ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

Well today I have learned something new about Alzheimer's. Have you been on Alzhemer's Weekly this week? There are some articles on LDB, which is Lewy Body Dementia.  This disease is most often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkenson's Disease. It is a degenerative brain disease which affects thinking and movement while impacting behavior and sleep. It is the second most common type of Dementia. This disease seems to have a lot of the symptoms as Alzheimer's or Parkenson's. But Lewy Body Dementia spreads faster than Alzheimer's and the patient is more often placed in a nursing home faster and a shorter life span.  The symptoms between Alzheimer's and LDB and Parkenson's and LDB make if hard for a doctor to make a definitive diagnosis. There is no cure and nothing to stop the progression of this disease. The drug of choice for this disease is Namenda.


Here are some of ths sites on this Lewy Body Dementia;
http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/lewy-body-dementia-lbd
http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/10-quick-facts-about-lewy-body-dementia
http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/diagnosing-lewy-body-dementia-tricky-vital
http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/namenda-treatment-mildly-beneficial-lewy-body-dementia
http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/namenda-side-effects

I hope this has helped you while you are taking care of your loved one with Alzheimer's/ Dementia.
My prayers are with 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/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319575798&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

Ask Your Representative to Cosponsor the


Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act



Help us in the fight to accelerate critical Alzheimer's research. The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=mmKXLbP8E&b=6550687&tr=y&auid=9719075  (H.R. 1897) would ensure that the federal government makes a commitment to finding treatments to prevent, cure, or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. We need your VOICE as we ask Congress to make research a priority. Please take two minutes and ask your Representative   http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=mmKXLbP8E&b=7516993&auid=9719057   to join the 65 current cosponsors of the Act in the House of Representatives in supporting this important legislation.



SAVE THE DATE

Lend your VOICE in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and attend the 2012 Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum, April 23-25 in Washington, DC. To see highlights from the 2011 Advocacy Forum, please visit www.alz.org/forum. http://www.alz.org/forum/



National Alzheimer's Advisory Council Holds Inaugural Meeting

The Alzheimer's Advisory Council, created by the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), http://napa.alz.org/   held its first meeting on September 27. Council members, including Alzheimer's Association President and CEO Harry Johns, heard presentations from agency officials about the federal government's current initiatives focused on Alzheimer's research, clinical care services, and long term care services and support. Advisory Council members also discussed how they will provide recommendations on the National Alzheimer's Plan to the government. A draft of the National Alzheimer's Plan is being prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services, and will be considered by the Council in early 2012.



New Congressional Scorecard Posted by the Alzheimer's Impact Movement

The Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM),  http://www.alzimpact.org/?tr=y&auid=9719093  strategic partner of the Alzheimer's Association, has posted a new Congressional Scorecard on AIM's website. AIM endorses and supports the federal priorities of the Alzheimer's Association, and the Congressional Scorecard is a helpful advocacy tool for tracking progress and support for the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act and the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act. This new scorecard features an interactive map that makes it easy for you to look up whether your members of Congress are cosponsors of priority Alzheimer's legislation. Learn more at http://www.alzimpact.org/.



Medicare Annual Enrollment: October 15-December 7, 2011

This year, the annual open enrollment period for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage begins October 15 and ends December 7. Please note that the enrollment closing date is earlier than in previous years. Plans are already sending materials to beneficiaries, and plan information for 2012 is also posted on http://www.medicare.gov/. The Alzheimer's Association's annual chart of coverage of Alzheimer's drugs http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_drug_coverage.asp?tr=y&auid=9719157#planD   by national prescription drug plans is now available to help you in this process as well. If a certain drug is not on the plan formulary, the individual can file an "Exception" request with the plan and request that the drug be covered.



Update on Federal Government Funding

Congress continues to work on the federal funding bills for fiscal year 2012. While it's a tough economic climate, the House of Representatives has provided a $1 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in its draft bill. The Association will continue to advocate for and monitor the additional funding provided for agencies and programs important to our community, including funding for NIH and the Department of Defense Peer-Reviewed Alzheimer's Research Program.



Robert Egge

Vice President, Public Policy

Alzheimer's Association

Thank you  for letting me share this letter I received.
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/

http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319058966&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

When you think of Dementia you think of old people. But there is a lot more to this disease than realized. Just because you forgot something doesn't mean you have dementia.  Dementia is a couple of brain functions that do not work. For example: Making the correct judgement- saying the appropriate things- being able to do things like make coffee, something you may have done all your adult life.

Alzheimer's is the most common cause of Dementia in people with the age of 65 and older. But don't let that fool you, there has been cases of people as young as 30 with the early onset of this disease.

Usually you think that if it runs in your family you are prone to have this disease. But did you know that you can get this disease without it being in  your family? People who have high blood pressure, vascular disease, or even heart attacks can get this devastating disease.

So to put this bluntly you need to eat right and exercise your body as well as exercise your mind.  Keep your mind sharp. Do cross word puzzles or read books. Exercise by doing yard work, or walking everyday.  Eat more chicken than beef and lots of vegetables. Also it is  important to get a good nights sleep.

If you find yourself getting confused more often than go see a doctor and get tested. It is better to find out early and get on the right medication to try and slow the disease down than let it get worse and be lost forever in your head.

If you have a loved one with this disease, please join a support group. This is so important to talk to others who are in the same situation and get tips from them.

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/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318877007&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blog:

What are the warning signs for dementia? 

Memory loss- difficult in daily tasks - problems with language- disorientation of time and place - poor judgement - misplacing things - changes in mood or behavior

These are some of the things I have written about over the years. Things to look for before wondering if you or your loved one should be tested. It is so scary to think that dementia could happen to you. But it can.

There is an interesting article on Yahoo about this problem called Would you recognize the early signs of Alzheimer's. 

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/would-you-recognize-the-early-signs-of-alzheimers-2572892/

Check out this site and see what you think.

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/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318357931&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

Silver Alerts  Popping Up Across America:

"The Silver Alert is a plan between the Department of Elder Affairs and law enforcement so that we can recoup and recover those people who are lost in their cars who might have Alzheimer's."

Check out this article on Alzheimer's Weekly Magazine : http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/week2/silver-alerts-popping-across-america

Silver Alert Gaining Speed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBdV09KEMHI&feature=player_embedded

I remember a time when my father in law went for a walk and we could not find him. It was such a scary feeling mixed with hopelessness. What if dad doesn't remember where he lives.  A nice man found dad who had fallen on the ground in a ditch. Somehow by talking to my father in law he figured out where dad lived and brought him home. How much easier it would have been if he had a bracelet on. I hope this article 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/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318304298&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

Every marriage has challenges but when is the challenge make it OK to divorce your spouse.

Check these out:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AlzheimersCommunity/pat-robertson-alzheimers-makes-divorce/story?id=14526660

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44530424/ns/health-alzheimers_disease/t/pat-robertson-divorcing-spouse-alzheimers-justifiable/


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/us/pat-robertson-remarks-on-alzheimers-stir-passions.html

As  I listen to this I am not sure he is saying to divorcee I think he is saying that if you are going to have another relationship you need to divorce first.  Yes he says the spouse is gone like a walking death, but I am not sure he says to divorce just because of Alzheimer's.  He also says that he is not a authority on this.

"I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her," Robertson said.

I think the words IF HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING HE SHOULD DIVORCE HER. Although I didn't think he would really condone divorce.

If you spouse has Alzheimer's please look for a good support group, a good doctor, and  good family support.  It is a hard job taking care of a person with Alzheimer's but it can also be a rewarding one. I do not regret taking care of my father in  law, but than I was not married to him and I can't put my feet in the shoes of a spouse with Alzheimer's.

An example of wedding vows: I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.



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/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317928407&sr=1-1  

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

I LISTENED TO THIS AND JUST WANTED TO CRY. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL ABOUT LOVE. LISTEN AND ENJOY!!!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YnX1MV0j_I&feature=player_embedded

A beautiful melody put to touching imagery. "Remember when - We said when we turned gray, we won't be sad, we'll be glad, for all the life we've had."

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
http://www.mariefostino.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317789344&sr=1-4

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:


In my job I go to many nursing homes and deal with dementia and Alzheimer's patients.  Some of them look so sad as they sit in the hallway in their wheel chairs waiting for the day to pass. 

At one time I worked in a nursing home, and one  of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had may I add, but we had to put these people on schedules. We told them when they had to get up, eat and go to bed. They didn't get to have any freedom anymore. The kitchen was only open at certain times, not like in your home so when you want breakfast at 10 am instead of 7 am, you eat than.  If they wanted a bath instead of a shower, or visit a friend later on the day they can.

Understand it is not the nursing homes fault. There are so many people to be taken care of and not that many nursing aids.

So in my humble  opinion the nursing home helps make the dementia catch on faster. The patient learns not to do for them self anymore, no more choices, no more tasks and so that results in no reason to  live and the mind wonders off to space and the emptiness carries on.

There is an article on Alzheimer's Weekly about people with dementia making decisions. 

Quote from Dr.Boyle:  "It's important for people with dementia to be supported to allow them to make decisions where they're still able to. Having dementia doesn't mean you automatically lose your decision-making ability - this needs to be considered on a decision-by-decision basis. Professionals need to facilitate the involvement of people with dementia in decision-making as much as possible."

Check out this article out. http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/good-decisions-people-dementia

Also check out this U-tube http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/good-decisions-people-dementia

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
check out my new book
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317688572&sr=1-9