Good Afternoon this beautiful Monday. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds that are slowly moving and sometimes hiding the sun. The wind feels so cool, but not cold, on your skin. I had a cute couple today on my ambulance. They are in their late 80's. They have been married for 60 yrs. I like that. I called them dinasores because it is far and few between that people stay married that long. The husband had a stroke about 30 yrs ago, but managed to get around with a walker. But he fell and is in a nursing home for P T so that he can go back home again. It was so cute to watch his wife flutter around him making sure he was warm enough and comfortable. And when I took him out of the ambulance, and he didn't see his wife right away, he was concerned and asked me where his lovely wife was. That made my heart jump to hear those dear words from him.

If your loved one has Alzheimer's try to remember what it was that made you fall in love with him/her. And remember that they can't help how they are now. Alzheimer's has gotton to their brain, and they are not themselves. Don't forget the support groups to help you get through this tough time.

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

What a beautiful day here in Phoenix, Az. But my day is starting out sad, as I had my first patient whom I was told is combative and confused. As I started to take care of him and talk to him a little I can already tell that he has Alzeimer's but the faculity does not know this because his wife has not had him diagnosied with it. He is at the stage where he is aggressive and combative. It is hard for the nursing home to understand that he does not know what he is doing. It breaks my heart to see this. It is a real hard stage in Alzheimer's.
Please remember that whether you keep your loved one at home or put in a nursing home that it is real tough either way. It is important that you go to Alzheimer Support Groups. Listen to other people and see that you are not alone. You can learn from them and they can learn from you. Check out the Alzheimer Web Sites on line. They are full of useful information. Check out Alzheimer Association, to see where they have support groups in your area.
Remember that to the world you are but only one person, but to that one person you are the world.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com

It is a stormy Thursday night here in Decatur, Ill. I am here with my son this week while he is going through another long week of chemo. Imagine lying in bed for 7 hrs with a tube attached to a port in your chest putting in a drug to try and reduce, and kill the cancer. This medicine makes the person weak, and nausea , and sometimes they want to throw up. They have no energy, and are tired, with loss of appetite. I guess you can say this is also the signs of life. We have to take the good with the bad.

My book on Alzheimer's is about what it is like taking care of someone at home with this terrible disease. It is to make you realize that you can not do it alone. That if you take on this job, than to remember that you have to take care of yourself. Respite care is important, so that you can have some time to yourself since it is a 24hr - 7 day a week job. Support groups are very important. You need to be able to vent to people who understand what you are going through, and maybe, just maybe someone may have a good suggestion. Hospice is also very important when you are going into the last stage of Alzheimer's. They can give you advice, support, and compassion.

I hope that you are also going on line to Alzheimer Web Sites. They are so helpful with such useful information. I love to read the saying on Alzheimer's Weekly Site. This week it says ...
AGE DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM LOVE. BUT LOVE TO SOME EXTENT PROTECTS YOU FROM AGE.

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

Hello every one,
Hope all is well with everyone. I hope you all are looking at the Alzheimer's Web Sites. This week from Alzheimer's Weekly, is a quote from Abraham Lincoln, ' And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.' The times are hard now with the economy now. A lot of people are out of work, and having trouble making house payments. Let's keep our Country in prayer. Let's help out a stranger, a friend, and a family member. We will get through this, but it will take time. I hope my book is helping some of you out. It is rough taking care of your loved one with Alzheimer's but also rewarding. Keep thinking of what your loved one was like before this terrible disease took over their mind. And keep praying.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com

My job takes me to a lot of nursing homes. And I saw this wonderful saying that I want to share with you.

REMEMBER THE FIVE SAMPLE RULES TO BE HAPPY:
FREE YOUR MIND FROM HATRED -- FORGIVE
FREE YOUR MIND FROM WORRIES -- MOST NEVER HAPPEN
LIVE SIMPLE & APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE.
GIVE MORE
EXPECT LESS
ANONYMOUS

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

Good day everyone,
Believe it or not we have had a lot of rain here in sunny Phoenix, Az. But the weather has been beautiful. Remember to always find something great about each and every day. Each day is a GIFT from God. Well I had a really wonderful day last week. I have been sending a few of my books to some celebrities, hoping that they will read them, and maybe it will be of some comfort if they are dealing with Alzheimer's. I got a wonderful response from RICHARD SIMMONS, and so he made my WEEK. THANK YOU RICHARD FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY BOOK AND RESPOND BACK TO ME!!

I do hope that you readers are taking advantage of the Alzheimer Websites for useful information. And remember that you are being an angel, doing random acts of kindness. But also remember that you do need to take some time for your self, so you can keep taking care of your loved one. This week in Alzheimer's Weekly it states : YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE WIND. BUT YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR SAILS. Don't forget to pray. God is with you. Have a great week.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com

Life is such an adventure, and it is not what is handed out to you, but how you handle the situation. Right now I am dealing with a family member that was just diagnosed with Cancer. But we know that God is in control. I think that is the secret. You have to remember that God is in control. Whether it is a loved one with Cancer, or with Alzheimer's. Than you have to put it in his hands, and show your love and compassion as time goes on. I do hope that while you are taking care of your loved one with Alzheimer's you are taking care of yourself. Take advantage of Respite Care, and Support Groups. And look on line at the additional Alzheimer Web Sites for useful information. This Week on Alzheimer's Weekly Website it states: THERE IS IN EVERY TRUE PERSON'S HEART A SPARK OF HEAVENLY FIRE. WHICH KINDLES UP, BEAMS AND BLAZES, IN THE DARK HOUR OF ADVERSITY.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com