Course Conclusion

Student,

We have come to the end of our class. Remeber that Alzheimer's is a disease that leads to going back in time. As we age it is important to keep our memory and brains sharp.

Thanks for participating is this online class. Future classes to come!!!!!!!!!!!!

Questions? 

Resolution:

When a person with Alzheimer's comes to the end of their life, they have a need to resolve issues in their lives. The four stages of resolution are as follows:

Mal-orientation- This is when the person is mildly disoriented. They can become accusatory and suspicious of people. They project their emotions onto others.

Time confusion- This is when they continue to blur the lines between the present and past. They express emotions freely and bargain with their loved ones 

Repetitive motions- This is the time they become non- verbal and replace speech with motions. They utilize body parts in place of words and lose their inhibitions. They act out in a sexual manner

Vegetation- Where there is minimal movement and no verbal responses.

http://www.alz.org/

HEALED AND WHOLE
One day I dug a little hole And put my hurt inside I thought that I could just forget I'd put it there to hide.
But that little hurt began to grow I covered it every day I couldn't leave it and go on It seemed the price I had to pay.

My joy was gone, my heart was sad Pain was all I knew. My wounded soul enveloped me Loving seemed too hard to do. One day, while standing by my hole I cried to God above And said, "If You are really there they say you're a God of Love!

And just like that -- He was right there And just put His arms around me He wiped my tears, His hurting child There was no safer place to be. I told Him all about my hurt I opened up my heart He listened to each and every word to every sordid part.

I dug down deep and got my hurt I brushed the dirt away and placed it in the Master's hand and healing came that day. He took the blackness of my soul and set my spirit FREE! Something beautiful began to grow a where the hurt used to be.

And when I look at what has grown Out of my tears and pain I remember every day to give my hurts to Him and never bury them again.
Carol Parrott

 In Loving Memory of a great nurse

                                                                                                           My MOM

                                                                                                Feb. 18, 1926-Nov. 29, 1996

                                                             

Validating the feelings of a person with Alzheimer’s disease.

Many times as a person with Alzheimer’s progresses there will come a time that they will be unable to speak or express their needs. Naomi Feil is the founder of validation therapy and has done many years of work with Alzheimer’s disease patients and their families. Validation therapy is “focuses on responding to the affect or emotion expressed by the patient rather than the actual content, which may be distorted. Rather than correct and attempt to reorient a disoriented person, positive reinforcement is continually given. The theory is that reorientation efforts may increase feelings of anxiety and insecurity in the person with dementia”(http://www.healthline.com/hlc/validation-therapy).

Watch the video and see Naomi at work

Oh where, Oh where has my mom gone????????

LAKE AT NIGHT
Dark skies, dark waters, moon beams glistening off in the distant. Twinkling stars sparkling off the water's surface, picturesque aged trees, Limbs draping just above the lake top.

Crickets playing their music, Birds singing high in the tree tops. Tiny ripples across the water,
from the casual breezes that cools the air.

Laughter breaks through nature sounds, the sounds of lovers enjoying one another.

Larger ripples move away from them, the paddle along the peaceful shore. Darkness overcomes the moon lit night, as the passing clouds cover its glow.

A peaceful existence you feel, in a surrounding of nature’s own. Overwhelmed by the comfort,
you absorb this precious haven.

A place for lovers, or a time for solitude, maybe a place to become one with the universe.

You can’t imagine how it feels to come home one day and find that you’re loved one with Alzheimer’s is missing. Oh My Goodness!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure fear set in my heart and disbelief in my mind. I didn’t know what to do so I call a friend of my mom’s and asked if she had seen her. I checked with neighbors that didn’t know she had Alzheimer’s. We went out on a search, high and low all over the neighborhood. Finally a friend of hers said “where did you all live before moving here?” I told her and we went and looked there. The distance was several miles from her house and that’s where she was.  

When caring for someone afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in a home setting, caregivers must take a critical look at the living environment. Adapting the home to prevent accidents and ensure optimal safety for your loved is paramount. It is sometimes necessary for a caregiver to place himself or herself in the position of the person suffering from Alzheimer's to help anticipate possible concerns or dangers.

Install wandering-prevention locks. Install locks and escape prevention devices on doors, windows and gate. These products require complex maneuvers to open doors, thus making it difficult for Alzheimer's and dementia patients to leave. For example, if your loved one tends to unlock doors, install sliding bolt locks out of your loved one's line of sight.

Install alarms. There are many wandering prevention alarms on the market that can alert you that your loved one is trying to get out. These devices include motion detectors, pressure-sensitive alarm mats at the door, and warning bells on doors. 

Disguise escape routes. Camouflaging doors and windows inhibits the Alzheimer patient's ability to find a way out. Paint doors the same color as walls, or hang curtains on windows that match the color of walls, so they blend in with surroundings, and make them less visible.

Provide a safe place to wander. Provide a safe place in your home or yard for walking or exploration — such as a path through the rooms of your house or a circular trail through a fenced backyard.

Use visual cues. People who have Alzheimer's often forget where they are, even inside their own homes. Visual reminders provide clues and trigger memories. For example, post descriptive photos on the doors to various rooms, such as the bathroom, and kitchen. Even Stop signs at doors have been reported to help.

Look for triggers and plan distractions. Many people with Alzheimer's disease have a pattern to their behaviors. Watch for triggers, such as a certain time of day. (Many people with Alzheimer's become agitated or fear just before or after sundown, known as Sundowner's syndrome) If your loved one tends to wander at the same time every day, a planned activity at that hour could stem the wandering.

Hide keys. In addition to wandering on foot, people with Alzheimer's might attempt to drive. Store and hide keys to cars and doors. Also, keep coats and shoes out of sight.

Warn neighbors and authorities. Caregivers often don't know their loved ones are missing before someone finds them. If neighbors are made aware of the situation, they can be on the look-out. Notify neighbors and police and make sure they have your contact information.

Use a tracking device. If your loved one wanders, a GPS or radio frequency device can help emergency personnel, find him or her quickly. The Alzheimer's patient wears a bracelet or ankle tracking device - a personal transmitter that tracks the person's location. Many communities have a program called Project Lifesaver, (link to Project Lifesaver article) to track and locate wanderers. Check with your police station to find out if a program is available in your area.

ID bracelets. The Alzheimer's Association operates a nationwide identification system called Safe Return. The person with Alzheimer's wears an engraved ID bracelet or necklace with a phone number to call if they're found. Their name is entered into a national database, where anyone can call 24 hours a day.

Prepare for a search. Keep a recent photo and detailed physical description of the person readily available. Also have medical and health information, and vehicle information on hand.

http://www.alz.org/

Pay Attention !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to what I'm saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
Dale Carnegie

 

As a person with Alzheimer’s disease progresses they become very confused and hard to communicate with. Caregivers must remain calm and try to understand what they are trying to say. Many times it becomes impossible. So how do we communicate with a person that has Alzheimer’s?

There are several strategies you can use to improve communication with your loved one with Alzheimer's disease.

Gain attention. Gain the listener's attention before you begin talking. Approach the person from the front, identify yourself, and call him or her by name.

Maintain eye contact. Visual communication is very important. Facial expressions and body language add vital information to the communication.

Be attentive. Show that you are listening and trying to understand what is being said. Use a gentle and relaxed tone of voice, as well as friendly facial expressions.

Hands away. When talking, try to keep your hands away from your face. Also, avoid mumbling or talking with food in your mouth. If you smoke, don't talk with a cigarette between your lips.

Speak naturally. Speak distinctly, but don't shout. Speak at a normal rate, not too fast or too slow. Use pauses to give the person time to process what you're saying. Use short, simple, and familiar words.

Keep it simple. Give one-step directions. Ask only one question at a time. Identify people and things by name, avoiding pronouns.

Be positive. Instead of saying, "Don't do that," say, "Let's try this."

Rephrase rather than repeat. If the listener has difficulty understanding what you're saying, find a different way of saying it. If he or she didn't understand the words the first time, it is unlikely he or she will understand them a second time.

Adapt to your listener. Try to understand the words and gestures your loved one is using to communicate. Adapt to his or her way of communicating; don't force your loved one to try to understand your way of communicating.

Reduce background noise. Try to reduce background noise, such as from the TV or radio, when speaking. In addition to making it harder to hear, the TV or radio can compete with you for the listener's attention.

Be patient. Encourage the person to continue to express his or her thoughts, even if he or she is having difficulty. Be careful not to interrupt. Avoid criticizing, correcting, and arguing.

http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/improving-communication

Mom is driving me crazy……. What can I go for help???????????????

May you find.....

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand? May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.

Find time in each day to see beauty and love in the world around you. Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard you may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future.

May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgment of your accomplishments?

~~author unknown~~

Alzheimer’s disease places stress on a caregiver and their family. Where can a person go to get help? If you know of someone that is experiencing these symptoms. Get assistance in finding some help. The Alzheimer's association is a great place to start to get help with meals, meds, doctor’s appointments etc.

Factors to determine if an alternative living is appropriate as you consider the decision, keep in mind some factors that can help you determine if placement is appropriate. If any or all of the following conditions are present, this can be a strong indication that alternative living would be in the best interest of all concerned.

The person with dementia:

■Has become increasingly withdrawn and isolated

■Has been experiencing steadily deteriorating health.

■Is experiencing weight loss due to swallowing problems related to the progression of the disease; is choking or aspirating.

■Is unable to feed, bathe, and/or dress self.

■Is prone to falls.

■Requires assistance with ambulating.

■Has become bedridden.

The caregiver:

■Is unable to socialize or take time for themselves.

■Is physically unable to lift or transfer the person with dementia.

■Has difficulty sleeping and getting enough rest.

■Must neglect other familial roles and friendships.

■Is feeling stressed and exhausted, hopeless or helpless.

■Is using alcohol or medications to cope.

■Has frequent bouts of crying.

http://www.alz.org/

Where do we go from here?..............

"PATIENCE PRAYER"
Lord, teach me to be patient with life, with people, with myself.
I try to speed things along too much, and I push for results before the time is right.
Teach me to trust your sense of timing. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life.

So you ask “what can I do” when I am a caregiver to help myself? Here are some helpful hints to relieving care giver strain.

1. Good self-care

Don't even think of skimming by this one. You really do need to come first on the priority list, not last. It's almost too easy to neglect your own needs when you're juggling caregiving, a job, a marriage, and children. Make time for yourself!

Getting enough sleep is a special concern: To help yourself fall asleep, try incorporating some relaxation exercises or meditation into your nighttime routine. Some people benefit from yoga, tai chi, or deep breathing exercises. A good tension release is progressive muscle relaxation, a technique that calls for tightening and relaxing all of your major muscle groups, one by one.

Your wind-down can be as simple as a warm bath or a good book. Whatever your choice, make it routine -- at about the same time each evening, if you can -- to help your mind associate the activity with rest. Reorganize your bedroom so that it's a haven rather than a cluttered workspace.

2. The ability to ask for help

Alzheimer's care can be all-consuming, and it's a common caregiver temptation -- and mistake -- to take it all on yourself.

Make a list of everyone who might help you manage his new life, along with contact information. Utilize family members and friends first.

Give thought to what kind of specific help each person might provide, no matter how large or small.

Then make another list of all the tasks you feel responsible for on a daily basis. Of those:

What can you delegate?

What can you outsource to a paid provider (food delivery, cleaning services, and pharmacy by mail)?

Who can run errands for you?

Who can spell you for a matter of minutes or hours?

3. Family cooperation

If the person with Alzheimer's is a member of your family, your immediate family is likely to be your primary source of support and relief. Siblings often trade off care duty and share financial burdens.

4. Community resources

Alzheimer's-related services offer practical and emotional support that can transform a difficult time into one with pleasant moments, too. What's more, learning about respite care, caregiver training, and assistive devices to make physical care easier has been found to ease stress and delay the need to place a loved one in a nursing home.

You'll particularly need outside support if you're coping with wandering, sun downing, or disturbed sleep.

Realistic expectations

Not having a clear picture of your situation or the prognosis sets you up for rude awakenings or a lot of unnecessary struggle. Once you know what to expect, you can adjust your expectations accordingly. This process also makes it easier to accept his fate.

Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer's and stay abreast of what to expect at different stages of the disease. Talk to others who've lived through the caregiving experience on message boards or in support groups. You'll be better able to deal with what you're going through and gain a peek at what could lie ahead.

6. A game plan

Alzheimer's disease is progressive, which means that while the person with Alzheimer's may stabilize for a long stretch of time; he'll never recover lost abilities. He'll only gradually worsen over time.

You may not be able to address every possibility, but you can start by researching what's likely to happen when -- and your corresponding options. Start by dividing your planning into stages:

What needs to happen at this stage in terms of care?

Who will provide care?

Where will he live?

http://www.caring.com/articles/alzheimers-essentials-for-care