A Glimpse of Charlie's Place

First Experience of Charlie’s Place

I am a student at Louisiana State University and am currently enrolled in Social Work 3011 course. Honestly, I had no idea what the class was going to be like; I had a friend in the class who knew I needed one more elective this semester so he suggested this course to me, and I accepted. When going to class, I realized what this class was all about. It was not like any of my other classes at LSU; this course seemed much more “hands on” rather than textbooks and calculators. During my first class, I learned much about Charlie’s Place Respite Center. Basically Charlie’s Place is a “home away from home” for Alzheimer’s patients during the day. I had never heard of Charlie’s Place, nor have I ever heard of any place like it but was very interested in learning more about the program.
Today (1 October 2008) is my first visit to Charlie’s Place, and I am just finishing up a tour of the place. Earlier I referred to the place as a home away from home, and I say that with great reason. When you walk into the front door you already feel at home. You enter the living room that is set up just like an average household. It has cozy couches, comfortable rocking chairs, a table filled with magazines and books, a piano, a checkers table along with a table always occupied with a puzzle, which is amazing for people with Alzheimer's. The kitchen is filled with many dinner tables set with real china, and the whole room looks out into the beautiful backyard. The backyard is filled with gardens with all types of vegetables growing inside accompanied with a soothing fountain in the middle of the yard. It has a brand new BBQ pit with seating everywhere to enjoy the beautiful days like today. Getting my tour for the first time, I was unsure how it would turn out, but when the tour was finished I was amazed on how “homey” the place really is.

- Ryan Duncan, LSU Service Learning Student

ME.....ALZHEIMER'S? NO WAY!

We would like to announce that we have a new addition to our volunteer program. The following is the second contribution made to our blog by our volunteer. The man who wrote this blog is facing Alzheimer's disease after being diagnosed in August of 2007. He and his wife attend our education programs and are looking forward to becoming more involved with Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area. Our volunteer will be 90 years old next year, and we are very thankful to him for offering such wonderful words of encouragement. You can look forward to many more of his blogs.

Last year, in August 2007, an internist, Dr. R and a neurologist, Dr. M confirmed the fact that I should be treated as a patient having a mild case of Alzheimer's disease. Their diagnosis floored me. I was not in agreement with their diagnosis. Members of my immediate family responded in the same manner. Very strongly. They said, "We've known you all these years and now you have Alzheimer's? Unbelievable. Look back on your years with Equitable Life Insurance Company. You started out in the office of a small Equitable agency in Nashville. Some 28 years later you retired from the Equitable office in New York City as Director of Professional Development. Think of all the advances you've made up the corporate ladder." My family said the doctors were wrong. And I agreed.


Now, more than a year later, the minds of the doubters may have changed. So has my outlook about Alzheimer's. In the morning, and sometimes during the day, I have to ask my wife, Jean, "What day is today?" So, I made a calendar showing each day of the week on a separate page to help remind me what day it is. But I forget to change it from day to day. For example, I just looked up at my home made calendar and it tells me today is Wednesday! Wrong! Today is Monday. I'll ask Jean to remind me to change the days of the week on my calendar. (Me ... Alzheimer's ... No Way).

We have a large monthly calendar in the hall near the phone. I will, or Jean will, write what commitments we have each day. But sometimes I forget to write down my commitments. For example, I go to the dentist every three months for teeth cleaning. When I leave, the receptionist hands me a card with the date for my next cleaning. Today, the phone rang and the dentist office reminded me that I have an appointment tomorrow at 1:30. Know what? I forgot to put the new appointment on my calendar three months ago. When I looked at the calendar this morning, I thought we had a free day tomorrow, but alas the phone call brought news of the dental appointment. (Me ... Alzheimer's ... No Way).


The office staff at Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area asked me to write a summary about the September Lunch 'N Learn session. It was published on their blog. Evidently, it met with success and rave reviews because many of the Alzheimer's staff congratulated me on writing the article. Those comments made me feel great! Perhaps I can be used by Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area to write articles for them. I'd like to do that. The articles might encourage someone who (like me) has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. We are not cripples. We just have a disease that has been labeled as "Alzheimer's." Doctors say we really can not tell for sure we have Alzheimer's. The only certain way is to perform an autopsy...after death. At 89, I'm not ready for that test.

So having the label of Alzheimer's may not mean we really have it. Only an autopsy at death will tell. It will be too late for me to know, because I'll be up there above the clouds with all my family and friends who have preceded me.


So why worry? I don't know for sure that I have Alzheimer's! But the doctors think I do. So who is right? I am having a great time right now and that is all that matters. I prefer to think its old age and so does my family! Who is right? Both? Wait and see!

This blog was written by a person who has been diagnosed with a mild case of AD. He will be 90 in '09.

Charlie's Place Named National Adult Day Center of the Year

Congratulations to the staff of Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, past and present, and to the Board members, sponsors and volunteers for making Charlie's Place Respite Center a success! We would especially like to thank all of our clients and families for making Charlie's Place the "place" it is today! We couldn't have done any of this without you!

SPECIAL NEWS ALERT
FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
Alzheimer’s Services Respite Center, Charlie’s Place, Awarded National Adult Day Center of the Year from the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA)


WHO: Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area & the National Adult Day Services
Association (NADSA)

WHAT: Alzheimer’s Services Respite Care Center, Charlie’s Place, awarded National
Adult Day Center of the Year from the National Adult Day Services Association

WHEN & WHERE: Award will be presented at the NADSA Conference in
San Antonio, TX, on November 7th -9th

MORE: The Adult Day Center of the Year Award was started in 2007 to honor and
recognize outstanding and innovative adult day centers in the US. Criteria for the award includes: creative programming, personalized and specialty services, exceptional programs and services, and unique or well-established community partnerships. The day center is recognized as a model on which others can learn from as “best practice”. Gloria Leblanc, who cares for a client who participates at Charlie’s Place, nominated the center for the award. The Arbor Rose Adult Day Club in Mesa, Arizona, won the award in 2007.

The Alzheimer’s Services Respite Center offers programming for individuals with
Alzheimer’s and related disorders and is designed to provide cognitive stimulation and social interaction. Activities include, but are not limited to: gardening, reminiscing, armchair exercises, music therapy and pet therapy. Based on the level of cognition, participants will enjoy field trips, leisure classes and community service projects. Participants are in the mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease and may attend one day per week. Potential participants undergo an assessment to determine their ability to participate in the program. The 2004 and 2005 Community Needs Assessment given by Alzheimer’s Services indicated that caregivers needed a temporary break from the stress of taking care of their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Charlie’s Place Respite Center is designed to temporarily relieve caregivers, particularly family members, from the pressure of the constant care needed to give their loved ones while allowing for responsible, educational care for their family member.

Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area serves individuals residing in the following parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and St. Helena. Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area is a local, non-profit organization. The mission of Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area is to make a significant difference in the lives of all of those coping with Alzheimer's disease in our community.

September Lunch 'N Learn

Professor Wanda Spurlock's presentation at our September Lunch 'N Learn meeting was directed to caregivers. She discussed ways to manage the behavior of patients who have Alzheimer's disease. She is a Professor at Southern University School of Nursing, and has a lot of personal experience with Alzheimer's disease as a nurse. Professor Spurlock had pages of information as handouts outlining her presentation.

AD patients may experience anxiety in sleeping, wandering, and, in extreme cases hallucinations. Such behaviors can produce stress on the caregivers. Behavioral Symptoms can be diagnosed by a doctor as 1. Mild, 2. Moderate, or 3. Severe.

Caregivers can effectively communicate with the patients by using short, simple words and sentences, by speaking slowly and clearly, and by using simple step by step instructions. It may be necessary to repeat instructions and to use visual clues. Be aware of vision and hearing limitations of AD patients.

Do not argue. Do not try to convince. Do not take offense. Do not talk about the patient as though he/she is not there. Do not!

As a caregiver, be concerned about noise, glare, and background distractions such as telephones ringing, TV being loud, or conversation by others nearby. Agitation could develop because of a change in living arrangements, or by being relocated, or by having a different caregiver. When you note that your AD patient is upset or agitated, do not: raise your voice, restrain, criticize, or argue with that person.

AD patients often have trouble sleeping. To help them sleep well, avoid frequent daytime napping. When possible provide periods of exposure to natural light sources. Reduce caffeine drinks at night. Avoid heavy meals late in the day and establish regular bedtime routines.

Sundowning - the disruption in sleep pattern - creates an irregular sleep cycle often resulting in agitation. If agitation is observed, reassure the person by holding hands or a pat on the shoulder. Take a walk together and assure the patients things are going to be fine.

In conclusion - Caregivers - - - Take care! not only of the patient - but yourself as well.

This blog was written by a person who has been diagnosed with a mild case of AD. He will be 90 in '09.

September is Healthy Aging Month

It is important to pay special attention to your physical, social, mental and financial fitness. Check out the website below to read more about a positive lifestyle and healthy aging:

http://www.healthyaging.net/articlelive/articles/14/1/September-is-Healthy-Aging-Month/Page1.html

Alzheimer's Stamp

It is hoped that the new Alzheimer's stamp, available to purchase in postal offices October 17, 2008, will spread word and increase awareness of this devastating disease. To view the stamp go to:
http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008stamps/downloads/alzheimers_300dpi.jpg.

Stress & Caregiving

Caregiver Stress: Pitfalls to Avoid

Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. It is important for the caregiver to find some time away from the care giving situation to care for themselves and avoid the pitfalls of frustration and stress.

Frustration and stress may negatively impact the caregiver’s health or cause them to be physically or mentally aggressive towards their loved one. When you are frustrated it is important to distinguish between what is and what is not within your power to change. As a caregiver of someone with dementia, you face many uncontrollable situations. There is not much you can change about the patient’s behaviors because he or she has lost the ability to distinguish between what is appropriate and non-appropriate.

Normal daily routines - dressing, bathing, and eating – become sources of deep frustration for the caregiver. Behaviors related to the diagnosis of dementia like wandering or asking questions repeatedly are also frustrating and sources of stress. Unfortunately, the disconnection from time, place, and routine cannot be repaired in the person suffering from dementia.

So what does the caregiver do to avoid the pitfalls of frustration and stress?
Learn to recognize the warning signs of frustration and stress then adjust your mood before you lose control. Some of the warning signs include shortness of breath, tightness in the throat, stomach cramps, chest pains, headache, compulsive eating, increased smoking, and lack of patience.

To control these, you can try calling a friend, praying, meditating, singing, listening to music, or taking a bath. Try experimenting with different responses to find out what
works best for you.

While it is difficult to find time to focus on yourself, it is very important that you do so to prevent frustration and burnout. Sharing your feelings with a counselor, pastor, or support group or with another caregiver in a similar situation can be a great way to release stress and get helpful advice.

For information regarding times and locations of Caregiver Network Groups, call Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, (225) 334-7494 or (800) 548-1211.