Federal Update

A (Task) Force in Congress
Every 68 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. So, every minute that passes without action from our elected leaders increases the devastating impact this disease has on families, caregivers and our nation. The arrival of the 113th U.S. Congress earlier this month brought a number of new faces to our nation’s capital, along with many familiar ones. And for many Americans, it brought a hope that members of Congress would avoid the partisan gridlock seen in previous years. Thankfully, the issue of fighting Alzheimer’s disease spans partisan lines.

The Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease is a clear example of bipartisanship and has been instrumental in raising awareness and securing funding for research. Led in the House by Co-Chairs Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) in the Senate, the Task Force is working to bring the mounting Alzheimer's crisis to the forefront of the congressional agenda.
Please urge your Senator(s) to join the Task Force today.

25 years of making our VOICE heard
Since 1989, Alzheimer's advocates have gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum to urge elected officials to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. These advocacy efforts have produced important results through the years, but there is much more to be done.

Join us in our nation's capital April 22-24, 2013, for the 25th Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum, the nation’s premier advocacy event. Online registration is now open!


Meet your Member of Congress!
Do you want to take the next step in moving our mission forward? Are you willing to speak out on Alzheimer’s issues? Take part in our District-Forum-District program.

Please join your fellow advocates and Alzheimer’s association staff as we begin our annual series of meetings with members of Congress. Initial meetings are being held in your local congressional district from January to March, with follow-up meetings in Washington D.C. to take place during the Advocacy Forum. A third meeting will be held during May and June back in congressional district offices.

These meetings are absolutely critical to ensuring our legislative priorities are acted upon quickly by this Congress. Contact your local chapter and get involved today.

Wow it has been ages since I have been on this blog. So you can imagine how  supprised I was to see people are still reading it.   My father in law died almost 9 yrs now since this terrible disease hit him.  I miss him very much. I think fondly of him often and talk out loud to him with the hope he hears me.

At work the other day, I was lucky enough to have a couple of patients with dementia/ alzheimer's.  I love those patients, especially since I usually notice not to many family memebers really understand what is going on with them. I love to try and explain what their loved one is going through and offer to give them one of my books.

So what are you going to boost your mind delaying the onset of dementia?

 Keep your mind active and sharp through various activities. Keep the mind healthy. Mental stimulation helps ward off memeory loss.  Watch a movie -- Watch a ball game -- Work on a cross word puzzle -- Join a chess club or gardening group -- Volunteer in your community -- Work a part time job -- Have a hobby- Ear a healthy diet -- Includ physical activity during your day, at least 30 minutes to increase your blood flow to your brain.

I wrote my Alzheimer's book about the daily trials and tribulations of taking care of my father in law in the hope to help other families who are dealing with the same thing.  It is important for caretakers to know that they're not alone, that others have experienced the same frustrations. Sometimes a caretaker feels very isolated -- the world, after all, doesn't stop, despite the sense that your world is frozen in time.

Thank you and God Bless You all.
Marie Fostino 
http://mariefostino.weebly.com/alzheimers-book.html
 

 

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. 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. Sign our online petition urging the President to issue a strong National Alzheimer’s Plan, backed by the resources to get it done. 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 www.mariefostino.com www.mariefostino.weebly.com

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 

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/

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/

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

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. It is that time of the year again and for some of you, you are not really excited about the noise and celebration around you. Your world as you know it right now is stuck in time and moving very slow. It is not easy taking care of a person with Alzheimer's. If you have a loved one with this disease and they are in a nursing home, it is the guilt that is taking away your Christmas spirit. Unfortunately it is a lose/ lose situation. 

The Christmas before my father in law passed away, we had a simple Christmas at the house. The kids helped with decorating the tree, and the making of cookies. My father in law slept in his favorite chair in the living room. What to get him took a lot of imagination. We wrapped a box of his favorite cookies and a couple of his favorite teams on caps for his head. He seemed to like to wear base ball hats all the time. It was not a lot of money but it made him smile.

We kept Christmas low key for him. To much noise bothered him, to much sun light bothered him, and even the  young grand kids bothered him. But that was all right. He had always been there for us and it was our turn to be there for him.

Time fly fast, and the years seem to rush on by. Enjoy your loved one the best way you know how. Before you know it you will spending years without them and you will miss them.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You All.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press an Imprint of James A Rock Pub.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com 

Alzheimer's Blogging:

It is the Christmas Season, a time to be jolly and remember loved ones. How many times have you went to see a loved one at the nursing home and forget to tell the staff thank you for taking care of your loved one. You know like when you go into a restaurant you  give the waiter a tip, to say thanks. It is time to  say thanks to the caregivers who are  giving your loved one the love and compassion they need while you are not around.

I am a hugger so I give hugs to everyone who is nice and helpful when I say thanks. That doesn't mean you have to. Not everyone likes to be touched or touch people and there is no right or wrong way to say thanks. I think it is just important to acknowledge the fact you appreciate all they do for your loved one.

Some like to give gifts, but some places may not allow you to give a gift to one special person on the staff. So maybe you can bring in a box of candy or some pizzas for the whole staff to eat and silently tell the one you really want to thank for the extra   work they do.

Everyone needs kind words and praise sometimes. And believe it or not you will feel better also.
Merry Christmas, hope you are enjoying this holiday.
Grandpa Joe and Grandma Jean, we miss you.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of Jame A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
check out my romance books:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323556967&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Struggle-Heart-ebook/dp/B0067T6O30/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Alzheimer's Blogging:

So how was your Thanksgiving?  Although we are given this gift from God, a thing called life and we live it everyday, it seems like the Holidays we try and make it special.  Some of us live far away from loved ones and we try to visit them during this holiday time.  Thanksgiving seems to be the time for togetherness with meals and great deserts. It is a time that friends and relatives try and go out of there way to see each other. If you have a loved one in the house with Dementia/ Alzheimer's you know that this can be a very difficult time for them.  With their memory loss it is difficult for them to relate and communicate.

I remember a few years ago when we were planning on leaving Chicago and move with my father in law to Phoenix. We had a Christmas party. My father in law stood in the corner of the room, watching, waiting, smiling but not really wanting to participate. He may have recognized some of the faces and  yes he should have known all of them. But due to his memory loss  he was frightened. The house was noisy and lots of food sat on the table.

My children watched him, and one of them came up with an idea to get him involved.  They put karaoke on the TV set with music from the 60's and it didn't take long before he was dancing to it while they sang.  He was now participating with the group and enjoying himself.

My father in law is now long gone and all I have left is his memory in my heart and pictures on walls. He was a great man who taught us a lot about love and life.

This year I celebrated Thanksgiving with my husband, my five children and four of them have husbands who joined us along with my seven grandchildren. It was a wonderful time of food and games. This is what I love about the holidays, the get togethers.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
www.mariefostino.com
PS:   I have written a couple of romance books if anyone is interested:
The Silver Locket
http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B005R6Q3D0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322419189&sr=1-1
A Struggle of the Heart
http://www.amazon.com/Struggle-Heart-ebook/dp/B0067T6O30/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322419239&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

In my younger years as a young mother I got a job as a nursing assistant. Back in the day we didn't really go to school for this. We were actually taught at the nursing home where we were taking the job and we had classes there for about 3 or 4 weeks. We would than take a test and than work for a week with a preceptor before we were on our own. One of the things they taught me and I still have imprinted in my brain was how to bath the elderly person. They have something called  bath blankets and we would cover the person with the blanket after undressing them, and than move only the part we were washing to  expose. The blanket was suppose to get wet. We would expose little bits of body at a time and recover before exposing another part of the body.  After cleaning our patient we would get a dry bath blanket and recover them to warm them up. Makes sense doesn't it?  Well today on Alzheimer's Weekly I saw a wonderful video on how to bath the  dementia patient. I want to share it with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxwJgDg3bYU&feature=player_embedded

It is important to let the person you are bathing have their respect and not to make them feel  uncomfortable while getting bathed.  I hope this video helps you. I fell in love with it when I watched it.

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=1321024984&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

From Alzheimer's Weekly Magazine:


"The Notebook" is a beautiful film about a couple deeply in love. The film switches scenes between two seasons in their lives. We see them in the urgency of young romance, and then we see them disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer's, steadfast in their love.

It is his custom every day to read to her from a notebook that tells the story of how they met and fell in love and overcame the obstacles to their happiness.

Watch this collage of moving scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeV9KwGF5t0&feature=player_embedded


I love the novels of Nicholas Sparks and this one was one of his best.

Alzheimer's is such a terrible disease. Can we still love the  person with Alzheimer's even when they don't remember us? Can we still love the person with Alzheimer's when they go through the mean stage, when they hit and bite because they don't know better. Can we still love the person with Alzheimer's  when they reach the stage of a baby and you have to totally take care of them with out any acknowledgement that they appreciate what you are doing?  This is just thoughts for your mind. Only you can answer them. For me, I hope the answer is yes if this happens to my husband.

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=1320789784&sr=1-1

Alzheimer's Blogging:

I love getting Alzheimer's Weekly on line magazine. Even though I don't have my father in law around anymore to take care of I can still keep in touch with this magazine. I still pick up patients in my ambulance with this disease, which are my favorite patients and I feel so blessed that I am the one to take them to the hospital. I was just reading and listening to this video about a group called The Unforgettables. They have a concert coming up and they say dementia  benefits from this music therapy.  Check this out. http://alzheimersweekly.com/ and look under the heading of Unforgettable Alzheimer's Dementia Choir.


I do remember one time when I had a Christmas party for my father in law before we took him out of Illinois. We had all the relatives over and my children decided to  put on karaoke. My father in law  danced to the music as my girls sang the tunes. We all had such fun. But the best part was it seemed like dad fit in at that time just having fun with everyone. Before that it looked like he was lost with all the people walking around, eating food and just talking. He couldn't understand all that they were saying so he could not really join the conversation. He just sat in a chair and watched everyone. But boy did he come to life when the music came on.

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=1320466075&sr=1-1

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