Monday, January 30, 2012

Alzheimer's Blogging:

Dear Friend,
We are ready to make history, but is Washington ready to join us?
Right now, the Obama Administration is developing the first National Alzheimer’s Plan in the history of the United States.
Sign our Petition to the President
Since the passage and enactment of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) last January, millions of Americans like you have been eagerly waiting to see what commitment the Administration will make to fight this devastating disease.
Our families won’t forget the promises that leaders in Washington made to us as they agreed to create a National Alzheimer’s Plan. We now must ask the President to seize this opportunity to lead the fight against Alzheimer’s.
We are ready to make history. We need you to stand up and call for action. Please take a moment to support this historic effort.
Help ensure the White House remembers our families. Alzheimer’s can’t wait.
Robert Egge
Vice President, Public Policy
Alzheimer's Association

If you are having trouble reading this  please go to this
website that was provided.
http://www.alz.org/DM/Advocacy/013012.htm

Please Help, I received this today from Alzheimer's Association.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Jorunal

Friday, January 27, 2012

Alzheimer's Blogging:

Sleep is an important part of our life. We can not function very well when we are to tired. We can not think straight, and sometimes we can't even see straight.

Alzheimer's patients have trouble with their sleeping habits. They have their time clock mixed up and not sure when it is night or day. Sometimes they may be up roaming around all night, or sleep all day.

Most people require about seven or eight hours of sleep. My grandmother who will be 101 in April only needs six hours of sleep.  A schedule is good to have, when to sleep, when to wake up, but when your loved one had Alzheimer's it is hard to keep them on  a  schedule.

I remember with my father in law, I would try and not let him take any naps, give him dinner at the same time, let him walk around the driveway like he wanted to and than have him sit and play cards at the kitchen table while the rest of us watched TV. I hoped to have him on a schedule as to when to be awake and when to be asleep. But it didn't work for him. He would lie awake in bed, waiting for me to leave so he could sneak out again.

As the caregiver it is also important to have enough sleep so you can deal with the aggravation of your loved one. You know they don't mean what they do or say, but without enough sleep, you can get testy yourself, and maybe accidentally taking it out on them.

I find for myself I cannot eat at night before I am going to sleep. I find I will be wide awake with trouble finding any shut eye and crabby the next day.

Check out this article on Alzheimer's Weekly:  http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/easing-sleep-disturbances-patients-caregivers

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
http://mariefostino.weeble.com 

Friday, January 6, 2012

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

So lets talk about our New Year Resolutions.  It is usually to stop bad habits or to take on improvements. So I tend to think that most people somewhere on their list put down something about losing weight. Whether it is to diet or exercise. Did you know that if you are between the ages of 30 - 50 and you are exercising you are also helping to reduce the risk of Dementia.  When you exercising the blood & oxygen flow through your body also goes through your head, reaching your brain improving cognitive test scores on healthy adults. The brain depends on healthy blood supply which reduces potential for stroke which can lead to dementia

So what is your New Year Resolution?   Don't forget about reading books, doing cross word puzzles or  watching game shoes which play with the mind. Try to eat the right foods, water and get enough rest.
I hope you have a great New Year.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Caretakers A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
http://mariefostino.weebly.com/

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Alzheimer's Blogging:

We are all in denial about Dementia / Alzheimer's.  I forget where I put things so I make sure that I keep things a certain way. The keys go on the hook by the kitchen phone when I walk into the house. I put my shoes in the closet and never leave them downstairs. I do little things into a habit so that I will know where everything is when I  need them. But what happens when you don't put the keys on the hook by the phone. Can you remember where you put them? Does your memory work? What are some of the signs for seeing a doctor?

You need to look for the signs. Like can  you retrace your steps to find the lost keys?  Can you still make a pot a coffee, something you have done everyday since your 20's?  

Keep a journal, and write down what you did that day, and write down what frightened you also. Maybe you can't remember something and it bothers you so bad, write it in your journal. By writing in your journal you can figure out if this is something that is just passing or if this is something that is starting to be serious and should be looked at.

It is funny that sometimes I forget the name of a movie or a long lost friend. It will bother me all day long and than finally when I let it go, the name comes into my head. It is so funny how the brain can work so slow sometimes, but it is working and that is what counts.

Remember that it is important to exercise and eat right. Plus play games that work with your mind or do cross ward puzzles. Keep your mind sharp along with your body and you will keep yourself with your family a little longer. Alzheimer's / Dementia takes your away from your family even though they can see your body.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino

Alzheizmer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com
http://mariefostino.weebly.com/

Monday, January 2, 2012

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!   We get the chance to start new again. We get to change bad habits, and eat correctly, and exercise.  You with me?  We get to fix relationships and start over like new.

You also can work on your brain and try to  help yourself from getting Alzheimer's / Dementia.
It is important to exercise and eat the right foods. It is also important to read, and watch things on TV that makes your brain think. You have to exercise your brain.

What can we do to fight dementia? There is ever-growing evidence that exercise is both highly therapeutic and powerfully protective. Watch this video for insights to help get your new year in motion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RG4FsqCnxY&feature=player_embedded

I try to walk 3 miles a day. One reason is to stay in shape. Second reason is because I enjoy listening to my radio while I am walking and having this time to myself. But the big reason is to help prevent Alzheimer's.

Read this from Alzheimer's Weekly called Walk the Walk.
http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/walk-walk

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