Tackling the Myth of Alzheimer’s Disease

Myth 1: Alzheimer’s is a Singular Disease

Myth 2: People ‘Get’ Alzheimer’s in Old Age

Myth 3: We Can Cure Alzheimer’s Disease

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Tackling the Myths of Alzheimer’s Disease.

“Remembering Alzheimer’s: A Special Report” was broadcast on The Infinite Mind during Novemebr. Featuring American Public Media’s Brian Newhouse, it looks at effects of Alzheimer’s Disease on his father. The broadcast also includes conversations with Dr. Peter Reed, Senior Director of Programs for the National Alzheimer’s Association and leading researcher Dr. Marilyn Albert, Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Plus 47 year old James Smith, a former executive with American Express, who offers a first person account of living with Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Vermont Public Radio offers a broadcast from commentator Madeleine Kunin who “recently went to the store to buy groceries, but came home with a deeper understanding of what it’s like to cope with Alzheimers.” (ref)

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Radio Broadcasts about Alzheimer’s Disease.

Have a listen to what he’s up to…

Police chief on the job despite Alzheimer's

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Alzheimer’s Disease Doesn’t Stop Police Chief.

The first ‘All About Alzheimer’s’ Carnival is about to be launched on 19th December here at Alzheimer’s Notes.

You have until end of 17th December to send through your submissions.

You can join the carnival here.

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Last Call for ‘All About Alzheimer’s’ Carnival.

Part One

Part Two

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Dr Peter Whitehouse talks about Alzheimer’s

There’s only eight more days until the First All About Alzheimer’s Carnival is posted.

Come and join in.

Submit your post here by the 17th December.

Look forward to seeing you.

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Countdown to ‘All About Alzheimer’s’ Carnival

Therefore, am happy to announce the launching of the All About Alzheimer’s Carnival.

Launch date for the first carnival will be 19 December.

That means if you are interested in submitting an article, it needs to be in by 17 December.

You can post your submission on this carnival submission form.

Spread the word and let’s see if we can get this carnival up and running…

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Blog Carnival is coming to Alzheimer’s Notes.

Did anyone get the chance to see There is a Bridge that is being played on public television stations across America ? It might not yet have reached your area. Check out the screening dates here and mark your calender. This is one documentary that shouldn’t be missed as it challenges the conventional notions that people with Alzheimer’s Disease are ‘unreachable’.

Hosted by former United States Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, There Is a Bridge weaves together interviews with experts and film footage of families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Check out this video trailer to find out why you should try and see the whole documentary.

If you missed the television screening of this documentary…then head over to this link to see some short video clips of the documentary.

Further Reading:

Must-See Documentay on Dementia, Alzheimer’s Comes to Public TV

There is a Bridge (Alzheimer’s)

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Groundbreaking Documentary on Alzheimer’s Disease.

NORAZ Poets see the Arizona Poetry Project as ‘…not the type of poetry reading that takes place from a podium. The APP is about making contact with people who have very little physical contact in their lives. We recite the poems directly to the patients, often holding their hands. It is not unusual for visitors to be moved emotionally, when witnessing an APP reading session. The people we serve are often in the late stages of Alzheimer’s and may have a hard time holding a conversation, or – in some cases – even speaking. When you see and hear them respond to the poems by saying words and lines along with the poet, it can be quite a breakthrough. When you hear them laugh at a funny poem or see their tears start to flow when they hear a poignant poem – the effectiveness of reading these old poems that the patients learned as children, is apparent. Often, a mother in late stage Alzheimer’s will not recognize family members. For a daughter to read poems to her mother and have that mother respond emotionally, this can offer the daughter a connection she needs and craves. These are all benefits of the program. In our preliminary assessments, we are finding a high level of response from the residents of the assisted living centers. ‘

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Alzheimer’s Poetry Project in Arizona.

As Alex began to form words and Mothers’ became more mumbled utterances than clear syllables, they made sounds together. 

“Gramma talk to me,” Alex would say.

“What did she say?” I’d ask.

“Dunno,” he replied.  “Gramma talk to me.”

There apparently was a type of communication between the older lady with Alzheimer’s and the little boy.  My mom died when Alex was 6 years old and she 92.  However, even though he’s now 12 years old, he still recalls, “Gramma talked to me.”        

               Both Alex and his sister, four years older than he, enjoyed visits to see my mom in the nursing home.  They played on the floor around her wheel chair.  We had tea parties with her.  They participated in activities for all the residents and brought laughter and joy to them for an afternoon.

This became part of their lives and their memories, just as I have memories of my grandmother.  It didn’t matter that my mom had Alzheimer’s; they accepted her just as she was, as I accepted my invalid grandmother with her physical limitations.

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Do Children and Alzheimer’s Patients Communicate?