Monday, December 13, 2021

Touch Is Important

 Touch is important. There is a lot of research which shows that just 5 minutes of hugging and touching can create calmness.

A soft massage increases relaxation and psychological well being. A study showed improvement in severe elderly Alzheimer's patients who received tactile message.

Give your loved one a gentle message to reduced aggressive and stress. Even severe patients can benefit.

Here is a link to the study:











Saturday, December 11, 2021

Paid Family Medical Leave

 This blog entry is from my friend Lynda Everman. I am sharing her words below:

"Paid Family Medical Leave will soon be before the Senate. I've sent an email to our AL Senators urging them to pass the proposed legislation. This is the email I sent. Please feel free to use it to help draft your own:

I am writing as a former caregiver for my dad and late husband, both of whom had Alzheimer’s. This was not at all easy and lasted for 18 years, forcing me into an early retirement and loss of income. Today there are over 11 million caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s who find themselves in this same unenviable position.
Critical help in the form of paid family and medical leave for caregivers is closer than ever, with four weeks of paid leave included in the Build Back Better bill, approved in November by the U.S. House of Representatives. Paid leave will soon be before the Senate and needs to be addressed now or the ravaging impact on family caregivers will continue.
When a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, the effect on families is overwhelming—financially, physically, emotionally. Paid leave could help caregivers better navigate this unwelcome journey. It is not a full-scale panacea, but it is critical in making this turbulent voyage more secure. The Senate should move with haste to pass this much-needed and long-overdue legislation."

Monday, November 22, 2021

POB 9th Grader Improves The Lives of Dementia and Alzheimer's Patients

 It was a great honor to receive the Power of Children Award for my service work.  Here is an article that details my involvement with caregiving and Puzzle Time!


https://patch.com/new-york/plainview/pob-9th-grader-improves-lives-dementia-alzheimer-s-patients?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=share&fbclid=IwAR0xZ2yEL_i0W5O0mLEIhykcVibDXmx0MeYqr7gN2lwuafO32vG1X2Hx1c0

POWER OF CHILDREN AWARD - Children's Museum of Indianapolis

 Wining the Power of Children Award from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis was an incredible honor. I had a chance to meet so many other wonderful kids who are doing amazing things in this world.








Here is a link with a short video about my work https://youtu.be/-Mh8G3MxHJM





Sunday, November 21, 2021

Towards A Dementia Inclusive Society


The World Health Organization created a very helpful toolkit which offers dementia friendly individuals, families, and countries.


It offers implementation of activities and how we can have a dementia inclusive society.








https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240031531?fbclid=IwAR20zFDPcHoVncMV3TerEBEno8soeH-5ELbJMpnLYSY-Rd_jNdFjjvvcjes#.YZ0JpyvqKzc.facebook 

Power of Children Award

 We are very excited that our Executive Director, Hailey Richman was chosen as an awardee for the Power Of Children Award. Hailey is planning to use the award money to provide puzzles to Alzheimer's patients that are facing disparities. As a passionate influencer for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) is is important that resources will be given to communities that are in need.




Monday, November 1, 2021

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

 To all the kids who are acting as caregivers, I hear you, I feel for you. Our voices need to be heard. For National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month our eyes and hearts are with you.


November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. In 2021 over 11 million family caregivers will provide an estimated 1.5.3 billion hours of difficult, selfless, and unpaid care for 6 million loved ones living with dementia with a financial value of $257 billion. The numbers, the sacrifices and the suffering are staggering. And so is the isolation that comes with this disease.
There are many ways we can offer our support. Please take a moment to simply #DoOneThing to alleviate this burden on our friends and our society.
I lost my grandma who had Alzheimer's disease on April 14, 2021. For all who are currently struggling with this difficult disease, in their memory, I stand with you and continue to work to advance better and more compassionate care, prevention, and a cure. #ENDAlz



November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month! - BAMSI

Saturday, October 16, 2021

My Friend Greg O' Brien, Diagnosed With Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease

 He shares strategies for LIVING with Alzheimer's disease. This video is easy for kids to understand. 

I met Greg O'Brien at the National Alzheimer's Summit and I think he is just amazing. Tune into this funny and inspiring and optimistic interview with Dr. Lisa Genova! His book On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's speaks of faith, humor and hope from his perspective. 


I think tweens and teens would find this book so incredibly helpful! He gives suggestions about how to live with the disease. I would have loved to have read this book a few years ago. 

 hohttps://youtu.be/7u_i-FXlZzY


There is now an incredible documentary about him called, "Have You Heard About Greg". Here is a trailer link: https://www.hyhag.com


Thursday, October 14, 2021

Brushing Hair

 Brushing hair and styling hair is a great way to care for a loved one. It brings such joy. This ER nurse is amazing.


https://fb.watch/agP_c_SMX8/

Sunday, October 10, 2021

The Problem of Alzheimer's by Jason Karlawish

 I was introduced to Alzheimer's at the age of 4 when I became a caregiver to my grandmother who had Alzheimer's disease. This book is a must-read. Thank you Lynda Everman for bringing it to my attention.

💜💜💜

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

2021 Alzheimer's Association Report: Race Ethnicity and Alzheimer's Disease


 


The 2021 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report: Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer's in America. The statistics are upsetting. There is a huge disparity and sometimes even discrimination and bias in the care of Alzheimer's patients.

 By 2050 there will likely be 12.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease. There are 3 types of disparities: HEALTH -black,indigenous people of color (BIPOC)are MORE likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases; and they are less likely to be recruited and used for research and clinical trials, HEALTH CARE - is not adequate for BIPOC, and there is bias and sometimes discrimination.

 BIAS - language and cultural bias exists in the care of Alzheimer's patients There are SOLUTIONS to the problems that exist. 1) Awareness amongst healthcare providers - they should evaluate and consider a diagnosis and treatment plan for minority groups. 2) Diversity in Alzheimer's care - institutions that house Alzheimer's patients should be diversified providing resources and tools for care for all. 3) Diversity of the participants in clinical and research trials.

Click below for the full article

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Cure Alzheimer's Fund


I am hoping for a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Or at least preventative measures that could really make a big impact.  I donated part of my Prudential Spirit of Community National Honoree Award money to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund.

Here are some facts:
  • They support breakthroughs in the field like the Alzheimer's Genome Project 



    • Cure Alzheimer's Fund - Hailey Richman
    • All donations go directly to fund research leading to a cure
    • They encourage scientists to pursue unusual ideas and take bold risks
    • They are funding some of the world's leading researcher