Welcome to the very first ‘All about Alzheimer’s’ Carnival. We’ve some interesting articles about Alzheimer’s for you to read. Check them out…

Doug from My-Caboodle presents Two Things I’m Learning about Alzheimer’s, discussing how Alzheimer’s runs in his family and how it is affecting him and his family

The Whited Sepulchre presents Alzheimer’s and Storage Buildings saying, “This was the first writing that I ever posted on my blog. Therefore, no one ever read it. Thanks for providing this forum ! ! My Father-in-law has Alzheimer’s, and I recently had to clean out some storage buildings behind …read more

A look into a couple of days in the life of a family dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Part I

Part II

A brief look at what caregivers go through when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease! Made by Ryan Pfleger at the Brooks Institute of Photography.
The result of a student documentary project by Ryan Pfleger at the Brooks Institute of Photography.

It’s estimated that almost a quarter of American adults are caring for an aging parent, spouse, or relative. And while this can be very rewarding, it can also be very stressful.
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia related disease, you should head over to CaregiverStress.com and take their Caregiver’s Stress Assessment.
This online test will not only assess your stressl level but also provide advice on how to deal with the stresses you are under.
(I found out about the Caregiver’s Stress Assessment test over at The Dementia Caregiver’s Toolbox)

Wandering and getting lost is a serious issue for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. Some ways to minimize the risk of wanderiing include:
- conceal and/or camouflage doors
- install locks and alarm systems
- put labels on doors explaining purpose of room, ie bathroom, kitchen, bedroom
- figure out when wandering is most likely to occur and distract the person with activities during this time
- reassure them that they are in the right place
But if these simple measures fail or seem too restrictive, there is a much more technical way of keeping track of the Alzheimer’s patient – the Columba bracelet. It looks …read more

The Division of Geriatics at Weill Cornell Medical College has just been awarded a $45,000 grant from NEC Foundation of America to help with the development of an Alzheimer-Friendly Virtual Home. Aimed at helping caregivers and families find the best ways of adapting homes for people with Alzheimer’s Disease, this graphic-rich website is expected to be launched in 2008.
In the meantime, anyone looking to make their house safe and user friendly for anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and related diseases can read The Alzheimer-Friendly House, a 20 page online guide produced by Weill Cornell College and Modifying Your Home For …read more

“I’d never send my Mother (or father, or spouse) to a nursing home,” is a statement I sometimes hear.  “I promised I never would.”
However, we never know until we’re faced with the decision.  I cared for my mom in her home, then ours.  Finally I had to make that decision and place her in a nursing home when her Alzheimer’s condition became severe.  Also, caring for her at home was an impossibility after I broke my back, even if we’d wanted to reconsider.
Mother was well cared for at the nursing home and seemed contented when she became adjusted.  “They’re so good to me here,” she …read more