Alzheimer's Blog:


2011 Alzheimer's Facts and
Figures Released

Yesterday, the Alzheimer's Association released the 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report. The report provides a statistical resource for all U.S. information related to Alzheimer's and other dementias. This year, it also includes a special report on early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

The new 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report information will support all of the Association's public policy and communication efforts over the next year. This week, we are distributing the report on Capitol Hill. Additionally, we know this data is most powerful when it is combined with the personal stories of advocates. To help with your advocacy efforts with legislators, local media, and others, we have created a fact sheet for your use. Key highlights include:

•An estimated 5.4 million American's have Alzheimer's disease. Another American develops Alzheimer's disease every 69 seconds.
•In 2010, 14.9 million family and friends provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
•The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's to American society will total $183 billion in 2011.
•Deaths from Alzheimer's increased 66 percent between 2000 and 2008, and Alzheimer's is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression.
Please find the full report, fact sheet, and information specific to your state at www.alz.org/facts.

Federal Budget Update
As you have probably seen in the news, leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate have yet to agree upon a budget to fund the Federal Government for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year. As things stand right now, none of our key Alzheimer's priorities have been cut in the negotiations. However, the Public Policy office continues to closely monitor budget activity on behalf of the Alzheimer's community to ensure that critical research and care programs remain in place.

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

Alzheimer's Blog:

Here is a wonderful little email that I received today.

Marie Stevens Scalabrino

Marie says, "Just came across your blog and am so thankful. I'm consumed by reading everything about Alz as my mom was dx'd in Oct 2009 n is now turning the corner to easily agitated and paranoid. I just moved her in with me n my two daughters after losing my dad n I'm beginning to feel trapped and disliked. Thank u for taking the time to share your experiences. Warmest regards, Marie."

Dear Marie,
Love the name. lol Thank you for writing. The reason I write this blog and wrote my book is to let people know that they are not alone. In my book I am trying to show the daily trials and tribulations that one may go through while taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's. I share the feelings of confusion, frustration, and the blessings I experienced. Sometimes as the caretaker we feel very isolated--the world, after all, doesn't stop, despite the sense that your world is frozen in time. My book is a tale of thoughts, stories, anecdotes, as well as feelings of helplessness, guilt, happiness, and sorrow. Please remember that you are not alone. Please get a hold of a good support group in your area so you can learn from others and to vent. And don't forget respite care. You can't take care of another human being if you don't take care of your self.

http://alz.org/apps/findus.asp This site will help anyone find a good support group anywhere in the US.

You are an angel, giving back the love that once was given to 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/

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

Enjoy these articles from Alzheimer's Weekly.


http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/seroquel-suit-settled-685m

http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/copper-our-diet

http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/what-triggers-alzheimer-s-could-liver

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

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

I know I already blogged today, but I just had a patient that made me think What is quality of life?

So I looked it up.

From Wikipedia:

The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of living, which is based primarily on income. Instead, standard indicators of the quality of life include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. Also frequently related are concepts such as freedom, human rights, and happiness.
Also frequently related are concepts such as freedom, human rights, and happiness.

From another site about quality of life -

Quality of Life is often defined in a very negative way, simply as the absence of health threatening hazards from the environment or as the absence of disease or medical problems. Even if we take a more positive approach and consider the advantages the environment offers (e.g. in arts, schools, natural beauty, access and so on) this is again a static viewpoint and assumes that a body that is functioning at its optimum in an optimum environment is somehow also optimised. Nothing could be further from the truth, a vegetable could perhaps say that - but not a human.

Now my question is what is quality of life for the Alzheimer's patient.

I just picked up a 76 yr old male patient who has a pacemaker, Foley, feeding tube and on oxygen. He is totally confused due to his dementia / Alzheimer's. Is this the quality of life you want? Just a thought.

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

Alzheimer's Blog

So the other day on my ambulance here is how it went. I get called for 73 yr old male patient at 300 am in the morning. His blood pressure is high like 200/100 and he has a temp of 102 which they found out at 200 am. I of course ask the nurses if they gave this patient his blood pressure medication and some non- aspirin for the fever and the answer was no because they want the doctor to see this.

So here is my patient, lying in bed sleeping.
"Sir," I say before I touch him. Drool is running from his mouth. He doesn't wake up. "Sir," I say again as I now touch his shoulder and he is startled.

Imagine you are this patient. You have dementia, sleeping and have no idea what is going on. A stranger is talking to you, telling you that you have to go to the hospital and all you want to do is sleep. You would have to be frightened, wondering why your space is being invaded. Why are two strangers picking him up, making him go to a gurney, out in the cold night air, and into an ambulance which is frightened looking than out into a hospital with nurses and doctors probing around you.

I did talk the nurses at the nursing home to give this patient his blood pressure medication and a Tylenol which of course his blood pressure and temp went down.

Just an insight for you to see what goes on sometimes with your loved one with dementia/Alzheimer's when at a facility.

Have a great day. And thank you for letting me take care of your loved ones on my ambulance.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprintt of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

It always feels good when someone asks me questions about a loved one with severe dementia. Here is how the text came: Hi Marie, I have been referred to you for help with my mother-in-law who is getting progressively worse with dementia and we want to continue care for her at home verse an institution.

First I want to remind you all that you are not alone. There is help for you. You need to educate yourself as to what is going on with your loved one and than to the resources around you. One good resource is Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/index.asp Next they do have a map that will help you find a good support group where ever you live.
http://www.alz.org/index.asp. Alzheimer's Weekly an on line magazine is also very helpful in educating anyone about this disease. http://www.alzheimersweekly.com

As my father in law got worse, weak, no appetite, long naps, not making sense anymore when he talks, I put him on hospice. They were wonderful. A nurse came out once a week to check up on him. I worked two days a week and on those two days an aid came out and bathed him for me. I don't know what I would have done without them. They also gave me the piece of mind I needed so when the day came and he was dying I could handle this at home.

Please find your self a good support group. Also remember if you don't take care of yourself how can you take care of anyone else. So get some respite care. It is not being selfish to take a couple days to your self, it is necessary.

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

ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

I have been busy lately on my ambulance. It is such a good feeling to see these 90+ yr olds that I have been seeing in their own homes. They are alert, and oriented. This is what we all dream of. We want to grow old gracefully, in our own homes, taking care of our selves.

What causes Alzheimer’s:

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory,
thinking skills and the ability to carry our the simplest task of daily living. Alzheimer's Disease is
the most common cause of dementia among older people, but not a normal part of aging.
Scientist don't fully understand what causes Alzheimer's Disease. Genetics play a role in some
people. Offspring have a 50 - 50 chance of developing Alzheimer's Disease if one of their
parents had it. Research also suggests that other risk factors can be our life style. A nutritious
diet, exercise, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits may help to reduce the risk
of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. Cognitive impairment is a condition in which a person has memory problems greater than those expected for their age.

We cant' control some risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease such as age and genetic profile. But
scientists are studying a number of other factors that could make a difference. Hopefully further
research will tell us whether health, lifestyle and environmental factors can help prevent
Alzheimer's Disease. The only definite way to diagnose Alzheimer's Disease is with an autopsy,
which is an examination of the body after death.

Have a great day!!
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/