Alzheimer's Family Service

Volunteer Training

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:20:49 GMT

Start Date: 15-Jan-09 9:00 AM
End Time: 15-Jan-09 12:00 PM

1901 N. Palafox St

Goals for 2009: Make it Happen!

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:00:00 GMT

By: Kristina Robison, MS

Your hobbies, interests, and plans most likely have changed if you are dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Remember, while you are sacrificing a lot to care for your loved one, you can still set and achieve realistic goals for yourself. What better time than the present to examine your goals?

First, examine what you want to accomplish by categories: artistic; attitude; career; education; family; financial; physical; pleasure; and public service.

In the “artistic” category, learning a new hobby can include gardening, painting, playing an instrument, learning a new language, or collecting sentimental items. Learning strengthens the neurons in your brain, requiring it to work harder to retain the new information. Gardening is great example for a new hobby as it includes physical activity as well, which can keep the blood flowing to your brain and naturally releases “happy” chemicals to help us feel better.

The “attitude” category may be especially hard when caring for a loved one who’s brain is not working the way it used to. Adapting to this change is usually the hardest part for spouses or adult children as they know the patient could perform the desired outcome at some point. The main thing to remember is: it is the disease, not the patient. He is not trying to purposely defy you or appear incompetent; dementia causes the brain not to work properly, so is there a way you can adjust your attitude to think positively (as much as possible) about the change? Do I blame him when it’s really not his fault? Can I take steps to reduce my stress and anxiety for my own mental well being? Can I educate myself about the disease and learn behavior modification techniques to minimize negative or undesirable behaviors?

“Financial” is another great category to set goals for. Often people are surprised when they learn that some Alzheimer’s care is not covered under regular insurance. Make plans to save that $65 /day for an adult daycare visit or examine long-term care insurance when it is time to place your loved one in a facility. (See article on LTC Insurance on p. 3) And if your spouse (or parent) has traditionally managed the family financials and now has dementia, it is time for you (or someone) to become more involved; ask if you can learn how to keep the household books and tell him/her you “want to help” (this approach is less argumentative than telling the person he or she can’t do it.)

“Pleasure” is another category to consider. Are you taking time for yourself? Are you spending thirty minutes a day doing something you enjoy? Mini-breaks can be rejuvenating and allow you time to re-coup. Your mental well being is important! Remember, if you can’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of others? (See article on Meditation p. 8)

Tips on Goal Setting
-State each goal as a positive statement
-Be precise
-Set priorities
-Write goals down
-Keep operational goals small
-Set performance goals, not outcome goals
-Set realistic goals

This article on goal setting, adapted from Mind Tools, helps us to outline some of the cornerstones in realizing what we want and how to get it. View more about Mind Tools at: http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html. Its never too late to start!

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, including communicating with a dementia patient, stages of the disease, and local resources, call our office to sign up for the Alzheimer’s Volunteer Training. You can reach us at (850) 478-7790 or toll free (866) 478-7790 or email: AFS@AlzFamServ.org. We are here for you!

23-Dec-08 4:00 PM

Make the Most of Your Doctor’s Visit

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

By David Gonzalez, FSU Medical Student

As a caregiver you are the voice of your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. You know them better than anyone else. With this in mind it is very important that you communicate any changes in behavior or physical abilities of your loved one to their physician. In this article, I would like to impart to you some key issues that should help you and your loved one with Alzheimer’s get the most out of their doctor visit.

As a medical student I have examined quite a few patients. I have noticed that many patients come in with multiple problems but are unsure of how to explain them all to their physician. This leads to a somewhat obvious solution: prepare for your doctor visit. The patients who get the most out of their visit are those that come with a list of issues they would like to address, listed in order of importance. This tactic helps prevent those last minute questions that pop up just as your doctor has his/her hand on the door and is getting ready to leave.

Another tip that helps make the visit more productive is to bring either a list or a bag with all the medications your loved one with Alzheimer’s is taking. You should include all prescription and over the counter medications as well as the doses. Also, do not forget to mention any herbal supplements they might be taking, because some can have dangerous interactions with other medications. Bringing in all the medications helps reduce the chances of being prescribed something that might interact with another medication they are taking. In the last year, I have already come across more than a handful of people taking medications that were either outdated or interacted with another medication. Had they not brought in their medications, this error might not have been caught.

Understanding is the key to coping with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. With this in mind, you should always try to read up on literature pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease and discuss any questions you have with the physician. This will not only help you provide better care for your loved one but it will also help you keep track of disease progression. It is important for you to always try to clear up any misunderstandings you might have regarding the disease with your physician. Making a list of questions to discuss with them on your next visit is a good idea.

Finally, as a caregiver your health is very important. You should visit your physician regularly and attend to any health needs you might have. If you are feeling emotionally stressed to the point that you feel you can not provide quality care for your loved one, you should discuss this with your physician so that you can be referred to someone who can help you, such as a psychiatrist or a support group. The following is a summary of helpful tips:

Come prepared (bring a list of problems/questions, medications)
Try keeping a diary of your loved ones activities, behaviors and any (mental, behavioral or physical).
If medications are changed make sure you understand: when it should be taken, how to take it (e.g. on an empty stomach), what are some side effects
Try to educate yourself as much as possible regarding Alzheimer’s disease. This can be done through the library, internet, and Alzheimer’s family services.
Do not forget to take care of yourself (e.g. emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing)

23-Dec-08 3:00 PM

Rest, Refresh, Meditate

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

By: Dawn Hood-Patterson, MDiv

The proverb, “silence is golden,” is profoundly true, especially in a world that never pauses for breath. The world around us pain-stakingly devotes itself to filling our time with noise. Music that will make us shop at a certain pace, advertisements that entice, television shows that captivate us—noise. It is imperative to spend moments enjoying silence. Meditation is used in most faith practices as a tool to reorganize our priorities.

Here are a few tips to get you started. First, make sure you have a quite atmosphere. It may be helpful to take time to mediate while your loved one is napping or visiting with another family member or friend. Find a place that is peaceful and a position that is comfortable. Many people find it helpful to sit in their favorite chair. Relax your shoulders and watch your posture. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Set a timer and try to sit in silence for two minutes. Once you become comfortable with this amount of time, increase the time to five minutes and then ten minutes. The quantity is not as important as the quality of your time.

It is helpful, especially if you have less experience with meditation, to repeat a phrase that is meaningful to you. The repetition of a word or words will help you clear your mind of all the thoughts that occupy your time and energies. Remember, this is a time to be refreshed. You may want to repeat a phrase from scripture like, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” or the Shahada. It may be easier to repeat a single word like: peace, rest or patience.

There are twenty-four hours in each day. Many of our hours are filled with the preoccupations and stressors of life. It is essential to take time to feel refreshed, to be silent— to leave our burdens for a few moments.

23-Dec-08 3:00 PM

Laughing Your Way to Serenity: An activity for the caregiver

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

By Courtney Cook, BSW

It’s six o’clock in the morning and you awake to the sound of your loved one, once again, in the kitchen. As you round the corner to the kitchen you see your loved one is sitting quietly at the table eating a bowl of cereal covered with soda. What do you do? How do you confront the situation? Well at the time, you may be a little perturbed, but more than likely you’ll let your loved one continue to eat and then gently guide them back to bed. At which time you might just take a look back at what just occurred and have the overwhelming urge to laugh!

The physical and emotional stress and strain of caregiving has been well documented. Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with being a caregiver. The challenge as a caregiver is to maintain you own physical and mental well-being. A regular routine of laughter can help a caregiver to do just that! So you’re probably thinking, “How can I laugh when I feel more like crying?” This is a great question. Research indicates that when animals are confronted with threatening situations they have two choices: to flee or to fight. As humans, research indicated that we have a third choice: to laugh (Parrish and Quinn, 1999). Humor and wit are part of being human and they serve as a reminder that we do not need to have complete control over our lives or the lives of others in order to be happy.

Laughter is also thought to trigger our body’s natural painkillers, “endorphins”, which in turn enable us to adapt to even the most overwhelming of life situations. Laughter in the monotony of everyday life can be the key to maintaining a successful caregiving relationship and can provide the release of anxiety and tension needed for the demands of caregiving.

So now you’re probably thinking, “My life is not exciting and there is nothing funny about it.” Well here are some ground rules that Parrish and Quinn suggest for developing humor in your caregiving role:

Step 1) Find a safe place to share your caregiving experience (like a support group, friend, or religious group). Start by describing a detailed typical day for you. I mean every detail down to eating, toileting, washing dishes. The idea behind this step is to paint a picture of what your day and life are like. Once you really get into the story of your day ask yourself if there is something which you could describe as odd, offbeat or even funny.

Step 2) Once you have found a moment in your day that seems, in retrospect, to be humorous, think back to that moment, time, place and give it some flare or depth by describing it in detail (it’s ok to add a little embellishment). As you return back to this moment and begin to feel the moment with less pain and emotional investment you may find that you start to smile or even start to laugh.

Step 3) The last step is regarding dignity for your loved one. In other words, humor should never be used or intended in a mean, disrespectful, or degrading manner. Timing and appropriate place for sharing humor are critical. Humor needs to be shared but it needn’t be acted upon when it might belittle, hurt, or antagonize someone.

All in all, when we step back from the difficult moment and the giant task of caregiving, it is easier to identify the ridiculousness in ourselves or the situation. It is important as a caregiver to give yourself permission to laugh despite the situation that has been thrust into your lap.

Here’s a good example of finding the humor in our every lives from the article Laughing Your Way to Peace of Mind: How a Little Humor Helps Caregivers Survive.

“Betty Jones was a caregiver for her husband who had Alzheimer’s. In the Alzheimer’s support group she regularly attended, Betty mentioned that her husband had begun to have trouble recognizing her. His difficulty was exacerbated by Betty’s use of her married name socially and at home, but her maiden name at her part-time job. Naturally, her husband found the phone calls for Betty Smith, (her maiden name), and the mail for Betty Jones, overwhelming. He soon began accusing his wife of being an imposter. This development was upsetting for Betty, and she told the group she was unsure for a while how to resolve the confusion. With everybody in the group on the edge of their seats, Betty announced she had finally found a solution for her “multiple personality disorder”. She informed the group of her decision to always wear a name tag in the house with her name, Betty Jones, on it. While the solution was very real, it elicited an enormous laugh from the group, and a subtle sigh of relief from Betty.“

Having trouble finding the humor in your everyday life? Try this laughing exercise from LaughterForHealth.com while you’re developing your humor skills. Give it an honest try you may find yourself laughing!

Laugher is really about breathing. Place a one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take a deep breath and check to make sure you are getting a rise in your belly not your chest. Then your exhalation becomes a “belly” laugh as you exhale with the words ha-ha-ha-slowly and softly at first.

Repeat this exercise, allowing yourself to take a larger breaths and make louder ha-ha-ha’s. Now repeat the exercise a little faster so those ha-ha-ha’s have to start running together. It’s like when you start your car and you can hear the motor start to turn over. Let those, ha-ha-ha’s start to roll, that’s right, now you’re getting your laugh motor going!

References:
Ahern, L & Antokolsky, P (2007). Laughter Lifts the Heart for Caregivers. Retrieved December 16, 2008 from www.laughterforhealth.com

Parrish, M.M., & Quinn, P.(Summer 1999) Laughing Your Way To Peace of Mind: How A Little Humor Helps Caregivers Survive. Clinical Social Work Journal, 27, 2. p203(9). Retrieved December 16, 2008, from General One via Gale: http://findgalegroup.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/itx/start.do?proID+ITOF

23-Dec-08 3:00 PM

If You Had A Choice...

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

By Mrs. Virginia Bunde

If you become unable to take care of yourself, or a loved one, be it a spouse, parent or child, what kind of setting or living arrangement would you like to have - if you had a choice? Would you like to see a bright and open space? Would you choose a group living facility where each resident has his or her own apartment? Would you like maid service and house cleaning provided? Would you like a flower or vegetable garden on the premises? Would you like a tree-shaded park in which to listen to birds singing?

We all make choices every day from when we get up to when we go to bed, and everything in between. Unfortunately in the aging process, we may become less and less able to care for ourselves. There are lots of resources from which to choose for assistance. There are home-health services, adult day-care centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, to name a few. Again, unfortunately, we may not be able to choose among those resources due to costs.

A daily rate for a private room in a nursing home could cost as much as $200, and the rates are going up. Many people believe that Medicare and Medicaid will pay these health care costs, but this is not the case. In order to receive Medicaid coverage, you must meet state-determined poverty levels and certain health-related criteria. Medicare coverage is even more complicated and limited. Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance may be the answer.

Many LTC policies pay benefits while the policyholder is being cared for at home. The benefit typically pays 50% of the Nursing Home benefit. Coverage at an Assisted Living Facility is also available at a percentage amount of the daily nursing home benefit. Many factors go into determining the cost of a LTC policy.

Approval of a claim for LTC benefits involves Activities of Daily Living (ADL). These include eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring and continence. An alternate trigger for a claim is Cognitive Impairment.

Some options (there is that choice again) to consider in purchasing a Long Term Care policy include bed reservations; daily, weekly and monthly benefit; reimbursement; inflation rider; policy sharing benefit; waiting period for benefits to be paid; benefit period; compensation for a family member as a caregiver; and waiver of premium.

With so many variables, it’s impossible to offer more specific information. The best thing to do in determining whether LTC insurance is for you is to make an appointment with a trusted insurance advisor. The State of Florida requires continuing education for Agents licensed to sell this product.

So you do have a choice! Where would you like to live when/if you need assistance? Where would you like to have your loved one cared for when/if you cannot do it? Do you want to spend some money now to purchase this choice? Or do you want to spend down your assets and possibly leave debt for your family?

LTC can protect your income and savings from the high cost of long term care. It can provide independence and the choice of where to receive care – in your home or in a facility in your community. It can reduce the burden of care that often falls on family members by providing coverage that helps pay for the long-term care services you need.

THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU!

Mrs. Virginia Bunde, Certified Insurance Counselor & Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, is the owner of Virginia Bunde Allstate Insurance Agency: 2803 E Cervantes St, Pensacola, FL 32503, (850) 469-8082, www.virginiabundeinsuranceagency.com

23-Dec-08 3:00 PM

Caregiving Tips: Holidays

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:15:00 GMT

'Tis the season to be happy. Or is it?

While those facing Alzheimer's disease or a related illness in their family might question the sentiment, experts say that it is possible to not only keep the cheer in the holidays, but also to savor them.

Here's how:

— Communicate concerns. In advance of the holidays, be candid with family and friends about your loved one's condition and your concerns, and enlist their support. In cases where resentment brews because one family member assumes the primary caregiving role, use this season of giving as an opportunity to discuss sharing family responsibilities and to strive for family togetherness.

— Set realistic expectations. Consider both what the individual with dementia is capable of and what you, as a caregiver, can handle given your demanding role. Then, put celebrations into manageable proportions. This can help decrease stress and head off feelings of depression that stem from unrealistic expectations, both for you and your loved one.

— Select appropriate activities. Be mindful of the individual's current mental condition and do special things that they can still appreciate. Engage your loved one in singing and dancing since these abilities tend to remain intact longer. Involve them in some rituals—whether it is lighting the menorah, decorating the tree or baking cookies. Try to spark memories by bringing out family photographs or heirlooms. But do not demand mental performance by asking them to name people, places or other facts. Rather, help stimulate memories by offering descriptions as you present each object.

— Pare down traditions. With round-the-clock caregiving, it may not be feasible to juggle all of your religious and ethnic observances. You can still keep traditions alive; just reduce their number to avoid feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Ask your loved one which traditions to choose; it is another way to involve them. Even though they may not recall later on, making the effort reinforces the fact that you care what is important to them and will make you feel better as a caregiver.

— Adapt family gatherings. Since crowds, noise and altering routines can aggravate confusion and other behavioral problems, revising your get-togethers may be in order. For example, instead of entertaining the whole clan, limit the number of attendees at a holiday dinner or spread out several smaller gatherings on different days. Mark a calendar with upcoming visits to make your loved one feel special.

— Stick with familiar settings. Because new environments can increase disorientation and pose safety concerns, discard restaurants or relatives' houses in favor of your own home. Likewise, if Mass is still important to your loved one, consider how they can participate. For example, take your loved one to an earlier, less crowded service; if they can not leave their home structure, watch a Mass on TV or ask clergy to make a house call.

— Head off problems. Avoid alcohol, which may cause depression, increase the risk of falls and add to the loss of brain cells. Try to schedule holiday activities or visits earlier in the day before the potential for sundowning—behavioral problems that typically occur toward dusk among those in the middle stages of dementia. And, in preparing for holiday celebrations, do not re-arrange furniture or create obstacles-both are accidents waiting to happen.

— Limit holiday decorations. Decorations can still adorn your home, but in moderation. Hang cheerful ones that recall memories and family traditions. Do not overdo the ornaments on a Christmas tree. Remember that hauling out a lifetime of garlands, religious items and wall decorations can cause clutter and over stimulation, which can intensify disorientation and agitation. Ensure, even more than usual, that decorations do not block pathways or pose potential fire hazards.

— Re-think gift giving. Devise ways to include your loved one, depending on their capabilities. You might take them to a store to buy presents, and offer extra guidance. Or, you can buy the gifts for them and wrap them together since many individuals with dementia like handling paper. In giving presents, pick ones appropriate for someone with the disease. Instead of something material, try things that are simple, personal and sentimental. For example, photographs and heirlooms provide the opportunity to reminisce—a gift in itself.

— Welcome youngsters. While it is important to include children, it is just as vital to consider their feelings. Address the fear factor by helping them have special moments with their relatives. If their loved one uses inappropriate language or easily becomes angry during the visit, explain that this behavior is not personal or intentional; it is part of the disease. Youngsters' excitement about the holidays can be contagious. Singing songs together can strike a chord for someone with dementia. Or having an elder teach dominoes to children is a good way to foster interaction and make your loved one feel they have something to offer.

— Join a support group. A forum to express feelings and socialize can help overcome sadness for both caregivers and individuals in the early stages of dementia. Unfortunately, the incidence of depression ranks high during and after the holidays. Consult with a healthcare professional if you detect warning signs of depression: tearfulness, poor eating habits, withdrawal, inability to sleep, and physical complaints.

— Enjoy yourself. The greatest gift at the holidays: time. Ask a family member, friend or healthcare professional to keep your loved one company so you can relish some respite—time for some holiday shopping, a walk in the park, checkers with an old friend or whatever present you want to give yourself.

This article was reprinted with permission from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). For more information about the AFA, visit them online at: www.alzfnd.org or call them at 1-866-232-8484. Alzheimer’s Family Services is a proud member of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

24-Nov-08 9:15 AM

Have you Experienced Brain Fog?

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

By Steve Gillman

What is brain fog? It is that sense that you just can't quite think straight. You can't concentrate, or perhaps can't even figure out what you need to be concentrating on. You stare at the paper in front of you or at the job you need to do. Thoughts are swirling in your head, perhaps, but they aren't organized or helpful. What can you do about this? Here are a few quick tips, and then a couple of powerful techniques to try.

Take a walk if you have time. I am convinced that the research will eventually show this to be one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your thinking. But don't wait for the proof. Walking has enough other health benefits anyhow.

Clear space helps prevent brain fog. Some of you may disagree, but it's rare that a person can work better in clutter. At the very least, an organized office or home means you won't have the thought "where is that..." distracting your mind.

Avoid sugar. If you want to understand the concept of brain fog, eat sugary cake on an empty stomach, then try to do math problems twenty minutes later. I think you'll get the point. They call this the "sugar blues." (A large plate of pasta can have the same effect - avoid eating too many simple carbohydrates of any kind.)

Get more or better sleep. Sleep requirements vary, but the bare minimum for most people is somewhere around five hours, and many of us suffer if we sleep less than eight. Some research indicates that after a minimum quantity, the quality of sleep is more important than the quantity for normal brain function.

Avoid boredom. When it is difficult to concentrate because you are bored with what you are working on, you need to stop and consider why it is important (if it is). When you see the benefits clearly it is usually easier to concentrate.

Brought to you by... BrainMinders, "Protecting Your Brain for Life." Reprinted with permission, Steve Gillman, November 6, 2008.

This article was reprinted with permission from Pilot International, Inc. Adapted from the September 2008 Newsletter. Permission granted, November 6, 2008. pilotclubs@pilothq.org.

24-Nov-08 9:00 AM

ACTIVITY CORNER: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

By: Cortney Cook

Well it’s finally here, The Holidays! As you can image there are many activities you can involve you’re loved one with during the holidays. Everything from helping to decorate the house, getting holiday dinner ready, raking the leaves off the lawn or porch, to even helping with some arts and crafts projects. Here are a couple of extra activities that may help your loved one feel like part of the festivities.

h Write Holiday Cards Together

If your loved one has always sent Holiday cards help them to keep the tradition alive. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease find it difficult to write a letter, but they may be able to dictate one. Having the person dictate a letter to a friend, spouse, or family member is a great way to help him/her improve communication skills and stay connected with loved ones.

What to do:

Ask your loved one who they would like to send a card to, (it may be helpful to already have a short list ready to help your loved one along) and suggest some topics for the card. The person may want to write about what they have been doing around the house, recent activities, or even what they are wearing. You can then take the dictation, edit it, and read the letter aloud to help create it. If your loved one is able, have them sign the card. It may be difficult for some people with Alzheimer’s to dictate a letter, in these circumstances consider reading a letter to them. What matters most is that your loved one communicates about their life and feels connected to friends and family.

e Sign a Holiday Song Together: Here’s one to get you started!

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight,

We're happy tonight.

Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song,

As we go along,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He'll say: Are you married?

We'll say: No man,

But you can do the job

When you're in town.

Later on, we'll conspire,

As we dream by the fire

To face unafraid,

The plans that we've made,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

And pretend that he's a circus clown

We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,

Until the other kids knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,

Though your nose gets a chilling

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,

Walking in a winter wonderland

24-Nov-08 9:00 AM

Unpack Holiday Memories with Holiday Decor

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

There is a rite that we observe year after year. We open up the closet or attic doors, wishing we had gotten to or resolution to organize and clean, push aside old photo bins, the sweaters that no longer fit and we pull down boxes and bags labeled “Holiday Lights”. We bring these boxes into the living room and as we dust off the tops and fold open the flaps we are hit with a rush and exhilaration. The holidays have arrived!

Within each container and sack is a precious memory. The ornament from your first year as a married couple, the wooden and chipped dreidel from childhood, or a series of felt and glitter stars that were lovingly glued together by a, now grown, child. We have a fantastic opportunity, every year, to recall our family traditions.

We are given the chance to reconstruct, reframe and retell the stories that make our family holiday celebrations our very own. Why do you always make Aunt Sue’s cheese grits when you’ve wanted to try the new recipe you clipped from the newspaper? Why do we always have to hear the story about great-grandpa Jack getting stuck in the snow? These are the stories that, when woven together, make a family’s tradition. These stories are just as precious as the felt and glitter stars you will hang from your tree.

Stories help us recall the precious memories from the past, connecting them to the future. Stories comprise the essence of human thought and memory. “Narrative is the primary way the mind organizes experience.”* It is tragic when we loose these stories, when we fail to pass them down, when we don’t take the time to tell how great-grandpa Jack made it home safely on that snowy night.

Take the opportunity this holiday season to pass these stories down to the next generation. Write down those recipes that you cook from memory. Ask your loved ones to recapture their favorite holiday memories. Build upon the well established traditions by sharing stories as you share a meal. Take a piece of paper and jot down a few thoughts to pass on to your grandkids. No thought is fleeting when it holds the history of a family.

By Dawn Hood-Patterson, MDiv

*John C. Karl, “Caring for the Stories that Come to Us: Work Narratives and Their Sacred Promise,” Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 56 (2002): 31.

24-Nov-08 9:00 AM

Survey Results Indicate the Importance of Memory Screening

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

New survey results released last week [Oct. 2008] reinforce that many Americans have memory concerns, but are hesitant to take steps toward finding out whether these concerns may be indicative of a more serious medical condition.

One survey commissioned by the Alzheimer's Disease Screening Discussion Group found that despite vast support for Alzheimer's disease memory screenings and early detection, there was a great disparity between intentions and actual behavior. While nearly 95 percent said they would encourage a loved one to seek early diagnosis when suspecting signs of Alzheimer's disease, only one quarter of the 34 percent who thought their loved one may have Alzheimer's disease urged them to get screened and less than 40 percent encouraged them to address their concerns with a doctor.

Also released last week, a nationwide poll by Dutko Research revealed that nearly three fourths of all adults surveyed said they are worried about Alzheimer's disease. Further, 73 percent support a screening test for those turning age 65 to determine if they have early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or to help establish a baseline score. This number rose to 83 percent when initial opponents learned that medical management can slow loss of function due to Alzheimer's disease and improve quality of life through all stages of the disease.

The results reinforce findings of a survey released last summer by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) and highlighted at a briefing that AFA held on Capitol Hill on September 23. The survey of 2,178 participants in AFA's National Memory Screening Day last year found that an overwhelming number of Americans with memory concerns fail to report them to their doctors despite visits within the last six months.

"These findings emphasize that people need to be proactive. They must get over their fears, denial or other issues and start talking about memory concerns with their families and clinicians in order to get the medical attention and support that can make a difference," said Richard Powers, M.D., chairman of AFA's Medical Advisory Board.

Powers also noted that AFA's National Memory Screening Day (NMSD), which will be held on November 18, presents the opportunity for adults with memory concerns or with a desire to establish a baseline score to get screened at no cost and in convenient locations. For more information about NMSD, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.org.

14-Nov-08 9:00 AM

National Memory Screening Day - Free Service - Nov 18, 2008

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Alzheimer’s Family Services to Hold Free Memory Screenings National Event Stresses the Importance of Proper Detection and Treatment Pensacola, FL—Free confidential memory screenings will be available on November 18 as part of National Memory Screening Day, an annual initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) designed to improve overall health maintenance and promote proper detection of memory problems. AFA encourages adults, including those with memory concerns, a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a desire to establish a baseline score, to take advantage of the screenings and to pick up educational materials about memory concerns, successful aging and caregiving. The face-to-face screening takes only about five to ten minutes and consists of a series of questions and tasks. It is administered by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a physician, nurse, psychologist or social worker. The results do not represent a diagnosis, and AFA advises those...

AFS expands services to Alabama

noemail@alzfamserv.org — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Alzheimer’s Family Services (AFS) expands services to Alabama, offering monthly support groups for caregivers and screenings to assess for memory loss. Brewton and Atmore, AL – Alzheimer’s Family Services (AFS) – an affiliate of Covenant Hospice and based in Northwest Florida – now provides services in Escambia County, Alabama. Family members caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias now have access to Alzheimer’s Support Groups, Memory Screens, and a monthly informational newsletter The Caring Times. Support Groups provide emotional support and education for family and friends that have been affected by someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Two (2) new support groups begin in August; they are as follows: Brewton Alzheimer’s Support Group Location: Covenant Hospice – Brewton Office (located at 1023 Douglas Ave.) Date/Time: 3rd Tues of the month (Aug 19) at 10:30am Exception: the first support group on Aug 19 will be held at 2:30pm ...