Alzheimer's Blog:


Yesterday we recognized Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day with several important initiatives to address the global epidemic of Alzheimer's disease here in the United States.

Forty riders from the Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Breakthrough RideSM cycled onto Capitol Hill, presenting a petition containing more than 110,000 signatures demanding that our elected officials make Alzheimer's a national priority.


With your support, we sent a message on behalf of all Americans affected by this disease: Alzheimer's can no longer be ignored. In a moving ceremony, Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, promised that this message would be delivered to both Congress and the White House. Thank you for signing the petition! See photos from the event.

Yesterday also marked the release of the "World Alzheimer Report 2010: The Global Economic Impact of Dementia" by Alzheimer's Disease International, revealing the global costs of dementia care as a staggering $604 billion. This means if dementia care was a company, it would be the world's largest by annual revenue, exceeding both Wal-Mart ($414 billion) and Exxon Mobil ($311 billion). Read a summary of the Report and related news coverage.


Later in the afternoon, the Alzheimer's Association delivered the message of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride in a special White House briefing on Alzheimer's disease. The meeting was a good first step from this Administration toward a real and sustained effort to lead the fight against Alzheimer's. Harry Johns, Alzheimer's Association president and CEO, and National Board Member Stephen Hume, Psy.D., an individual living with the disease, made presentations at the meeting, focusing on the urgent need for action. The Alzheimer's Association will continue to create and pursue every opportunity to impress upon the nation's

leaders the scale of this disaster, the necessity of a coordinated national Alzheimer strategy and the need for its swift implementation.

One of these core activities is the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA, S.3036/H.R.4689), legislation that would create a National Alzheimer's Project Office and an inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for developing a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer crisis. Take action today by asking your member of Congress to enact NAPA this year.

Thank you for your continued efforts — on World Alzheimer's Day, and every day — in support of the Alzheimer's Association and our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.

Sincerely,

Alzheimer's Association

P.S.
Tune in!
Watch Alzheimer's Association Celebrity Champions test their knowledge and earn cash to benefit the care, support and research efforts of the Association on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," airing this week. Check local listings for air times.

Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672

And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded

Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622

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:

This week on Alzheimer's Weekly they have an article about designing a house for the Dementia person.
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/Interest/design-a-house-for-dementia-a817.html

So I thought I would share with you what we did for dad while he had his Alzheimer's. When we moved in we kept watch over dad to see his habits and see how we could make his life easier for him. Finally we actually put up signs all around the house. A sign saying Joe's Chair or a sign saying This Way to the Bathroom and a sign saying Joe's Room. We also watched his actions and what seemed to make him happy. We kept plastic plates and cups in the sink since it seemed like Dad wanted to wash dishes. And we kept a basket full of towels in the corner since it seemed like Dad wanted to fold laundry. We kept a chair by the back door since we would watch Dad walk down the drive way to the mail box, look in side and walk back up again. He would do it over and over again but would walk in the house, sit on his favorite chair and with in minutes go outside again. Once we put the chair out there for him, he would walk to the porch but instead of coming in, he would rest on the outside chair and than get up and start down the driveway again. We put up locks high on the doors that we didn't want him to open. I found that when he would get into the laundry room he would mix up the dirty and clean clothes. But once we put up the lock that stopped. In the bathroom we put in bath chair in the tub so he wouldn't have to sit down on the bottom of the tub and put a chair over the toilet so that he didn't have to sit so low when using it.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's and you are taking care of this loved one full time, remember to Dementia Proof your home. Also it is important that you find a good support group and respite care. If you can't find a support group follow this link:
http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp

I hope I have helped you in some way. Remember be an angel and practice random acts of kindness.

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

ALZHEIMERS BLOG:

As you all probably know Alzheimer's Association is having its big memory walk. I know a friend who called me last week because they were having the walk in St. Louis, Missouri. I live outside Phoenix, Az and we are lucky enough to have two of them. One in Phoenix and one in Sun City West. Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Prescott, Sedona and Tucson in AZ also are having this wonderful walk. If you click onto this: http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/signUp.asp you can find a walk near you.

I think this is an important walk. Not only does it take your loved one away from you in their mind while their body is still there but this terrible disease can happen to you.

I went to the women's expo yesterday and listened to Helen Hunt talk. Did you know that her mother died with Alzheimer's. So I looked up to see if there was any other names we might recognize.

Famous people with Alzheimer's Disease
Joe Adcock, baseball player
Mabel Albertson, actor
Dana Andrews, actor
Rudolph Bing, opera impresario
James Brooks, artist
Charles Bronson actor, film director
Abe Burrows,author
Carroll Campbell, Former Rebublican Senator
Joyce Chen, chef
Perry Como, Singer entertainer
Aaron Copland, composer
Willem DeKooning, artist
James Doohan, actor
Thomas Dorsey, singer
Tom Fears, professional football player and coach
Louis Feraud, fashion designer
Arlene Francis, actor
Mike Frankovich, film producer
John Douglas French, physician
Barry Goldwater, Senator of Arizona
Rita Hayworth, actress
Raul Silva Henriquez, Roman Catholic cardinal, human rights advocate
Charlton Heston actor and political activist
Mervyn Leroy, director
Jack Lord, actor
Ross MacDonald, author
Burgess Meredith, actor
Iris Murdoch, author
Edmond O’Brien, actor
Arthur O’Connell, actor
Marv Owen, baseball player
Molly Picon, actor
Otto Preminger, director
Bill Quackenbush, professional hockey player
Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA
Harry Ritz, performer
Sugar Ray Robinson, boxer
Norman Rockwell, artist
Simon Scott, actor
Irving Shulman, screenwriter
Betty Schwartz, Olympic gold medal winner in track events
Kay Swift,composer
Alfred Van Vogt, science fiction writer
E.B. White, author
Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister

You see Alzheimer's doesn't care who it wants so we need to find a cure so that you don't have to add your name to this list. Of course this is a small list. I think my father in law was as important as any of the names on this list and you have loved one that isn't on the list either. Here is my link if you would like to help support this wonderful cause;

http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672

Thank you for your support.
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 BLOGGING:

I am sorry for all the advertising I have done lately, but it is important that we have a voice and try to make a difference. I received another e-mail on:
100,00 Americans demand an Alzheimer's breakthrough.

A message from Bruce Lamb, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Breakthrough Rider and Chair

Thank you and congratulations! With your help, the Alzheimer's Breakthrough RideSM has collected 100,000 signatures for a petition asking Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We deeply appreciate your efforts to make this goal a reality.

On Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day, the Ride will culminate in our nation's capital as researchers who collectively cycled more than 4,500 miles cross-country deliver signatures to Congress. These riders are sending a critical message on our behalf: Alzheimer's disease can no longer be ignored. We must have additional resources for research, care and support.

But this isn't the finish line in the fight against Alzheimer's. Take further action today:

•Collect additional petition signatures. We need even more support when we get to Capitol Hill! Forward this e-mail to three friends and ask them to sign the petition. More signatures will create a bigger impression on World Alzheimer's Day.


•Go purple on Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day. To recognize the global fight against Alzheimer's disease, wear purple — the color of Alzheimer's awareness.


•Donate to the cause. Make a gift that fuels additional resources for Alzheimer care, support and research efforts.
Thank you for helping to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We're proud to share your voice with Congress on World Alzheimer's Day.

With gratitude,

Bruce Lamb, Ph.D.
Associate Staff Scientist
Lerner Research Institute
Cleveland Clinic

I myself have a Memory Walk Team and you can show your support by donating to the following link:

http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672

Hope you have a great day. Remember to be an Angel and practice AN ACT OF KINDNESS.
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 DISEASE:

USE YOUR VOICE TO FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

With your help, we’ve nearly hit our goal of 100,000 petition signatures. When we deliver them to Congress on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, we will send a strong message to Capitol Hill that the time has come for Alzheimer's disease to become a national priority. However, with less than 3 weeks to go until Congress adjourns for the year, we need to make our voices heard NOW.

The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) has momentum - but we need your help to get it to a vote. Please take a moment to call one of your senators by Thursday, September 16 and urge them to support NAPA.

What: Call on your senator to make Alzheimer’s disease a priority by voting YES on S. 3036, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.

Call our toll free line: 800-958-5374

When: September 14-15, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST

Tell your senator:
1.Please work with your colleagues to pass the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S. 3036) before the end of this session of Congress.
2.NAPA will create a nationwide strategy to overcome Alzheimer’s disease.
3.NAPA is a non-controversial, no-cost bill to combat Alzheimer’s disease. It will maximize all federal efforts, including federally funded research, care, and services.
4.I ask that you please work with your colleagues to enact the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S. 3036) by moving it through committee and to the Senate floor for passage before Congress adjourns this year.
Background

Alzheimer’s disease is the public health crisis of the 21st century. One in eight baby boomers will soon reach the age of greatest risk for Alzheimer’s and 10 million American baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s.

Yet there is no national plan on how to deal with this looming crisis, and NAPA will create this vital plan.

For more information on the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, visit www.alz.org/napa.

Thank you for your help. Together, we can reach our goal of a world without Alzheimer’s.

Sincerely,

Robert Egge
VP of Public Policy

Please help fight for a cure to this devastating disease.
Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press Imprinted by James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com

ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

Yesterday I talked to my Aunt who lives in Florida with her husband who has this terrible disease. They are both in their eighties, with my Uncle being a couple of years older than her. They have three children and seven grandchildren. My Aunt has her hands full as she takes care of her husband, and still helps her children with their children. She likes to call me sometimes just to talk and vent a little. She hasn't been able to find a good support group and it seems like she has no help taking care of my Uncle. I live in Phoenix, so I am no help to her.

She did share with me about something she did learn about and how it helped her once when her husband went for a walk and got lost. It is called Project Lifesaver. She told me, my uncle wears a ankle bracelet which has a thirty day battery, and a continuous mobile tracking system. I have never heard of them before so I decided I needed to share this today on my blog. Here is the link if you are interested. http://www.projectlifesaver.org/ My Aunt told me they come to her house once a month and change the batteries. She also said it does cost a little but the piece of mind she has from this is worth it.

I hope this helps somebody out there.

Also just a reminder, I do have a team for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk and collecting donations. If you feel you would like to help please hit this link.
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672

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:

World Alzheimer’s Day: Celebrating the Transforming Mind
Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30 p.m. –8:00 p.m.

Theater 3 (The Celeste Bartos Theater), mezzanine, The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building

Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO, Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter, has both personal and professional experience with Alzheimer’s disease and the burdens of caregiving. She knows firsthand the powerful effect of creative and interactive experiences for those with dementia and their caregivers. The organization’s work in the arts community demonstrates that cultural arts programs play a unique role, allowing community participation in a safe environment where no one is judged, and where the sharing of ideas and feelings is possible even when language and cognition are compromised.

Cathie Borrie, author (assisted by Melia McClure, author and actor), presents "You say goodbye and I say hello." Cathie Borrie spent seven years caring for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Recording many of their conversations, she discovered in her mother an astonishing poetic sensibility, insight, and humor that she had not expected would be part of the Alzheimer’s experience. In the same way that Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at art, Cathie, by learning to deeply listen, found a way to provide a blank canvas upon which her mother was free to create the story of her shifting mind. It is a story that dismisses once and for all negative stereotypes about the disease, recasting the long goodbye of Alzheimer’s as the long hello of profound and new understandings.

Admission is free. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, please call (212) 333-6570.


Here is a link if you would like to help me with my Alzheimer's Memory Walk
http://MemoryWalk2010.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=336218&u=336218-268736349&e=3655472672

And here is a film showing Dad as his Alzheimer's progressed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dWlsgM9LA&feature=player_embedded

Here is a link if you would like to get my book http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Caretakers-Journal-Marie-Fostino/dp/1596635622

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