Making Mealtime Easier

Meal time can be a very difficult task for people suffering from memory loss or confusion, but there are a few tips that can help make it simpler and easier. The first thing to remember is to have a set meal time. Eating at a regular time everyday makes it easier and less stressful on the person. Some times it may be necessary to allow the person to have smaller more frequent meals. You should also remember to give clear and simple instructions to help them throughout the process. Repeat the instructions clearly and slowly using simple words to coach the person through the meal. The third thing is to avoid and reduce distractions. This can be achieved by simply allowing the person to use the bathroom before starting a meal, using solid colored place settings, and by removing all unnecessary items from the table. If the person does get distracted you can take a break and return to the meal later. Preparing the meal ahead of time, such as buttering bread and cutting sandwiches into squares, also cuts down on the distractions. You should always serve meals in a calm environment and with utensils that are easy to use. It may be necessary to use safety items such as rubber place mats, dishes with suction cups, or even plastic dishes with spill proof cups. Sometimes it is easier to allow the person to eat with his or her hands, but if you do so remember to use foods that can be easily picked up and avoid smaller foods that could cause problems handling and chewing. You should serve foods the way the person usually eats them. Do not try to get them to eat something they never liked before. If they did not like it then they probably will not like it now. Always check the temperature of the foods before serving them. The person may not notice that it is hot even if there is steam coming from it. Also make sure the person is chewing food well. If you notice they are having trouble chewing it may be necessary to cut them into smaller pieces, serve softer foods, or puree foods in the blender. Always watch for signs of choking, and it would be beneficial to learn the Heimlich maneuver just in case. Speak with your physician about changes in appetite. Eating out is not recommended, but if you must you should pick a calm place with the least distractions. A familiar restaurant also cuts down on the stress.

2008 Walk/Run to Remember

This year's 2008 Walk/Run to Remember was a GREAT SUCCESS!!!! Over $275,000 was raised by this event, and of that total amount, $105,000 walk sponsors, donors and participants!
Thank you to all who participated, volunteered, donated, and sponsored this awareness event which supports the mission of Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area! Know that all funds raised here, stay here.


Here are just a few pictures from the event held October 18th. For all those who were able to come out, we hope that you enjoyed the Walk/Run and the BEAUTIFUL weather!

The Boys Scout Troop from St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Central, LA, present the US and Louisiana Flags.


Larry Schexnaydre (left) and friend sing the National Anthem.


Reverend Raymond Jetson, from Star Hill Walkers Team, says the Invocation.


Pat Hoffman (left), the Alzheimer's Services Board President, and Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden address the crowd and present the proclamation for the Walk/Run to Remember.


Runner's starting the race. Click here to see the race results.

3 Ladies from the E. Eric Guirard Team gearing up for the walk.


Jerry Romero (far left) with his team at the walk.
Two very proud volunteers at the walk showing off their fabulous t-shirts!

Two of our youngest supporters at the event with the Big Bad Bourgeois Team.

Lamar Team members with the Walk/Run to Remember logo design winner, Jay Watson (far left).

Mark your calendars for next year's Walk/Run to Remember. It is tentatively set for Saturday, September 26th at the LSU "Old Front Nine" !

CNN ARTICLE: Ginkgo Doesn't Cut Alzheimer's and Dementia Risk

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/11/18/healthmag.ginko.dementia/index.html?eref=time_health

CNN Article: 5 Ways to Keeps Alzheimer's Away

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/11/20/ep.alzheimers.brain.exercise/index.html

Long Distance Caregiving

Many people with Alzheimers who have specific needs have loved ones that live in another town or state. These are some of the best ways that someone can deal with the challenges of making sure that the person is getting what they need. It is important to make regularly scheduled visits to the person in need. Having a set time, taking turns with other relatives and even having friends that might live nearby check up on the person is very helpful. If necessary, arrange for a shopping trip, doctor’s appointments or a nice afternoon lunch or evening dinner. It is also important to ask the person what kind of needs he or she might want addressed during visits. Planning regular check-in times can give both parties peace of mind at the right time. A nightly phone call is a great way to keep up with each other.

When a person in need lives in a different place, it is important to have contact information for necessities in that city or town. Having a local phone book for the area can provide a good start for contacting doctors, pharmacies, or other important businesses that a loved one might need. It is also a good idea to keep a notebook or folder with a list of phone numbers that can provide quick access to the most important people. Also keep copies of medical records, Social Security cards, Medicare cards, and important legal documents. These could come in handy when least expected.

Another important aspect of long distance care giving is making sure that people in the community know what the situation is. Ask health care professionals to report any changes in health. Also, find out if any organizations around the city can provide assistance or a social atmosphere for the person to engage in.

All of these suggestions are good starting points for taking on long distance care of elderly adults.

A Taste of Sand

Every fall, Michelle, our daughter, makes her way from Houma to Gulf Shores. Jean and I are usually invited. We look forward to the vacation in the sun and sand.

One of the great benefits of going at that time of year is to see if any turtle nests have been marked off on the beach. We have never seen the large mature female turtle lay her eggs in the sand. However, we look forward to hearing the crackle of hatching eggs and see baby turtles on their journey to the water.

During the late summer, the local Gulf residents watch daily to see if tell-tale trails have been made in the sand. If found that indicates a female turtle has made a nest. The turtle watches then marks the spot by putting up a fence of black plastic to keep animals from digging up the eggs. This also lets people know that the eggs are buried there. A notice of the day the nest was found is attached to the fence so that hatching time can be determined.

When it is time for a nest to begin hatching, the turtle watchers divide up into teams and rotate their night watch. Some have done this for years and are eager to teach others about turtle watching. A trench of about 6 inches deep is made from the nest to the bath-warm Gulf waters. A wall is made on each side of the trench so that young turtles can not climb over and be lost on the beach. The trench could be 25’ to 50’ long from nest to the water.

Usually one of the team members has a stethoscope. Periodically a leader listens to the sand to determine if eggs are beginning to hatch. Eggs hatch at night. We were there about 11 PM when the captain of the team indicated eggs were hatching. He called for no talking. Everyone must be still. He motioned for the turtle counters to take their post. Each turtle counter was about 10-12 feet from the other all the way from the nest to the water’s edge.

The function of the turtle watchers is two fold. To count every baby turtle as it waddles its way to the water and secondly, to keep a sharp eye on the little ones to make sure none climbed out of the trench. It was pitch dark the night we were there, and none of the turtles were lost, even though occasionally one would try to climb the wall and get out of the trench. If a wayward baby was spotted, a volunteer would put the baby back in the trench and guide it in the direction of the Gulf. Anyone handling the turtles had to wear plastic gloves to avoid contamination.

What a great sight! We saw about 125 little baby turtles, minutes old, scramble down the sandy runway to the water. They started to swim as if swimming was second nature to them. We wished them God’s best and said good night to all.

About 20 years from now a few of the baby females we saw will come back to where they were born to repeat the life cycle all over again. Legend tells us the turtle recognizes the beach by the taste of the sand and knows she is back home.

What a memory! A taste of the sand! And back home!

This blog was written by a man who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He will be 90 in ’09.

Lunch 'N Learn October 2008

Summary of Home Safety Checklist
Speaker: Carolyn Rubino, M.Ed., LOTR
Occupational Therapist, OLOL


Ms. Rubino outlined safety steps that caregivers should take to assist those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.

IN THE HOME:
* The bathroom is the place where most falls and accidents occur. Therefore, use handrails whenever possible.
* Remove throw rugs that could cause falls.
* Use grab bars when getting in and out of the tub or shower.
* Plastic bathtub/shower mats are not recommended. Use soft rubber mats for safety.
* Test the temperature of bath water. Keep it lower than 120 degrees.
* Soap-on-a-rope is great for patients who have difficulty in locating the soap. If unable to find soap- on-a-rope in stores, you may have to design your own.
* Apply colored decals to windows and glass doors so that patients can clearly see the area in front of them.
* Remove objects that block walking paths.
* Use handrails to give directions to various room, e.g. to bathroom; to bedroom, etc.
* Place phones within easy reach. Cell phones are for use anywhere in the home.
* Arrange furniture for the convenience of the patient.
* Be sure extension cords and electrical wires are not under carpets or throw rugs and never in walkways.
* Night lights should be used in hallways, or, where extra low-light is needed.
* Deep pile rugs can be hazardous for people who use a cane, walker or wheelchair.
* Avoid carpeting/flooring with dark patterns. These may look like holes to a patient.
* Use frosted bulbs to reduce glare in walking areas to prevent accidents.
* Smoke alarms should be in all areas of the home and checked regularly to be sure batteries are working.
* If step stools are needed, be sure they are placed out of the way when not in use.
* Label cabinets with pictures of what is inside.
* If stairs are in the home, be sure handrails are used. The stairs should be well lit and colored tape can be used to identify each step, especially the top and bottom steps. Some caregivers install a green tape at the top step and a red tape at the bottom step.
* Lay out clothes for the patient in the order in which they are to be worn; e.g. undergarments first, shoes last, etc.
* Every home should have an evacuation plan in case of emergency.


NOTE:
Ms. Rubino had a table display of various items that could be used by patients with dementia; e.g. table
utensils with the handles wrapped in a wash cloth to make holding easier; extension poles with grippers for
items that are normally out of reach; cloth or vinyl aprons to catch spills; plates that are divided into sections
to separate the food, etc., etc., etc.

National Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Nov. 13th Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)
National Commemorative Candle Lighting

Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, along with other national agencies, will be honoring all those people who have passed away with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, as well as those who are currently suffering with the disease. For information on obtaining a candle lighting packet, please contact our office.

Nov. 14th Maximize Your Memory Day!

The event is sponsored by Amedisys Home Health Services and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. It will be held in the Our Lady of Mercy Church Parish Activity Center from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. Presentation topics include:
*Coping as a Caregiver
*AD: What We Know & What We Need to Know
*Medicare/Long-Term Planning
*Spirituality and Alzheimer’s
The event will include health screenings, food, fitness, exhibits, door prizes and fun. Please RSVP by Friday, November 7th by calling (225) 334-7494.

Research Suggests Ways to Delay Alzheimer's

Research suggests that cognitive and social activities may protect against Alzheimer's. Click the following link to read the article:

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov08/081115g.asp

DRAINO

We used Draino to clean clogged sink drains. We’d pour a cup of Draino into the plugged drain, and “poof” it would make the clog disappear. Down the drain. Great stuff!

We raised three of our grandchildren, Rachel, Angela and John. Rachel was a student at Southeastern University a few miles east of Baton Rouge. She loves pets and seemed to be a magnet for stray dogs and cats.

One rainy Sunday afternoon she pulled into her assigned parking lot at college. When she got out of her car she heard a kitten crying. At first she did not see the little kitten but following the cry, she found the kitten. Its back legs were caught in a sewer drain in the parking lot. Rachel feared someone would run over the tiny kitten so she carefully eased the kitten from the drain. The kitten was so small it fit in the palm of Rachel’s hand. The poor little thing was wet and cold and crying for its mother.

Pets are not allowed in the college dorm, but that didn’t bother Rachel. Into the dorm she went, kitten in hand. Rachel talked the dorm monitor into letting her keep the kitten - just overnight - until she could bring the little fur ball home. Rachel asked some of the nursing students what to feed the kitten. She then drove to Wal-Mart to get baby animal formula and a small, very small, feeding bottle.

Rachel called her grandmother (my wife Jean) and told her the story of the cold and wet baby kitten. After much begging and pleading Rachel convinced her grandmother she could bring the kitten home and we would keep her only until she was old enough to be weaned. Then Rachel was to find the kitten a good home.

I named the kitten Draino. That did not sit well with Rachel so she re-named her Princess. We took the kitten to the vet to be sure we were caring and feeding her properly. The vet said she weighed one-tenth of a pound and he thought she was about two weeks old. Princess was so tiny that she fit into an empty coffee cup. We have a picture to prove it. Jean, Rachel and Angela took turns feeding Princess every three hours around the clock. I slept well every night!

After Princess (Draino) had been here for about two months, Rachel asked if it was time to find her a good home. Jean said no. The kitty was so spoiled that no one else could take care of her. So Princess became another member of the household along with Pepper (Rachel’s other cat), Mittens (Angela’s dog) and Buttons (young John’s dog).

Now, years after that experience, Princess still lives with us. Rachel, Angela and John are on their own and left all their pets with grandma and papa to feed, care for and enjoy. Don’t all grandparents do that??!!

This blog was written by a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He’ll be 90 in '09.