How can a Caregiver reduce stress in their lives?

Finding ways to reduce caregivers stress will help lessen the long-term emotional and physical toll. Tips for managing stress include:

1. Keep a positive attitude. Believe in yourself.
2. Accept that there are events you cannot control.
3. Be assertive instead of aggressive. "Assert" your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, combative, or passive.
4. Learn to relax.
5. Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
6. Stop smoking.
7. Limit yourself to moderate alcohol and caffeine intake.
8. Set realistic and expectations.
9. Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
10. Don't relay on alcohol and drugs to reduce stress.
11. Learn to use stress management techniques and coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing or guided imagery.

Our staff at Alzheimer's Services are here to help, please feel free to call us at 225-334-7494.

Wishing you a Happy New Year from the staff of Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area in Baton Rouge!

After holidays we see a rise in our helpline calls. This is due in part to the fact that families and friends are spending more time with loved ones or friends that they may not have seen in quite a while and notice changes in personality and behavior that they may not have noticed before. Stress caused by the holiday season is often very confusing for people affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Routines are turned upside down, schedules are disrupted. Caregivers have the additional burden of the holiday preparations and shopping as well as the ongoing challenge of caring for their loved one throughout it all. If you feel you need information or need resources, please know that Alzheirner’s Services of the Capital Area is here to help. We have celebrated many awards and successes this past year and promise to continue to provide the same quality of services that we have been recognized for. Our staff will be here to help all of you with support and programs that will help you cope and provide you with hope throughout the year.

Walk to Remember

Wow the 2009 Walk/Run was huge! We had record numbers of walk teams, participants and funds raised. The jambalaya was fantastic; we planned for extra and still ran out. Noted; we'll have more for the 2010 Walk/Run as well as more water stations. We were so pleased the weather held out with "no rain" untill after the walk.
I am working on details for the 2010 Walk/Run to Remember and looking forward to meeting all of our 112 team captains before the 2010Walk/Run.

SAVE THE DATE: October 9th, 2010 LSU "Old Front Nine"

Events Coordinator
Alecia Kleinpeter
Alzheimers Services of the Capital Area

Have Yourself a Stress-Free Little Christmas

"The holidays!" = excitement, anticipation and joy. But also = added stress, too many extra activities crowded into an already busy schedule, not enough time or money. We're so busy taking care of others and meeting their needs that we often fail to take care of ourselves. Usually, we're the last item on the personal "to-do" list! Here are special gifts you can give yourself - gifts that are totally unrelated to shopping, spending money, and fancy wrappings.

Gift 1: Tear up your "holiday script."
Gift 2: Don't get caught in "the family time warp."
Gift 3: Cut yourself some slack.
Gift 4: Know your limitations and take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit.
Gift 5: Remember that some of the best gifts you can give have nothing to do with money.
Gift 6: Evaluate traditions and "habits" and make some changes that are no longer overdue.
Gift 7: When you're feeling angry, depressed, sad, or lonely, reach out and ask for help.
Gift 8: Be willing to replace old ways of thinking with new thoughts and new ideas.
Gift 9: Stop feeling guilty about what you haven't done, and enjoy your accomplishments.
Gift 10: Make time for joy.

We can all use lessons to stress-proof our hurried, harries and hectic lives - not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.

This presentation is based on two chapters from Jean's book, "Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This: Stories and Strategies for a Less Stressed Life." Pick up a copy for yourself, or someone special on your holiday shopping list or order online at www.jeangatz.com. Your can also order autographed copies by calling Jean's office, 225-769-6800 or emailing jean@jeangatz.com.

My Grandparents Story¬– A Special Scrapbooking Day

Grandparents Story – A Special Scrapbooking Day sponsored by Children’s Coalition of Greater Baton Rouge. To create lasting memories for grandchildren and great-grandchildren of their grandparents or great-grandparents affected by Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia.

Hosted by Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area on 3772 North Blvd.in Baton Rouge, LA.

The event is Saturday, September 12th from 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. For children 8 to 18 years of age, any children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian. There is no experience needed. Please bring as many family photos as you would like to put in your scrapbook. All other supplies will be available. Light lunch will be served. Pre-registration required: Seating is limited and available to first 35 registrants. Call for pre-registration 225-334-7494.

Cholestrol linked to Alzheimer's?

CNN.com reports that a recent study indicates there is a possible link between high cholesterol and dementia. Click here to read more.

Catherine's Internship Experience

As a summer intern at Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, I am leaving with much more than I came with. I never realized how common and devastating the Alzheimer’s disease was until I met people from all walks of life – discovering the majority of them knew someone personally coping with this disease or knew someone that had passed because of it.
As I worked in public relations office connected to the respite center, Charlie’s Place, I discovered that even the office workers - from the receptionist to the executive director - were passionate about their work. It has become more and more apparent that the workers truly care about the families coping with Alzheimer’s and really strive to spread awareness about the incurable disease. Charlie’s Place workers enjoy working first hand with the Alzheimer’s patients that arrive everyday, while the office work is done to raise funds for the respite center and keep the organization running in hopes of educating and comforting families coping with Alzheimer’s.
I knew since I was young that I knew I wanted to work with non-profit organizations, so what I am taking from this experience is to “do what you love and love what you do.” Much like the passionate workers at Alzheimer’s Services, in the near future I hope to be a strong believer in the organization I will work for.

-Catherine Wiemer, LSU PR student and Alzheimer's Services Summer 2009 PR Intern