No one immune to Alzheimer's

"I won't get it," or "No one in my family has ever had it so I'm safe." 

These are common phrases heard when the subject of Alzheimer's comes up.  However, hiding one's head in the sand or family history is no indication of the susceptibility of becoming its victim.

Many famous people have had first hand experience with Alzheimer's.  From celebrities to political personalities, this disease does not discriminate.  The following article from CNN shows how some poeple are thrown into dealing with this disease, some see it coming, and others.


http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/27/seth.rogen.alzheimer/index.html?hpt=C2

3 Stages of Alzheimers instead of 1

Old age is not a disease - it is strength and survivorship, triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments, trials and illnesses.  Maggie Kuhn



Many of us who have had this terrible disease touch our lives usually see it in a loved one.  It shows itself in memory lapses, interrupted thinking, inability to find words or finish sentences.  Unfortunately, by this time, the disease has taken hold of our loved one and it becomes a matter of trying to control or slow it down.  By this time, the inevitable is realized.

But researchers are hoping to redefine Alzheimer's as a 3-stage disease in the hopes of making a diagnosis earlier rather than later.  If found earlier, perhaps research and treatment can hold off or even cure this disease some day.

The following article from CNN explains why the redefinition of the stages of Alzheimer's might be a very important change in the diagnosis of what is quickly becoming a devastating disease.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/19/alzheimers.diagnosis.guidelines/index.html?hpt=T2

Budget Cuts in California

We've all been hearing about the budget crisis at both the Federal and State levels. Cuts to funding of programs dealing with our elderly hit many people especially hard at this time of recession when caregivers and family and friends look to these services for help. In California, our Governor has outlined some of the cuts he signed. In an update from the Alzheimers Association, here is what our State Government has proposed:

Governor Brown Signs Legislation that includes $6 billion in cuts to Health and Human Services programs. Who will lose funding? Late in March, Governor Brown approved the following budget cuts:

1. Elimination of Medi-Cal reimbursement to Adult Day Healthcare (ADHC) programs (effective6/1/11)

2. Cuts to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) (effective 7/1/11)

3. Additional ge neral Cuts to Medi-Cal (effective 7/1/11)

What does that mean and why should you care?

4. Adult Day Health Care loses Medi-Cal Funding As many as 80-85 percent of the low-income participants in adult day health care (ADHC) programs are there because the program receives funding from Medi-Cal to serve these individuals. This means ADHC programs must be condensed; days shortened; staff let go; become social, private pay programs; or possibly close their doors completely.

Every ADHC in the state is now considering what populations they can serve including whether they will continue to serve people with Alzheimer's disease -- who are often the most service intensive and who need extensive supervision and support.

IHSS - $486.1 million reduction in funding.

Governor Brown eliminated domestic services from outside providers (i.e. cleaning and meal preparation) for recipients who are living with a care partner. The reduction requires all participants to be reassessed and to obtain certification from a licensed health-care professional that says without in-home supportive services, the recipient is at risk of being placed in a skilled nursing facility. This costly measure to reassess each and every individual will be a barrier of many days, weeks or months for frail or disabled people to receive needed services.

Medi-Cal - $584 million in savings, achieved through new mandatory co-payments on prescription drugs, physician and dentist visits, emergency room visits, and hospital stays.

What's Next?

We can't be sure, but we do know that these cuts are going to become law. The hope that a ballot initiative will be prepared immediately and allow for new revenue is no longer an option. It appears increasingly likely there will be an initiative to gather signatures for a November ballot measure; however, that would be about NEW tax increases that expired in July. This will almost certainly create a great deal of controversy.

In the absence of other alternatives to solve the continuing budget shortfall, the legislature and governor may be forced to implement further cuts. Elimination of some programs is a very real possibility in the absence of revenue-creating solutions.

What Can You Do?

Know your legislators and their websites, emails and phone numbers Call or email your representative. Tell him or her your story and how Alzheimer's impacts your life. As a constituent, make it clear that complete elimination of programs and services is unacceptable for you and other millions of Californians who rely on these programs.

The Wisdom of Age

"Old age is no place for sissies" Betty Davis Studies show that the brain may shrink as far as a decade ahead of the symptoms of Alzheimers appearing. Although these tests are not yet ready for use on the general public, the hopes of researches are that this could lead to another tool of diagnosing this terrible disease as early as possible. Brain Shrinks a Decade Before Alzheimer's Appears Source Fox News http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42580059/ns/health-aging/from/toolbar Source msnbc

The Wisdom of Age

"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these." Dr. Robert H Goddard We may, at one time or another, be each of these in our lifetimes. It's when we grow older that we can actually empathize with each. Our compassion with the aged can help us achieve all these goals. Show this compassion with an elder in your life -the rest will come.

When a Loved One Gets Violent

The caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia is difficult enough. Now add violence to the mix-it's just gotten more difficult. Anger, violence, temper tantrums---these are all very real possibilities, perhaps probabilities, when dealing with these terrible diseases. The personality of someone we know can drastically change as Alzheimers and dementia progress. I have personally dealt with this as my mother became, shall we say, articulately profane. She was never one to use profanity or swear words - that is, until her dementia was in the latter stage and she had some small strokes. Suddenly, it was as if a completely different person was using her mouth. One minute, she was swearing at my father, my siblings, me, her caregivers, her doctor and nurses; the next, she didn't remember speaking those words. For my mother, I got her to her doctor and he was able to medicate her. This was of tremendous help and although I do not believe in medicating to the point of catatonia, the medications he prescribed for her helped her live a much calmer, more enjoyable life. Yes, it took some time to get the right prescriptions to work for her. We had to pass on the newest medication at the time due to its likely side effect of kidney stones. But we kept working together with her doctor and finally achieved a level of comfort for her. The attached article from CNN helps to explain this aspect of the diseases and gives some tips for dealing with this change. I hope it can help someone out there. When Alzheimer's turns violent - CNN.com

Finding the Right Care for Your Elders

There are many options for care for our elders. Many are unknown to most of us, but the following link has an expansive listing of options for care, regardless of what stage you might be in. The Golden Journey can help you find the option best for you and your loved one.

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/oct2006/pi20061016_810088.htm?chan=search