Sounds like a great way to get away, so here’s update on cruises for 2009…

February 9-14, 2009
Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Century
Miami to Miami

September 4-11, 2009
Alaskan Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas
Seattle to Seattle

The cruises for 2010 are not yet scheduled but will be during same months as 2009: February and September.

You can find out more at www.CAREGIVERCRUISES.com

Post from: Blisstree

Revisiting ‘Cruises for Alzheimer’s Caregivers’.

The big question mark looms  instead of my photo on social media sites. So my granddaughter is helping me correct that.

As she showed me the pictures she’d taken of her quilts, I thought, “That’s it! I’ll have a quilt photo instead of the question mark. This is characteristic of me because I love quilts and quilt history. I write a quilting blog, Quilting and Patchwork”

We selected the picture of a quilt she made as a school project for American Studies, a quilt based upon Civil War designs and history.

We only have it at one location so far, but I may use it at others.

Why am I relating this at Alzheimer’s Notes?

Perhaps you don’t have a photo of yourself. Perhaps you don’t want a photo of youself posted everywhere. Perhaps you have something that can be associated with you, such as the quilt with my interest in quiltmaking.

You may have a connection on Facebook, My Space, LinkedIn or other social media sites, perhaps one related to Alzheimer’s caregiving.  Posting a photo  depends on the image you wish to project or what you want people know about you.

One lady has a photo of waterfalls, a relaxing spot for her.  Some post pictures of their pets.  Someone else may have vacation scenics, hobby photos, a place they dream of visiting, etc.  Unless the site says you “must” post your photo if you don’t want the question mark, something other than your photo could be appropriate and tasteful.

What do you use for your image instead of a question mark?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
 

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Have a Social Media Site? An Alzheimers’s Site? What do You Use for Your Photo?

   Blogging has become an important part of many caregivers’ lives, as well as numerous other people.  It keeps caregivers in touch with others in similar situations and helps them they can find encouragment.

Also, Alzheimer’s patients can visit one another’s blogs, leave comments and e-mail others so they don’t feel so alone in their unique world.

Whole Alzheimer’s patients and caregiver support communities have grown up around bloggers who link their blogs on blogrolls and web rings.   

The question, “Why do you blog?” has become the determining factor in the final (8th)week of the challenge at the b5 Business Channel.  The blogs have been narrowed down to four.  Home Biz Notes, where I co-blog with Yvonne Russell, is one of the finalists.

If you’ve been following the challenge (and if you haven’t!)  stop over at Home Biz Notes and read the final entry, “Why Do I Blog?”   Also, a portion of the final determination rests with the readers and your comments.  If you leave a comment, that will be a vote for our entry. 

Perhaps, while you’re there,  you’d like to let us know there why you blog.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

“Why Do I Blog?” – Check Out the Business Channel Challenge Week #8

Interested High School students (juniors and seniors) have to write a 1,200 words essay about ‘the impact Alzheimer’s Disease has one their own lives and what they have learned about themselves, their families and/or their community in coping with the disease.’. The application deadline is February 15th and details can be found at the website.

The AFA Teens website is also a great place for teens to visit to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and to connect with other teens also dealing with Alzheimer’s in their family.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Foundation Announces First College Scholarship.

AlzOnline: Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Online – provides quality caregiver education, information, and support via audio/video classes and written articles as well as an online message board.

Family Caregiver Alliance – provides support, education, and information for caregivers. Has useful fact sheets (in Spanish and Chinese as well as English), telecaregiving workshops, and newsletters.

The Alzheimer’s Spouse – a place for spouses to discuss the realities of dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Well Spouse Association – a national organization, complete with nation wide support groups, who provide support to spouses and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Disease Resources: Caring for the Caregivers.

The article is only one part of the comprehensive collection of caregiving information that can be found on the AARP site. Their online guide to caregiving features numerous informative articles, a caregiving message board, newsletter, and online seminars.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s resources: AARP Online Guide to Caregiving.

(thanks to Jardinami for posting this on YouTube)

Post from: Blisstree

An Alzheimer’s Prayer.

As you would expect, there are a number of articles available aimed at parents:

Alzheimer’s: Helping Children Understand the Disease. (Mayo Clinic)

Helping Teens Cope with Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association)

Alzheimer’s in the Family: How Parents Can Help Children Cope.

Parent’s Guide: Helping Children and Teens Understand Alzheimer’s Disease. (Alzheimer’s Association)

But there are also resources available for children and teens that will help them learn and understand Alzheimer’s Disease and how it effects their grandparent.

Alzheimer’s Disease (Neuroscience for Kids)

Alzheimer’s Disease

Just for Children: Helping you Understand Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association)

Just for Teens: Helping You Understand Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association)

Inside the Brain: An interactive tour (Alzheimer’s Association)

Helping Children Understand Alzheimer’s Disease. (Alzheimer’s Society)

What’s Happening to Grandpa? (Alzheimer’s Association)

The Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan has Just4Kids website that has features such as visual audio books (My Grandpa George and Grandpa Doesn’t Know It’s Me), interactive quizzes, puzzles, and word searches all designed to help children understand Alzheimer’s Disease.

101 Ways to spend time with a person with Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association)

Hope these resources help anyone having to explain Alzheimer’s Disease to their children…

Post from: Blisstree

Helping Children Understand Alzheimer’s Disease.

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)

Post from: Blisstree

How Stressed Are You From Caring For An Alzheimer’s Patient?

When you can’t find support locally, you may discover resources online.  One I’ve come across most recently is Strength for Caring.  You can register for a caregiver’s manual, find a place to experess your thoughts, learn about resources for patients and caregivers.

Post from: Blisstree

Helpful Site for Alzheimer’s Caregivers