Good morning,
I was looking through the sites on the computer again and found one called family friends. The mission of Family Friends is to enable clients to continue living a joyful and independent lifestyle in their homes. They have information to help you find a CNA or a Coompanion to help cases, whether 24hrs - 7days a week, or day - evening - or hr coverage. You can look them up at familyfriends.com or e-mail them at info@familyfriends.com. I hope this helps.
Remember you are not alone. And it does not make you look weak to ask for help. I really needed my respite care at the adult day care center for just some peace of mind and to rest. After all we are just human.

Please check out my video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&layer_token=3c19170397222373

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&layer_token=3c19170397222373

Here is a clip on youtube about my book Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal. It starts with dad being confused. It shows him having fun dancing, which was one of his favorite things to do. It also shows him out side in the cold, wanting to die, and I am shameful to say you can hear in my voice how aggravated I was. Than it shows how his disease makes him even more confused, not understanding that he owns his own house or where he lives. Finally it shows how taking care of one this way is an every day chore like always changing the sheets off the bed. And how dad could not even put a baby puzzle together or even open a door. I just want you to know that I have been there and know how hard it is. I hope that my book is a helpful tool. And remember that it is a personal choice whether you keep your loved one at home or put them into a nursing home.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A. Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com

Good Morning,
I have been looking for some new sites on the computer to help anyone who is going through this rough time taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's. Today we will talk about a site called THIRD AGE, INC. The mission of the Third Age Inc is to provide professional consulting services of the highest ethical standards and business practices to provides of long-term care, assisted living ad continuing care, to improve their client's ability to operate their communities efficiently and effectively, thereby enhancing the lives of the person they serve. They are consultants to continuing care and long term care providers all over the nation. Look for them on line. Hope this helps.

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

Good Morning,
It is a beautiful day here in sunny Phoenix, Az. I ran my 2 miles, and got some house work done and it is still early. Times have changed since my father in law died. It was sometimes hard to go running, or taking care of my self. My whole purpose was to try and give dad as normal life as possible. Of course there are always reasons that we don't take care of our selves. My husband is not working and so I am pulling extra shifts on the ambulance. That means less time to sleep, and exercise.

I want to tell you that it is important to take care of your self, because if you don't how do you think you can keep up with your other responsibilities. It is important to exercise every day for your body, and important to get your sleep for your mind. It is important to pray for your soul.

Care givers do so much taking care of so many other people that they forget about them selves. Remember that their is respite care to help you out. And there is support groups to help you vent or gain insights. There are so many wonderful sites on the computer to help you with more knowledge on Alzheimer's .

I met the author Stephanie Meyers yesterday, and she is so sweet. She is beautiful, and so friendly. In case you don't know Stephanie is the author of the Twilight Series. Thank you Stephanie for being so kind.

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

Good Evening,
I had the pleasure of taking care of my father in law, when he couldn't take care of him self. This great man did so much for me and my husband when I married into the family. I never knew that a time would come for me to try and give back what was given to me.

In life we have hills and valleys. We have to endure the good times and the bad. I don't think we would really appreciate the good without the bad. My good times with dad, mostly when we were young, and dad showed us about life. I am not saying that taking care of dad after he got his Alzheimer's, but it sure was bumpy.

I have learned so much about myself during that time. I also think I talked to God more at that time in my life. I had to remember that I was human, and make mistakes. But also being human, I learned to forgive and to be forgiven.

If you want to know what to expect from a loved one with Alzheimer's please read my book. I tell what it is like, the good and the bad. Please find yourself a support group. That is so important for your self worth. You need to see that you are not alone, and others have made the same mistakes you made or had the same blessings that you had. You can learn from someone else and even teach someone else from your own experience.

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

Good Evening,
I just have to share this wonderful experience I just had on my ambulance. I picked up a couple in their 80's. The wife just had both her legs amputated due to poor circulation. I was taking them to a rehab to help her with her new life now. They have been married for 60 yrs and so happy. I love how she looks at her husband with so much joy in her eyes. And even though she has just had this bad thing happen to her, she seems OK with it, and looks to her husband for support.

Well I hope that my book is helping you, and don't forget to get respite care, and join a support groups. Don't forget to pray.

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

Good Sunday afternoon,
I want to share with you an experience I had on Friday. I had a patient to take care of and as I looked at him, and watched his body movements and his facial expressions I was seeing my father in law all over again. We were bringing him to an nursing home in California from Phoenix. He was scared, and very confused. Of course we had to strap him on our gurney and thank heavens we have a top harness strap, because he managed to wiggle his legs free. He was able to tell me his name but told me he was 7 yrs old. When I asked him if he knew where he was, he told me NO and told me not to tell him so he wouldn't be scared. He held on to my hands for the whole trip. At one point he did get a little aggressive, and put on that scary ugly face with hatred, and grabbed my hands trying to hurt them, and trying to get loose. But that is part of Alzheimer's and I just watched him and continued holding his hands till he settled down. I hope that I comforted him through the trip. He at one time had a Foley in, but I was told he pulled it out him self. I know that it had to hurt, but he had no idea what he was doing. He also had a feeding tube in. I wonder how many times he tried to pull that out. I was so happy that I got to be the one to take care of him. I watched his face as he moved his head back and forth, looking around in wonderment. I would whisper in his ear if he was alright, and he would smile back at me. Just remember that to the world you are just one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press an Imprint of James A Rock & Co., Pub.
www.mariefostino.com