekly an on line magazine is also very helpful in educating anyone about this disease. http://www.alzheimersweekly.com

As my father in law got worse, weak, no appetite, long naps, not making sense anymore when he talks, I put him on hospice. They were wonderful. A nurse came out once a week to check up on him. I worked two days a week and on those two days an aid came out and bathed him for me. I don't know what I would have done without them. They also gave me the piece of mind I needed so when the day came and he was dying I could handle this at home.

Please find your self a good support group. Also remember if you don't take care of yourself how can you take care of anyone else. So get some respite care. It is not being selfish to take a couple days to your self, it is necessary.

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 BLOG:

I have been busy lately on my ambulance. It is such a good feeling to see these 90+ yr olds that I have been seeing in their own homes. They are alert, and oriented. This is what we all dream of. We want to grow old gracefully, in our own homes, taking care of our selves.

What causes Alzheimer’s:

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory,
thinking skills and the ability to carry our the simplest task of daily living. Alzheimer's Disease is
the most common cause of dementia among older people, but not a normal part of aging.
Scientist don't fully understand what causes Alzheimer's Disease. Genetics play a role in some
people. Offspring have a 50 - 50 chance of developing Alzheimer's Disease if one of their
parents had it. Research also suggests that other risk factors can be our life style. A nutritious
diet, exercise, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits may help to reduce the risk
of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. Cognitive impairment is a condition in which a person has memory problems greater than those expected for their age.

We cant' control some risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease such as age and genetic profile. But
scientists are studying a number of other factors that could make a difference. Hopefully further
research will tell us whether health, lifestyle and environmental factors can help prevent
Alzheimer's Disease. The only definite way to diagnose Alzheimer's Disease is with an autopsy,
which is an examination of the body after death.

Have a great day!!
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/