An Unlikely Tool Finding New Uses

The Nintendo Wii gaming system is being used successfully as therapy for individual's with Alzheimer's. Many Senior Centers and assisted living centers. The Wii helps with movement and moderate fitness as well as social interaction. The Gaming device is even being used in conjunction with traditional rehab to encourage people to continue working when they return home.

Related Links:

Wii Speeds Up the Rehab Process
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-07-24-wii-therapy_N.htm

Wii Therapy for Patients With Alzheimer's Disease http://wiihabtherapy.blogspot.com/2008/07/wii-therapy-for-patients-with.html

Nintendo a Useful Tool for Fighting Alzheimer's and Caregiver Stress
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2008/12/nintendo-wii-useful-tool-for-fighting.html

Give the Gift of Music

Looking for gifts for your loved one that suffers from Alzheimer's? Here are some ideas. Music from their youth, you can obtain CDs and copies of the lyrics (so family members and caregivers can learn the songs)from many places. A few examples:

Enhanced Moments Website
http://enhancedmoments.com/catalog/.

The Alzheimer's Store
http://alzstore.com/ They are also on Facebook.

Healing Music Enterprises
http://healingmusicenterprises.com

Research shows that Music Therapy benefits individuals with AD, especially helps decrease aggressive behavior and improves mood. The benefits of music also helps with communication. Many caregivers have been able to improve the mood of someone by singing a favorite song.

Related Links:
Singing For the Brain About the BBC "Alzheimer's the Musical"
Reaching People with Alzheimer's through Music http://www.caregiver.com/channels/alz/articles/reaching_alzheimers_through_music.htm

The Impact of Music Therapy on Alzheimer's Disease Patients
http://faculty.uccb.ns.ca/gcarre/courses/health/music.htm

Alzheimer's Vaccine Candidate Entering Phase II Testing

In 1998 I attended an Alzheimer's Conference and spoke with a visiting scientist who told me that they were working on a vaccine in Ireland and at that time it looked very promising. He thought it might be available around 2002. I waited hopefully for any news about a break through.

Yesterday I read in Medical News Today about a new study. The headline read: AFFiRiS AG: Interim Analysis Of Clinical Phase I Data Triggered Decision To Move Alzheimer's Vaccine Candidate AD02 Into Clinical Phase II Testing.

The data from Phase I testing looks very promising and they have decided to pursue the second phase of testing. Can you hear my shouts of encouragement and hope!!!!

In Search of Memories

Katie's Literature Lounge and Elizabeth's Children's Book Blog both blogged about picture books that help families cope and understand Alzheimer's. The books they reviewed emphasized family love and respect. Both sites do a great job of reviewing the books.

Here is a short list of picture books that delves into Alzheimer's and how it affects families. Today picture books are not just for the very young crowd. They are being used by and written for many age levels. A recent survey said there were over 10 million family caregivers caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's.

I have a wonderful family that has blessed the school library by purchasing books for special occasions and donated them to our library. The Stow's thoughtfulness has been a great blessing for our students and staff and for me personally.

Picture Books & Alzheimer's

The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins - by Lester Laminach

The Memory Box - by Mary Bahr

Grandma's Soup - by Nancy Karkowsky

Singing With Momma Lou - by Linda Jacobs Altman

Grandpa's Music - by Alison Acheson

Grandfather's Story Cloth - by Linda Gerdner reviewed in Shen's Books

Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge - by Mem Fox