Alzheimer's Perspective

11 Preventative things to do for Alzheimer's now!

2011-01-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

According Jean Carpers New book"100 Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's", these are 11 preventative steps you should take against the disease.

1. Apple Juice
2. Cinnamon
3. Coffee
4. Education
5. Socialize
6. Perserve your vision
7. Meditate
8. Mediteranean Diet
9. Relaxation
10. Less Sugar
11. Take care of your gums

For the Original Article and more information go to:
http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/health/2010/09/15/ways-ward-alzheimers-disease/#slide=2

Dr. Oz focuses on Alzheimer's

2010-07-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

Dr. Oz did a great segment on his show focusing on Alzheimer's disease. He spoke about the importance of early diagnosesis and addressed risk factors and foods that help prevent Alzheimer's. Here are a few of his main points.

Risk Factors:
1. Memory Loss that disrupts daily life.
2.Genetics (mainly in early onset Alzheimer's).
3.New Problems with Words.
4. Misplacing things on a constant basis.

Prevention:
Aerobic Workouts (10 min per day)
Mind Workouts(cross word puzzles, reading e.t.c)
Healthy Foods
-Curry, Olive Oil, Folic Acid, Vitamins B12 and B6, Antioxidants

Find out more at doctoroz.com and take his memory test at http://www.doctoroz.com/quiz/memory-quiz

Ella Ragland Art

2009-04-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

This program is so unique I thought that it needed its own posting!

In 2005, I took early retirement from academia to start my own company, wherein I sell prints and cards made from Mom's art work. All of our company proceeds pay for therapy for Alzheimer's victims. We are blessed to have a new music therapy program at Drury University, and I've given grants to the first two grads. Music, as applied by a trained therapist, reaches through the Alzheimer's affected brain and brings pleasure to the victim-patient. It is amazing. Our first company grant was only $500, because my company is small and raising funds is very hard. But this grant provided pallative care for two end-stage Alzheimer's victims.

Jane Doe, age 65, loved music, and when first admitted to the care center, participated with every sing-along. By 2005, she was ambulatory only in a Merry Walker, could not speak, drooled, her hands were gnarled and usually in her lap, couldn't -or wouldn't hold her head up. Passive. The first music therapy session got minimal response and she seemed almost afraid of the therapist. By the end of 6 weeks, she was keeping her head up for the full 30 minute session, trying to sing and reaching for the keyboard. That in itself, was a $500 moment!!

Betty Doe, age 92 loved music, was in a Merry Walker, and very active. She pushed that thing all over the ward. She talked, but the words were in an order you couldn't often figure out. She said "um hum" lots, and her hands were active, often unbuttoning her blouse or reaching for the therapist' hands. It was difficult to tell if music therapy changed her much. It was clear, however, that she enjoyed the sessions.

Thanks to the 2008 benefit for the company sponsored by MacCreed's Art Gallery, I had $1500 for another grant that extended fall 2008-Feb 2009. This time, we took the therapist to a facility where we had a group of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's victims. Again, the effects of music therapy were obvious and powerful. The administrator, staff, and family members have asked us to come back as soon as possible. As one family member wrote, "This therapy is so needed for this frailty... yes, please continue."

To hear more about this program or to let them know what a great job they are doing, go to http://www.ellaraglandart.org/

"Pump Organ"

2009-04-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

Joyce is an amazing woman who is using Art and Music to aid in the cause of Alzheimer's. Here is her personal story.

It is really amazing, and a little frightening to find that almost everyone I talk with has either a family member or friend diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease! The victims are especially needy and so often neglected. Working in nursing homes is ... difficult for me, especially when I go to the one where Mom spent the last two years of her life wearing an ankle bracelet in a locked ward. Terrible. It breaks my heart to hear nursing home staff tell me that often - OFTEN - family members are virtually abandoned, once confined for care.

The last time Mom was out, I took her "down home" to the Hough chapel on Memorial Day 2002 where she played 4-5 hymns perfectly on the pump organ. (picture above) Then, she turned around and didn't know where she was, or who I was, or her sister and cousin standing beside her. Music reaches through the plaque-filled Alzheimer's brain in mystical, magical ways.

"Bonds of Love are Eternal"

2009-04-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan

This past year I lost my Mom. Her body may still hold on for life, but the vibrant woman with sparkling blue eyes who loved to laugh, is gone. Alzheimer’s disease has erased her memories of a life well lived, full of people she loved.

When Mom’s condition began to deteriorate, she became very confused and frightened of everything. She would wake up in the middle of the night and panic because she did not know where she was, or how she got there. One of the worst days was when she realized that her husband had died, and relived the pain of loosing him all over again. It was heartbreaking.

Mom now exists in a foggy world with a few jumbled memories. Occasionally she recognizes me, but I don’t think that she recalls any of our shared memories. If someone you love has Alzheimer’s, go with them on their difficult journey. Pray for courage, compassion, patience and a heart full of love. Hold their hand and reassure them that they are ok. Always remember that they love you – even when they can’t tell you. Bonds of love are eternal.

Susan

Alzheimer's Association of Mid-Missouri Events and Programs

2009-04-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Alzheimer Association of Mid - Missouri has some great events and programs to offer! Including Project Learn, and the Roast of Mike Alden. Check out their website at http://www.alz.org/mid-missouri/ to learn more about opportunities to help in the aid of Alzheimers. This group is an amazing resource, and is a great help to many suffering with Alzheimer's disease.

"Quoting Scripture and doing the Charleston"

2009-03-31T23:24:00.001-07:00

Posted by Sue

Mother was about 78 years old when we first realized she was forgeting important current details. She would mentioned that someone had called or came by (she lived with us) but couldn't remember who the call or caller was. She was a beautiful woman and at 78 was still a lovely lady, but as the disease progressed she hated getting into a bathtub or a shower. What had always been part of her daily grooming became a contest for me to see if I could encourage her to bathe. As the next five years progressed she became fearful of almost everything in life as well as the water for her bath. She really wanted me (her oldest daughter) or my husband in her sight at all times. Her diet was very limited. She liked hamburger but almost no other meat. She loved a cheese sandwich so eating out any place such as a pizza restaurant was out of the question because they didn't serve cheese sandwiches.

Gratefully, Mother had always been cheerful and kind so this personality followed her as the Alzheimer's disease progressed. It was very difficult to urge her to do something she really didn't want to do because I could remember as a child and younger adult how patient and gentle she had always been with me. Mother's wardrobe had always been tastefully selected and one of her top priorities. As she regressed she only wanted to wear her most favorite outfits and would choose the same ones day after day. I finally had to hide several outfits so she would at least choose another group of clothes while I washed or cleaned her favorites.

She was a devout Christian and even in very late stages of the disease could quote favorite Bible passages such as John 3:16. As a teenager Mother had learned to do the Charleston dance. She spent three months in a care center just before her death. While there she met one of her oldest friends. My sister encouraged Mother to show Annabelle how the Charleston dance was done and there in that room Mother did several steps of the Charleston. Memories of her Scripture quoting and doing the Charleston still bring smiles to me. She was dear!!!!!

"My Grandmother"

2009-01-28T14:54:00.000-08:00

Posted by Valerie

My grandmother had Alzheimers for 7 years and then she died a few years ago - which really was a blessing to her. I mean that in the best way, because the disease is so horrible that it snatches who a person really is. She began to get Alzheimers and things progressed rather slowly at first for her as I remember it, but then she began to forget things like where my aunt lived and drove past the exit realizing 10 miles later that she had gone too far.

She then began to forget other things over the years. She eventually forgot who I was and everyone else she loved. Sometimes she remembered her
caretaker, my mother, and sometimes she didn't. It got very difficult to watch my mother take care of her. It took all her time and attention. She could not do much without my grandmother because it scared my grandmother so badly when my mom did take a break. My mother did not complain at all, but her back went out about two months after my grandmother died.

Hopefully in future there will be a cure for this heartbreaking disease. My grandmother would be grateful to know that no one else needs to have their regular life taken from them. Although I am sure I will see her in heaven again, I miss her still, the real her that is, the women I remember as my grandmother, the best ever, until that disease and ultimately death took her from us.

Valerie