Emergency Numbers for the Elderly

Red Cross
Louisiana Capital Area Chapter - Baton Rouge
(225) 291-4533

Louisiana Nursing Home Association
To locate evacuated nursing home residents. To locate available nursing home placements.
(225) 927-5642
or (225) 925-1947 (Office of Emergency Preparedness)

FEMA
To register for emergency housing and temporary shelter.
1-800-621-3362

East Baton Rouge Council on Aging
Meals on Wheels and meal sites
(225) 923-8000

Capital Area Agency on Aging
Senior Rx Program (a prescription drug assistance program)
(225) 287-7414
or
1-800-280-0908

Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area
(225) 334-7494
or
1-800-548-1211

Prepare for Hurricane Gustav

With Hurricane Gustav approaching the US coast, it is important for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients to be prepared. According to the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, there are several tips that caregivers should follow:

Don't forget to store or pack the following:

Bottled water
Non-perishable food
30-day supply of medications
Extra copies of prescriptions
Identification and other important documents
Medical supplies
Special nutritional items
Adult diapers
Hearing aid batteries
Flashlights and radio with extra batteries
Cooler with ice
Changes of clothing
ID bracelet
Activity games

If you evacuate: Know where you and your loved one will stay in advance. Many shelters cannot adequately care for people with special needs. Make sure your temporary accommodations can handle any supplies or equipment you must bring.
Know how you will get to your evacuation spot. Make sure you have access to a mode of transportation that can accommodate equipment such as a wheelchair, if necessary.
Make sure your loved one wears an ID bracelet that lists the contact information for your evacuation spot as well as your home.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are several issues
caregivers should remember:

During an evacuation:
• People with dementia are especially vulnerable to chaos and emotional trauma. They have a limited ability to understand what is happening, and they may forget what they have been told about the disaster.
• Be alert to potential reactions that may result from changes in routine, traveling or new environments.
• When appropriate, inform others (hotel or shelter staff, family members, airline attendants) that your loved one has dementia and may not understand what is happening.
• Do not leave the person alone. It only takes a few minutes to wander away and get lost.
• Changes in routine, traveling and new environments can cause:
o Agitation
o Wandering
o Increase in behavioral symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions and sleep disturbance.
• Do your best to remain calm. The person with dementia will respond to the emotional tone you set.

Tips for preventing agitation:
• Reassure the person. Hold hands or put your arm on his or her shoulder. Say things are going to be fine.
• Find outlets for anxious energy. Take a walk together or engage the person in simple tasks.
• Redirect the person’s attention if he or she becomes upset.
• Move the person to a safer or quieter place, if possible. Limit stimulation.
• Make sure the person takes medications as scheduled.
• Try to schedule regular meals and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
• Avoid elaborate or detailed explanations. Provide in-formation using concrete terms. Follow brief explanations with reassurance.
• Be prepared to provide additional assistance with all activities of daily living.
• Pay attention to cues that the person may be over-whelmed (fidgeting, pacing).
• Remind the person that he or she is in the right place.

Helpful hints during an episode of agitation:
• Approach the person from the front and use his or her name.
• Use calm, positive statements and a patient, low-pitched voice. Reassure.
• Respond to the emotions being expressed rather than the content of the words. For example, say, "You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m right here with you."
• Don’t argue with the person or try to correct. Instead, affirm his or her experience, reassure and try to divert attention. For example, "The noise in this shelter is frightening. Let’s see if we can find a quieter spot. Let’s look at your photo book together."
Take care of yourself
• Take care of yourself by finding a good listener to hear your thoughts and feelings about the event.
• Find moments to breathe, meditate and reflect.

Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area wishes all of our caregivers, families and patients a safe week as Gustav approaches. Please contact our office for more information at (225) 334-7494 or (800) 548-1211.

Monitor Hurricane Gustav through The Weather Channel: http://www.weather.com/index.html/

Lunch 'n Learn Education Series

August Lunch 'n Learn

Education Series

Dates: August 20th, 27th

Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00
p.m.
Topic: Navigating the costs of patient care
Presenter(s): Susan Simoneaux, Senior Rx Rep., Karen
Johnson, CPA
Sponsor: Gulf South Hospice

Video Ed: Thursday, September 4, 2-3
p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 10-11 a.m.

Call Judith Scroggs, Program Coordinator, at (225) 334-7494 to register.

Blood Testing for Alzheimer's a Possiblity

With an increasing number of Alzheimer's patients as the baby boomer population ages, it is becoming more and more important to detect the disease early on. Soon it may be possible to take a sample of blood and determine if a person is genetically at risk for developing the disease.

Click the link below to read the complete story from the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/lifestyle/healthfitness/story/51b4f01f1f27d6448625749f006df4cd?OpenDocument

No "Babytalk" for Alzheimer's Patients

A recent study shows that elderspeak, similar to "babytalk," has negative effects when communicating with Alzheimer's patients. Patients may be more resistant to care when spoken to in high-pitched voices, using basic vocabulary and extremely simple sentences. Instead, follow these healthy tips for communication:

1. It is important for caregivers to choose simple words and short sentences when communicating, but it is necessary to use calm tones of voice.
2. Always remember to avoid talking to the person like he or she is a baby or isn't present.
3. Minimize distractions and noise.
4. Call the person by name, rather than using terms of endearment such as "honey" or "sweetie."
5. Allow enough time for the person to respond. Be patient and do not interrupt.
6. Gently try to provide help with words when the person is trying to respond.
7. Use gestures to point to things you are talking about.
8. Frame your questions and instructions in a positive way.
9. Remember that this person is an adult and should be treated with respect, even as the disease progresses.

To read an article about a recent study on elderspeak, click the following ABC News link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ActiveAging/Story?id=5452861&page=1