What to know about World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer's Day



Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is interesting information
Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Healthnews-stat.com



Author Susan Berg says "It is everyone’s duty to embrace this day because there is no time to lose when fighting the battle of preventing this terrible disease." Here are some simple things you can do

What do you know about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?

How can you decrease your chances of getting these disease?

How can you help someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia?

This year’s theme is 'Faces of Dementia!'
Yes, there is an urgency for all to learn about these diseases and do what they can to prevent them in themselves. Also legislators need to contacted so more funds can be allocated for research. World Alzheimer’s day, on Sept 21, is the perfect time to do this.

Approximately 5.5 million people in the United States already have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. The number will continue to grow as the baby boomers reach the age of retirement.

What can you do right now to lessen your chances of getting these diseases?

1. Stop smoking! There is nothing positive about smoking. Studies have shown that smoking not only raises your chances of developing dementia, but it also increases your chances of getting other diseases.

2. Eat a healthy diet. Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet staves off the onset of dementia

3. Keep mentally active. Again studies have shown this, to be a way to delay the onset of dementia.

4. Keep physically active. Research indicates that moderate exercise at least a half an hour three times a week is another way to keep dementia from affecting you.

How can you help others?

Donate to the Alzheimer’s Association. Give your time and/ or money. Help with special events. Organize fund raisers.

Susan Berg has written a book called, Adorable Photographs of Our Baby, for those with dementia, their caregivers, and interested professionals.
She is donating money to the Alzheimer’s Association for each book she sells. She is passionate about educating others on these diseases. Visit her blog at http://dementiaviews.blogspot.com.

You or someone you know could develop symptoms tomorrow. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is expensive monetarily, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

So please acknowledge World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21

Preparing for sundowners

Activities directors and other healthcare professionals here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

TBO.com

By GARY JOSEPH LeBLANC

Common sense caregiving

If you have a loved one or client with Alzheimer's whose confusion appears to increase during the latter part of the afternoon, you're not alone. This is a symptom which many Alzheimer's patients will go through. It is called, "Sundown Syndrome"—also known as "Sundowning." This descriptive term describes the onset of heavier confusion and intensified agitation. Usually, this begins anywhere from late afternoon to dusk. But in reality, it could happen anytime throughout the day.
Around 4:45 p.m.—everyone in my house got a new name, possibly two. My father, who didn't seem to need a clock for this, went through this change daily toward the end of the moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease.
Experts believe one of the contributing factors is a shift in their biological clock, caused from the change of daylight to dark. Keeping the house well lit during these hours will help immensely.
Physical and mental exhaustion is one of the biggest culprits. An Alzheimer's patients' days consists of coping with who's who, "where am I," and living in the past. This would mentally drain anyone.
Once again, routine is the most helpful thing for memory-impaired loved ones. Evening hours usually become the busiest in a household; people coming and going, cooking supper, phone calls and the list goes on. If the traffic in your home is high volume, try placing them in a quieter
For a caregiver, one of your best stands for defense will be to be prepared beforehand.
As the hours of daylight change with the seasons, always have you house lights turned on an hour before day's end, never allowing shadows to invade your home. Also, when you sense that a heavy bout of confusion is advancing, try to keep them preoccupied with some kind of activity. Place a photo album in their lap, anything that will redirect their jumbled thoughts. This may call for a little trial and error before you find something that is truly effective.
There were days when I swore my father's Sundowners would last morning 'til midnight. I also recall noticing similar reactions on dispiriting rainy days. Once anxiety builds, it's difficult to turn it around. Keep evenings as calm, routine and simple as possible. You just have to continue doing the best that you can.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc was the primary caregiver of his father for a decade after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and has published a new expanded edition of his book, "Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness", d

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These are great suggestions. A book with baby photos might be a good diversionary tool

by Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Bonus: From Adorable Photographs of Our Baby- A Colorful Activity

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Look at the baby photo to the right

Here is an exerpt from the book Adorable Photographs of Our Baby- a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Our baby likes to look at bright, colorful toys when he wakes up.
Where is the baby?
If prompting is needed, say something like:
I think he is in his crib. Do you see him there?

What time do you think this baby wakes up in the morning?
If prompting is needed, say something like:
I think he wakes up at 6am. What do you think?
Have a discussion about the best time to get up. Also, talk about why babies get up so early.
Then ask: What time do you wake up in the morning?

What is the baby doing?
If prompting is needed, say something like:
I think he is looking at his toys. What do you think?

Let’s name some toys.
If prompting is needed, say something like:
Is a truck a toy? There are many toys that could be named.
You can have a discussion about which toys are for boys, girls, or both.
You could have some pictures of toys or even have toys for group members to see and touch.

What color toys do you see?
If prompting is needed, say something like:
I see a red toy. Do you? What other color toys do you see?

Color ideas--Let’s name some colors.
Let’s name some things that are usually blue (or any color). Continue as long as the interest lasts. Remember: give help as needed which may include giving a choice of two.
What is your favorite color?
What colors do you think [another participant who is shy or non-verbal] likes? I think[another participant]likes red because (s)he is wearing a red shirt today.

What happens if we mix two colors, like yellow and blue(or any combination of colors)? Mix colors as long as there is interest and time.
Let’s find out! [Leader should have paints and paper on hand and provide a demonstration or directions for the activity.]

Do you think this baby is having fun?
How can you tell? If prompting is needed, say something like:
I can tell because he is smiling. What do you think?
What does his smile tell you? If prompting is needed, say something like:
It tells me he is happy. What do you think?
What are some things that make you smile?

Other smile ideas-Have a smile off. See who can smile the longest. Sing songs about smiles. Read or make up a poem about smiles. Talk about other emotions and facial expressions. Remember, those with memory impairments can relate well to emotions. Draw faces with smiles or other facial expressions.

Dementia tools

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care professionals to get an easyceu or two

Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition]

Often staff and visitors do not know what to do after they say hello to persons with dementia.

Listed is a book that will solve this problem

One is Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals.It features baby pictures as a springboard for discussions about anything under the sun.

You may want to make copies of these songs to hand out to the residents, staff and visitors

Let me know what you think

Thanks for stopping by
Katie

Animals and their babies

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


abc teach

calf

Bear –

cub

Beasts of prey –

whelp

Beaver –

kit

Birds -

fledgling, nestling

Cat –

kitten

Codfish -

codling, sprat

Cow –

calf

Deer -

fawn, yearling

Dog -

pup, puppy

Duck –

duckling

Eagle –

eaglet

Eel –

elver

Elephant –

calf

Elephant seal –

weaner

Fish –

fry

Fowl -

chick, chicken

Fox -

cub, pup

Frog -

polliwog, tadpole

Goat –

kid

Goose –

gosling

Grouse –

cheeper

Guinea fowl –

keet

Hawk –

eyas

Hen –

pullet

Hippo –

calf

Horse -

colt (male), filly (female)

foal, yearling, or

Kangaroo –

joey

Lion –

cub

Owl –

owlet

Partridge –

cheeper

Pig -

suckling

piglet, shoat, farrow,

Pigeon -

squab, squeaker

Quail –

cheeper

Rabbit -

bunny, kit

Rat –

pup

Rhino –

calf

Rooster –

cockerel

Salmon -

parr, smolt, grilse

Seal –

pup

Shark –

cub

Sheep -

lamb, lambkins

Swan – cygnet

Tiger -

cub, whelp

Turkey –

poult

Whale –

Zebra -
foalcalf

Antelope –

Happy New Year

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals,

Your residents will love the Amazon Kindle Fire

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be


Here is a way for nurses administrators, social workers and other health care  professionals to get an easyceu or two


Follow alzheimersideas on twitter

The Dementia Caregiver's Little Book of Hope [Kindle Edition

To all the readers of this blog who are eager to learn more about dementia, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a happy new year

Try to relax. Enjoy the holiday. Remember it is about being with family and friends and taking pleasure in their company.

It is about remembering the good times and forgetting the bad. It is about letting go of useless grudges.

It is about enjoying the moment because with dementia, that is all you may get. Remember to create your own moments of joy so you and your dementia friends can have the most joyous holiday possible

Thank you all for making “Activities Director” a stop on your blogging journey. In the days to come, I will be discussing more information about dementia that you will find most helpful. See you soon and…..

 Happy New Year

From Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.