Alzheimer's Speaks

Memory Loss – How is Caring For Your Spouse Different?

This show will give us great insight to those caring for a spouse or significant other with Memory Loss. The twists and turns dementia gives any Caregiver can be challenging, but as a spouse or significant other, there are additional obstacles in the road that need to be dealt with.  Find out what they are and how these women have dealt with them on their journey.  Please know, we will also be discussing the pure beauty found in their relationships as the disease becomes an intricate part of their lives.

Eileen Smithlives in New Zealand and has been caring for her husband Ray who was diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 54. After Ray’s illness declined rapidly in a four month period he was in need of more care. Eileen had to make the difficult decision to place him where Ray could give receive more care. In May of 2006, Ray moved to a community.  Ray no longer speaks, feeds himself and is in need of support when walking.  He is also double incontinent.

 

MaryBeth Watson  lives in Dallas Texas.  Her husband Dale was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in February 2007.  Upon diagnosis, MaryBeth suspended working to share Dale’s good days with him.  She says the diagnosis changed the trajectory of her life – in a good way.  She has used this experience to acquire practical knowledge which she taps into to support other caregivers and to advise others in Long Term Care strategies.

Please feel free to call in to ask questions or make a comment or post a question in the chat room. If you are not able to make the show live, feel free to email me your questions directly.

Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International, known as DASNI a twelve-year-old nonprofit group formed by and for people with early dementia and their care partners. DASNI provides social support, education and information to people with dementia and incidentally to caregivers who wish to understand us better. We also advocate for better treatment of people with dementia in a variety of ways. Members publish books, present at conferences, serve on committees, and raise funds for Alzheimer’s service organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Most importantly, we provide our services to people who are isolated in their own homes all over the world by using the Internet. We have a message board with an archive of 33,787 and 500 members.  Also we hold daily chats online for people with dementia. Our chats are held through the Fischer Foundation’s online services.   Our services help people with dementia feel part of a social group while sitting in their own homes. We help them feel understood. Helping them to feel they can advocate for others gives them a sense of purpose at a time all of their other purposes such as working and supporting the family have been lost. We encourage people to stay actively involved in their communities. And we keep them actively learning.  We’ve known for 12 years what researchers have only recently been confirming – that surfing and learning preserves the brain.  Our education function is very important. You see physicians are expert in diagnosis and prescriptions. However, they don’t have the time or the specialized knowledge to teach up about what is happening to our own mental processes. 
Here is the DASNI Website http://www.dasninternational.org/

Support this Show: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/donate-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International, known as DASNI a twelve-year-old nonprofit group formed by and for people with early dementia and their care partners. DASNI provides social support, education and information to people with dementia and incidentally to caregivers who wish to understand us better. We also advocate for better treatment of people with dementia in a variety of ways. Members publish books, present at conferences, serve on committees, and raise funds for Alzheimer’s service organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Most importantly, we provide our services to people who are isolated in their own homes all over the world by using the Internet. We have a message board with an archive of 33,787 and 500 members.  Also we hold daily chats online for people with dementia. Our chats are held through the Fischer Foundation’s online services.   Our services help people with dementia feel part of a social group while sitting in their own homes. We help them feel understood. Helping them to feel they can advocate for others gives them a sense of purpose at a time all of their other purposes such as working and supporting the family have been lost. We encourage people to stay actively involved in their communities. And we keep them actively learning.  We’ve known for 12 years what researchers have only recently been confirming – that surfing and learning preserves the brain.  Our education function is very important. You see physicians are expert in diagnosis and prescriptions. However, they don’t have the time or the specialized knowledge to teach up about what is happening to our own mental processes. 

Here is the DASNI Website http://www.dasninternational.org/

Dr. Doug Wornell, Geriatric Psychiatrist is the Author of "Wandering Explorers - A Practical Dementia for Families and Caregivers"
This show will offer you a great opportunity to call in and ask Dr. Wornell a question.
Below is a peak at Dr. Wornell's philosophy-
“Wandering Explorers” is a term Dr.Wornell, uses for those with moderate to severe dementia. It suggests a cognitive limitation and yet notes a purpose in behavior and activity. As with children, we have a responsibility to see that these “Explorers” are as content and healthy as possible. Dementia care requires no less sensitivity or sophistication of care than that in the management of children. After acceptance, we can find other important ways to manage patients with dementia. Some of  these are minimizing medication, maximizing appropriate social stimulation, and continuously being prepared for change.

Support this Show: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/donate-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Doug Wornell, Geriatric Psychiatrist is the Author of "Wandering Explorers - A Practical Dementia for Families and Caregivers"

This show will offer you a great opportunity to call in and ask Dr. Wornell a question.

Below is a peak at Dr. Wornell's philosophy-

“Wandering Explorers” is a term Dr.Wornell, uses for those with moderate to severe dementia. It suggests a cognitive limitation and yet notes a purpose in behavior and activity. As with children, we have a responsibility to see that these “Explorers” are as content and healthy as possible. Dementia care requires no less sensitivity or sophistication of care than that in the management of children. After acceptance, we can find other important ways to manage patients with dementia. Some of  these are minimizing medication, maximizing appropriate social stimulation, and continuously being prepared for change.

Authors' Daniel C. Potts, M.D. and Ellen Woodard Potts will discuss their personal journey with EIGHT family members who had Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Their book is loaded with practical steps and tools for Caregivers who have found themselves on this path of memory loss.
Here are two fascinating YouTube videos-
An Artist's Escape from Alzheimer's Disease" which is a film documentary done by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Te-s6M4qc) and "The Broken Jar" video which shows the Danny's dad's art featured in a book by the same name http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ksfsp94YQ.  This video contains about 1/3 of his dad's total paintings and they are arranged in chronological order to follow the disease process.  They start out simply, get really good in the middle and as the disease progresses, they become less colorful and more simple.  The final two paintings, the "blue collage" and the "crosscut saw," were painted entirely from memory in late stage Alzheimer's disease.
I know you will be amazed by the insights of Daniel and Ellen as I was in my pre-interview with them.

Support this Show: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/donate-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authors' Daniel C. Potts, M.D. and Ellen Woodard Potts will discuss their personal journey with EIGHT family members who had Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Their book is loaded with practical steps and tools for Caregivers who have found themselves on this path of memory loss.

Here are two fascinating YouTube videos-

An Artist's Escape from Alzheimer's Disease" which is a film documentary done by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Te-s6M4qc) and "The Broken Jar" video which shows the Danny's dad's art featured in a book by the same name http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ksfsp94YQ.  This video contains about 1/3 of his dad's total paintings and they are arranged in chronological order to follow the disease process.  They start out simply, get really good in the middle and as the disease progresses, they become less colorful and more simple.  The final two paintings, the "blue collage" and the "crosscut saw," were painted entirely from memory in late stage Alzheimer's disease.

I know you will be amazed by the insights of Daniel and Ellen as I was in my pre-interview with them.

Today we will hear from Joseph Skillin, an Author and family caregiver.  Joseph powerful book is one most will need sooner than they think. With someone in America developing Alzheimer’s every 71 seconds, you could be the next person suddenly forced to care for your mother or father.“CONFESSIONS OF A CAREGIVER: When Alzheimer’s Comes to Your Home” helps families prepare for the emotional roller---coaster of this degenerative disease. 
The book includes 24 prayers to guide caregivers in faith,as well as 8 practical steps all caregivers can use to protect their mental and emotional health. Skillin watched his mother slowly die from Alzheimer’s. He calls his brother---in---law every week to support him as he cares for his sister, who is being erased by Alzheimer’s. He and his wife have been taking care of her Alzheimer’s mom for nine years. He knows, from firsthand experience, what Alzheimer’s does to the heart, soul and emotions of the caregiver.
Email:  [email protected]
Phone:  770-622-0065

Support this Show: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/donate-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we will hear from Joseph Skillin, an Author and family caregiver.  Joseph powerful book is one most will need sooner than they think. With someone in America developing Alzheimer’s every 71 seconds, you could be the next person suddenly forced to care for your mother or father.“CONFESSIONS OF A CAREGIVER: When Alzheimer’s Comes to Your Home” helps families prepare for the emotional roller---coaster of this degenerative disease. 

The book includes 24 prayers to guide caregivers in faith,as well as 8 practical steps all caregivers can use to protect their mental and emotional health. Skillin watched his mother slowly die from Alzheimer’s. He calls his brother---in---law every week to support him as he cares for his sister, who is being erased by Alzheimer’s. He and his wife have been taking care of her Alzheimer’s mom for nine years. He knows, from firsthand experience, what Alzheimer’s does to the heart, soul and emotions of the caregiver.

Email:  [email protected]

Phone:  770-622-0065

Planning for the Future - Estate Planning
Our guests today are Mary Frances Price and Gerald Cummings, both Attorneys specializing in Elder Law and Estate Planning. 
Mary France Price practices law in Minnesota.  Her expertise is in the areas of: Planning for Incapacity and Disability, Medicaid, Asset Preservation, Estate Planning; as well as Veteran’s Benefits and Life Care Planning.
Website:  www.MaserLaw.com
Website: www.LCPLFA.Org
Website: www.NAELA.Org
Phone:  952-925-4147
Gerald Cummings practices law in California.  His expertise is in the areas of: Estate Planning, Medi-Cal Planning to pay for skilled nursing care, Probate and Trust Administration, Conservatorships and Guardianships.
Website: www.cummingslegal.com
 Email: [email protected]
 Phone:  408-286-2122
 
Disclosure -  Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio is not giving any legal advice and all listeners should do their own due diligence when hiring a professional to assist them.

Support this Show: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/donate-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.