Pickett [the woman mentioned in the article] is part of a growing national debate about whether older adults should be tested routinely for memory loss.

 This makes me wonder if society isn’t being programed for the idea that senior citizens should have memory tests.  If an idea is mentioned enough, the public becomes conditioned to accept it. 

 Is this what is happening to memory tests for seniors, with the idea thrown in that these tests become mandatory?

Yes, some people will find relief that the tests indicate their memory loss is normal.  But will a flag go up with others that they’re to be watched because their memory test was borderline? 

Admittedly, if it’s eventually proven that early detection can lead to treatment and perhaps even a cure, then memory testing could be very valid.  However, should we jump on the bandwagon of mandatory memory testing immediately?

What do you think?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Are We Being Programed for Memory Tests for Seniors?

   I didn’t have time to prepare our home for Mother.  When I discovered her wandering in the snow one morning when I visited her home (I couldn’t find her when I arose and then discovered she’d circumvented the lock on the door and was looking outside for her cat), I had to move her to our home a month earlier than planned.

However, since my husband and I had been making weekly trips to her home 275 miles away and staying for 2 or 3 days, I had some idea what I had to do when Mother came to live with us.  If I’d had a checklist of items to prepare, though, it certainly would have helped.

In addition to the book above, A Complete Guide to Alzheimer’s Proofing Your Home, by Mark L. Warner, I discovered at Home and Family, a great article about Preparing Your Home for Caregiving by Maria Sandella.  She provides tips in a number of categories:

• Common living areas
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• General Safety
• Special equipment that you may need

While this may seem like a lot of work on your part in order to get your home ready it really isn’t, Ms. Sandella says when she completes the check-list of suggestions.

 Go through each room one at a time and make a list of things that need to be done, based on your loved ones disability or illness. You may find you are more prepared to be a caregiver than you thought you were.

Do you have any home preparation tips that have helped you.  Let’s share!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
 

Post from: Blisstree

Tips for Preparing Your Home for an Alzheimer’s Patient?

         You’re caring for your parent or spouse, perhaps a friend, because you care for them, because no one else is handy, because you feel responsible.  However, often you weary of the demands of the caregiving task, especially when you have to juggle other aspects of your life.

Do you feel, even subconsciously, like a doormat?

Check out this article, Don’t Be a Doormat, at WebMD Daily and receive some tips on saying “No”…not in an uncaring or callous way, but in a diplomatic, firm, yet loving way that helps keep you from burning out.

For many women [and men], saying “No” doesn’t come naturally. But practice makes perfect, so start now! In choosing your responses, remember the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Short and Simple.

Your family members often say “No” to you when it comes to caregiving.  Learn to say it sometimes, too, and ask their assistance [or someone who has been there]  in finding help so you have time off or experience more relaxed duties.

What do you think about this?  Let’s chat!

(c) 2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Are Alzheimer’s Caregivers Doormats?

Their aim is to make people more aware of the connection between healthy living and healthy brains.

Ways of making this commitment include…

- choosing activities that challenge your brain
- being socially active
- choosing a healthy lifestyle
- protecting your head from injury

The Alzheimer Society of Canada has launched BrainBooster, an online gym to help Canadians maintain their commitment to brain health. The gym offers challenging games and puzzles, brain boosting recipes, and exercises. Canadians can access the gym by visiting the Alzheimer Society of Canada website.

Wonder if this idea will spread further than Canada ?

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer Society of Canada’s campaign for Brain fitness.

I was thrilled when I saw one of my b5media blogs, Home Biz Notes and my name included as one of the Women Bloggers of 2008 at Virtual Women’s Day Celebrations.  This included a list of 25 women’s blogs and bloggers for January. 

According to Heidi,  

Women are blogging in record numbers these days – so may blogs, so much content and so little time to check them all out. Each month during 2008, I will be highlighting dozens of blogs written by women, on a variety of topics, genres and locations around the globe.

What fun to be included among them!  Apparently my co-blogger, Yvonne Russell, and I are providing news, resources, information, and inspiration of interest at Home Biz Notes.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Mary Emma Allen – a Women Blogger to Watch in 2008

It’s exciting when you’re asked to share your knowledge and story at another web site or blog.  My story concerning one situation with Mother, Resolutions Aren’t Static in an Alzheimer’s World, appeared at CareStation on the AGIS site.

As soon as we resolve to follow a specific agenda or schedule when caring for our family member with Alzheimer’s, everything changes! Thus, many of our New Year’s resolutions don’t remain static.

I hoped to share here the fact that even though your life and caregiving tactics may change frequently, you can get through it.  Mother’s Alzheimer’s condition often necessitated changes in my husband’s and my plans.  This was particularly true one holiday season, a story which I relate at CareStation.

(Incidentally, Liz Lewis, my co-blogger here at Alzheimer’s Notes, recently wrote about AGIS, New Online Resource from Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and AGIS.)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Mary Emma Allen Guest Writer at CareStation on AGIS

  I was excited, after posting What Would You Like to See at Alzheimer’s Notes in 2008, an immediate response from readers.  This gives me a direction to plan with some of my posts for these topics suggested have multiple aspects to them.

*How can friends and family members on the fringes of Alzheimer’s help, encourage and react?

*Suggestions for balancing caregiving and work.

*I’d mentioned desiring more guest posts and already have someone working on one.

*How can you help children understand Alzheimer’s?

Keep tuned and you’ll be seeing information on these topics and more.

What else would you like to see?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Plans at Alzheimer’s Notes for 2008

Family relates how Alzheimer’s Disease robs mind – If asked, Elayne Hinze will deny that she has Alzheimer’s disease, but her daughters estimate their mother has been affected by it for a decade. (more…)

Tampa Researchers Find Caffeine Eases Alzheimer’s Effects -”There’s nothing that gets into the brain faster than caffeine,” says Gary Arendash, a research professor at the University of South Florida. (more…)

Fish Oil May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s – The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil might play an important role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a research team at the University of California, Los Angeles. (more…)

Scientists can’t get their minds around Alzheimer’s – “…Michael Merzenich faced a room full of neuroscientists and pharmaceutical executives and declared that, really, they could all pack up and go home. He thought he could stop Alzheimer’s disease by doing nothing more than sitting old people down for a few months in front of computer screens and retraining their brains. (more…)

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s News From Around the World.

By most standards, I’d be categorized a “senior.”  As I wrote the previous post, Should All Seniors Be Tested for Alzheimer’s?, I began thinking about how this would affect me personally,

  I asked for others to share their thoughts.  So I’ll begin:

Do I want to be tested?  More specifically, do I want someone to say, “You MUST be tested for Alzheimer’s or your likeliness of acquiring it?”

Because my aunt and mother had Alzheimer’s disease, someone could say, “You’re more likely to get it.  So in that case, you MUST be tested.”  Or they simply might consider it a good idea to be tested.

I don’t want someone to say I MUST if I’m not showing any indication that I’m acquiring the disease.  I’m trying to engage in activities and diet that doctors probably would recommend anyway, if I did show indications toward Alzheimer’s.

Because close family members had this disease, I’m aware of the possibilities so am trying to adapt my lifestyle to one that will ward it off.  However, there are so many contradictory conclusions out there about what will work and what won’t, who will get Alzheimer’s and who won’t.

As I think about this, I discover, the answer isn’t “cut and dried.”  There are times when testing might be a good idea so you and the doctors have a better idea of treatment.

However, I’d like to be the one to make the choice…not have someone say I MUST be tested for Alzheimer’s simply because I’ve reached a specific age.

What about you? 

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Do I Want To Be Tested for Alzheimer’s?

According to an article, by Jeremy Olsen, at TwinCities.com, a  Group of doctors argues all senior citizens should be tested for Alzheimer’s disease.  

The evidence is not in, but an influential group of U.S. doctors is arguing that all senior citizens should be screened for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to their reasoning, due to the expected quadrupling of the number of those developing Alzheimer’s by 2030, early screening will point to those who should begin treatment  and mental exercise.  At present, they are encouraging all seniors 65 and older ask for memory screening by their doctors.

Are you in this group?  Do you think you should request this screening?  How do you feel about its becoming mandatory?

If you have a family member in this age group, will you insist they be screened? 

What is your opinion about mandatory, or even strongly recommended voluntary, screening for this disease? 

Will it prove helpful?

Will it be an invasion of privacy?

Is it a preventative measure like other tests we incur, like mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies? 

Then the question arises…WHAT THEN?

Post from: Blisstree

Should All Seniors Be Tested for Alzheimer’s?