Young Caregivers: Important Pieces of Alzheimer's Care

I was reading the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of care ADvantage. The magazine is a free publication from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. I am always impressed with what I learn when I read one of the magazines.

Carol Steinberg, Executive Vice President at Alzheimer's Foundation of America, wrote about Max Wallack - Pay It Forward: Teen Puts Pieces in Place for Puzzle Project. He is a 13 year old who started a nonprofit company two years ago - Puzzles to Remember. He has been collecting and distributing them to adult day care centers, nursing homes and other facilities whose residents suffer from Alzheimer's.

Max was one of the 1.4 million young American caregivers aged 8-18 years old; he helped take care of his great grandma. During the last few months of her life she lived in a dementia unit. While visiting his great grandma he noticed other residents working on puzzles. This activity seemed to keep them calm. He did some research and confirmed that he had discovered a piece of the Alzheimer's puzzle.

He discovered that working on puzzles is an example of an activity that helps stimulate the brain cells that may help slow the progression of the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Young Max said the best puzzles have less than 200 pieces and have an adult theme.

In November 2009 he received an American Express grant from the Do Something organization, for his work with Puzzles to Remember. The organization helps young people under the age of 25 by giving them encouragement, resources and grants so they can Do Something to make a difference.

Simply Box - New Tool for Collecting Information

I love my technology class. What great tools we are learning about. One is Simply Box. You can set up an account for free. Sadly you cannot set up an account on a Safari browser.

For people who are visual this tool lets you take a picture of the logo or page and drag it into a box of like items. See an example on the student resource page that I made for my 6th graders. Check out the link Famous Scientists. This is an example of a public box.

Keeping The Brain Active

When I was taking care of my mother I often used kids material and games. I know there is a lot of controversy about using "kids" material with mature individuals. My decision to do it stemmed from several things: 1. My mother had been a elementary teacher and enjoyed children's art and learning 2. It was what I was familiar with 3. I did not find similar leveled things with content for adults.

That said I would like to share a site I found that has many educational games linked to it. I played many of them and found them funny and entertaining. Sometimes it is just quick things to keep our brain thinking in new ways. As an adult you are probably good with multiplication. It is surprising when it is in a game format and speed is a factor how are brain responds to this challenge.

With that in mind I would like to share this site for your enjoyment Fletcher Elementary School Weblinks.

A Slice of Life

Memories - funny, sad, bittersweet, they all swirl together as I remember my mother. I tried to have everyone who took care of Mom keep a daily journal. They usually wrote down what she ate how her day went what her moods were when she took her meds. Sometimes when I was lucky some of the funny things that happened.

I wish now I had known more about keeping journals. Had more experience and knew more about writing than I did. I never knew what to say. Mom's caregivers would ask what I wanted. At the time I wanted to make sure everyone knew what was going on. I wanted a record of how Mom was doing.

Sometimes I felt such a deep grief. I couldn't bare to poke at the pain and examine it. I was afraid that I would lose control. Other times I just felt overwhelmed and I didn't know where to start. I didn't think I could do anymore than what I was already doing.

I was reading a couple of blogs the other day that got me thinking. The first one is the Two Writing Teachers Blog , they have issued a challenge to all their readers to write a "Slice Of Life Story" everyday for the month of March. I started late but believe it is a great challenge. I would encourage everyone to accept the challenge and discover your own insights.

In accepting my "Slice of Life" challenge I decided to focus on the here and now and to try and explore the funny perspective of my life now. I have been writing some brief entries about our newest puppy at gather.com. The first entry is Lost and Found.

I wish i had accepted a challenge like this while I was still caring for my mother.

Zentangle, Reflecting & Relaxing

When I was caring for my mother full time; I was always looking for activities that she would enjoy and that she could do. I also looked for ways to let go of the stress. I recently found some sites that are caled Zentangle or Zentangle influenced art. It is doodles taken to an art form.

You can google Zentangle and watch videos as well as go to the website for Zentangle http://zentangle.com and read back issues of their newsletter. The image on my blog was my 2nd Zentangle. I enjoyed playing with Zentangle and it helped me center and it felt very satisfying.

Anyone can do this; the developers have used this art form with elementary students. I really think individuals in early to moderate stages of dementia would enjoy this activity. I bought a package of micron pens $10.00 and 2 chipboard tiles (scrap booking supplies) $2.50. Then looked at the newsletters and other peoples Zentangle for doodle patterns. If you click on my Zentangle it will enlarge so you can see the pieces better.

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentines Day and relaxation.

The Earthquakes that Shake Our World

Haiti has been much on my mind, a very horrific disaster. I’m glad people are reaching out to help the people whose lives have been shattered by the earthquakes in Haiti.

Disasters come in all sizes to all people. We are shaken and broken by the earthquakes in our own lives. The epicenter of our earthquake may be a doctor’s diagnosis. Sometimes, the diagnosis is simply the aftershock.

Looking for a safe haven and seeking treatment sometimes is beyond our ability when we are suffering from shock, denial, or anger. When faced with a devastating prognosis our lives are emotionally savaged. Picking up the pieces, looking for solutions, treatment, and the financial reality can be an overwhelming process. Finding support becomes a necessary first step.

Many disasters are not widely reported, like the ice storm that devastated the Cheyenne River Reservation (January 20-28, 2010). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgWTWHnvw24 Or the more personal disasters- like Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s - that strike our world. These diseases don’t just affect the person who has the disease - they impact family and friends as well.

The American Cancer Society chose the daffodil as a symbol of hope. They launch the Daffodil Campaign every spring. The daffodil was chosen because this first flower of spring represents hope, a hope held by every volunteer that a cure will soon be within our reach.

I believe people who have been touched by illness or disease, personal pain and loss – are often the first to reach out a helping hand. They know what it is like to be facing worries and concerns that loom like the Grand Canyon in our minds. They remember the kindness of an encouraging word, a smile, and symbols of hope. Their faith strengthens are ability to cope as the ground shifts beneath our feet and brings the world we know down around our ears.

Research is an outward manifestation in our belief that a cure is possible. Change meets today when we celebrate our own victories, while we search for tomorrow’s cure.

Help fight Alzheimer's disease through vital research and essential support programs and services. http://www.alz.org/index.asp

For more information or to find a Daffodil Days campaign near you, click on your state in the map you will find on the following address:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PAR/PAR_4_Daffodil_Days.asp

Tumeric - For the Health of It

Turmeric is a spice commonly found in curry and is also what gives ball park mustard it's bright yellow color. So what does it have to do with care giving and Alzheimer's? Great question!

Turmeric is rich in phytochemicals that rival the best anti-inflammatory drugs when it comes to the benefits; it just lacks the toxic side effects. Turmeric is a rainforest herb rich in a phytonutrient called cucurmin.

There are two inflammatory enzyme pathways that affect cancer, heart disease, and arthritis - COX-2 and 5-LOX. Researchers believe that when these pathways become inflamed due to our diet, sedentary lifestyle, and stress they become contributing causes for heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's.

Pharmaceutical companies have developed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and potent drugs called COX-2 inhibitors. Two such drug examples are Vioxx and Celebrex, these are very effective drugs. Unfortunately, COX-2 inhibitors carry black box warnings because of possible danger. (Black box warning means sometimes it is fatal.)

There are over 2000 published studies in major medical journals on the effectiveness of turmeric's cancer fighting qualities.

The turmeric plant is a member of the ginger family. It is used as a spice and coloring agent. Not only is it a spice but it helps prevent spoilage in food. Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant.

According to the World Health Organizations article "Alzheimer's Disease: Of Emerging Importance" points out that India has a much lower rate of Alzheimer's Disease than the rate in the United States.

Research on turmeric sounds very interesting, so far the research suggests it works better as a preventative and with individuals in early stages. I know that I plan to continue to follow the research and to add more spice to my diet and life

References and Resources

Curry Spice Turmeric May Explain Low Occurrence of Alzheimer's in India http://www.montefin.com/diet/health/spices/curry-turmeric-curcumin-alzheimers.html


"What Everyday Kitchen Spice Can be Used for Therapy & Prevention" by Decker Weiss, NMO, FASA. of the Dr's Prescription for Healthy Living (Pg 20-22)Vol 13 #7.

Turmeric May Help Prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Turmeric and Alzheimer's

http://www.raysahelian.com/turmeric.html

http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2008;volume=11;issue=1;spage=13;epage=19;aulast=Mishra

Turmeric and Alzheimer's Disease

Turmeric Shown to be Natural Remedy Against Alzheimer's http://www.naturalnews.com/026621_disease_turmeric_Alzheimers.html