Posts Tagged ‘Disease’
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Music is a wonderful therapeutic tool. Many of our memories are tied to music that we heard while growing up or during a specific event. Imagine Christmas without the carols, road trips in the car without sing alongs, or prom without those sappy love songs!
Satellite radio offers a wide range of options for people living in a nursing home. Activity programs can be designed and complimented with the many different types of music programs played throughout the day. Choices on satellite radio range from Baroque Period Classical, Rock-n-Roll, Gospel and Latin Funk to Country Gold.
For example, jazz or upbeat 50’s music could be played in the morning during an exercise group. A sensory group that needs soft music could be paired with the opera station or nature sounds. You could even use a polka channel during a German Fest. Caregivers were able to help many residents do the polka. Some of the people said they hadn’t had that much fun in years!
Many activity programs use music from the 1920-40’s. It is always important to remember that residents who are in the mid-stage of Alzheimer’s believe that they are 40 years younger than they actually are. Today, when preparing music that would be familiar, program directors should consider music from the early 1970s. That year in music there were many popular hits which are now considered classics. For example:
Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Otis Redding – Tell the Truth
The Beatles – Let It Be
Elton John – Your Song
James Taylor – Fire and Rain
People with dementia will light up when they hear a favorite song. It is a great way to start reminiscing about school, young love, work, or vacations. Don’t be afraid to use the music that was popular 40 years ago. Chances are good that this music will be associated with many of their memories, and you can get them talking about those meaningful times.
Tags: Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Disease, meaningful days
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Monday, April 13th, 2009
CALL TO ACTION
I received this information today in the Alzheimer’s Association’s ENewsletter. Please join all caregivers to make a difference in the lives of those who are battling this difficult disease.
Advocate Impact: Forum 2009
Last month, over 600 advocates from around the country marched on Capitol Hill to demand that our lawmakers make Alzheimer’s a national priority.
During meetings with advocates, members of Congress made the following commitments:
188 indicated support to end the two-year waiting period for Medicare;
181 indicated support for a $250 million increase in Alzheimer research funding; and
83 indicated support the creation of an Alzheimer’s Solutions Project Office.
65 members indicated support for all 3 issues!
You can catch a glimpse of the action at: http://www.alz.org/forum
We have great momentum and now is the time to “seal the deal”. Read on…
What Can I Do Now?
Ask your members to co-sponsor the End the Medicare Two-year Wait Bill!
People under age 65 with dementia who lose their jobs are likely to lose job-related health insurance. Many become uninsured and uninsurable. Just when they need coverage the most, federal law requires them to wait two years to become eligible for Medicare. Because of this wait, families face soaring out-of-pocket costs for health care or completely forego care. http://alz.kintera.org/endthewait
Email your members of Congress now. Ask them to co-sponsor the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S.700 / H.R.1708).
Go to:
For more information on how you can impact the lives of those with Alzheimer’s contact www.alzcaregroup.com or 317-218-5113
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, Call to Action, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, congress, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, educated caregivers, Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, Katrina DeGraff, meaningful days, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, person centered care, personally meaningful days, relief
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Monday, March 30th, 2009
This week in the news, the Alzheimer’s Association released its Facts and Figures 2009. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 5.3 Million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and the direct and indirect cost to the nation is $148 billion dollars annually. Additionally, Newt Gingrich presented The National Alzheimer’s Strategic Plan for improving the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia to Congress.
What are you going to do to make a difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers?
So often we become stuck in the mindset that people with dementia have no hope. The media often reports the stories of heart ache and despair, but we never hear the heroic stories of people making a difference for others being afflicted with this devastating disease.
Who are those heroes?
· Families who continue to make life the life of the loved one valuable even when that means adapting past interests to current abilities
· Families who continue to visit their loved one even when it appears she doesn’t remember them any longer
· Family members who regularly rotate care and responsibility to ensure the primary caregiver receives some respite
· Caregivers in long term care who engage their residents in dementia with personally meaningful activities
· Caregivers who provide care despite Congress cutting Medicare/Medicaid benefits
· Owners of nursing homes who put Person Centered Care before the dollar
· Innovators who continue to find new ways to bring quality of life to some who can no longer remember
Are you making a difference? Do you know where to begin?
For more information: Call 317-218-5111 or www.alzcaregroup.com
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, educated caregivers, exercising your brain, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory, Katrina DeGraff, Living at home longer, meaningful days, memory loss, mom with alzheimer's caregiver, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, personally meaningful days
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Spring is just around the corner! I’m ready for the end of cold weather, snow, and wind. This is the perfect time to start your gardening projects for your residents. Growing food that you later eat can be a rich and satisfying experience. Gardening is a familiar activity many residents enjoy and take pride in doing. And adding fresh vegetables to a meal promotes good health.
The purpose of this activity is to provide residents with an opportunity to perform a past skill or responsibility and to stimulate reminiscence and socialization.
Materials: egg carton, garden gloves, seeds, dirt, watering can, spray bottle, cookie sheet
Set-up
Find an indoor space with good lighting for seedlings and create an outdoor space for gardening.
Process
Getting Started
- Decide what you will grow. Ask the residents to help you choose what to plant. Take time to reminisce and ask questions like,
- What vegetables did you grow from seeds?
- Where did you get your seeds?
- What vegetables did you grow from plants?
- What type of container did you start your plants in?
Seedlings
- Ask families to donate seeds or buy them at a nursery.
- Start seedlings at the beginning of spring.
- Give each resident an egg carton. Next, tell them to punch a couple of small holes in the bottom for draining.
- Direct the residents to fill each egg holder halfway with dirt. Next, tell them to add one seed to each egg holder. Then, tell them to cover the seeds with dirt.
- Give the first resident the spray bottle filled with water. Next, direct the residents to spray water on top of each egg holder.
- Place the egg cartons on the cookie sheet to catch any water that may drain out. Next, follow the directions on the seed package to (1) decide where to put the cartons so the seeds will grow and (2) find out how often to water them. Then, remind the residents in the coming weeks to water the seeds according to the directions.
- Consider asking questions from Garden Trivia
Copyright 2008 Alzheimer’s Care Group
For more information: www.alzcaregroup.com
Tags: activity ideas, Alzheimer's, alzheimer's and brain games, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, caffeine, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, educated caregivers, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory, Katrina DeGraff, Katrina's Korner, nursing home ideas, nursing homes, people with dementia are not children, person centered care, personally meaningful days
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Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
In today’s edition of the McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living Newsletter I read this article on legislation that has been passed protecting our Seniors against abuse.
“Economic stimulus legislation hasn’t been the only item on Congress’s plate lately. The House of Representatives Wednesday passed a bill that would fund elder abuse prosecution and establish education and therapy programs for victims and their families..”
The Elder Abuse Victims Act sailed through the House with a 397-25 vote. As part of the bill, Congress would direct the attorney general’s office to conduct research into current state and local elder abuse prevention programs. The legislation also would provide funding for elder abuse prosecution at local, state and federal levels, as well as law enforcement training and nurse-investigators to identify and evaluate elder abuse cases.
Between 1 million and 2 million seniors in the U.S. have suffered abuse, according to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA). There is currently no Senate companion bill, though Sestak has said the Senate would likely pass a bill soon.”
Call to Action: Contact your Senator today. Ask your Senator to pass a similar bill soon to protect those at risk for elder abuse.
Care giver stress often leads to elder abuse in all care giving settings. Alzheimer’s Care Group can provide strategies and develop programs to enhance the quality of life for all care partners in long-term care settings. For more information: www.alzcaregroup.com
Tags: Alzheimer's, alzheimer's care group, Alzheimer's Caregiver, Alzheimer's center, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Education, alzheimer's residents, alzheimer's support, care giver stress, caregiver stress, caregivers of alzheimer's disease, cognition, cooking ideas in nursing homes, Dementia, Disease, Economic stimulus legislation, educated caregivers, exercising your brain, Grandpa with Alzheimer's, improving memory, Katrina DeGraff, Living at home longer, meaningful days, people with dementia are not children, personally meaningful days, stimulus checks, stimulus package, stimulus payments
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
I think it is interesting that when you tell people that you work for a company that is a nationwide consulting firm for Alzheimer’s and Dementia, they automatically go into a story about their aunt, mom, friend or uncle who had/has the disease. There are so many people that are affected by this awful disease.
I truly believe that the family members and friends of the one who has Alzheimer’s are suffering more than the one who has the disease. As the patient continues to worsen, the others see the signs and are the ones taking care of them more, or having to decide on what to do next.
Alzheimer’s is not easy to deal with, but thankfully there are companies and organizations that are here to help support those that are dealing with its consequences.
Once a week, we will have Katrina DeGraff, our Director of Clinical Services, write about ideas on how to keep the person with Alzheimer’s active and engaged. She will give tips on keeping their days meaningful just like they were before they were diagnosed.
Tags: Alzheimer's, Dementia, Disease, Katrina DeGraff, meaningful days
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Monday, December 17th, 2007
Many times families stop visiting their loved one who is in a nursing home because the visits are awkward. While avoiding the nursing home may be easier on family members, for the person with Alzheimer’s, not receiving that special attention could have a negative impact on the progression of the disease.
Although people with Alzheimer’s have difficulty remembering recent events, visits with family and friends can help boost the patient’s spirits, which can have a positive effect on overall health. Families who stop visiting because they don’t know what to do or what to say are not alone. The following is a list of activities that families can do during their visits:
· Create a family photo album together, labeling photos with the date, place and names of those pictured
· Watch old movies
· Watch home movies of family events
· Plant flowers in the center’s courtyard garden
· Create simple arts and crafts
· Write letters or holiday greeting cards
· Listen to old music
· Bring a calm pet to visit (if the nursing home or Alzheimer’s Care Center allows)
Tags: Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Disease, Katrina DeGraff, meaningful days
Posted in Alzheimer's Education | 1 Comment »