Dr Patrick Oliver at Newcastle University is looking at ways to give ordinary home applicances new intelligence.
Why?
So that those with dementia can still function safely in a home environment.
Oliver has been looking at everyday appliances and finding innovative ways to make them dementia-friendly. At his laboratory, called ‘The Ambient Kitchen’, there are a number of working demonstrations in place, such as the pressure sensors embedded into the floor which would alert others if someone fell over.
Read more here.

Check out this clock created in Holland that is used to add structure in a user friendly way. Ideal for anyone with memory and confusion issues. The Clockweisser website, unfortunately, is in dutch but the video has english subtitles.
http://www.clockweisser.com/index.html

Discussion on warning signs that indicate that it’s time for someone with Alzheimer’s to stop driving and how to approach the subject.

AGIS and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) have teamed up to create a new Alzheimer’s and Dementia caregivers resource providing comprehensive online support for people caring for family and loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.
This new section includes research and medical information, current treatment options, warning signs and an Ask the Expert area that is maintained by a team of AFA licensed social workers. There is also a local search feature that will give caregivers access to specialized resources and facilities within their own community.

Earlier this month the Harrah’s Foundation donated $1 million to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Harrah’s Foundation was the primary sponsor of World Alzheimer’s Day (Sept. 21), offering a $1 million matching grant to assist in raising awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The Association’s World Alzheimer’s Day efforts raised $1.8 million, with the Harrah’s Foundation’s generous donation bringing the total to $2.8 million. (ref)

Here’s a great Christmas present for the caregiver in your family…

The Alzheimer’s Association has created a comprehensive portfolio of educational tools for Latinos who are considered to be one of the fastest growing populations in the United States with the disease. There are currently around 200,000 Latinos in America with the disease and it’s expected that this could increase to around 1.3 million by the year 2050.
Latinos apparently have a higher incidence of diabetes (64% higher than non-Hispanic white Americans), cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol, and hypertension – all factors that increase the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.
To help provide information for the Latino community, the Alzheimer’s Association has the …read more

The Alzheimer’s Store, based in Cumming, Georgia, is an online storre that sells pretty much anything you might need to help or care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The store is the brainchild of Mark and Ellen Warner following the success of a book Mark wrote called The Complete Guide to Alzheimer’s-Proofing Your Home.
Want to know more…then check out this video that tells the story of The Alzheimer’s Store.

Northwest Airlines is one of the few airlines that recognizes that traveler’s with cognitive problems require extra assistance. Their Adult Assistance Program is similar to an airline’s unaccompanied minor program in that they will
-Escort on/off aircraft.
-Provide escort at connecting/layover points.
-Positive hand-off during transfers and connections.
-Keep emergency contact information throughout the travel itinerary.
-Provide documentation and verify ID of person designated to meet at final destination.
-Contact designated adult(s) in the event of a cancellation, diversion, or lengthy delay.
There are a few catches. The service is not free, is not provided on international flights, and there is a long list of …read more

Last month I posted about The NFL, Concussions, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Yesterday Fox Sports posted a related article – 35 ex-NFL players qualify for assistance – about this topic. The article talks about the number of retired NFL players applying for financial assistance under a new program, the ‘88′ plan, designed to help those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
This plan, which took effect Feb 1, provides up to $88,000 from the National Football League and the union to help with the care of any retired footballer suffering from dementia or other brain related problems.
See full article here…