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Saturday October 13, 2012 Register Online at Walk2endALZ.org
For More Info Contact:
LuAnn Presser at Dorothy Love Retirement Community
937-497-6542
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a national fundraisingevent for Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association provides research money and needed family education and support services for people with Alzheimer’s and their families.
What is Alzheimer's? • Is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Learn more: Related • Is a progressive and Dementias. • Has no current cure. fatal brain disease. As many as 5.3 million Ameri- But treatments for symptoms, cans are living with combined with the right servAlzheimer’s disease. ices and support, can make Alzheimer's destroys brain life better for the millions of living with cells, causing memory loss Americans and problems with thinking Alzheimer’s. There is an acand behavior severe enough celerating worldwide effort to affect work, lifelong hob- under way to find better ways bies or social life. Alzheimer’s to treat the disease, delay its gets worse over time, and it is onset, or prevent it from defatal. Today it is the seventh- veloping. Learn more about leading cause of death in the recent progress in Alzheimer United States. Learn more: research funded by the Warning Signs and Stages of Alzheimer’s Association in the Research section. Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Scientists have learned a great deal about Alzheimer’s disease in the century since Dr. Alzheimer first drew attention to it. Today we know that Alzheimer’s:
Form A Team Or Walk Alone!!
JOIN US OCT. 13, 2012
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Registration 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the
Senior Center of Sidney-Shelby Co. 304 South West Ave., Sidney
10 a.m. - Opening ceremony, then walk all or part of the 2-mile route Rain or Shine! Complimentary lunch following the walk, served at the Senior Center!!
The funds raised in Sidney are used to provide programs and services in Shelby County
We Can All Make a Difference!!!
10 Signs of Alzheimer's Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor. 2
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
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Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror. What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.
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Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. What's a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.
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Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
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New problems with words in speaking or writing
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Why should you get checked? If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's in yourself or someone you know, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
With early detection, you can: Get the maximum benefit from available treatments — You can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer. You may also increase
your chances of participating in clinical drug trials that help advance research. Learn more about treatments. Learn more about clinical studies. Have more time to plan for the future — A diagnosis of Alzheimer's allows you to take part in decisions about care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters. You can also participate in building the right care team and social support network. Learn more about planning ahead.
Help for you and your loved ones – Care and support services are available, making it easier for you and your family to live the best life possible with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
When you see your doctor Your doctor will evaluate your overall health and identify any conditions that could affect how well your mind is working. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a: Neurologist — specializes in diseases of
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the brain and nervous system. Psychiatrist — specializes in disorders that affect mood or the way the mind works. Psychologist — has special training in testing memory and other mental functions. Geriatrician — specializes in the care of older adults and Alzheimer's disease.
Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.
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A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
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People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock"). What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
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Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's Consult a doctor when you have concerns about memory loss, thinking skills and behavior changes in yourself or a loved one. For people with dementia and their families, an early diagnosis has many advantages: • time to make choices that maximize quality of life • lessened anxieties about unknown problems • a better chance of benefiting from treatment • more time to plan for the future It is also important for a physician to determine the cause of memory loss or other symptoms. Some dementia-like symptoms can be reversed if they are caused by treatable conditions, such as depression, drug interaction, thyroid problems, excess use of alcohol or certain vitamin deficiencies.
Information provided by www.alz.org
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month in the Emmons Conference Room at Dorothy Love Retirement Community. For more information call LuAnn Presser at 497-6542.
Remember When When I spill some food on my dress, or forget to tie my shoe Please be patient and perhaps reminisce About the hours I spent with you. Teaching you how to eat with care and to tie the laces on your shoe How to brush your teeth and comb your hair Those were precious hours I spent with you. And when I forget what I was about to say Just give me a minute--or two It probably wasn't important anyway I would much rather listen to you. If I tell the same story time after time And you know the ending before I'm through Please remember your first nursery rhyme When I read it a hundred times for you. When my legs are tired and it's hard to stand and I can't walk the steady pace that I would like to Please take me carefully--by my hand And guide me now-as I so often did for you.
...because of all the times she remembered you
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Communication Best ways to interact with the person with dementia
Changes in the ability to communicate are unique to each person. A caregiver may recognize differences in the person with dementia such as: • Difficulty finding the right words • Using familiar words repeatedly • Inventing new words to describe familiar things • Easily losing train of thought • Difficulty organizing words logically • Reverting to speaking in a native language • Using curse words • Speaking less often • More often relying on gestures instead of speaking A number of physical conditions and medications can also affect a person’s ability to communicate. Consult your doctor when you notice major changes. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends ways to communicate with the person with dementia so you might understand each other better.
Helping the person communicate Communicating with a person with dementia requires patience and understanding. Above all, you must be a good listener. To help the person communicate: Be patient and supportive Let the person know you’re listening and trying to understand what is being said. Show your interest Keep good eye contact. Show the person that you care about what is being said. Offer comfort and reassurance If he or she is having trouble communicating, let the person know that it’s OK. Encourage the person to continue to explain his or her thoughts. Give the person
Best ways for you to communicate
person who you are. Call the person by name • This is not only courteous, it helps orient the person and gets his or her attention. • Use short, simple words and sentences • Don’t overwhelm the person with lengthy requests or stories. Speak in a concise manner. • Keep to the point. In some cases, slang words may be helpful. Talk slowly and clearly Be aware of speed and clarity when speaking. Give one-step directions Break down tasks and instructions into clear, simple steps. Give one step at a time. Ask one question at a time Don’t overwhelm or confuse the person with too many questions at once. Patiently wait for a response The person may need extra time to process your request. Give the
As dementia progresses, communication can become more and more challenging. Sensitive, ongoing communication is important, no matter how difficult it may become or how confused the person may appear. While the person may not always respond, he or she still requires and benefits from continued communication. When communicating with a person with dementia, it’s especially important to choose your words carefully.
To best communicate: Identify yourself Approach the person from the front. Tell the
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person the time and encouragement he or she needs to respond. Repeat information or questions If the person doesn’t respond, wait a moment. Then ask again. Ask the question in the same way, using the same words as before. Turn questions into answers Try providing the solution rather than the question. For example, say “The bathroom is right here,” instead of asking, “Do you need to use the bathroom?” Avoid confusing expressions If you ask the person to “Hop in!” – he or she may take that as literal instructions. Describe the action directly to prevent confusion. “Please come here. Your shower is ready.” Avoid vague words Instead of saying “Here it is!” – try saying, “Here is your hat.” Emphasize key words Stress the words in a sentence you most want to draw attention to,
feelings and attitude – they are often communicated through your tone of voice, even when you don’t mean to. Pay special attention to your body language • Always approach the person from the front. • Avoid sudden movements. • Keep good eye contact; if the person is seated or reclining, get down to that level. • Be aware of your stance to avoid sending a bad message. • Use positive, friendly facial expressions. • Use unspoken communication like pointing, gesturing or touch.
People with hearing limitations If the person has difficulty hearing: • Approach the person from the front. • Stand directly in front of the person when speaking to him or her. • Get the person’s attention by saying his or her name, and give a gentle touch. • Speak slowly and clearly. • Use a lower tone of voice. • Use unspoken communication like pointing, gesturing or touch. • Write things down, if needed. • If he or she has a hearing aid, encourage the person to wear it; check the battery often.
People with vision limitations If the person has difficulty seeing: • Avoid startling the person. • Don’t make loud noises or sudden movements. • Identify yourself as you approach the person. • Tell the person of your intentions before you begin. • Use large-print or audiotape materials, if available . • If he or she has glasses, encourage the person to wear them; keep them clean and have the prescription checked regularly.
Information provided by www.alz.org
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Changes in communication
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• Sending and receiving messages • How we relate to each other • An important part of our relationships • A way to express who we are • More than talking and listening • About attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language
like “Here is your coffee.” T u r n negatives into positives Instead of saying, “Don’t go there,” try saying, “Let’s go here.” Give visual cues To help demonstrate the task, point or touch the item you want the person to use. Or, begin the task for the person. Avoid quizzing Sometimes reminiscing may be h e a l t h y. But avoid asking, “Do you remember when ... ?” Stay away from saying things like, “You should know who that is.” Give simple explanations Avoid using logic and reason at great length. Give a complete response in a clear and concise way. Write things down Trying using simple written notes for reminders, if the person is able to understand them. A written response may also help when a spoken one seems too confusing. Treat the person with dignity and respect Avoid talking down to the person or talking as if he or she isn’t there. Be aware of your tone of voice • Speak slowly and distinctly • Use a gentle and relaxed tone of voice – a lower pitch is more calming • Convey an easygoing, nondemanding manner of speaking • Be aware of your
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Communication is:
time Let the person think about and describe whatever he or she wants to. Be careful not to interrupt. A v o i d criticizing or correcting Don’t tell the person what he or she is saying is incorrect. Instead, listen and try to find the meaning in what is being said. Repeat what was said, if it helps to clarify the thought. Avoid arguing If the person says something you don’t agree with, let it be. Arguing usually only m a k e s things worse. Offer a guess If the person uses the wrong word or cannot find a word, try guessing the right one. If you understand what the person means, you may not need to give the correct word. Be careful not to cause unnecessary frustration. Encourage unspoken communication If you don’t understand what is being said, ask the person to point or gesture. Limit distractions Find a place that’s quiet, so you won’t be interrupted. The surroundings should support the person’s ability to focus on his or her thoughts. Focus on the feelings, not the facts Sometimes the emotions being expressed are more important than what is being said. Look for the feelings behind the words. At times, tone of voice and other actions may provide clues.
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Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can gradually diminish a person’s ability to communicate. Not only do people with dementia have more difficulty expressing thoughts and emotions, they also have more trouble understanding others. The ability to exchange our ideas, wishes and feelings is a basic need.
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Husband resilient in face of Alzheimer’s Jake Dunaway never misses a meeting of the Alzheimer’s disease support group that meets monthly at the Dorothy Love Retirement Community in Sidney. He continues to attend even though his daily encounter with the debilitating ailment is over. His wife, Dolores, who suffered from Alzheimer’s for 11 years, died in November 2011. No longer does the Sidney resident have to watch the inexorable progress of the disease and the toll it took as Dolores got weaker and weaker and finally collapsed four times within 20 minutes at home. No longer does he cook her favorite foods in an attempt to get her to eat and then watch as she merely put spoonsful on the floor for the dogs. No longer does he stand in her room in the Alzheimer’s unit of the nursing home and listen as she, in the bathroom, screams as attendants try to bathe her. But every fourth Thursday of the month, he still goes to the meeting where he and others share their thoughts, frustrations and fears as they confront a villain that has no remedy. “That’s why the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is so important,” said Lu Ann
Presser, of Sidney, who, with Sarah Beers, of Dayton, chairs the Saturday event. “The money we raise is desperately needed for research and to support sufferers and their families right here in Shelby County.” The walk will begin with registration at 9 a.m. at the Senior Center of Sidney and Shelby County, 304 S. West Ave. Advance registration can be made at alz.org/walk or by calling (800) 272-3900. Participants are welcome to walk the full two-mile route or any portion of it from 10 a.m. on. At 11 a.m., at the Senior Center, lunch will start and door prizes will be awarded. People can walk in teams or as individuals and donations of any amount will be accepted. “Our goal is to raise $13,500,” Presser said. Experts estimate that as the baby boomer population ages, the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will grow to infect 50 percent of senior citizens. Unless a research breakthrough occurs, more and more families will find themselves facing what Dunaway faced. He first knew something was wrong when
he and his wife drove in separate cars to Piqua. They had planned to leave one with their son. “I was following her and instead of driving to Piqua, she went into Tawawa Park,” Dunaway said. “It just steadily got worse. She couldn’t dress herself or bathe herself. She couldn’t speak – only gibberish. She had always taken care of the family finances and she couldn’t do that anymore. That was a shock. I got that taken care of without too much damage. That was a mess.” He went to the nursing home three times a day, altering his visit times when he realized that his being there at mealtimes prevented Dolores from connecting with staff members. He took the two family dogs to visit her, too. “Ginger and Brandy would be on a leash. When I’d go through the double door at the entrance (to the facility), and put them down, they’d literally pull me straight to her room,” Dunaway said of his little shih tzus. The dogs would run to Dolores and jump into her lap. The couple’s sons, Brian, of Piqua, and Jake Jr., of High Bridge, N.J., seemed to mask their feelings, Dunaway
Photo provided
THE DUNAWAYS enjoy a hot air balloon festival together during happier times. The photo, Jake said, captured the essence of the joy in which Dolores lived. said. They were concerned about their father. But he was happy to support his wife. “I was the one who was blessed,” he said. “We had 57 years of married life and I dated her for two years before that. She was 16 when we got married and I was 19. When I put my wife in the nursing home, it was the hardest day of my life. I had a lot of guilt. I felt like I’d shoved my wife out the door.” By participating in the support group, he got to express those feelings.
Walk set to begin Saturday Shelby County’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s will follow a new route this year when teams take to the streets of Sidney on Saturday. As in past years, the fundraiser to support research for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease will begin and end at the Senior Center of Sidney and Shelby County, 304 S. West Ave. Registration will begin there at 9 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. This year’s route will be a two-mile loop from the senior center through downtown, around the track of the former Julia Lamb stadium, and back to the senior center. “Although the route is two miles, you walk what you can walk,” said
“When you make that decision to put your spouse or a loved one in the nursing home, you think you did the right thing,” he said. “Then, there comes a time when you make a transition and you know you did the right thing. And that’s a blessing.” Although most of her memory was gone, Dolores would often ask when she could go home. She was aware that she wasn’t at home. And she always recognized Dunaway. “When I came
through the door, she put her arms out for a hug. She knew me right up to the last hours,” he said. There are drugs available now that slow the effects of the disease. “Dolores had those medicines,” Dunaway said. “They give you six months more of knowing things, but it doesn’t stop anything.” Dolores was 73 when she passed away. “I think people need to be aware of what Alzheimer’s is,” he said. “It’s a cruel thing. It’s very cruel.”
The seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease
LuAnn Presser, of Sidney, who, with Sarah Beers, of Dayton, cochairs the event. The change of route was made to meet a requirement set by organizers at the national level, Presser said. Teams have been forming for several months, but it’s not too late to participate. And single walkers are as welcomed as those in teams, organizers said. The goal is to have 16 registered teams and raise $13,500. Last year, 13 teams comprising 118 walkers raised $12,600. “The money helps provide services in Shelby County,” Presser said. SDN Photo/Luke Gronneberg To register a team, call Presser at 497-6542. YOUNG AND old enjoy the 2011 Walk to End Walkers can also regis- Alzheimer’s in Sidney. This year’s event will begin at ter at the senior center 9 a.m. at the Senior Center, 304 S. West Ave. For photo reprints, visit www.sidneydailynews.com on Saturday.
• Stage 1: No impairment (normal function). • Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease) • Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline (earlystage Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms) • Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline (mild or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease) • Stage 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline (moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease) • Stage 6: Severe cognitive decline (moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease) • Stage 7: Very severe cognitive decline (severe or late-stage Alzheimer’s disease) This seven-stage framework is based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D. , clinical director of t he New York University School of Medicine’s Silbers tein Aging and Dementia Research Center.
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Shelby County Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting Last Thursday of each month
7:00 pm Location: Amos Community Center
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(On the Dorothy Love Campus) Contact Lu Ann Presser for more information (937)497-6542
705 Fulton Street, Sidney 2323911
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