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Love Triumphs even in the midst of Alzheimer’s

Many caregivers barely have time to breathe let alone get excited about a holiday that many believe was created by Hallmark and Hershey.  Valentine’s Day embraces the tradition of taking time out of our busy lives to tell those we love how much they mean to us.  Often, as Alzheimer’s progresses, many couples find that intimacy is extremely difficult.

I once assisted a couple who had been married for forty nine years when I met them.  The wife called me in tears because her husband’s aggression towards her was becoming more difficult each day.  When I met them at their home, she left me alone to talk with him for a while and he said to me, “That woman is kind and she makes a great meatloaf, but she’s not my wife.  I don’t think my wife will come back as long as that woman is here.”    He no longer recognized her as his wife.  He believed that he was in his mid thirties and thought his wife was that age as well.  When he looked at her he only saw an old woman he didn’t know.

I helped this family place “George” into the Alzheimer’s Center where I worked.  He adjusted quite easily, which surprised us.  When his wife came to visit he recognized her every time.  Eventually we discovered that he believed he was in boot camp.  He had written his wife many long letters expressing his love and dedication to her.

He would light up when she walked into the room to visit.  She would come by to see him every other day.  He would get the biggest smile on his face whenever he spoke of his “Mary.”  Each time she visited she had a “plan of the day.”  She would bring an activity kit, a snack, a scrapbook, or some type of task that they could work on together.   If something wasn’t working at the house, she would tell him about it and ask his advice.  It didn’t matter if his advice was nonsensical or not appropriate.  What mattered was that Mary gave George a chance to have a purpose.  To Mary it was important that she always recognized that he was her husband and that she was his wife. 

Attachment is as important to someone with Alzheimer’s as it is when a person is very young.  Mary understood that it was important for their marriage as well as for George’s well being to continue to provide the attachment they both needed.  Even towards the final stage of Alzheimer’s George knew his wife and could express his love for her in nonverbal looks and smiles.

You are not alone.  We’re the experts.  Get the right answers and approprite strategies the first time, and everytime.

www.behomelivelife.com

Aging in America – Aging in Indiana

Aging in America – Aging in Indiana

In 1999, Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D, published in Age Power the following:  “Currently, 47 percent of people over age 85 – the world’s fastest growing demographic segment – suffer from some form of dementia”.  As a nation, we are not prepared for the boomers who start turning 65 in 2011.  We’re in a crisis and very few states have a commissioned task force to prepare for aging and dementia.  Young or old, insured or not, republican or democrat, we should all be concerned.  If I’m preaching to the choir, help me take this to our mayors and governors.

Brain Protein Could Halt Alzheimer’s

I read this interesting article in McKnight’s Long Term Care and Assisted Living Newsletter yesterday.  As with all research, we must give the researchers time to see how this develops. 

Brain Protein Could Halt Alzheimer’s

The key to slowing, or even stopping, the progression of Alzheimer’s disease may lie in a naturally occurring protein produced by the brain, according to recent research.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is produced by the brain’s entorhinal cortex, which helps support memory. In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, researchers found that production of BDNF is significantly decreased. By injecting the protein into aged animals and animals bred to exhibit Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, scientists at the University of California, San Diego, were able to stimulate the brain’s memory circuits and prevent cell death caused by disease or brain damage.

The effects of the protein were “potent,” researchers said. The animals that received the treatment soon began producing more BDNF on their own, and researchers noted improved memory function and other long-term benefits. The treatment was deemed safe and effective in animal models, leading researchers to believe the treatment work similarly in humans. Their research was published in the Feb 8 issue of the journal Nature Medicine.

Elder Abuse

In a new study published in the British Medical Journal, the University College London states that fifty percent of family caregivers demonstrate abusive behavior towards the family member in their care who has a diagnosis of dementia.

            Abuse has been seen as a problem for caregivers. Research and cultural change studies in the past have focused primarily on caregivers who receive compensation for their time caring for an individual with dementia rather than including all caregivers.  Often the assumption has been that those with dementia are safer with their families than in long term care settings. 

            The newest research focusing on family care giving finds that 50 percent of all caregivers admit to occasionally screaming or yelling at their loved ones, while 33 percent admit to frequent insulting or cursing at their loved one in their care.  1.4 percent admits to physical abuse.

            Although abuse should never be tolerated, it is easy to see how caregivers can feel pushed into a corner and make such a critical mistake.  Often, the care falls on to one caregiver even in large families. Providing care 24/7 can be overwhelming, especially if the caregiver doesn’t have any support.   The stress of being with a person who isn’t able to remember current events, becomes paranoid or delusional, or isn’t able to provide care for himself can be more overwhelming than caring for a small infant. 

            Caregivers need to check daily to ensure that they are not feeling stressed out and in a dangerous situation.  Caregivers should watch for signs within themselves such as anger, anxiety, social withdrawal, depression, exhaustion, sleeplessness, and irritability.  These are all warning signs that more help is needed.

            Here are a few tips to remember:

1.      Schedule one day off a week.  Ask for help from family, friends, adult daycare centers, or companion services.  Participate in activities that are not related to care giving.

2.      Be an informed caregiver.  Attend educational seminars or other events that provide education about dementia.

3.      Don’t be a Supermom or Super daughter.  It’s okay to ask for help. Visit your doctor regularly as well as having your loved one visit his/her doctor regularly.

4.      Take credit, not guilt, for all of the good work you are doing! 

            You don’t have to go through this alone – we’re your local experts. We understand the needs, frustrations, and rewards that go with being a caregiver. Our resources not only help you care for your family member, they also help you care for yourself. If you are feeling stressed or burnt out as a result of care giving, please contact us to discuss ways to provide that much needed relief.

www.behomelivelife.com                       www.alzcaregroup.com

Safety Away From Home

Safety Away From Home

            Often a person with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias will prefer the comfort, familiarity, and safety of his or her home.  Going outside of the home can bring fears that may not be easily understood for the loved ones caring for the person with dementia or the person with dementia.       

            Leaving the home does not have to be a scary situation for anyone.  Careful planning will help make trips to the store or doctor much easier. 

The following tips will make outings successful:  

·        Structure and routine is important to the wellbeing of a person with dementia.  Choose the same day each week to go to the grocery store.  Try to go to familiar stores as much as possible.

·        An unfamiliar area can trigger wandering.  Providing a medical alert bracelet or enrolling the person with dementia in the Safe Return Program through the Alzheimer’s Association will provide added assistance if the parties become separated.

·        If the person with dementia appears to be more alert in the morning, schedule outings such as doctor visits during that time.  Try not to schedule outings during times that seem to be more taxing on the person with dementia.

·        Take along a bag of personal items that might be needed away from the home.  Remember to include a change of clothes, medications, a snack, water, and activities.  Doctor visits may take longer than expected due to waiting time or that traffic may be heavier at certain times of the day along the route you are taking.

·        Remind the doctor’s office the day before the appointment that your loved one has dementia so they will be prepared if something strange is said or done.

·        Let a friend or family member know where you will be in case you are late arriving back from the outing.  Carry a cell phone whenever possible in case you need help quickly.

·        If problems have arisen during past outings, have another family member or friend who the person with dementia trusts go along as well.

·        Allow plenty of time for resting.  Don’t over-do.  Often the person with dementia will not realize he is tired or will not be able to vocalize the need to rest.

·        If the person with dementia becomes agitated do not engage in a battle of wills.  Validate the feelings, and put feelings into words.

With a plan for the outing, both the caregiver and your loved one with dementia can be safe out side of the home.

For more information:  www.behomelivelife.com  or www.alzcaregroup.com.

Signs of Memory Loss

Signs of Memory Loss

This time of year the Sollievo hotline is busy with calls from loved ones who came home to visit families members for the holidays and felt things were “off.”

 “Mom didn’t remember the names of the grandkids, she kept putting her crocheting hooks in odd places like the freezer, and she seemed agitated around the family.”

First: Don’t panic.  Second:  Don’t ignore the symptoms. 

There are many reasons your loved one may be experiencing confusion or memory loss.  The Alzheimer’s Association lists the following 10 symptoms as warning signs:

            1. Memory loss
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation to time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

Taking your loved one to the doctor is the best place to start.  The physician will be able to diagnosis the illness to determine whether the memory loss and confusion are reversible.  Getting the appropriate diagnosis is the key to setting up the best treatment plan for the family. 

An educated family can provide outstanding care for a loved one and can typically enhance the quality of life for the loved one with dementia by helping him/her to live at home a year and a half longer than an uneducated family.