Another Alzheimer's Resource

Alzheimer's Weekly & Dementia Weekly Newsletter is delivered to you via e-mail from the Alzheimer's Weekly web site.
Here you'll find many updates about these conditions delivered in a very readable and attractive format.

Dr. Richard Taylor's Newsletter

To understand dementia and Alzheimers From the Inside Out, you'll want to subscribe to Dr. Richard Taylor's e-mail newsletter. (It's available online and by e-mail.)

Richard Taylor speaks and travels to encourage others and bring insight into his world. He's an author and also has a web site.

What Would You Like to Know?

As I get back to writing here about Alzheimer's and caregiving, I'm wondering what my readers would like to know. How can I help you as you deal with Alzheimer's in a loved one? I can't make the situation go away, but perhaps I can help you understand and to encourage you as you go through each day.

Perhaps I can be someone you can share your frustrations with and help you realize you can survive.

Getting Back to Writing about Alzheimer's

Just noticed I have some followers to my blog, so I'd better get posting again! I've been busy with other blogs, one on Parenting at Blisstree, which does contain some Alzheimer's posts.

However, I'll share some more words of encouragement here at Notes from an Alzheimer's Caregiver.

Although I no longer actively care for a family member (both Mother and Auntie have passed away), I do have memories of the trials and joys and hope I can encourage others by sharing.

I also give talks on Alzheimer's and caregiving and provide information about scrapbooking and journaling activities with those experiencing memory loss.

(Image from sxc.hu)

Obama's Proposed Health Care - Euthanasia for the Elderly & Infirm?

In all the excitement over health care for all, as proposed by Barack Obama and his team of White House administrators and Congressional colleagues, will people look carefully at what it contains? Or will they blindly accept what seems like a good deal without scrutinizing the details, like refusal of treatment for the elderly and those deemed uncurable (by administrators, not doctors and medical staff)?

Check out the article at Alzheimer's Notes, Obama's New Health Care - Will It Result in Elder Neglect & Euthanasia?

March Blizzard Memories of Alzheimer's Patients

Does your Alzheimer's patient have memories of blizzards and snowstorms, either in their childhood or yours? My grandfather often told us about his experiences in the March 11th Blizzard of 1888 in New York State, when he worked on a farm. Those have become ingrained memories for me, even though I wasn't around in those days. My mom often related the stories Grandpa told of those days. Even in her Alzheimer's years, a big snow storm would set her to reminiscing.

For some reading about the catastrophic Blizzards of 1888, first in the West and then on the east coast:

City of Snow: The Great Blizzard of 1888 by Linda Oatman High.
In All Its Fury: A History of the Blizzard of January 12, 1888 by W. H. O'Gara.
Blizzard! The 1888 Whiteout by Jacqueline A. Ball.
Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America by Jim Murphy

More recent blizzards & storms:
One to Remember: The Relentless Blizzard of March 1966 by Douglas Ramsey
Northeast Snowstorms by Louis W. Uccellini

Fiction:
Lost in the Blinded Blizzard (Hank the Cowdog) by John R. Erickson

Books About Daylight Saving Time & Spring

Discover facts and figures (the curious and the ordinary) about Spring and Daylight Saving Time

Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau
Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time by Michael Downing
Crafting Springtime Gifts: 25 Adorable Projects Featuring Bunnies, Chicks, Lambs & Other Springtime Favorites by Tone Finnanger
Time for Change: Setting Clocks Forward by One Hour Thorughout the Year by Mayer Hillman
The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

Pictures Prompt Memories for Alzheimer's Patients

I've discussed, over at my Alzheimer's Notes blog, Capture Memories of Alzheimer's Patient's Earlier Days & Travels, by referring to photos. I recalled, as I was looking at a family photo of us at the Nubble Light in Cape Neddick, Maine, childhood vacation memories and marveled at my father and mother's patience when traveling with four children in a small car.

Check out the post and see what ideas and memories photos will spark for you and your Alzheimer's patient.

Learning About Alzheimer's from Richard Taylor, Ph.D

Learning first hand what it's like to experience dementia or Alzheimer's unables us caregivers and family members to be more understanding and helpful. I often tried to realize where Mother and Auntie were coming from, what world they were living in on a particular day, what was motivating their behavior and thought processes. Putting myself into their world (at least the best I could) enabled me to be more understanding and patient...and even enjoy my foray into a time past. Hopefully this made an increasingly difficult life easier for them, too.

Richard Taylor has been diagnosed with dememtia, probably of the Alzheimer's type. His purpose now is writing and speaking to inform, help and encourage others, both victims and caregivers, as well as the general public.

Richard maintains a web site complete with videos, provides a monthly newsletter, and has written the book, Alzheimer's from the Inside Out.

I wish I'd had something like Richard's web site, blog, newsletters and videos to help me when Mother and Auntie were ill.
(Amazon image)

Alzheimer's Caregiver Blogger Published in Anthology

Alzheimer's Caregiver blogger, Mary Emma Allen has stories featured in the new release, Eternally Yours, an anthology of poetry, light essays, devotions and meditations, edited by Mary Ellen Grisham and published by Xulon Press.

Featuring some of the best Christian writers on the Internet, this book represents work that has appeared in the Eternal Ink E-zine since it’s inception in 1999.

In addition, Mary gives presentations and teaches workshops at schools, libraries, writers’ conferences, and for other groups. Some of her talks include topics such as Alzheimer's and caregiving, quilt history and quiltmaking, New Hampshire history, and writing.

I was pleased when Ms. Grisham selected some of my stories for inclusion in this anthology. It's exciting to encourage and inspire others with my writing.

Winter Reading on a Snowy Day in Alzheimer's World

We're digging out from a blizzard that left 12-16 inches of snow, depending on whether it drifted or not. Along with show shoveling tasks, reading is on the agenda today because the grandchildren are home on winter break.

We are a family of readers in our multi-generational home (grandfather, granny, mom, dad and the two children). Books abound around the house, the library is a fun place to visit, bookstores (new and used) hold a fascination, and online bookstores are enjoyable to access. We also come from ancestors who were readers and writers, too.

Reading in an Alzheimer's World

My mother enjoyed reading, too. She could sit midst clutter in her kitchen and read. When any of us remarked that there were dishes to be washed, a floor to sweep, windows to clean, etc., Mother replied, "The chores will always be there. But I might not always be able to read."

How true this turned out to be! When Mother developed Alzheimer's, she followed words with her finger in a magazine and repeated them aloud. Eventually, she could no longer do that, so a staff member or I read to her. Then she looked at magazine pictures, after she couldn't understand words. These often brought memories they brought to mind.

Reading brought Mother pleasure and learning for many years. I even have a read book she used in school in the early 1900s. It was one of the last activities she gave up during her Alzheimer's years.

What are you and your Alzheimer's patient reading this winter?

Obama's Stimulus Bill's Affect on Health Care Free Choice Discussed at Alzheimer's Notes

Concern for the effect of the health care proposals in the Stimulus Bill on Alzheimer's patients is discussed at Alzheimer's Notes under, Stimulus Health Care Provisions Could Eliminate the Elderly, the Infirm and Terminally Ill.

This information somehow was buried in the multiple pages of the bill and didn't come to light with wider publicity until a couple days ago. Only now are the ramifications of this provision being realized.

Related Posts:
“Big Brother” health care provisions
Fast Tracking Govt. Control of Health Care
Eliminate the Elderly
Motto of the Stimulus Bill

Valentine's Day in Alzheimer's World

Do you and your family participate in Valentine's Day festivities? Does your Alzheimer's patient join in? Does this bring back memories for them?

This was a fun family day when I was a youngster because Mother made it so. She had been a school teacher and held parties for her students. Thus, she incorporated some of these ideas into festivities for my sister, two brothers and me, even though she was a busy farm wife.

*Mother often decorated a cake with white frosting and red hearts. When we were old enough, sister and I did this for her.
*She helped us with making and addressing valentines for family members. When we were in school we had exchanges there, too.
*Mother planned a special night meal for Valentine's Day, with the cake and fruit for dessert. There was only our family...four children, Mother, Father and the hired man...but we had a joyous time.
*We made decorations to hang around the kitchen (the warmest room in our farmhouse during winter), and name cards for each place setting.

Suggestions:
The Night Before Valentine's Day (picture book)
Where Is Baby's Valentine (lift-a-flap book)
My Fuzzy Valentine (Sesame Street Board Book)
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (DVD)
Disney Valentine Assortment

What do you and your family do for Valentine's Day at your house?