Minding Our Elders®

Alzheimer’s Association publishes updated facts and figures about AD

Alzheimer’s disease is hardly the mystery it once was. We can’t turn on the television, log into our computers or listen to the radio very long without some reference to the impact this disease is having on our nation and on the world. 

Read more about updated Alzheimer's facts and figures from the Alzheimer's Association:

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“Ten Glorious Seconds” tender and real

Many of us who have loved someone with dementia have experienced what I call “moments of clarity,” during which the person who seems lost to dementia suddenly “comes back,” if only for a few seconds. I experienced several of these episodes with my dad, who had dementia due to a failed brain surgery, and they remain some of my most precious memories.

Read how to view this wonderful Alzheimer's film online:

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Support a caregiver or jump start discussion in support groups with real stories - for bulk orders e-mail Carol:

Thanksgiving and Alzheimer's Disease? Watch This Video

If you are looking for a Christmas present for someone who loves a person with Alzheimer's disease or works with people with dementia, watch this video. It's a clue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHQfc3KJ9qE

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers.

Carol

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Alzheimer's Video a Powerful Reminder for Compassion

This video is a must-see for anyone who has become impatient with repeated questions from an elder with dementia (who hasn't?). The message is there - please turn on your speakers and hear/view this YouTube video. The power is indescribable. You may want a tissue.

What is That?

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Video aids Alzheimer’s understanding

Dear Readers:

Most of us have enough sensitivity to understand that being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease has to be devastating. We grasp that. We can relate and let our friend or spouse know that we “understand” how hard it must be. But can we really understand? Of course not. If we don’t have the disease ourselves, there is no way to do better than imagine how challenging this disease must be for those who have it. There is one person, however, who does have the disease and is very vocal about what it does feel like to live with “Dr. Alzheimer” in his brain. That is Richard Taylor.

 

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DVD Offers Stunning Look Into What It’s Like to Have Alzheimer’s

Be With Me Today is a DVD that every person who interacts with someone who has Alzheimer's disease should own. Richard Taylor was diagnosed with dementia, probably of the Alzheimer's type, when he was 58 years old. Now 66, Richard speaks to the public about living with the disease. This DVD version allows all of us to hear and see Richard as he challenges Alzheimer's outsiders to learn more about the needs of those who have the disease.

Some readers will remember when I reviewed Richard's book "Alzheimer's from the Inside Out." This was Richard's first big attempt to get people to understand what it's like to have the disease. It's a powerful book I still often recommend.  In Be With Me Today, which is a video of a talk Richard gave to members of the culture change folks at the Pioneer Network (www.pioneernetwork.net), Richard gets graphic.

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Northern Plains Conference on Aging and Disability September 22nd-24th

If you are in western Minnesota or eastern North Dakota from the evening of September 22nd through the 24th, make it a point to get to the NPCAD. This annual conference is always good for information, education and entertainment, as well as supplying CEUs for those who need credits.

A couple of the people who are speaking have written books I've reviewed. Cheryl Woodson, MD., family caregiver and geriatrician, wrote To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter's Experience, A Doctor's Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health. Dennis McCullough, M.D. wrote My Mother, Your Mother: Embracing 'Slow Medicine,' The Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones. Both of these doctors produced excellent books and I'm excited to hear them speak.

I, too, will be speaking at two sessions. My subjects for this conference are "Is She Dear Yet? Attended Deaths: How to Help a Loved One Die and Survive the Experience With Grace," and "Why 'Parenting Your Parents' and 'Role Reversal" are Are Misleading Terms." Of course, Minding Our Elders: Cargivers Share Their Personal Stories will be sold and signed by the author: )

I hope some of you can make it to the conference. "Is She Dead Yet" will be video taped and eventually available from my site. The conference is to be help at the Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo, ND and the site for information is www.northernplainsconference.com.

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"Warman Fuzzy" Grandparents Day Contest

Warman Home Care is honoring Grandparents Day, which is September 13, by hosting a “Warman Fuzzy” photo and video contest. The winner of the best photo will receive an iPOD Nano and the winner of the best video will win an iPOD Touch. This is a nice nod to grandparents everywhere, so I thought I'd give them a little publicity. You can find out more about the contest on www.warmanfuzzy.com.

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Video Games for Dementia?

My cohort on OurAlzheimer's, Leah, has vascular dementia. I like to let Leah take over this spot every now and then, as she has some wonderful insights from the inside of dementia. Below is Leah's post, "Take Over the World."

"Everyday is a struggle to keep my short term memory as keen as possible.  Vascular dementia has tried to defeat me, but I am fighting back.  Recently I “discovered” the website of the American Geriatrics Society.  Perhaps some of what I learned will be of help to you.

The journal Psychology and Aging reports the findings of a study using the “Rise of Nations” video game.  Though the study is small (20 participants played the game, 20 did not), the results were quite remarkable.  The participants who played the game received rewards during their play time for successfully managing, building, and expanding empires.  ALL twenty game players showed improvement in working memory (short term memory), visual memory (memory of things seen such as lists), and other thinking abilities.  I have not seen the “Rise of Nations” video game, but I have put it on my “to do” list."

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer - Must View

I don't often go off topic on this site, but sometimes there is a compelling reason to do so. This is one of those times. I know a woman going through chemotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer - a type of cancer that will not be picked up by a mammogram. After viewing this video and hearing about the death of a 16-year-old girl from this disease, I knew I had to do what I could to spread the word. Please view this. You may save the life of someone you love.

Inflammatory Breast Disease video:

Learn To Better Use Video for Business and Family Fun

I've signed up for a two evening video course to better use video on my blogs and for other Internet projects. I've got the basics down, but there's much left to learn. I can't make the calls live, but they will be recorded for download and the price is a bargain. I thought I'd let readers know in case there's interest. You may want to check out "Boost Business With Videos 2 Day Event"  and join the group.

People With Dementia Can Often Enjoy the Past in the Present

My sister works for Prairie Public, our PBS station here on - well, here on the prairie. Prairie Public religiously runs the old Lawrence Welk shows, which are nearly fought over by underwriters, as they are so loyally watched. Lawrence Welk was born in tiny Strasburg, ND and died in 1992 in Santa Monica, CA.

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