Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Conference Dec 4th,2010 Minnesota

October 20, 2010 by Alzheimer's Speaks

Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Conference

Dec 4th, 2010? at University of? Minnesota

by Lori Lori La Bey of Alzheimer’s Speaks and Senior Lifestyle Trends

Once again Dr Joseph E.Gaugler of the University of Minnesota is providing a free educational Conference for Caregivers.? Kudos to Dr Gaugler and his team for providing such a great conference and service!?

I am excited?to?share the stage with the following professionals sat this conference.

End of Life Care in Memory Loss
James Pacala, MDMedical and Medication Management in Memory Loss
Teresa McCarthy, MDEssential Documents in Long-Term Care
Kris Maser, JD and Mary Frances Price, JDHow to Pay for Long-Term Care
Kris Maser, JD and Mary Frances Price, JDFinding the Positive in Memory Loss
Lori La Bey, CSA, Speaker, Trainer, Author

Here are the details and registration information - Click on the brochure to enlarge

Posted in Alzheimer's Speaks Resource Website, Caregiver, Dementia, Denial, Find Opportunities within an Obstacle, Grief, Guilt, Hospice, Living with Alzheimer's disease, Sandwich Generation, Simple Pleasures, Speaker on Alzheimer's disease, Speaker on Caregiving, adult children, aging, alzheimer's disease, alzheimers, caregiving, caring for edlerly, caring for loved ones, caring for parents, elderly, gift ideas, loss, memory care, memory loss, nursing home, old, parenting parents, seniors | Leave a Comment

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Let’s Cream Alzheimer’s

It’s hard to believe that our “Let’s Cream Alzheimer’s” Ice Cream Social and Balderdash Championship is only a week away. We don’t expect to make a lot of money at the social; in fact, we are relying on free will donations. What we hope to do is raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and our Memory Walk, and have fun, of course.

The ice cream social is a new idea and a learning experience for us and has been somewhat of a challenge because our Memory Walk committee is so small. We will be depending a lot on our friends at Fairview, relatives, and the youth group at church. Never having had a social before, we aren’t sure how much ice cream we’ll need. We don’t know if people will show up. Will we have enough Balderdash players?

The problem with a disease like Alzheimer’s is caregivers are often too tied down taking care of their loved ones to participate in fundraisers. A caregiver can be worn slick from having to make a lot of hard decisions. Those that have been through the gamut of caring for and losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s often want to put the past behind them. I can’t blame them for trying to get their lives back on an even keel.

Alzheimer’s is not a glamorous disease, and often one that people try to hide from the world. The person with dementia does not want to be treated like a child, and families may be embarrassed by their loved one’s behavior.

Too often caregivers don’t realize how much they can benefit from Alzheimer’s Association employees and volunteers. A speaker at one of our support group meetings helped me deal with Jim’s quirkiness. The speaker said to gauge behavior by asking yourself, “So what?” If the problem isn’t endangering anyone, “So what?”

His practical advice helped me through some sticky situations. One day Jim’s mom called to tell me he was out in the yard naked and wouldn’t come inside. She couldn’t get him to put his clothes back on. She was so distressed.

“I’ll be right home,” I assured her. “He probably had a reason for taking his clothes off. He’s either too hot, or he’s had an accident.”

“But he’s out in the yard without any clothes on.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. We lived in the country on a gravel road without much traffic. “So what if someone comes by? If they don’t want to see a naked man, they can keep their eyes on the road. After all, he’s is our yard.”

Recently, I saw a letter on a health Website written by a woman whose husband had Alzheimer’s. She was so embarrassed by her husband’s behavior that she didn’t want to take him out in public. She felt like people were staring at them. My comment was, “Jim didn’t notice people staring, and I got to the point where I didn’t care.”

We continued to go places that Jim enjoyed and didn’t worry about what others might think. I always considered Penny Braun, former executive director of the Mid-Missouri Chapter, to be my mentor about Alzheimer’s. Penny always said, “Ice cream solves a lot of problems.”
Following the advice of a wise lady, I took Jim to Dairy Queen almost daily.

A few days ago, I was looking for a specific picture of Jim. Digging through the boxes of pictures I don’t have in albums yet, I came across pictures of Jim in all stages of the disease. It tugged at my heart to see him in the early stages when he wore his cowboy hat, boots, and 501 Levis. He and his brother sat on the patio playing guitars together. I remember that day—Jim was having trouble finding the right chords to play. Jim, the master guitarist missing a simple chord change and forgetting the lyrics to songs he had sung for years.

Yes, those days are behind me now, but I believe those of us who have finished our journeys should help those who are still traveling. I hope we “cream” Alzheimer’s in my lifetime. All I know is that we can’t give up on finding a cure.

If some of us don’t step out of our comfort zone and put effort into bringing Alzheimer’s to the forefront, millions of Americans will always struggle with the daily challenges of caregiving and the heartache of a cruel and debilitating disease. We need to put the research spotlight on the challenge to end Alzheimer’s.

“Let’s Cream Alzheimer’s” is a good way to join a mission statement and a fun event. So if you are in Sedalia on June 19, join us 7 PM at the Celebration Center while we “cream” Alzheimer’s. It’s a time to relax and enjoy. The hardest decision you will need to make is “two scoops, or one?”

Copyright (c) June 2010 L. S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com/
http://boomerobics.blogspot.com/

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Dementia Care Foundation Oct 7th – Dr. Richard Taylor Keynoter

September 28, 2010 by Alzheimer's Speaks

Lori La Bey of Alzheimer's Speaks & Senior Lifestyle Trends

Dementia Care Foundation? Oct 7th – Dr. Richard Taylor Keynoter??

Please join me at this wonderful fund raiser?and?meet Dr Richard Taylor.? Personally I can’t wait to meet him!? If you haven’t signed up for his newsletter check it out.? It is one a only a very few newsletters I make sure to read top to bottom.? He is informative, honest, and a true passionate leader in the industry.? Richard knows best.? He has the disease and speaks from his heart, soul, and mind;?yet keeps the rest of us current with meaningful and powerful updates industry wide.?Richard is truly an amazing example of what one can do with or without disease.???

In addition, Dr. G Allen Power, Geriatrician, Author from Rochester NY who wrote the book ” Dementia without Drugs” and also speaks internationally. They will both be available to visit after the silent auction and to?answer questions.??

Here is?Richard’s website so you can sign up for his newsletter:??

http://www.richardtaylorphd.com/??

Here is the information on the fundraiser.? Please consider coming to the fund raiser?for the Dementia Care Foundation and joining me in meeting Dr. Richard Taylor and Judy Berry the owner of Lakeview Ranch which is a leading concept in commercial care.? Judy has found a way to take the sterile environment out of community care and has brought a refreshing home comfort into her homes.? The staff ratio she provides is rarely seen and her ability to remove behavior problems of her clients which have been seen?in multiple settings disappear in her cutting edge?environment.? Judy is the Director of the Dementia Care Foundation.? She was just recognized nationally for her work by?RWJF Community for their Health Leaders?Award. Congrats Judy!? Keep up the great work.??

??

Click form to ENLARGE??

Posted in Caregiver, Dementia, Denial, Find Opportunities within an Obstacle, Grief, Guilt, Hospice, Sandwich Generation, Simple Pleasures, adult children, aging, alzheimer's disease, alzheimers, caregiving, caring for edlerly, caring for loved ones, caring for parents, elderly, gift ideas, loss, memory care, memory loss, nursing home, old, parenting parents, seniors | Tagged fundraiser | Leave a Comment

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Dementia Hope Formula

October 8, 2010 by Alzheimer's Speaks

Please check out my friend Holly??Eburne’s

Holly Eburne of Dementia Hope Formula

great new site for Caregivers.? Holly is Caring for her husband Dave who has??frontotemporal dementia.? She is starting to teach a new class? via teleseminars ?Oct 13th.? Don’t miss out…Check it out!? “Dementia Hope Formula: 13 Ways to bring hope, joy, and renewed energy to the lives of Caregivers and their families.”

http://dementiahopeformula.com/13ways/

Posted in Caregiver, Dementia, Denial, Find Opportunities within an Obstacle, Grief, Guilt, Hospice, Sandwich Generation, Simple Pleasures, adult children, aging, alzheimer's disease, alzheimers, caregiving, caring for edlerly, caring for loved ones, caring for parents, elderly, gift ideas, loss, memory care, memory loss, nursing home, old, parenting parents, seniors | Tagged frontotemporal | Leave a Comment

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Be Open and Learn: People with Dementia Have Much to Teach Us

Be Open and Learn: People with Dementia Have Much to Teach Us (Minding Our Elders®)Minding Our Elders®Breaking the Isolation: Information and Support for Caregivers and Seniors by Author, Columnist, Consultant and Speaker Carol Bradley BursackHomeArchivesSubscribeInterested In Sponsorship? Email CarolBulk Book Orders for "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories?" Email Carol MEDIA GUIDE CLICK HERE
Mission Statement
Supporting SitesMedical Alarm DevicesReal Online Degrees CNA TrainingSan Francisco DentistMesothelioma TreatmentAll My Faves | Seniorsblogs's FavesPhoenix Homes For Sale CategoriesAgingAlzheimer'sBookscaregivingCurrent AffairsDeathEmpathy for CaregiversEmpathy for SeniorsFamilyFilmFood and DrinkGamesHealthMusicNews and ResearchReflectionsReligionScienceSpiritualitystudyTelevisionTips for CaregiversTips for SeniorsTravelVideosWeb/TechWeblogsWhen We Are Both@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); Custom Search AARP Guide to Health Care Reform
ArchivesOctober 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010January 2010More...

See how we're connected More Favorite Sites and BlogsEnduring CareHelp! Aging ParentsIncontinenceKnowItAlz.com BlogMy Elder AdvocatePuzzles and More: Diversional therapy resources Richard Taylor, Ph.D.The Boomer ChroniclesThe Dementia Caregiver's ToolboxWell Spouse AssociationBlog powered by TypePad
Member since 09/2006? Communicating With Elders Who Cannot Speak |Main| One Man's Love Letter to His Alzheimer's Stricken Wife ?

Sunday, October 10, 2010Be Open and Learn: People with Dementia Have Much to Teach Us

In Erasing the Stigma of Dementia, I wrote about my dad and others with a dementia diagnosis who become "oddities" to those who don't understand. As a society, we may think we've come a long way in our attitudes toward mental illness and diseases of the brain. And, indeed, we have. But we haven't come far enough. An inspiring post on Huffington.com by Marguerite Manteau-Rao, titled Overcoming the Alzheimer's Negativity Bias, took me back in time.

Read more about dementia stigma:

Find care agencies to help you care for your loved one:

Read real caregiver's stories:

Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 01:01 AM in Aging, Alzheimer's, caregiving, Family, Health, Tips for Caregivers | Permalink

Technorati Tags:aging, Alzheimer's, dementia

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AboutMinding Our Elders Home

To Order BookCarol Bradley Bursack: Minding Our Elders

Free Ezine and Book Chapter? JOIN NOW @import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); Custom Search Ezine Archive Carol's Article ArchiveHear Carol on NPR's TOTNHow To Talk To Parents About Assisted Living : NP
HEAR CAROL: Caregiving TeleseminarSubscribe to my Podcast

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Powered by FeedBlitzNeed a Speaker?Testimonials
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Watch Your DrugsConsumer Med Safety
Consumer's Tips on Drug Interactions
RxList - The Internet Drug Index for prescription drugs and medications
The Beers List: Potentially Inappropriate Medications for the Elderly
Subscribe to this blog's feed ResourcesWorking CaregiverSocial Security AdministrationService and Benefits for SeniorsNursing Home Abuse Center North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource CenterNational Family Caregivers AssociationNational Council on AgingNational Associaton of Area Agencies on AgingNational Association of Family CaregiversNational Alzheimer's AssociationIsaacs FoundationHospice Foundation of AmericaAlzheimer's Foundation of AmericaAlzheimer's Association | HomeMinding Our Elders®Powered by TypePad

View the original article here

Calling Elders by Preferred Name is Important To Caregiving Bond

Calling Elders by Preferred Name is Important To Caregiving Bond (Minding Our Elders®)Minding Our Elders®Breaking the Isolation: Information and Support for Caregivers and Seniors by Author, Columnist, Consultant and Speaker Carol Bradley BursackHomeArchivesSubscribeInterested In Sponsorship? Email CarolBulk Book Orders for "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories?" Email Carol MEDIA GUIDE CLICK HERE
Mission Statement
Supporting SitesMedical Alarm DevicesReal Online Degrees CNA TrainingSan Francisco DentistMesothelioma TreatmentAll My Faves | Seniorsblogs's FavesPhoenix Homes For Sale CategoriesAgingAlzheimer'sBookscaregivingCurrent AffairsDeathEmpathy for CaregiversEmpathy for SeniorsFamilyFilmFood and DrinkGamesHealthMusicNews and ResearchReflectionsReligionScienceSpiritualitystudyTelevisionTips for CaregiversTips for SeniorsTravelVideosWeb/TechWeblogsWhen We Are Both@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); Custom Search AARP Guide to Health Care Reform
ArchivesOctober 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010January 2010More...

See how we're connected More Favorite Sites and BlogsEnduring CareHelp! Aging ParentsIncontinenceKnowItAlz.com BlogMy Elder AdvocatePuzzles and More: Diversional therapy resources Richard Taylor, Ph.D.The Boomer ChroniclesThe Dementia Caregiver's ToolboxWell Spouse AssociationBlog powered by TypePad
Member since 09/2006? One Man's Love Letter to His Alzheimer's Stricken Wife |Main

Tuesday, October 12, 2010Calling Elders by Preferred Name is Important To Caregiving Bond

Dear Carol: My mother is in a nursing home. She has mid-stage dementia. The home is great in most ways, but I wish the whole staff could learn that she responds best to Maggie, not her given name of Margaret. The name on the door says Margaret. Any suggestions about getting the staff to use her nickname? Bruce

Dear Bruce: Modern nursing homes are training staff to use respectful names for the elders, rather than names which some find demeaning, such as “honey” and “dear.” That is good in many ways, as elders need to feel respected, and many aren’t used to younger people calling them by their first names let alone a nickname or endearment of any kind.

Read more about nicknames and what to call an elder who is in a home:

Find care agencies to help you care for your loved one:

Read caregiver's stories:

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 01:01 AM in Aging, Alzheimer's, caregiving, Reflections, Tips for Caregivers | Permalink

Technorati Tags:aging, caregiving, nursing home

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AboutMinding Our Elders Home

To Order BookCarol Bradley Bursack: Minding Our Elders

Free Ezine and Book Chapter? JOIN NOW @import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); Custom Search Ezine Archive Carol's Article ArchiveHear Carol on NPR's TOTNHow To Talk To Parents About Assisted Living : NP
HEAR CAROL: Caregiving TeleseminarSubscribe to my Podcast

Your email address:


Powered by FeedBlitzNeed a Speaker?Testimonials
Topics
Watch Your DrugsConsumer Med Safety
Consumer's Tips on Drug Interactions
RxList - The Internet Drug Index for prescription drugs and medications
The Beers List: Potentially Inappropriate Medications for the Elderly
Subscribe to this blog's feed ResourcesWorking CaregiverSocial Security AdministrationService and Benefits for SeniorsNursing Home Abuse Center North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource CenterNational Family Caregivers AssociationNational Council on AgingNational Associaton of Area Agencies on AgingNational Association of Family CaregiversNational Alzheimer's AssociationIsaacs FoundationHospice Foundation of AmericaAlzheimer's Foundation of AmericaAlzheimer's Association | HomeMinding Our Elders®Powered by TypePad

View the original article here