Eight Steps for Family Caregiving

Dan Tobin -- 8 Steps for Family Caregiving

1. Understanding doctor's recommendations and asking productive questions.

2. Becoming health literate regarding medical terms and health information.

3. Getting information on non-medical topics (home care, insurance, healthcare finances).

4. Linking medical and non-medical needs and creating an active problem list.

5. Obtaining guidance for solving specific family caregiving problems.

6. Dealing with emotions for both parent and caregiver.

7. Finding and hiring tangible support and services for your parents.

8. Extended planning for your parents foreseeable and long-range future.

For more details on how to navigate the complex terrain of family caregiving go here.
Source: Psychology Today

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Four Easy Ways to Exercise, Fight Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Brain Deterioration

My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease.


I am a big proponent of exercise and socialization. There are several research studies that indicate exercise, and a socially active lifestyle may decrease the risk of developing dementia.

My own experience with my mother, and other Alzheimer's sufferers, shows me that exercise and socialization makes a big difference in quality of life.

Its not hard for me to jump to the conclusion that exercise and socialization keep the brain strong, and actually help improve the brain and its functioning.

Regardless of age, you should be giving this considerable thought. This would be especially true for the 30 percent of Americans that say they fear Alzheimer's (Harris Interactive Poll).

Healthcare Reform: Will proposal promote euthanasia?

Does the new healthcare reform bill promote euthanasia?

Sean Hannity believes it. So does House Minority Leader John Boehner. Talk show host Fred Thompson calls it “the dirty little secret” of the health care reform debate.

The focus of their ire is a provision tucked deep inside the House bill that would provide Medicare coverage for an end-of-life consultation once every five years. If a person falls ill with a life-threatening disease, more frequent sessions would be allowed.

Republicans are now using this language as a wedge between senior citizens and Democrats. Boehner and Republican Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) issued a statement last week saying it “may start us down a treacherous path toward government-encouraged euthanasia” — even though the concept behind the provision has been embodied in federal law since 1990 and has been promoted by Republicans and Democrats for years.

To continue reading go here.

Advice and Insight into Alzheimer's disease
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Caregiver Cooking Under Pressure -- Home Instead Senior Care

After a stressful day of caregiving, cooking an evening meal can really be a chore. I learned how to cook meals that take about ten minutes from start to finish.

Today, I ran across interesting information about cooking and caregiving on the Home Instead Senior Care website.

The site includes information on topics like:

• 10 Warning Signs of Poor Senior Nutrition
• Feeling the Heat: Caregivers Under Pressure
• and, a list of interesting recipes.

I learned to take a simple approach to cooking while cooking for my mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

For most meals, I use the George Foreman grill. Once you get use to the grill, you know exactly how long to cook each food item. This takes out all of the guess work.

For fish usually five minutes, chicken eight minutes (if you filet the boneless breast first), and about 10 minutes for steak.

The George Foreman cooks both sides at the same time, so once you put the item on the grill there is no additional work.

I really like the ease of cleaning the grill.

While the fish or meat is cooking on the George, you can prepare all the other items without distraction.

Most of the meals I cook can be done in ten minutes. One exception would be when we eat lima beans (my mother's favorite) they take a bit longer.

Broccoloi, spinach, and green beans are easy to sinc up with whatever is on the grill. You can also use the George Foreman to grill vegetables which give a very nice taste.

For other items, I usually use the microwave.

I paint olive oil on everything. You could describe the meals as mostly Mediterranean style.


Here is one of my favorites meals. I call this the Bobby D grilled chicken and salad.

Put the chicken painted with olive oil, and a small amount of "rub" on the George Foreman grill.

Now its time to start shredding and chopping away.

Here are the ingredients.

• Romaine Lettuce
• SlicedTomatoes
• Celery
• Carrots
• Sliced Pear
• and, grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese (go easy on the cheese).

Throw on two croutons. and one cap full of balsamic vinergerette salad dressing (unless you make the giant size like I do, add salad dressing as appropriate).

Once the chicken is cooked, cut the chicken into strips and place on top of the salad.

The cheese, pear, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing give this salad a wonderful taste.

Bon Appetite.

I have to laugh at myself a bit. I never thought I would be writting about cooking and giving away one of my not so secret recipes. My first time.

If you would like to get a free copy of Cooking Under Pressure go here.

Advice and Insight into Alzheimer's and Dementia

• Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Tests)
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Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The ARR knowledge base contains more than 3,811 articles with more than 306,100 links on the Internet. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.

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Reader Seeking Remedial Classes for Cognitively Impaired Adults

I was diagnosed with Early Stages Alzheimer's this June 2009 at the age of 56 in Mesa, Arizona.

Through a miracle for sure, I was blessed to be able to be seen for a second opinion by renowned Dr. Carolyn Britton at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital's Neurological Institute in NYC.

The reason for my e-mail: Dr. Britton advised me to take remedial classes for cognitively impaired adults when I return to AZ. And, because I am running into a wall in Phoenix, Arizona areas calling and researching on-line, I thought perhaps either you or your readers in the Alzheimer's Reading Room might know of something for me in the Mesa or Phoenix area.
--Patrice

If you can help please put your advice in the comments box below the article.

An Early Sign of Mild Cogntive Impairment and Alzheimer's -- the Sound of the Feet

Before the onset of Alzheimer's or dementia comes a stage of memory loss that is known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is best described as a mild memory condition that can be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

During this stage of memory loss the sufferer can still function independently but begins to show signs of memory loss well beyond what we usually referred to as senior moments. As we age, we all tend to become forgetful. Where are the car keys? Where did I park my car in the parking lot.

When I first became concerned about my mother she was 86 years old. For more than ten years after the death of my father she was living by herself in southeast Florida. She did everything for herself without problem. She was just sailing through life like a little dynamo.

Then, out of no where, a series of suspicious behaviors started to occur one after the other.

The first that stands out in my mind is when she started to shuffle or scrape her feet on the ground as she walked. This was a very distinctive sound, and in a way, it was disconcerting to me. When I mentioned this to my friends and family they all said the same thing, "she's getting old".

Tweet Your Senator on HealthCare Insurance Reform (Twitter)

Healthcare insurance reform is currently a hot issue. You can make your voice heard via Twitter--by Tweeting your Senator in favor of healthcare reform.

Tweet Your Senator is a new feature now available at BarackObama.com.

Tweet Your Senator is easy and simple to use. You enter your zipcode and a pre-populated tweet is created that is directed at one of you Senators.

After you are done entering your zipcode, you press a button, and the tweet goes up to your Twitter page and is ready to be sent. If your senator is not on Twitter, the tweet will include your Senator's name rather than their Twitter handle.

The Tweet Your Senator page also contains an interactive map that is very interesting. If you tweet you might see your face.

To Tweet Your Senator go here.

Advice and Insight into Alzheimer's disease
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Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,050 articles with more than 8,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

Original content Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading Room

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Long Term Care Costs and Calculater

Ever wonder how much long term care might cost you?

I found this calculator over on the MetLife website. It is easy to use.

Here are some national numbers. The cost could be lower or higher in your area. Numbers are a little dated.

Average costs of long-term care in 2006:

• Private room in a nursing home $206 a day; $75,190 annually
• Semi-private room in a nursing home $183 a day; $66,795 annually
• Home health care aide $19 an hour

Source: MetLife Mature Market Institute

In south Florida, you can hire an around the clock, live in, caregiver aide for $120-$150 a day (hired directly by you).

Or, you can pay an agency $150-$180 a day for a person with similar experience and credentials.

You might be able to find an assisted living facility in this area for as low as $3200 a month. South Florida is overbuilt with assisted living facilities right now.

If you live in Vermont you are fortunate. They will pay you $45 a day to keep your loved one at home. They also help with out of pocket costs for things like real estate taxes and income taxes.

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Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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No Substitute for Alzheimer's Caregiver Love

There is no substitute for the love of Alzheimer's caregiver. If you doubted this in the past, stop doubting.

The most common Alzheimer's caregiver relationship is between a child and parent (57 percent). It might surprise you to know that only 6 percent are between spouses. This can be explained by aging.

A new research study found that Alzheimer's sufferers who felt especially close to their caregivers kept more of their cognitive and functional abilities longer compared with patients who did not feel as close to their caregivers.

In other words, a close relationship between Alzheimer's sufferer and caregiver can effect the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Is it possible that this close relationship has an effect similar to common Alzheimer's drugs like Aricept, Exelon, and Razadyne? It appears this is true.

I am reminded that in the early days of taking care of my mother that she feared going out in the dark because she might get raped. This from a woman that drove herself to bingo and came home at 10 PM twice a week a year earlier.

My mother was constantly worried about people looking in our windows even though this was close to impossible. When the wind, or the rain, or a twig hit one of our windows at night, my mother would worry that someone was trying to break into our home.

She worried about food, and told her friends she was starving even though our refrigerator and shelves were packed with food.

Over time all of my mother's fears went away. I often wondered if my constant reassurance, and the creation of safe and secure environment made the difference.

After reading this study I now believe this to be true.

I think there is an important point embedded in this research that is often overlooked by Alzheimer's caregivers.

I doubt that the typical caregiver understands the impact of the secure emotional environment they create.

I doubt they understand that by creating a safe, secure, loving environment that they are dramatically improving the daily life of a person suffering from Alzheimer's. A person who is very prone to feelings of insecurity, fear, and paranoia.

Have you ever heard an Alzheimer's caregiver talk about how they are affecting the well being of their loved one from an emotional and psychological point of view? I haven't.

Forty percent or more of Alzheimer's caregivers suffer from depression. Would it help them if they understood that their care and love is making an important difference beyond "just taking care" of the person?

I can say this with confidence, I admire each and every Alzheimer's caregiver. The more I learn the stronger my belief in them. I don't need to know the caregiver personally to hold this opinion.

The study also shows that Alzheimer's sufferers that are in close relationships with their caregiver are more likely to stay at home and out of a nursing home.

There is no substitute for the love of an Alzheimer's caregiver. If you doubted this in the past, stop doubting.

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Original content the Alzheimer's Reading Room

CLOSE CAREGIVER RELATIONSHIP MAY SLOW ALZHEIMER’S DECLINE
--Study believed first to document potential impact of emotional closeness on course of disease

A study led by Johns Hopkins and Utah State University researchers suggests that a particularly close relationship with caregivers may give people with Alzheimer’s disease a marked edge over those without one in retaining mind and brain function over time. The beneficial effect of emotional intimacy that the researchers saw among participants was on par with some drugs used to treat the disease.

A report on the study, believed to be the first to show that the patient-caregiver relationship may directly influence progression of Alzheimer’s disease, is published in the September 2009 The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences and currently available online.

“We’ve shown that the benefits of having a close caregiver, especially a spouse, may mean the difference between someone with AD staying at home or going to a nursing facility,” says Constantine Lyketsos, M.D., M.H.S., the Elizabeth Plank Althouse Professor in Alzheimer’s Disease Research and director of the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center.

Lyketsos cautions that it remains unclear how or why this benefit was evident in the study, since the results may be due to milder forms of Alzheimer’s disease among those who reported close relationships. “A close relationship might prompt caregivers to deliver more attentive treatment, but it might be the other way around, with a milder illness helping caregivers stay close,” Lyketsos says. “Our next study is designed to detangle what’s going on.”

Researchers have long been interested in the relationships between caregivers and Alzheimer’s disease patients, with many studies focusing on the well-being of caregivers. However, little was known about the converse relationship—how caregivers affect the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

To find out, Lyketsos and colleagues at Johns Hopkins, Utah State, University of Washington, Duke University and Boston University examined 167 pairs of caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients. The pairs were recruited from the Cache County (Utah) Dementia Progression Study, which has tracked hundreds of people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia since 1994. All of the study participants live in Cache County, whose residents topped the longevity scale in the 1990 United States census.

Starting in 2002, the researchers met with patient-caregiver pairs in their homes every six months for periods up to four years. At each meeting, the patients underwent a battery of tests to assess physical, cognitive, functional and behavioral health. The researchers also interviewed the caregivers — spouses, adult children or adult children-in-law — about the caregiving environment and gave them a survey to assess how close their relationships were with the patients. The survey asked caregivers to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with six statements, such as “My relationship with the care recipient is close”; “The care recipient makes me feel like a special person”; and “The care recipient and I can always discuss things together.”

At the outset of the study, all patients scored similarly on cognitive and functional tests. However, as time progressed, the researchers found marked differences between patients whose caregivers had scored their relationships as close or more distant on the surveys. Patients with whose caregivers felt particularly close to them retained more of their cognitive function over the course of the study, losing less than half as many points on average by the end of the study on a common cognitive test called the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), compared to patients with more distant caregivers. Patients with close caregivers also scored better on a functional test called the Clinical Dementia Rating, remaining significantly closer to baseline over time compared to those with more distant caregivers.

The “closeness effect” was heightened for pairs in which the caregiver was a spouse, as opposed to an adult child or in-law. Patients with close spouses declined the slowest overall, with scores on the MMSE showing changes over time similar to patients participating in recent clinical trials for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

“We’ve shown that the benefits of having a close caregiver, especially a spouse, may be substantial. The difference in cognitive and functional decline over time between close and not-as-close pairs can mean the difference between staying at home or going to a nursing facility,” says Lyketsos.

The study was funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging, one of the National Institutes of Health.

For more information, go to:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Psychiatry/Faculty/L/Lyketsos.html
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Psychiatry/bayview/index.html
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Psychiatry/
http://www.usu.edu/epicenter/htm/studies/memorystudy

Media Contact: Christen Brownlee
410-955-7832; cbrownlee@jhmi.edu

Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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Alzheimer's Reading 726

Hunt for Alzheimer's disease treatment intensifies
"There are probably more registered clinical trials now in Alzheimer's than in the entire history of the field," Relkin said. "It reflects this incredible Wild West attitude that there are no targets not to shoot at. All of these different avenues are being explored." To continue reading go here.

A new Alzheimer's treatment in an old remedy?
The study compared 847 people who were given at least one treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin over four years and 84,700 similar people who were not given the treatment. The records were pulled from a database of 20 million people age 65 and older. Those who received the immunoglobulin had a 42% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease over four years compared to those who did not receive the drug. To continue reading go here.

Alzheimer's Drugs May Be Next Investment Trend
After heart disease and cancer, Alzheimer's is the third-largest killer in the U.S. Care and treatment of the disease in the U.S. costs more than $100 billion annually. This is a big market that is only going to get bigger with the rise in instances of the disease To continue reading go here.

Love drives husband caring for wife with Alzheimer's
In 2006, Edward said that if his wife got to the point where she couldn't walk or respond he would consider a care facility. Now, he just says a little prayer and keeps going. To continue reading go here.

Idaho chapter of Alzheimer's group closes
As the United States sits on the cusp of a significant increase in people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia - due to the aging of the Baby Boomer generation - the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Idaho closed its Boise office last week. To continue reading go here.

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Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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Jocelyn in New Zealand asks about Alzheimer's Clinical Trials

I received an email from a reader in New Zealand asking about clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease.

Yes I know, but how do you get into these trials, it is just about impossible for someone in NZ to get into a USA or British based one, I have asked before.--Jocelyn

I did a search at Clinical Trials.gov and found two clinical trials that are recruiting new patients in New Zealand.

Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Bapineuzumab in Alzheimer Disease Patients

Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Bapineuzumab in Alzheimer Disease Patients

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Let me explain how I did this.

I went to Clinical Trials.gov.

In the upper right hand corner of the home page there is a search box. I entered: Alzheimer's New Zealand.

This took me to a page that listed 12 clinical trials in New Zealand. The two I mention above were the only two that are now recruiting.

When I look for a clinical trial I usually enter: Alzheimer's Florida. Or, if I want to find a clinical trial that is very close: Alzheimer's Delray Beach.

This is the easiest way to find an ongoing clinical trial that is nearby.

When you get to the page for a clinical trial that is recruiting new patients, you will want to look at the inclusion/exclusion information to see if you can qualify.

If you are unsure, call and ask about the trial. They will ask a few simple questions over the phone to help determine if you are a candidate.

While you are on the phone, you can ask if they are participating in additional clinical trials for Alzheimer's or dementia.

The first time I made a call about a clinical trial for my mother, I learned my mother was potentially qualified for three clinical trials.

We went in for an interview and then they gave me the disclosure documents that explained the trials and the risks associated with the medication. The disclosure documents are very thorough and full of information.

It is worth the effort to call the locations near you that are conducting clinical trials for Alzheimer;s and dementia. There could be something coming soon that is not yet listed in clinical trials.gov. It doesn't hurt to ask, and they are usually very nice and accomodative on the telephone.

If you decide to go for a clinical trial let us know about your experience.

Special note to Jocelyn. You might consider contacting Alzheimer's New Zealand. They have 23 locations throughout New Zealand and can offer support and information.

Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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Note from our Reader on Dimebon

Our reader Lou started the Dimebon clinical trial just over a week ago. He sent me an email and said,

...it is
stunning how quickly my faculties have improved. Speech, memory, and
intellect seem to be significantly improved.

This is great news, Lou. Keep us informed on how you are progressing.

Also see Medivation Dimebon Connection Study Complete, Additional Phase 3 Trials Still Open

All 19 Dimebon clinical trials and status.

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Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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• Questions About Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimers and Dementia
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• The Thyroid and Alzheimer's
• Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?
• Flavanol-rich Cocoa Consumption Improves Blood Flow to the Brain
  
• A Simple Three Minute Test Can Detect the Earliest Stage of Alzheimer's Disease
• Eli Lilly Launches Two Late Stage Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's (LY2062430)
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Descent Into Alzheimer's a Series of Self Portraits

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

William Utermohlen died in 2007 of Alzheimer's Disease. His artwork represents the most complete and coherent view of a patient's experience with dementia.

In 1995, Utermohlen learned that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and began a series of self portraits that reflect his descent into Alzheimer's.

The portraits are eerie and moving.

See the portraits.

Neural stem cells offer potential Alzheimer's treatment

While this research and the results are at an early stage, I believe this is exciting science. Granted it has a long way to go.

The science excites me because I am a believer in stem cell research and stem cell regeneration. Back in the 1990s I worked on the startup financing for Osiris Therapeutics.

Osiris was founded in 1992 to develop Dr. Arnold Caplan and his colleagues' innovative technology for isolating and expanding mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from donated bone marrow for therapeutic drug products.

I have no idea, at this time, how neural stem cells are derived. I am hoping to find this out. I am also interested in learning how this science will be viewed by the FDA.

I have an email into Dr. LaFerla. I expect to have contact with him soon. More on this as the story develops, and more when I obtain additional information.

Changes in White Matter May Predict Dementia Risk

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging, a component of the National Institutes of Health; the Department of Veterans Affairs, a Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award in Aging, the Max Millis Fund for Neurological Research, and the Storms Family Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation.

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Changes in White Matter May Predict Dementia Risk

Research at Oregon Health & Science University supports the previously held notion that an increased rate of white matter degradation in the brain may help predict whether a person will develop dementia later in life. The results of the research are printed in the July 14 edition of the journal Neurology.

"Changes in brain white matter are frequently detected in MRI images as a person ages,” said Lisa Silbert, M.D., M.C.R., an assistant professor of neurology in the OHSU School of Medicine. “However, during our research, the kind of changes we witnessed in some subjects – relatively small changes in white matter in the brain over time – appears to correlate to the development of memory and thinking problems that might explain age-related cognitive changes that possibly lead to Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.”

White matter is one of two major components in the brain - the other being grey matter. White matter is composed of myelinated axons, or nerve fibers, which act as a form of wiring in the brain that connects different processing areas (grey matter) of the brain to one another, much like electrical wiring in a home. White matter develops in the human brain through early adulthood but later degrades as a person ages.

To track white matter levels in the aging brain, scientists observed 49 people older than 65 for a approximately 10 years. During that time, each patient received at least three MRI brain scans to track whether there were any structural changes in the brain, including changes in white matter. Each participant also received annual cognitive tests to track their thinking skills over time. In tracking these patients, researchers observed that 24 of the 49 patients developed cognitive impairment.

The factor that predicts mental decline in some subjects but not in others appears to be the rate of change in white matter. In other words, those study participants who had the fastest rate of white matter degradation during the study were the most likely to suffer cognitive impairment.

“To put it simply, it’s not just how much damage you have, it’s how quickly you develop it,” added Silbert.

“Such findings are advancing our efforts to create rigorous imaging and biomarker standards that may allow us to characterize dementia in its earliest stages. Doing so will provide us the tools and tests needed to monitor progress of cognitive decline and responses to drug treatment,” said Marcelle Morrison-Bogorad, Ph.D., Division of Neuroscience director at the National Institute on Aging, the primary funder of this study.

The next steps for the research team are to determine what factors cause white matter to degrade and whether the process can be slowed. By slowing the progression of white matter degradation, researchers believe that it may be possible to delay the development of cognitive problems past the life expectancy of most people, resulting in increased cognitive health and quality of life for our elderly population.

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging, a component of the National Institutes of Health; the Department of Veterans Affairs, a Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award in Aging, the Max Millis Fund for Neurological Research, and the Storms Family Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation.

Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

More from the Alzheimer's Reading Room

• The Alzheimer's Reading Room--Press Release
• Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
• Questions About Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimers and Dementia
• Dimebon Clinical Trial?
• The Thyroid and Alzheimer's
• Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?
• Flavanol-rich Cocoa Consumption Improves Blood Flow to the Brain
  
• A Simple Three Minute Test Can Detect the Earliest Stage of Alzheimer's Disease
• Eli Lilly Launches Two Late Stage Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's (LY2062430)
• Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
• Wii a Useful Tool for Alzheimer's Caregivers
• Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away
• 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
• The Mini-Cog Test for Alzheimer's and Dementia
• What is Dementia?
• A Real Solution to the Health Care Crisis
• 80 Percent of Medical Bills Contain Errors -- Fighting Mistakes

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems

National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife Foundation Honor Innovators Making a Difference in the Lives of Caregivers

This year's award winners are:

• Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) of New York, NY for the SAGE Caregiver Program, the only program in the country specifically designed to meet the complete care and support needs of LGBT caregivers, who are often marginalized from mainstream service and support.
• The Pro Bono Counseling Project of Baltimore, MD for its Caring for Caregivers program, which links low-income, uninsured caregivers with licensed mental health professionals, who donate their time and skills to families of persons with cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others.

• James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA for its Caregivers Community Network, which recruits and trains community volunteers and students to provide respite and companion care services to families caring for frail or disabled older adults in rural VA.
• The Copper Ridge Institute in Sykesville, MD for its Dementia Skills Training for the Home Caregiver, an innovative educational program available in English or Spanish, designed to be sensitive to the dignity and quality of life necessary for both patient and caregiver. This program was also honored with an Alzheimer's Recognition Award.
• DARTS in Minneapolis, MN for its Workplace Eldercare Seminars, which support caregivers in the workplace with education and resources bringing confidence to the caregiver, payback to the employer, and a needed spotlight on aging and caregiving.
• The Community Action Program East Central Oregon in Pendleton, OR for Native Caring, a Native American Caregiver training conference that provides workshops and activities integrally tied to the spiritual, physical, mental and social -- all key elements of the Native American value system of care. This conference was also honored with a Cultural Diversity Recognition Award.
• Lifespan, Al Sigl Center, and The Arc of Monroe County, all based in Rochester, NY, collaborated to create Future Care Planning Services, which provides comprehensive life care planning services to assure peace of mind and a legacy of love for caregivers while providing autonomy for people with disabilities. The program also received an Award for Older Caregivers Caring for Adult Children with Disabilities.

Read the Press Release for more information.

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Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

More from the Alzheimer's Reading Room

• The Alzheimer's Reading Room--Press Release
• Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
• Questions About Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimers and Dementia
• Dimebon Clinical Trial?
• The Thyroid and Alzheimer's
• Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?
• Flavanol-rich Cocoa Consumption Improves Blood Flow to the Brain
  
• A Simple Three Minute Test Can Detect the Earliest Stage of Alzheimer's Disease
• Eli Lilly Launches Two Late Stage Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's (LY2062430)
• Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
• Wii a Useful Tool for Alzheimer's Caregivers
• Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away
• 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
• The Mini-Cog Test for Alzheimer's and Dementia
• What is Dementia?
• A Real Solution to the Health Care Crisis
• 80 Percent of Medical Bills Contain Errors -- Fighting Mistakes

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems

Walmart and this Alzheimer's Caregiver

I learned in my role as an Alzheimer's caregiver that exercise, bright light, socialization, and simple tasks that allow my mother to use her brain have a positive effect on her quality of life and behavior....

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy, now 94 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

I am always searching for new ways to keep my mother active and attached to real world.

About a year ago, I came up with a new idea and decided to give it a try.

I took my mother to Super Walmart for an outing. If you have a super Walmart near you, you already know the parking lot is usually jammed.

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When those touched by Alzheimer's find us they learn--They are not alone.

Those of you that come to the website to read will notice we have a little green Tweet button on each article. If you have a Twitter account, you can use that button to send the headline and tiny URL for the article on to your Twitter page.

When you ReTweet (RT) you share the information with all of your followers on Twitter.

By Tweeting, you also spread the word about Alzheimer's.

Of course, the Alzheimer's Reading Room benefits when you RT an article, and bring the website into the awareness of others who are seeking information and advice about Alzheimer's disease.

Those of you that are reading via our email and reader feed do not see the green Tweet button. If you want to ReTweet an article, click on the headline in the feed and then use the button when you get to the article on the website.

For those of you who are ReTweeting the information on the website--thank you.

If you have the time, hit the green button now and see how it works.

Thanks to everyone for reading, and for the nice comments you have been sending.

Bob

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Subscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading Room

Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

More from the Alzheimer's Reading Room

• Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
• Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?
• Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away
• 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems

Alzheimer's Reading Room Twitter Feed

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Here are some examples of articles that recently appeared on our Twitter feed. So far, 1439 articles on Alzheimer's, Dementia, Caregiving, and Health Care have been sent to the Alzheimer's Reading Room Twitter page via our feed.

Heart Disease Linked to Alzheimer's
"Our data suggest that American adults have limited knowledge and a poor understanding of factors that have been demonstrated to increase risk for Alzheimer's, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and other heart health risk factors," Jackson is quoted as saying. "They also didn't know much about protective factors against Alzheimer's, such as physical exercise . . . .We need more education programs and opportunities, across all demographic groups, focusing on behaviors that modify your risk for developing Alzheimer's disease."
Read it.

Stimulating Immune Response May Help Clear Alzheimer's Plaques
Vitamin D and curcumin, a polyphenol found in the Indian spice turmeric, may help the immune system clear plaques from the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, researchers say.
Read it.

Learning how to maintain your brain
The baby boomers are the first generation to have access to evidence-based recommendations on how to delay, or perhaps avoid altogether, this memory- and personality-robbing disease.
Read it.

Help is on the way for dementia families
Dementia sufferers in Lancashire and their carers will be among the first in the UK to trial a new support service.
Read it.

Bob DeMarco is an Alzheimer's caregiver and editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for advice and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob taught at the University of Georgia, was an executive at Bear Stearns, the CEO of IP Group, and is a mentor. He has written more than 700 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

More from the Alzheimer's Reading Room

• The Alzheimer's Reading Room--Press Release
• Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
• Questions About Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimers and Dementia
• Dimebon Clinical Trial?
• The Thyroid and Alzheimer's
• Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten?
• Flavanol-rich Cocoa Consumption Improves Blood Flow to the Brain
  
• A Simple Three Minute Test Can Detect the Earliest Stage of Alzheimer's Disease
• Eli Lilly Launches Two Late Stage Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's (LY2062430)
• Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
• Wii a Useful Tool for Alzheimer's Caregivers
• Five Ways to Keep Alzheimer's Away
• 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
• The Mini-Cog Test for Alzheimer's and Dementia
• What is Dementia?
• A Real Solution to the Health Care Crisis
• 80 Percent of Medical Bills Contain Errors -- Fighting Mistakes

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems

Caring for Our Parents (Book Review)

This is a serious book by an accomplished journalist, writer--Howard Gleckman.

'If you are a Boomer, you should buy this book and put it on the coffee table. You will need it in the future to take care of yourself. The notes section of this book, alone, is worth the purchase price. The 22 pages of notes come in the form of a bibliography that you will be referring to over and over in the years ahead.

Caring for Our Parents is chock full of information and example that you, and I, will need as we age'. --Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Caring for Our Parents: Inspiring Stories of Families Seeking New Solutions to America's Most Urgent Health Crisis
The title of this book is misleading. In my opinion, the title would keep millions of Americans that need this book from buying it. The title does not do this book justice.

In addition, the promotional material positions the book for Boomers and their aging parents.

Visiting Angel

By Angil Tarach-Ritchey
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Yesterday morning I received a very nice email from an elderly woman in California. She had been to the website for my book, and commented on the work I’m doing, my story, and Visiting Angels, as well as giving me some information about herself and husband, who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.