Alzheimer's Care Aurora IL
A Christmas Poem
I have a really praiseworthy story of how God works in mysterious ways. I’m still in awe. I was wondering over the weekend what to write in this section that would be meaningful for the holiday season. So, I get a text from a caregiver on Sunday afternoon asking me to bring some timesheets to our interview on Monday. Why would he need a time sheet for an interview? Did not make sense to me. It was only an interview. But then I realized I forgot to pick up some new copies of the time sheets that I had printed a couple days prior. So I get to the store and a nice well dressed lady was standing in front of me getting copies made of a poem. The employee of OfficeMax told her it was a nice poem and she mentioned that it was written by her 98 yr. old mother that writes a new poem every Christmas. Wow! I thought to myself. That could go in my newsletter and website since it was written by a senior and it relates to the reason for the season. She gladly gave me a copy and now I get to share it with you. Praise God for the timing of how I got the poem. God really did provide this meaningful message for you.
It’s Christmas!
Christmas brought the Christ to earth. To a world of sin and woe. Where man did strive but could not earn. The Gift God’s Love did bestow! Praise God for the Good News. That man can seek Him still. Can seek, as in days of old, His forgiveness and His will!
O Blessed Christmas,
Helen Pace, Aurora, IL (98)
Exercise Class Helps Alzheimer’s Patients
Judy Buck is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, diagnosed about a year and a half ago.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like,” the 68-year-old Henrietta woman said of the time when she won’t know everything that’s going on around her.
But she is not waiting.
Judy and her husband, Dick Buck, 69, enrolled in a class at the JCC of Greater Rochester, New York for people with Alzheimer’s and the spouse or family member caring for them. She struggled in the first session to follow some of the footwork. She practiced at home, and the second time stayed in sync with the group.
“I was able to learn something new,” Judy Buck said.
Alzheimer’s Research
As researchers keep working on long-term treatments in the quest for a cure, attention is being paid to non-medical approaches to managing the disease and improving life for patients and the people closest to them.
The JCC, which several years ago piloted an exercise program in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association, developed that idea into Music, Mindfulness and Motion. The six-week class meets for an hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and combines aerobics with strength, balance and visual training. The program, led by certified personal trainers Carm Heidt and Kathy Mulvehill, is open to the public and funded with a $10,000 grant from the Konar Family Foundation.
Early diagnosis means that people are functioning longer with the disease, increasing the need for activities to promote general health.
“In the past, they didn’t call us till it was late-stage and they were looking for a nursing home,” said Paula Casselman, director of programs and services for Alzheimer’s Association Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter. “The earlier they are diagnosed, the quicker they can receive treatment that helps in social engagement and physical activity. It’s not a cure for the disease, but it improves quality of life.”
Read more about day care centers for those with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Aurora.
Alzheimer’s Care Aurora IL: The Benefits of Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s Patients
My husband Steve, now 61-years-old, has early onset Alzheimer’s disease. In May 2008, while he was screening for clinical trials, I came across information about a potential treatment in development: AC-1202, now called Axona.
As I learned about the potential treatment, I learned that consuming medium chain triglycerides (derived from coconut oil) resulted in improved cognition in about half of the persons with Alzheimer’s or Mild Cognitive Impairment in their studies.
So, I gave my husband Steve some coconut oil. He had a dramatic response with a remarkable improvement in clock drawing and in his memory testing. Two months later, Steve continued to improve and other people confirmed that it was not my imagination.
Steve ‘s dramatic improvement began on the very day he started taking coconut oil. This was consistent with results of the first Axona study in which nearly half of the people had improved memory scores after taking just one dose of Axona.
Since we had changed nothing else in the months prior to or immediately after starting coconut oil, it ‘s reasonable that it was the cause for his improvement.
The way Steve explains the change he experienced, it was like the light bulb came back on the day he started taking coconut oil.
Why is Coconut Oil Beneficial to Alzheimer ‘s Patients?
One important feature of Alzheimer’s disease is that the brain gradually develops insulin deficiency and resistance. As a result, glucose (which is the usual fuel for brain cells) cannot enter the neurons, so the neurons malfunction before eventually dying.
But there may be a way to help alleviate that problem.
Medium chain fatty acids are converted in the liver to ketones. Those ketones can serve as an alternative to glucose, which means they may potentially help cells stay alive and function better.
Beyond Alzheimer ‘s
Increased ketones can also benefit people suffering from other diseases, such as Parkinson ‘s, ALS (Lou Gehrig ‘s), multiple sclerosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, autism, Down ‘s syndrome, and Huntington ‘s chorea. Ketones can also serve as an alternative fuel for other cells in the body that are insulin resistant or cannot transport glucose, and could potentially lessen the effects of Diabetes I or II on the brain and other organs.
So What ‘s the Problem?
Medium chain triglycerides are made in the human mammary gland. But other than that, humans do not make medium chain fatty acids–so we must acquire them from foods.
Unfortunately, most Americans consume oils that don ‘t contain any medium chain fatty acids. But the good news is that medium chain triglycerides make up 70% of the saturated fats in coconut oil.
If you are at risk due to family history, consider making this dietary change as well for prevention. If your loved one is in assisted living, the doctor may be willing to prescribe coconut oil and/or MCT oil to be given at each meal, increasing gradually. Another alternative would be for the doctor to prescribe Axona.
Alzheimer’s care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Aurora.
Alzheimer’s Care Aurora, IL: Alzheimers and Seperation Anxiety
When I visit my Alzheimer’s-suffering wife at the nursing home, she gets very upset as I leave; Is there anything I can do?
Q: When I visit my Alzheimer’s-suffering wife at the nursing home she is delighted to see me, but she begs me to take her with me when I leave, which is not a practical request. She shouts, “Bob, come back; take me with you,” as I walk away. It’s miserable for both of us. Any suggestions?
A: This must be so heart-breaking for you. Even though you recognize this placement as being the most appropriate caregiving solution, I’m sure you must be devastated at each visit when you hear her plea to leave with you. The difference between your emotional pain and that of your wife is that it remains with you for a long time after your visit while it is most likely forgotten by her shortly after you are out of sight. I suggest the following possible ways to make your separating more comfortable for each of you:
1. Try to always have your departure time when a scheduled activity or meal is about to take place. Folks with Alzheimer’s (AD) generally focus on one occurence at a time and if your wife is joining in a group with others or preparing for a meal, her focus is not on you leaving but rather on the new activity.
2. Speak with the staff and request an aide to assist with the transition from your visit to the new activity.
3. Do NOT let your body-language or non-verbal language transmit your dismay. Leave quickly, gently, and smilingly! Remember that AD folks are quite adept at taking cues from our non-verbal responses and read our tone of voice, facial expressions, and emotions.
No matter how contrived it may be, be as positive as possible as you change companions with the staff member. If you check back with the staff shortly after you leave, you will most likely discover that she has transitioned quite well and you will find that, without the stress of a tearful departure, your visits will be more enjoyable.
I hope these suggestions work well for you and do remember to take care of YOU!
Alzheimer’s care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Aurora.
