Why Alzheimer's and Other Dementia Caregivers Should Be Honored This Labor Day

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Healthnews-stat.com

It is estimated that there are over 55 million caregivers, of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, worldwide. Learn what a hard job they have and why they deserve everyone's praise

According to the United States government Labor Day, celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America. Alzheimer's and other dementia caregivers certainly meet these criteria.

The first reason to honor these caregivers is for the financial burden they incur when caring for a person with dementia. First the family has consulted an Elder law attorney to get all the finances in order. Most likely the caregiver had to cut back on the hours of paid employment. Despite using all the resources out there, all expenses for the care of a dementia person will not be covered. That means go without, or pay for necessary items out of pocket.

The second reason to pay tribute to ones caring for someone with dementia is their resourcefulness. Caregivers are good at coming up with unique strategies for managing and paying for the supervision of their loved one. They may get help from attending a support group in person or online. However, they are the ones ultimately responsible for a workable plan of care.

Third is recognizing that many perform physically demanding aspects of a dementia persons' care. Many do the bathing, feeding and toileting of their family member with dementia. These tasks are difficult because many with dementia are confused and combative.

Next, these caregivers should be honored for all the time they devote to all aspects of a dementia persons' life. As just mentioned, most caregivers are responsible for the physical aspects of care. But they also must engage their loved one in meaningful activities throughout the day and sometimes well into the night. Fortunately many take advantage of adult day care to ease the burden. Unfortunately some dementia folks refuse to participate in or have behaviors that preclude them from attending these worthwhile programs.

The fifth reason for honoring those caring for a dementia person is all the time they devote to this job. The caregiver is most likely responsible for everything from cleaning to cooking to shopping to yard work. The list seems endless. These tasks are even more difficult because while the caregiver is doing them, he must also keep the dementia person safe.

It has also been reported recently that caregivers take longer to fall asleep despite being exhausted and that caregivers of dementia spouses enjoy life less Not to mention one-quarter of spouses of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are depressed
Also according to a report published by the National Alzheimer's Association, ten million caregivers provided....read all about honoring caregivers on Labor Day

Study gives Alzheimer’s patients hope

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Posted by Beach Blogger

What worries Ann Massengill and George Stone most about getting older is Alzheimer’s disease. “To me, that’s the worst disease known to man– including cancer and heart problems,” he said. “You’re robbing someone of their entire life… their entire memory from when they were a child to an adult.” “Some days you’re not as sharp as other days, and that scares me,” Ann added. Ann is part of an Alzheimer’s study at St. Petersburg’s Meridien Research . She’s in the beginning stages. Meridien introduces George as her caregiver. “No, I’m her roommate,” he said. “I hate caregiver means that you’ve gone past the last stage that you’re right there at the end. I’m her roommate and we hang out together and do things together and if I can help her by giving her a pill fine.” Ann is trying a new medicine, a strong antihistamine not legalized in the United States. In Russia, it has shown signs of improving memory function. So she’s giving it a try to avoid what she fears most. “Not being able to do things, not be able to care for myself all those awful things that happen to you,” she said. “We are in the dark ages of brain research,” said Dr. Mildred Farmer, a lead researcher at Meridien who’s spent 20 years studying Alzheimer’s. Despite how far medical advances have come researching disease, she said Alzheimer’s continues to elude doctors and scientists. “The reality is that there was a lot of data but not a lot of information,” Dr. Farmer said. “We know a lot of pieces of the puzzle but the puzzle is not entirely put together yet.” At Meridien, they are working to find a cure, with patients like Ann to preserve memory function and perhaps more groundbreaking— focusing on a new treatment for more advanced patients. It centers on the presence of plaques of amyloid that build on the brain, and an investigational drug that scrubs the brain. It’s taken 15 years to get to human trials on patients with Alzheimer’s, but they are there. Current therapies treat only the symptoms of the disease. This would target the disease itself. “We’ll know the answer in a year or so, so we’re right on the cusp of determining whether the ameloid theory is going to work,” Dr. Farmer said. She said everyday they are pioneering, looking.......read all about this Study gives Alzheimer’s patients hope

A Fair Wage for Caregivers

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New York Times

Change is too slow coming for the nation’s one million home care aides. In 2007, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a 1975 federal labor regulation that defines home care aides as “companions.” That definition exempts home care employers — often for-profit agencies — from having to pay the federal minimum wage or time and a half for overtime.

In explaining their decision, the justices pointed out that the law gives the Labor Department, not the court, the power to change the regulation. Yet, more than two years later, the regulation still stands.

Last month, 15 senators sent a letter to Hilda Solis, President Obama’s labor secretary, urging her to eliminate the “companion” exemption. A month earlier, 37 House members sent a similar letter. But beyond a statement from Ms. Solis expressing concern and pledging to look into the matter, there has been no progress.

Not surprisingly, home care aides — who typically help to feed, dress and move their elderly and disabled clients, in addition to keeping house for them — remain among the most underpaid and overworked in the labor force. They usually manage to make above the nationwide minimum wage ($6.55 an hour now, rising to $7.25 an hour later this month), in large part because many states impose higher minimums than the feds.

Still, most make below $10 an hour. And they are routinely denied overtime pay. Federal rules do not demand it, and only 16 states and the District of Columbia require any extra pay for extra work. Lack of overtime pay is especially unjust in the home care field because extra long shifts, including overnight stays, are common.

Taxpayers ultimately make up for the low pay because many home care aides rely on food stamps and other public assistance. The public pays in other ways, too: turnover is high, undermining the quality of care and driving up overall costs.

The Labor Department got off to a slow start when Republican senators held up Ms. Solis’s confirmation, in part, to protest her support for unions. But further delay raises the danger that the plight of home care aides will get mired in the broader debate over health care costs.

Another danger is that industry opposition to better pay will gain renewed traction in today’s troubled economy. Some home care employers say that having to pay extra for overtime could drive them out of business. In states where varying degrees.....read all of A Fair Wage for Caregivers

A mean and hurtful Alzheimers parent

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Caring.com

Katemom

My mom was diagnosed with alzheimer's several years ago and begun on medication. She did ok and the progression was slow.About a year and a half ago, she had other health concerns and we had to stop all medications. Last spring, she asked me and my family to move in with her. We sold our house and moved 2 teenagers, 2 cats and me and my husband into her home. She was willing to allow us to change the bedrooms for the kids, and make the living room into our bedroom so she could keep her master bedroom. She said whatever it took, she was afraid to stay alone anymore. She has never admited to her diagnosis, and adamantly denies it. Now that we have sold a lot of our possessions and moved in, she is very possessive. She won't give up things that haven't been used in 50 years, but we have to get rid of a lot. After moving in, she changed her mind about changing things. The kids rooms couldn't be changed, painted, pictures or posters hung, etc, without major arguements. Now, the only thing I hear is how their rooms arent clean and why don't i do something about it. I am so tired. Their rooms are fine, they are a little cluttered, but are clean. She won't give us closet space for storage so we still have things sitting around in our bedroom, because there is nowhere to put it. We've learned to just walk around it, and its really not that bad. Yet she complains about our rooom, too. We now lock it every day. She was always a neat freak, and spent my childhood cleaning all the time. My father is the one that spent time with me. I was a single mom for a long time and had to do things differently and I put my children before housework. We want to paint my 15 year old's room a different color than white, and hang pictures, but she won't allow it. The house is in my name, and whenever we try to do something, she says I just want her house, and her money, and she'll just find somewhere else to live and get out of my way. She always starts arguments in the morning before I have to leave for work and she starts crying. Then she tells my husband about it, then my 20 year old son, about how mean I am. She makes us feel like it is definetly her house, and we are here to serve her. I feel guilty when I get upset with her, but I can't help it. We moved here instead of moving her to us because this is the family home and the house was larger than ours, and more easily adaptable. She tells me how wonderful my brother is because he's always outside working at his house. Of course, he's the one who wanted me here, and his kids are grown and gone. I guess I am just really frustrated and tired of being the bad guy. She can be so hurtful in what she says to me, and when she tells her friends about how mean I am. We cook and clean for her, do her laundry, fix her medicines, take her to her doctors appointments, and to her hair salon every week. All I do in my free time, is take her or my 15 year old somewhere. I also work full time. When I get home, I am tired. She wants me to be perfect, but I am not. I am just feeling so alone right now. She used to be fun to be around, and now she's hateful all the time. You have to watch what you say, or she takes it wrong. I don't know what I am asking from this, but I just need someone to say they understand, and maybe I am not the only one who's parent is so mean to them. I do care what people say about me, and it really bothers me that they think I moved here to get her stuff. We don't talk about the alzheimers, so most of her friends don't know the real story.

Do you have any thoughts go to caring.com hurtful Alzheimers parent

Alzheimer's training programs for One Dollar

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Paying for Alzheimer's Care
Brian Willie

FACT: Training #1 alone was part of my Ultimate Alzheimer's Care
Rescue Program which sold for up to $497 (and is not even available
at the moment because it's sold out).

FACT: When I released this course, it
sold out in 6 days.

FACT: Training #2 features the top expert in the country on how to
find the best nursing homes and assisted living facilities-even on
a budget and even with Medicaid.

You pay just $1 for these two training programs (plus 2 other great training programs)
and you get instant access to:

-The entire first module of my Ultimate Alzheimer's Care Rescue
Program (full audio, written transcripts and all!) Value: $197

-"Secrets of Finding the Best Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
Facilities." (full audio and written transcripts) Value: $49

- My "Coping Caregiver Video Series" Value: $49

- "Powerful Ways To Sharpen Your Memory" Value: $27

PLUS

-An entire month Free in my Alzheimer's Care Rescue Club

I'm basically giving it away. (Yeah - my
jaw dropped, too.)

Get yours here before I run out or come to my senses and pull the
page down:

Warmly,

-Brian Willie
Elder Law Attorney and Founder of Paying For Alzheimer's Care
P.S. - I'll be taking this page down soon so
get yours NOW while you still can! It's just $1.

P.P.S. How often are you able to get $322 worth of training for
only $1?

Family carers acting as ‘expert speakers’ on dementia care

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NursingTimes.net

Family carers of people with dementia are acting as ‘expert speakers’ to help train healthcare professionals in dementia care.

Under a scheme run by the organisation Uniting Carers for dementia, family carers are sharing their experiences to help improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the condition.

As well as raising awareness of dementia, the scheme is designed to empower the family carers themselves, and give healthcare workers an insight into the difficulties family carers face.

‘Offering professionals the opportunity to learn from family carers can make a real difference to a residential home carer, social worker, nurse or doctor,’ said a spokesperson for Uniting Carers for dementia, part of the charity for dementia

‘It can lead to a real.......read more about Family carers acting as expert speakers on dementia

How to Care for a Dementia Patient

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eHow

By kjones83

Caring for someone who suffers from dementia requires a lot of compassion, patience, and most of all, knowledge about this affliction. Whether you are a loved one or professional caregiver, these basic rules will help you.
And remember to always leave any real medical care to a professional.

Step 1 Remember that someone who suffers from dementia has good days and bad. At some points, they may be more responsive and alert. At other times, they may be withdrawn, angry or confused. Learn to recognize their state and respond accordingly.

Step 2 Be aware that many dementia patients tend to wander. If your loved one or patient often becomes restless and tries to wander, instead take them on a supervised walk. This often soothes their need to move around.

Step 3 If the patient or loved one does not know the accurate year, month or day of the week, do not correct them. This will only lead to further confusion. Instead, steer the conversation toward a more general but related topic. For instance, if the patient thinks it is 1942, ask "But how is the weather out today?"

Step 4 Familiar objects can often be a source of comfort to those with dementia. Keep these items around to help a dementia patient gain a sense of recognition when they are feeling confused.

For more dementia patient care tips

Caregiver Guilt

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Sharon Brothers MSW

Are you looking for caregiver training?

Check out the Personal Care Aide Certification - a comprehensive training program for family, in-home and assisted living caregivers.

Paula Spencer, senior editor at Caring.com wrote a great article on caregiver guilt titled "Aging and Caring: The secret guilt of caregivers" which I highly recommend both to caregivers and to professionals trying to better understand the challenges of family caregivers.

Paula points out that caregiver guilt closely mirrors what she calls "mom guilt."

She's so right, in my experience. Talking with families about leaving mom or dad off at their new retirement community or assisted living home, many report feeling like "leaving my kid at kindergarten or preschool the first day of school." It's a feeling of anxious uncertainty, wondering if you've made the right decision; if he/she will be OK; if the people in charge will do the right thing.

I believe strongly that becoming a family caregiver doesn't mean we're now parenting our parents; rather, we're experiencing yet another role shift in our relationship as we have at various times throughout life. Still, the feelings of parenting seems pretty close to some of the guilt-feelings of caregiving. When your child (mom) is ill, should you just watch and see, or rush to the doctor? It always seems that whichever choice you make will inevitably be the wrong one...and more guilt rushes in.

Paula shares some great "rules of thumb" about handing guilt:


You can't ignore this pesky emotion, can't will it away. Guilt simply is. So straight off, don't think there's anything bad or wrong about your feeling it.


There's good guilt and bad guilt. Good guilt is the kind that causes us to examine our behavior and make a change, if necessary. If you feel guilty because, say, you were impatient with a parent with dementia, it's like a little poke reminding you to try a little harder next time because hey, patience really is a virtue. Unfortunately what eats most of us alive is bad guilt. Bad guilt has no constructive underbelly. Bad guilt makes you feel guilty about a situation that you can't help (your parent has to move into rehab, for example) or that is actually a positive for you (you're hiring home care because you can't do it all yourself)


Beware the oughts-shoulda-couldas. For caregivers, this refrain can sound like: "I ought to be able to handle this; I'm her daughter." Or, "I shouldn't feel so happy about going someplace without Dad." Or, "I could have handled that better." Things (and feelings) are what they are; stewing or denying wastes precious energy.


Guilt creeps in when we discount ourselves. Ironically, selfless people tend to feel proportionately more guilt. Because they work so hard aspiring to an ideal way of doing things for others, they tend to ignore the inconvenient reality that they have to look after themselves all the more. They may even forget that they, too, deserve extras and shortcuts. Or, when they finally get around to (by choice or force) having a Calgon bath or lunching out with friends, it feels as alien as it does great. That's a sign you probably need to follow your self care with more self care.


Guilt loves high standards. News flash: Nobody's perfect. No caregiver anticipates every fall or bedsore. Tempers boil. Germs sneak in. Bills slip through unpaid. Life happens, in other words, no matter how much you love the person or how much you feel you "owe" him or her. Aim to be a "B" caregiver instead of an A+ caregiver, and everybody's going to be happier.


No mom is an island. No caregiver, either. I think it's no coincidence that most of the "happy guilt" that creeps into a caregiver's mind follows having the load lightened by getting help. It's such a persistent canard that it's somehow a sign of weakness to ask for or find assistance, and from as many sources of help as you can locate or who will offer it.

When my kids were little I learned that, as a working mom with three little girls, guilt would be a part of my life. Somehow, just accepting that seems to make it a little less powerful, and maybe lets us get on with life and do what we need to do, in our very own personal style.

How to Cope with a Loved One with Dementia

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eHow

By DLR Writer

When a loved one is diagnosed with Dementia it can be a frightening thing for both the loved one and for the rest of their family. People with dementia do not know that something is wrong with their minds and may just think that people are treating them differently. Dementia will in almost every case, turn into Alzheimer's, another devastating disease. I hope that by reading the following suggestions, that you will learn how to cope and help a loved living with this condition

Step 1 It is very important to educate yourself on how a person with dementia might act and react in certain situations. Being prepared to answer questions over and over again, reminding the person of what they just said, or helping them recall memories is a big part of dealing with a loved one with dementia.

Step 2 Dementia can cause your loved ones to become agitated, they will get upset, angry, frustrated and may even lash out physically. A change in surroundings can unravel them because they are easily confused and may see things as detrimental to them and not helpful. Staying calm in these situations is key, if you get upset, they will most likely get more frustrated and more upset. Let them do things their way, as long as they aren't in any danger, let them make the call, just be there for them.

Step 3 Some people with dementia will have trouble going to sleep, try helping them out by having them be aware of the time, bring up the time in conversation, or make a comment that it is late or that it's dark outside to trigger them. They will sometimes just get turned around and not realize that it is nighttime instead of daytime. Place a clock near their bed so they can see the time. Sometimes the dark can cause confusion, place a plug-in nightlight in their room so it's not completely dark.

Step 4 Dementia can also cause a person to wander; they become anxious and confused and are just trying to figure out where they are. Be sure if they are in a room that is locked. Placing an alarm on the door will help in alerting you if they leave their room. This may seem like you are keeping them prisoner, but remember that you are doing it as a safety precaution and because you love them.

Step 5 Dealing with a loved one who has dementia is extremely hard, but with a good support system and education, you can help your loved one lead a better life. Spend as much time as you can with them and maybe even join a support group to help you cope. Dementia doesn't get better, but by being there for your loved one and knowing how to deal with them can be the best medicine ever.

Determining will-writing competency

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New Jersey Business News

by Karin Price Mueller
Friday August 14, 2009, 8:00 AM
Q: You answered a question last month about the transfer of a home from an elderly mother who has dementia to her caregiver child.

If the mother has dementia, how could she have the mental capacity to make such a gift?

When my mother wanted to change her will, the lawyer said no because he had concerns about her mental capacity and her doctor wouldn't say she was of sound mind.

My mother did write out the will in her own hand. How valid would such a will be if challenged by other family members?

-- Anonymous


A: That's a great question, and determining competency can be a confusing topic.

An elderly person could have dementia, but depending on the extent of the dementia, she might still have the competency to consummate a gift transfer, said Martin Shenkman, Paramus-based attorney and author of "Estate Planning for People with Chronic Illness or Disability."

''Someone can have dementia and suffer a stroke and still be competent to sign a will,'' Shenkman said. ''There are a number of different types of dementia and a stroke can have a wide possible range of impact.''

If someone is deemed incompetent, it's possible that she previously signed a durable power of attorney, which appoints an agent to make financial decisions, possibly including gifts, or a living trust with gift provisions, Shenkman said.

''If so, then the agent or trustee might have made the gift for her,'' he said. Your mom's handwritten will could be problematic.

''I am not sure what the lawyer intends to do with the read all of.......Determining will-writing competency

How Alzheimer's Families Can Immediately Stop Depleting Assets

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paying for alzheimers care

Stop Depleting Assets, Draining Nest Eggs And Finally Gain Back Your Control

Brian Willie



If your family is dealing with Alzheimer’s you have more than enough to worry about. Let me help! As the mind and body of your loved one starts to shut down, they will need help-- especially when the need for long-term care is close at hand.

Sadly, the medical symptoms can’t be reversed at this time, BUT THE STRESS AND WORRY OVER THE COSTS, CAN!

We still don’t understand exactly how Alzheimer’s disease damages the brain, but we do know that it strikes gradually and ferociously. And, the financial strain put on families can be just as unkind.

I’m sure you’re more than aware how difficult this disease can be emotionally, physically and financially. It can literally make you feel helpless. The negative impact on your health, employment, income and financial security can cause you to experience high levels of stress and depression.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, almost 10 million Americans act as Alzheimer’s caregivers, providing some form of care to loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Annually, this adds up to a staggering 8.4 billion hours of unpaid care. A contribution valued at $89 billion.

Yet ironically, with billions paid out in government benefits, close to 57% of Americans receive NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT from Medicare, Medicaid or any other government programs.

Financial support that your family is entitled to know about, apply for, and in many cases receive!

I know how hard this wretched disease is to deal with. Like you, I have watched someone special change before my eyes, and I understand how frustrating and overwhelming the disease can be.

I’ve experienced the stress of dealing with someone who seems deliberately difficult or who fails to recognize that something is even wrong…and how a life that was once filled with exuberance has been reduced to the heartache that they may now not recognize you. I know how hard it is to focus on anything else, let alone money.

But, eventually you will have to prepare for your loved one’s long-term care…and the literally shocking costs that you will face.

Find Comfort in Knowing Your
Financial Options

There are many ways to relieve the financial burden that occurs with Alzheimer’s disease. But getting assistance from read more of How Alzheimer's Families Can Immediately Stop Depleting Assets

How To Tell The Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid And Why It's Crucial To Understand

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Paying for Alzheimer's Care

Brian Willie

Not knowing how government programs work and more importantly the mindset of the people who work for these programs can quite literally mean the difference between having your assited living facility, nursing home or at-home care paid for, or running out of money in less than 26 weeks, depleting your assets, and draining your nest egg.

Why?

Because of.........

These are the innocent mistakes people so frequently make that end up costing them thousands and in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why? Because they are forced to pay privately with their own funds, or borrow from their friends and families because they were either denied or told they must ride out stiff penalty periods--periods of ineligibility........Read all of The Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid

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Aging Care.com

Carol Bradley Bursack

Covered in this article:
Dementia contributes to elder's fear of outside caregivers
Trying a new caregiver might alleviate elder's fear and abuse

When my uncle had in-home health care, he liked a couple of the caregivers, he thought one was okay, and barely tolerated two others. I wasn’t always there to witness his behavior, but I’d say that the caregivers he didn’t particularly like were not thrilled with him, either. Yet they did their job.

My neighbor, Joe, had a similar situation. He locked one caregiver out of his home, let another one in but was rude to her, and thoroughly enjoyed one young man because they could discuss golf. Quality of care wasn’t the issue. Joe resented anyone but me helping him, and the only reason he liked the guy was for talking about a shared sport.

Paid caregivers, hired by family members or even elders themselves, go into the elder’s home as nurses, assistants (CNAs) and custodial help (non-medical help such as shopping and light house keeping). Often their best efforts are frustrated by anger and actual abuse dished out by the elder they are there to care for.

I believe some of this abuse comes from fear. The presence of an outsider suggests to the elder that their family can’t (or doesn’t want) to take care of their needs. It also magnifies the extent of the elders’ care needs and makes them feel vulnerable. This fear, plus the denial of their actual need for care, can make them angry. If they are prone to lashing out when angry, then this person who represents the care they wish to deny becomes the target.

Family caregiving: when relationships add to the challenge

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Sharon Brothers MSW

Are you a new family caregiver?

View a FREE training module Becoming a Caregiver

We've been discussing some of the most challenging aspects of family caregiving here among our team and we're convinced that the relationship shift is probably right at the top.

Shifting from spouse and equal partners to care provider and recipient must be incredibly difficult. I know from my own experience that shifting from autonomous parent-adult child relationship to one where the parent is dependent on the child for care is challenging and disconcerting.

What about when one sibling sees the parent as smiling, happy and capable (the face she presents to them) while another sees a despondent, helpless elder (the face presented to sibling #2).

Then there's the daughter that feels the need to resolve issues from childhood with a parent before it's too late; issues that bring up long-buried feelings of anger, pain and helplessness.

I remember Emma who, suffering with advanced dementia, needed physical reassurance almost continually throughout the day. She'd hug us frequently, hold our hands and, in general, give and accept physical affection. I didn't think much of it until one day her daughter came into my office and told me, "I don't remember my mother ever hugging me as a child. She simply did not do that - ever." It broke my heart to realize that this warm, loving woman had lived so many years of her life unable to give or receive affection from those closest to her.

As we're working on creating materials to train and support family caregivers we're curious: what's the biggest relationship challenge you've experienced in caregiving? How did you resolve this challenge - how did it affect the caregiving experience?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Helps Older Adults with Anxiety Reduce Worry, Improve Mental Health

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SeniorJournal.com

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common in late life, with prevalence up to 7.3 percent in the community

Older adults with generalized anxiety disorder who received cognitive behavior therapy had greater improvement on measures of worry, depression and mental health than patients who received usual care, according to a study in the April 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common in late life, with prevalence up to 7.3 percent in the community and 11.2 percent in primary care. Late-life anxiety predicts increased physical disability, memory difficulties and decreased quality of life, according to background information in the article.

Late-life anxiety is usually treated with medication, but associated risks (e.g., falls, hip fractures, memory problems) with some drugs and patient fears of adverse effects limit their usefulness.

Two previous studies suggested benefits of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in primary care for late-life GAD, but the studies were small and the conclusions were limited. Older adults most often seek treatment for GAD in primary care.

Melinda A. Stanley, Ph.D., of the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, and colleagues conducted the first randomized clinical trial of CBT for late-life GAD in primary care to examine whether CBT would improve outcomes relative to enhanced usual care (EUC).

The trial included 134 older adults (average age, 67 years) in two primary care settings, with treatment provided for 3 months. Assessments were conducted at the beginning of the trial, posttreatment (3 months), and over 12 months of follow-up, with assessments at 6, 9, 12 and 15 months.

Patients were randomized to either
● CBT (70 participants), which included education and awareness, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, problem-solving skills training and behavioral sleep management; or
● EUC (64 participants), in which patients were telephoned biweekly during the first 3 months of the study by the same therapists to provide support and ensure patient safety. Therapists reminded patients to call project staff if symptoms worsened.

Levels of anxiety, worry, depression and physical/mental health quality of life were measured via various tests or surveys.

The researchers found that CBT, compared with EUC,...read all about Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Brain Exercises May Delay Dementia

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US News&World Report

Reading, writing, other brain exercises put off memory decline of dementia.

By LiveScience Staff, LiveScience

Activities that keep the brain active, such as reading, writing and playing card games, may delay the precipitous memory declines that define dementia, a new study suggests.

Dementia is a decline in mental capabilities, especially memory and functioning, that can be caused by specific diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as stroke and infections to the brain.

While genetics are suspected to play a role in dementia, more and more studies are showing that lifestyle factors might also influence the severity of the problems.

The new study, detailed in the Aug. 4 issue of the journal Neurology, involved 488 people age 75 to 85 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. They were followed for an average of five years; during that time 101 of the people developed dementia.

At the beginning of the study, people reported how often they participated in six leisure activities that engage the brain: reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, playing board or card games, having group discussions, and playing music.

For each activity, daily participation was rated at seven points, several days a week was rated at four points, and weekly participation was rated at one point. The average score was seven points total for those who later developed dementia, meaning they took part in only one of the six activities each day, on average.

The researchers then looked at the point when memory loss started accelerating rapidly for the participants. They found that for every additional activity a person participated in, the onset of rapid memory loss was delayed by 0.18 years, or about 9 weeks.

"The point of accelerated decline was....read all of Brain Exercises May Delay Dementia

Web Site Helps Caregivers Navigate Medicare

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

Kaiser Health News

The Department of Health and Human Services has created a web site called "Ask Medicare" to help caregivers navigate the often confusing Medicare system. CNN reports on the experience of Kim Mickens, a caregiver who used the site to help her mother, who has Alzheimer's disease. "Medicare personnel helped her get some of the medical supplies she needed and also recommend a new Web site called Ask Medicare. Designed to give easy access to people taking care of elderly relatives, Ask Medicare provides information and links to services that are important to caregivers."

CNN reports that HHS says "at least 44 million Americans provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or elderly family member or friend. Of those family caregivers, 7 percent -- like Mickens -- provide 40 hours or more of care a week. The new Web site... is meant to be a navigational tool for caregivers -- for whom time is valuable -- that cuts through all the bureaucratic red tape. ... According to the Center on an Aging Society at Georgetown University, family caregivers provide approximately 80 percent of long-term care services in the United States"

See the topics at Caregivers Navigate Medicare

Don't parent your parents

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

Sharon Brothers MSW

Are you a new family caregiver?
View a FREE training module, Becoming a Caregiver.

Remember your teen years? Most of us cringe when we think of the relationship (or lack thereof) we had with our parents during those years. Some of us (not me, of course!) still have secrets from our folks about our adventures during those tumultuous years...secrets that, God willing, we'll take to our graves!

So why would we want to revert to a relationship with our own parents that echoes those years? Why has our culture assumed that as our roles shift in our later years - as they do throughout life - we're moving to a "role reversal?"

Our relationship with our parents is one of the strongest forces in our lives - from birth onward.

We're 100% dependent on them for our survival in the first years of live. As we mature and naturally progress through the stages of life, our dependency grows less and less, until we're fully independent adults.

Along the way, of course, the relationship is fraught with challenges. Not all parents are up to the task, either physically or emotionally. Relationships can be difficult or destructive instead of nurturing and loving.

Whether the parental relationship is one that is fundamentally healthy or not, many adults in their prime years are finding that the relationship shifts once again. From living independent, largely separate lives, they begin to become more closely intertwined as the child steps into caregiving or advising roles.

It is a shift in roles, but it isn't time to start "parenting" your parents.

It's a time to respect them as adults. Allow them to make their own decisions, even if those decisions are not what you'd prefer. To collaborate in making life-altering moves (like leaving a long time home and moving into a care environment) and decisions about care.

Certainly there are times when our parents are no longer able to make their own decisions because of cognitive declines, confusion or memory loss.

That brings yet another shift in the relationship - but one that still reflects the need to treat our parents as adults, not as children.

Adults with whom we have long relationships, often winding and complex.

Adults in whom we're willing to invest time, energy and passion they move into the latter phases of their lives.

Finding our path to this shift in roles is often difficult. It might include false starts and a need, from time to time, to reconsider our fundamental values in the process.

Let me suggest these values: dignity (respecting privacy, decision-making and adulthood); autonomy (the right to make informed, independent decisions about one's own life, health and circumstances); independence (as opposed to surrender of abilities and decisions); choice (the right to select what one wishes).

Clearly, when mental function is compromised by diseases such as Alzheimer's, some of these values may shift. The value of safety takes precedence over nearly everything else, but we're still shifting roles within the context of adults, not children.

I don't know about you, but I'd pretty much do whatever it takes to avoid going back to a relationship with my parents that feels like adolescence - theirs or mine. I have no interest in reversing the roles (even though imposing a curfew on them might be a little bit fun)!

What I'm interested in is learning how we travel through this next phase of life together, strengthening the relationship we have developed over the years so that it is richer, fuller and even more rewarding to us all.

Rebecca Colmer Speaks to Caregivers about Respite Care

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

bignews.biz

Rebecca Colmer is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and a caregiving professional who developed MeAndMyCaregivers.com, a communications hub for everyone on the care giving team. Rebecca recently spoke at a meeting where adult caregivers get together to network, share ideas and offer support to one another.
The topic of discussion was respite care. “Respite services cover a wide range,” said Colmer. “They may include volunteer services, adult day care or even a care-receiver’s brief stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Respite care can also be provided by a private duty nurse, a family member or a friend to give the primary caregiver a break.”
Rebecca explained the importance of scheduling regular respite care to allow the primary caregiver to have time to him/herself. “It is important that the care-receiver and the care giver have some time away from each other. Without a break, the caregiver can develop stress overload or burnout.”
Rebecca covered the details of planning and topics to discuss with respite caregivers, including emergency procedures, medical needs, daily schedule and other special needs that the care receiver may have. “It is a good idea to have detailed instructions written out and ready for the respite caregiver,” said Rebecca. “Do not wait for an emergency to start answering questions; keep the information with the care-receiver’s other important documents.”
Rebecca Colmer is the creator of the Family Caregiver Organizer which includes a Respite Caregiver Checklist.

Memories Return from Depths of Advanced Alzheimer’s for Mice Given Neural Stem Cells

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

Here is information on being the best caregiver you can be

Here are more interesting dementia articles and activities,

SeniorJournal.com

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

The stem cells secreted a protein causing new neurites, strengthening and increasing the number of connections between neurons -

It is one of those things you might wish for if given just one wish – the recovery of memory for those suffering with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists at UC Irvine say they have made it happen using neural stem cells with mice.

The mice, genetically engineered to have Alzheimer's, performed markedly better on memory tests a month after mouse neural stem cells were injected into their brains.

The stem cells secreted a protein that created more neural connections, improving cognitive function and raising hopes of a potential treatment for the leading cause of dementia that afflicts 5.3 million people in the U.S.

Essentially, the cells were producing fertilizer for the brain," said Frank LaFerla, director of UCI's Institute for Memory Impairments & Neurological Disorders, or UCI MIND, and co-author of the study, which appears online the week of July 20 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Lead author Mathew Blurton-Jones, LaFerla and colleagues worked with older mice predisposed to develop brains lesions called plaques and tangles that are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's.

To learn how the stem cells worked, the scientists examined the....read all of Memories Return from Depths of Advanced Alzheimer’s for Mice Given Neural Stem Cells