SIBLEY HALL Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018
SUNY Plattsburgh
Registration at noon Walk begins at 1:30 p.m.
Rain or Shine!
Theresa Hammett (middle) poses with her daughter, Julie Olsen (left), and granddaughter, Sierra Rock (right), outside of their home. They are this year’s spokes-family for the Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember.
A supplement to the PRESS-REPUBLICAN • Friday, September 14, 2018
2 Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember 2018 • Friday, September 14, 2018
The day in the life of a caregiver family After Theresa Hammett was diagnosed with dementia, her closest relatives and friends all came together to help her in her day-to-day battle against memory loss. By Teah Dowling
A
ccording to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Theresa Hammett, a 90-year-old Plattsburgh resident, is one of them. Theresa has dementia. She, like millions of others, suffers from severe memory loss. Because of this, she can’t live alone and requires the help of her loved ones. Julie Olsen, Theresa’s daughter, is her primary caregiver. Julie’s husband, Bob, their daughter, Sierra Rock, and other relatives all pitch in to help. “She’s happy, and she’s in great shape for 90,” Julie said. “But someone needs to be with her at all times to take care of her.” Theresa Hammett during her younger years. Photos provided
A LATE START Julie noticed a problem with her mother’s memory when she was 75 years old. “She was still very active, and she could still do things on her own like drive and watch the kids,” she said. “But she started repeating the same stories all the time.”
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Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember 2018 • Friday, September 14, 2018 3
when she is reminded that she is 90 years old. Theresa visited doctors frequently, but a 15-minute consultation wasn’t “Sometimes, she believes that she can still drive and shovel snow,” Julie enough time for them to fully understand the nature of her memory loss. said. “It’s so strange how the brain works.” “Her memory was slipping more and more, and she kept forgetting things Theresa currently has a 30-second retaining period for memory, meaning she did on a day-to-day basis,” Sierra said. “She even forgot to pick me up that's how long she remembers any new information. from school one day when I was in school.” So she repeats the same stories over and over and asks the same questions “But the doctors couldn’t see all of that in that window of time,” Julie added. repeatedly, especially when going in a car or participatTheresa wasn’t officially diagnosed with dementia ing in a new activity. until 10 years later. “Sometimes, she [Theresa] Julie has experience working with people with AlzheimThe diagnosis, as scary as it was, came as a relief to believes that she can still er’s and dementia as she is a retired nurse of 34 years — 10 the family because they finally got the answer they'd been seeking for years, Julie said. drive and shovel snow... of those years at Meadowbrook Nursing Home. “We wish it was sooner though.” Her background gives her the confidence needed to She’s pretty independent, According to the Alzheimer’s Association, early and take care of her mother, but there’s still a chance Thebut she still needs to be accurate diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion in mediresa may need to go into a nursing home someday. taken care of.” cal and care costs. “We’re trying to keep her home as long as we can,” Early diagnosis could result in someone with dementia she said. — Julie Olsen According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 16 million living independently longer; drug and non-drug treatment being more effective; and a longer time to save for additional care, acAmericans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. cording to the Social Care Institute for Excellence. These caregivers provide an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care valued at over $232 billion. DAILY STRUGGLE Julie and Bob live in an addition on her mother’s house; Julie spends, on Theresa needs 24-7 care now. average, at least five to six hours physically with her every day. Most days, she believes she’s a 55-year-old woman, but some days she’s in “She’s pretty independent, but she still needs to be taken care of,” she said. her 20s, memory-wise. “I knew this was going to happen given our family history with dementia and Theresa doesn’t recognize herself in recent pictures and is often shocked Alzheimer’s, so I was prepared for it.”
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4 Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember 2018 • Friday, September 14, 2018
DAILY ROUTINE Theresa’s routine at home is almost always the same. Julie wakes her mother up at 8 a.m., puts clothes out for her, readies her pills and makes her breakfast. Breakfast is usually followed by puzzles until Julie prepares lunch. Soap operas, other TV shows and knitting follow that until their glass of wine at 4 p.m. and dinner. Mid-afternoon, Julie takes a break while her mother knits or watches TV, preferably her favorite show, "Murder She Wrote," until dinner is served. More TV or activities will follow until bedtime at 9 p.m. Some days, Theresa watches new shows, like "Survivor" or "American Ninja Warrior." Going on outings, such as to a mini putt golf course, is another way the family switches things up — despite the question “Where are we going?” being asked repeatedly along the way. “It’s hard going out,” Julie said. “But they can’t be isolated.” Theresa goes to the Third Age Adult Day Center — a specialized program for persons with dementia and/or memory loss of the Alzheimer’s type — two to three days a week. “It’s a great place, and it’s a great way for her to get out,” said Julie. Theresa, however, gets nervous and anxious whenever she has to leave the house, and Julie is not there with her. So, those mornings are often stressful for her. However, once she gets there, she enjoys participating in the art projects, field trips and other group activities the center has to offer. “Sometimes the art projects get on her nerves because it reminds her of the
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projects she did with her students,” said Julie about her mother’s previous history of being a pre-k and kindergarten teacher at Peru Central School years ago. “But she is always happy and content by the time I pick her up.” RAISING AWARENESS Members of the Hammett, Olsen and Rock family are this year’s spokesfamily for this year's Alzheimer’s Walk — an event designed to raise awareness about dementia, including Alzheimer’s. “I want to help raise awareness,” Julie said. “I want more people to know about the Third Age Adult Day Center and the numerous other resources Plattsburgh has to offer.” “Most importantly, I want people affected by Alzheimer’s and (other forms of) dementia to know that they’re not alone.” Alzheimer’s Walk 2018 is set for Sunday, Sept. 30, at Sibley Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh. Registration will start at noon, and the walk will follow at 1:30 p.m. Funds raised at the event will go to the Third Age Adult Day Center. For more information, visit the Facebook page “Plattsburgh Alzheimer’s Walk” or call 518-564-3371.
Need Help?
Call the Center for Neurobehavioral Health at (518) 564-3377 for information about resources, support groups and appointments. For information on Third Age Adult Day Center, located at 101 Broad St. in Plattsburgh, call (518) 564-2329.
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